Feature Articles

Should you upgrade to the Apple iPhone XS or XS Max?

By James Lu - 29 Sep 2018

From iPhone 8 or 8 Plus to iPhone XS or XS Max

  Apple iPhone 8 (256GB) Apple iPhone 8 Plus (256GB) Apple iPhone XS (256GB) Apple iPhone XS Max (256GB)
  Apple iPhone 8 (256GB) Apple iPhone 8 Plus (256GB) Apple iPhone XS (256GB) Apple iPhone XS Max (256GB)
Launch SRP
  • From S$1548
  • From S$1889
  • From S$2039
Operating system
  • iOS 11
  • iOS 11
  • iOS 12
  • iOS 12
Processor
  • Apple A11 Bionic hexa-core processor
  • Apple A11 Bionic hexa-core
  • Apple A12 Bionic hexa-core
  • Apple A12 Bionic hexa-core
Built-in Memory
  • 2GB RAM
  • 3GB RAM
  • 4GB RAM
  • 4GB RAM
Display
  • 4.7-inch Retina HD / 1,334 x 750 pixels (326ppi) / IPS
  • 5.5-inch Retina HD / 1,920 x 1,080 pixels (401ppi) / IPS
  • 5.8-inch Super Retina HD / 2,436 x 1,125 pixels (458ppi) / OLED
  • 6.5-inch Super Retina HD / 2,688 x 1,242 pixels (458ppi) / OLED
Camera
  • Rear: 12-megapixel, f/1.8 iSight camera with phase detection autofocus, OIS and quad LED (dual-tone) flash
  • Front: 7-megapixel, f/2.2 FaceTime HD camera
  • Rear: Dual 12-megapixel, (f/1.8, 28mm & f/2.8, 56mm) with phase detection autofocus, OIS, and quad LED (dual-tone) flash
  • Front: 7-megapixel, f/2.2 FaceTime HD camera
  • Rear: Dual 12-megapixel, (f/1.8, 28mm & f/2.4, 56mm) with phase detection autofocus, OIS, and quad LED (dual-tone) flash
  • Front: 7-megapixel, f/2.2 FaceTime HD camera
  • Rear: Dual 12-megapixel, (f/1.8, 28mm & f/2.4, 56mm) with phase detection autofocus, OIS, and quad LED (dual-tone) flash
  • Front: 7-megapixel, f/2.2 FaceTime HD camera
Connectivity
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 4G+ LTE Cat 12 (up to 600Mbps), dual-band, hotspot, Bluetooth v5.0, A2DP, LE, GPS, GLONASS, Lightning connector
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 4G+ LTE Cat 12 (up to 600Mbps), dual-band, hotspot, Bluetooth v5.0, A2DP, LE, GPS, GLONASS, Lightning connector
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 4G+ LTE Cat 16 (up to 1024Mbps), dual-band, hotspot, Bluetooth v5.0, A2DP, LE, GPS, GLONASS, Lightning connector
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 4G+ LTE Cat 16 (up to 1024Mbps), dual-band, hotspot, Bluetooth v5.0, A2DP, LE, GPS, GLONASS, Lightning connector
Storage Type
  • 256GB internal storage
  • 256GB internal storage
  • 256GB internal storage
  • 256GB internal storage
Battery
  • 1,821mAh
  • 2,675mAh
  • 2,658mAh
  • 3,174mAh
Dimensions
  • 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm
  • 158.4 x 78.1 x 7.5 mm
  • 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm
  • 157.5 x 77.4 x 7.7 mm
Weight
  • 148g
  • 202g
  • 177g
  • 208g

The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus were the last generation of Apple's 2014-2017 iPhone era, which started with the iPhone 6. They're also the last iPhones with TouchID and Home Buttons, but FaceID is so good (and more secure) that you'll find you don't really miss them. The main reason to upgrade to the XS or XS Max is the larger, bezel-less OLED display, which not only gives you more screen real estate, but also has a higher resolution, better contrast, and supports true HDR10/Dolby Vision playback.

What you get for upgrading

  • Larger display: 5.8-inches on the iPhone XS or 6.5-inches on the iPhone XS Max
  • Taller 19.5:9 aspect ratio bezel-less display with notch.
  • Higher resolution OLED display (~458 ppi) with HDR10/Dolby Vision support.
  • IP68 dust and water resistance.
  • Stainless steel and glass design available in Silver, Space Gray, or Gold.
  • FaceID and Animoji.
  • Louder stereo speakers.
  • More durable front and back glass.
  • More powerful A12 Bionic processor.
  • 4GB RAM.
  • Faster 4G LTE speeds. Both the XS and XS Max now support 4G LTE Cat 16 up to 1024Mbps.
  • Dual Sim functionality.
  • Longer battery life.
  • Slightly improved rear cameras.
  • Improved Portrait Mode with adjustable depth-of-field.
  • 512GB storage option.

 

What you lose for upgrading

  • TouchID
  • Home Button
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