iPhone XS vs iPhone XS Max: What To Buy This Black Friday?

iPhone XS vs iPhone XS Max: Which one you should buy this Black Friday? Even though they are two years old, you might want to look out for some great Black Friday deals on these iPhones. These models are still regarded as some of Apple’s finest and they’re much cheaper than newer models!

In this buying guide, we’ll look at some of the key features of the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max and see how they stack up against each other.

First off, let’s look at their specifications;

Specifications

iPhone XS;

Starting RRP: $899
Processor: A12 Bionic
Display: 5.8-inch OLED (2,436 x 1,125 pixels)
Storage: 64GB, 256GB, 512GB
Rear camera: 12MP
Front camera: 7MP
Battery life: 9:41

iPhone XS Max;

Starting RRP: $999
Processor: A12 Bionic
Display: 6.5-inch OLED (2,688 x 1,242 pixels)
Storage: 64GB, 256GB, 512GB
Rear camera: 12MP
Front camera: 7MP
Battery life: 10:38

Display

The main thing that separates these two iPhones is their display screens and their sizes. As the name ‘Max’ suggests, the iPhone XS Max is larger than the iPhone XS. The iPhone XS has a display screen size of 5.8 inches and the XS Max has a display screen of 6.5 inches so there’s a noticeable difference there.

The iPhone XS has a resolution of 2,436 x 1,125 and the Max has a resolution of 2,688 x 1,242 pixels so you’re getting a better sharpness if you go for the larger option. Both of these phones still have stunning displays by today’s newer iPhone standards.

Design

As mentioned, both iPhones have fantastic display screen sizes and all functioning buttons remain as part of the display allowing more space for actual screen size on the front. Both the iPhone XS and XS Max come in Silver and Space Grey, like their predecessors, while Gold has been carried over from the iPhone 8 range.

The iPhone XS vs XS Max both boast stainless steel frames as the iPhone X did and both feel comfortable but not too big in your hand.

Performance

Both the iPhone Xs and iPhone XS Max run with the Apple A12 ‘Bionic’ chipset: Six-Core CPU, Four-Core GPU, M12 motion coprocessor and 4GB RAM. In terms of performance, there’s not a lot of difference. Whichever size you go for, you’re going to have a great performing phone thanks to Apple’s A12 chip that can handle everything you throw at it.

Camera

Both iPhones have a rear camera with 12MP capabilities which is a very high standard and allows the iPhones to take better quality images in different light settings. The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max both have 7MP front-facing cameras which are again great quality for taking an endless amount of selfies!

The cameras on these iPhones don’t compare to the iPhone 12 Plus but we still think they stand up and do a good job of taking high-quality images by today’s standards. If you want to view your photos in higher resolution then we’d recommend going for the iPhone XS Max.

Battery life

The battery life’s on these iPhones isn’t bad either. The iPhone XS comes with a 2,658 mAh battery whilst the iPhone XS Max comes with a 3,174 mAh battery. You’ll get 9:41 from the iPhone XS and 10:38 from the iPhone XS Max and that’s all on one charge. These iPhones also support wireless charging. Both iPhones have wireless charging capability.

iPhone XS vs iPhone XS Max: Final verdict

So, should you buy an iPhone Xs or an iPhone XS Max on Black Friday? We think that with the price of these iPhones, you’ll be getting a powerful Apple phone for a fraction of the price of the latest phones and you’ll be impressed with how they operate.

In terms of performance, both phones are the same but the iPhone XS Max will of course give you a bigger screen. Other than that, both will give you the same great features. The 2018 releases are still regarded as some of the best phones in the industry after they set a benchmark in performance against their respective competitors.

Whilst Apple no longer sells these models new on their website (although you can buy refurbished ones), we did find some good deals on eBay. Be sure to look for upcoming deals on Amazon too as these models are likely to be on promotion.