The dual rear camera is very similar to 2018's iPhone X setup: twin 12 MP cameras, one with f/1.8 aperture and the other with f/2.4 aperture. The secondary camera serves as a telephoto lens for zooming and assists in Portrait Mode. The two biggest changes are: What's more impressive is that the XS Max manages to squeeze a huge 6.5-inch display into a body that's a touch shorter and narrower (at 157.5 x 77.4mm) than the iPhone 8 Plus, which only boasts a 5.5-inch display. While the iPhone XS Max does feel a little chunky in the hand there's no questioning the fact that you're getting a huge amount of display real estate crammed into a form factor which does a good job of keeping it usable. At the time of launch, there was no mainstream smartphone that costs more than the 512GB iPhone XS Max did at launch, putting it in a league of its own in terms of pricing. Now, there are even more expensive mainstream phones but this is still a lot of money for a handset.

This massive screen is squeezed into a stainless steel and glass housing that measures only 157.5 x 77.4 x 7.7 mm -- smaller than the iPhone 8 Plus. At 208 g, the new phone is slightly heavier, but it is also more robust. The display is scratch-resistant and treated with an oleophobic coating to reduce fingerprinting. It is also rated IP68 dust and water-resistant. Magnetometer, Barometer, Proximity Sensor, Light Sensor, Gyroscope Sensor, Accelerometer (G-Sensor) Testing conducted by Apple in August 2017 using pre-production iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus units and software, and in August 2018 using pre-production iPhone X S, iPhone X S Max and iPhone X R units and software, with accessory Apple USB‑C Power Adapters (18W Model A1720, 29W Model A1540, 30W Model A1882, 61W Model A1718 and 87W Model A1719). Testing conducted by Apple in August 2019 using pre-production iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max units and software and accessory Apple USB‑C Power Adapters (18W Model A1720, 29W Model A1540, 30W Model A1882, 61W Model A1947 and 87W Model A1719). Testing conducted by Apple in February 2020 using pre-production iPhone SE (2nd generation) units and software and accessory Apple USB‑C Power Adapters (18W Model A1720 and 30W Model A1882). Testing conducted by Apple in September 2020 using pre-production iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max units and software and accessory Apple USB‑C Power Adapter (20W Model A2305). Testing conducted by Apple in August 2021 using pre-production iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max units and software and accessory Apple USB‑C Power Adapter (20W Model A2305). Testing conducted by Apple in February 2022 using pre-production iPhone SE (3rd generation) units and software and accessory Apple USB‑C Power Adapter (20W Model A2305). Testing conducted by Apple in August 2022 using pre-production iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max units and software and accessory Apple USB‑C Power Adapter (20W Model A2305). Testing conducted by Apple in August 2023 using pre-production iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max units and software and accessory Apple USB‑C Power Adapter (20W Model A2305). Fast-charge testing conducted with drained iPhone units. Charge time varies with settings and environmental factors; actual results will vary.

Max-imum Specifications

And while it misses out on the iPhone 12 Pro Max's truly impressive night photography, the iPhone XS Max retains nearly all the perks inherited by its replacement. For a lower cost, you're still getting a plus-sized iPhone with the best iOS has to offer (with all the perks of iOS 14) and a great display for binging media.

Apple introduced a new gold finish for both the iPhone XS Max and XS, and it's a little richer than the more subtle gold finish option for the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. If you find the gold a bit too much, the iPhone XS Max also comes in Silver and Space Gray. The iPhone XS Max display has rounded corners that follow a beautiful curved design, and these corners are within a standard rectangle. When measured as a standard rectangular shape, the screen is 6.46 inches diagonally (actual viewable area is less). Splash, Water, and Dust Resistant 3 Up front is a 7 MP TrueDepth selfie shooter with f/2.2 aperture. It supports Portrait Mode and can be combined with Animojis and Memojis to create AR effects. Apple iPhone XS Max: VerdictSiri may not be available in all languages or in all areas, and features may vary by area. Internet access required. Cellular data charges may apply. B20, B7, B14, B18, B30, B26, B1, B2, B5, B8, B12, B13, B17, B19, B38, B39, B40, B41, B4, B25, B29, B32, B34, B3

Overall though, Apple hasn't moved far from the design of the iPhone X with the iPhone XS Max, other than to stretch it a little. There is, however, a new color option over the X. iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone X S, iPhone X S Max, iPhone X R, iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone SE (3rd generation), iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are splash, water and dust resistant and were tested under controlled laboratory conditions; iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus have a rating of IP68 under IEC standard 60529 (maximum depth of 6 metres up to 30 minutes); iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max have a rating of IP68 under IEC standard 60529 (maximum depth of 4 metres up to 30 minutes); iPhone X S, iPhone X S Max and iPhone 11 have a rating of IP68 under IEC standard 60529 (maximum depth of 2 metres up to 30 minutes); and iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone X R, iPhone SE (2nd generation) and iPhone SE (3rd generation) have a rating of IP67 under IEC standard 60529 (maximum depth of 1 metre up to 30 minutes). Splash, water and dust resistance are not permanent conditions. Resistance might decrease as a result of normal wear. Do not attempt to charge a wet iPhone; refer to the user guide for cleaning and drying instructions. Liquid damage not covered under warranty. Full HD (30fps), HD (30fps), Full HD (60fps), 4K (60fps), 4K (24fps), Full HD (240fps), Full HD (120fps)

XS Max v. iPhone XS and XR

The reason for this is simple: tapered edges. The Samsung, Sony and OnePlus all taper their rear edges, giving the impression of a thinner device while also allowing them to sit a little better in the curvature of your hand. English, Chinese (Simplified, Traditional), Danish, Dutch, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish Update: Apple has released iOS 15 and confirmed that the software will come to the iPhone XS Max. Highlights of iOS 15 include the ability to include Android users on FaceTime calls, additional details in Apple Maps, statuses for Messages, and much more. Simply open the Settings app and go to General > Software Update to upgrade for free. That said, it's getting increasingly hard to find new models of the iPhone XS Max, so if you really still want to buy it you might have to settle for a refurbished handset. Of course, the price of those is even lower.