I have an iPhone and I love it so I absolutely hate to be THAT guy.
I hate to be the guy who’s going against the grain, who seems to be contrarian where others celebrate but unfortunately, this is one of those articles.
Apple released their new iPhones today.
They released three new models – the iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.
The new iPhone XS and XS Max are priced at $999 and $1,099 and start shipping out at the end of this month. The iPhone XR starts at $749 and begins shipping out in October.
Apple iPhone XS (Image Credit – The Verge)
The iPhone XS has a 5.8-inch OLED display with a 2436 x 1125 resolution. Meanwhile, the iPhone XS Max has a 6.5-inch OLED display with a 2688 x 1242 resolution. The iPhone XR, which you can basically think of as this year’s lower-end offering, has a 6.1-inch LCD display with a 1792 x 828 resolution.
At the end of the day, the screen size is the main difference between these three new models.
- The XS is smaller than the iPhone 8 Plus but the screen is as big as the screen on the 8 Plus.
- The iPhone XS Max is as big as the iPhone 8 Plus, and its screen is larger.
- The iPhone XR has a larger display than the iPhone 8 Plus, while its overall size is just slightly smaller.
The iPhone XS and XS Max have dual rear 12-megapixel cameras and improved True Tone flash, and a front 7-megapixel camera. The iPhone XR, as the more budget option, has one 12-megapixel camera on the back, with True Tone flash.
All the new phones are powered by a new seven-nanometer A12 Bionic chip which can handle 512GB of storage. The iPhone XS and XS Max also have faster Face ID, True Tone display, and 3D Touch. They have support for Dolby Vision and HDR10 video.
The iPhone XS and XS Plus come in gold, silver, or space gray. The iPhone XS starts at $999 for the 64GB option, and has 256GB and 512GB options as well. The iPhone XS Max starts at $1,099, with the same storage options. The 512GB option goes for $1,449.
The Apple iPhone XS Promo Video
My opinion
Unfortunately, this is just more of the same.
Apple have made a larger phone, added more storage and made the camera better. The phone OS will be improved as well but that is really all that happened.
As someone who has an iPhone 7 Plus, I will upgrade at some point but the truth is there is STILL no rush.
I have been waiting for a compelling upgrade from Apple that would force me to head to the store and/or pre-order a new phone and the truth is, this isn’t the one.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 seems way more exciting from a consumer point of view because of the screen, the pen and the TONS of innovative new features they bring to the table.
When Steve Jobs died, there was a fervent argument among the faithful that innovation at the worlds most valuable company would start to slow.
Unfortunately I fear this is the case.
The most exciting features of the iPhone (IMHO) are FaceID and the upcoming multi-user FaceTime. Beyond those two features, it seems like Apple is just keeping up with the competition.
Let’s be really clear, these are REALLY GOOD PHONES.
But unfortunately, Apple is in a Michael Jackson type situation where they seem to be unable to do anything better than their greatest hit.
Apple continues to live in Steve Job’s shadow and unfortunately, his genius is really the anchor against which the company’s level of innovation will be measured. Using that yardstick, the company fails to measure up.
Preorders for both phones begin on September 14 and ship on September 21st in select countries, with rollout in other countries to follow.
What do you think? Will you buy an iPhone XS?