Apple iPhone XS Max vs Apple iPhone XR Official Specs and Prices Comparison Table

The Cupertino company has just formally announced its three new iPhone models for 2018, namely, the Apple iPhone XS, the Apple iPhone XS Max, and the Apple iPhone XR.

Frankly, many details about these handsets had been familiar to us even before the official unveiling -- thanks to reliable insiders and gadget leakers online. Nevertheless, Apple still managed to surprise us with some announcements that were never really mentioned in the rumors like the Dual SIM capability of all models as well as the official suggested retail prices of the trio.

Apple iPhone XS Max vs Apple iPhone XR

Apple iPhone XS and XS Max are the ultra-premium models, selling for up to $1349 and $1449 USD respectively, while the Apple iPhone XR is positioned as the "budget friendly" release, donning an SRP as low as $749 USD. (I know. That's still around PHP 40,300 with current conversion, which is not cheap at all -- but hey, we are talking about a brand new iPhone model here.)

When we think about what previous S-Series iPhone models had offered to consumers, it's easier to figure out what's special about the iPhone XS. The truth is, it looks almost exactly like the iconic Apple iPhone X from 2017 but it has a slightly more vibrant SuperAMOLED display, smarter cameras, and more powerful internal hardware.

As its name suggests, the Apple iPhone XS Max is simply a larger version of the iPhone XS, having the exact same design, build, set of cameras, and internal hardware but flaunting a larger display, which many users prefer for watching videos or viewing photos.

And finally, the Apple iPhone XR practically looks like a stretched Apple iPhone 8 with a notched all-screen face and an Apple A12 Bionic processor that also powers its more expensive siblings.


Anyway, if you're wondering just how much better the Apple iPhone XS and XS Max are compared to the iPhone XR, here's a side-by-side specs comparison table that I made to make it easier to spot the differences between all three models.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specifications Table

Apple iPhone XS and
Apple Phone XS Max
Apple iPhone XR
Dimensions XS: 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm
XS Max: 157.5 x 77.4 x 7.7 mm 
150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm
Weight XS: 177 grams
XS Max: 208 grams
194 grams
Display XS: 5.8 inches, 1125 x 2436 pixels, 463 ppi, 19.5:9 Aspect Ratio, SuperAMOLED Display, True Tone, 3D Touch, Wide Color

XS Max: 6.5 inches, 2688 x 1242 pixels, 458 ppi, 19.5 Aspect Ratio, SuperAMOLED Display, True Tone, 3D Touch, Wide Color
6.1 inches, 828 x 1792 pixels, 19.5:9 Aspect Ratio, 326 ppi, Liquid Retina, IPS LCD, True Tone, Wide Color

No 3D Touch
Notch YesYes
Screen Protection Scratch-Resistant GlassScratch-Resistant Glass
Front Selfie Camera 7 MegaPixels, f/2.2 Aperture, 32mm Focal Length7 MegaPixels, f/2.2 Aperture, 32mm Focal Length
Rear Camera Dual Rear Camera Module:

12 MegaPixels, f/1.8 Aperture, 28mm Focal Length, 1.4µm, Optical Image Stabilization, Phase Detection AutoFocus

+

12 MegaPixels, f/2.4 Aperture, 52mm Focal Length, 1.0µm, OIS, PDAF, 2X Optical Zoom

Neural Engine
12 MegaPixels, f/1.8 Aperture, 28mm Focal Length, 1.4µm, Optical Image Stabilization, Phase Detection AutoFocus

Neural Engine
Video Recorder Back:
4K 2160p @ 24/30/60fps, FullHD 1080p @ 30/60/120/240fps, HDR

Front:
FullHD 1080p @ 30/60fps

Cinematic Video Stabilization
Back:
4K 2160p @ 24/30/60fps, FullHD
1080p @ 30/60/120/240fps, HDR

Front:
FullHD 1080p @ 30/60fps

Cinematic Video Stabilization
Operating System iOS 12iOS 12
Chipset Hexa-Core Apple A12 Bionic ProcessorHexa-Core Apple A12 Bionic Processor
GPU Quad-Core Apple GPUQuad-Core Apple GPU
RAM 4GB3GB
ROM 64GB, 256GB, 512GB64GB, 128GB, 256GB
microSD Card Slot NoneNone
Battery Non-removable Li-Ion Battery with Qi Wireless Charging Support (TBS)Non-removable Li-Ion Battery with Qi Wireless Charging Support (TBS)
Charging Port Lightning PortLightning Port
WiFi Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/acWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.0
4G LTE 4G LTE-A Cat164G LTE-A Cat16
Dual SIM Capability Yes = nanoSIM + eSIMYes = nanoSIM + eSIM
Gyroscope YesYes
3.5mm Audio Jack NoNo
Fingerprint Scanner NoNo
Facial Recognition Yes, TrueDepth CameraYes, TrueDepth Camera
Protection Against The Elements IP68 Splash, Water, and Dust ResistantIP67 Splash, Water, and Dust Resistant
Colors Gold, Black, SilverRed, Black, Yellow, Blue, Coral
Build Stainless Steel, Scratch-Resistant Glass Back PanelSeries 7000 Aluminum, Scratch-Resistant Glass Back Panel
Availability October 26, 2018 in Key Markets of AppleOctober 26, 2018 in Key Markets of Apple
Official Suggested Retail Prices In the United States
Apple iPhone XS
64GB - $999 USD
256GB - $1149 USD
512GB - $1349 USD

Official Suggested Retail Prices of Apple iPhone XS in the Philippines
64GB - PHP 67,990
256GB - PHP 77,490
512GB - PHP 90,490

In the United States
Apple iPhone XS Max
64GB - $1099 USD
256GB - $1249 USD
512GB - $1449 USD

Official Suggested Retail Prices of Apple iPhone XS Max in the Philippines
64GB - PHP 74,990
256GB - PHP 84,490
512GB - PHP 97,490
In the United States
64GB - $749 USD
128GB - $799
256GB - $899

Official Suggested Retail Prices of Apple iPhone XR in the Philippines
64GB - PHP 50,990
256GB - PHP 53,990
512GB - PHP 60,490

Looking at the table above, it's clear that the Apple iPhone XS and XS Max's Higher-Resolution SuperAMOLED displays, Dual Rear Camera Module, Large Amount of RAM and Internal Storage, Higher IP Certification for Water Resistance, and More Luxurious build are their main advantages over the more wallet-friendly Apple iPhone XR.

Just a few notes:

1. SuperAMOLED is generally seen as superior to IPS when it comes to brilliance, viewing angles, and energy efficiency. This type of display shines even more then it comes with higher resolution, making it more pixel dense.

2. The Dual Rear Camera set-up of the iPhone XS and XS Max enables two times lossless zoom and more attractive portraits with bokeh effect. However, I should note that the Single Rear Camera module of the iPhone XR is more or less the same as the primary rear cam of the other two models.

3. A large amount of RAM in a handset enables smoother multitasking performance and overall mobile experience on the go.

4. Massive storage space in your daily driver minimizes or altogether eliminates the need to constantly transfer files to a computer or external hard drive.

5. IP67 Certification means that the device is protected against water ingress when immersed in a meter of liquid for an hour while IP68 Certification takes this a whole level higher by increasing the depth of liquid immersion to 30 meters for the same amount of time.

6. Stainless Steel is generally more expensive and more opulent than Anodized Aluminum.

Alright! Given these information, which of these three 2018 iPhone models are you most attracted to? Let me know your thoughts by sharing them in the comments section below or by messaging me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Personally, if I find all of three Apple iPhone XS Max models really magnetic. Why? Well, their ultra-expensive price tags aside, they represent the best that the American tech giant has to offer in this product category this year. Hence, if I were to splurge on a handset, I might as well get any of those.

Why not the iPhone XS Max, you ask? For the simple reason that I already have the its exact look-alike, the Apple iPhone X in my personal collection. I mean, at least, the iPhone XS Max is bigger and has a far larger display.

How about the Apple iPhone XR? If I were to be totally frank, I don't think it's practical to spend more than PHP 40,000 on a handset with a large 6.1-inch Display that doesn't even have FullHD resolution -- not to mention the lack of 3D Touch, which has become a staple iPhone feature. But that's just me; I really give a premium to smartphone screen quality. However, as I've shared in the previous post, I do like the eye-catching color options of the iPhone XR, especially Yellow and Blue. If only for that, I'd love to see this model in the flesh.

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