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iPhone XS vs XS Max vs XR: all the differences

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Apple has hit us with three new iPhone models: the iPhone XS, XS Max and the XR, and by now, you probably already know that the XS is the successor to last year's iPhone X, the XS Max is the larger version, while the XR looks similar but makes some compromises and it's more affordable, but which one should you choose and what are all the differences?

We look at all the big and obvious differences, but we also highlights little details that are different, so that you get a complete picture of how all three new iPhones differ between each other.

And to make it all easier to see, we have put it in the table right below:

FeaturesXSXS MaxXR
Short descriptionApple's newest premium iPhoneBigger version of XSMore affordable model
Pricefrom $1,000from $1,100from $750
ColorsSilver, Space gray, GoldSilver, Space gray, GoldWhite, Black, Blue, Coral, Yellow, Red
MaterialsStainless steel frame, glass backStainless steel frame, glass backAluminum frame, glass back
ChipApple A12 BionicApple A12 BionicApple A12 Bionic
RAM4GB*4GB*3GB*
Screen5.8" OLED6.5" OLED6.1" LCD
ResolutionSuper Retina
458ppi (1125 x 2436 pixels)
Super Retina
458ppi (1242 x 2688 pixels)
Retina
326ppi (828 x 1792 pixels)
HDR displayx
3D Touchx
True Tone
Storage64 / 256 / 512GB64 / 256 / 512GB64 / 128 / 256GB
4G LTEGigabit-classGigabit-classLTE Advanced (slower than Gigabit)
Dual SIMYes (nano + eSIM)Yes (nano + eSIM)Yes (nano + eSIM)
CamerasRear: 12MP wide + 12MP tele
Front: 7MP
Rear: 12MP wide + 12MP tele
Front: 7MP
Rear: 12MP wide
Front: 7MP
Battery2,658 mAh
Lasts 30 mins longer
than iPhone X
3,174 mAh
Lasts 1 hour 30 mins longer
than iPhone X
2,942 mAh
Lasts 1 hour 30 mins longer
than iPhone 8 Plus
Wireless ChargingYesYesYes
Water ResistanceIP68 (2 meters)IP68 (2 meters)IP67 (1 meter)
Size5.65" x 2.79" x 0.3"6.2" x 3.05" x 0.3"5.94" x 2.98" x 0.33"
Weight6.24 oz7.34 oz6.84 oz
*Apple does not provide official RAM numbers. RAM numbers provided here are estimates from benchmark apps.

One thing that we could not fit in this table is that the iPhone XR also has slightly, but noticeably bigger bezels around the screen. The reason for these bezels is that the XR uses an LCD screen and Apple just cannot bend and fold this screen as much as the OLED screen on the XS, so you end up with bigger bezels.

We were also pleasantly surprised to see that the iPhone XR has the longest lasting battery of any iPhone so far, even beating the XS Max. Apple says that the XR lasts an hour more than the XS Max in video, and compared to previous iPhones, it lasts half an hour longer than the iPhone 8 Plus, the previous champ, while the XS Max lasts an hour and a half on top of the iPhone X.

Final Words

The more we look at the differences, the more we see the similarities

Overall, the more we look at the differences, the more we realize that this new crop of iPhones are actually very, very similar, all sharing the world's first 7nm chip, the Apple A12 Bionic, all have similar welcome improvements in the camera, including portrait mode and depth control, all have improved battery life and actually the XR has some new colors that you won't find on the XS.

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Aldo Pusey

Update: 2024-05-30