Here's Why You Probably Don't Need the Most Expensive New iPhone
Apple had its big September event recently and, to no one's surprise, announced three new iPhones. The iPhone XR is meant to be a cheaper alternative to the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, but with a starting price of $749, the XR doesn't exactly feel budget-friendly.
Still, the most surprising thing might be how little the three models differ from each other. Below are all the things you need to know about the new iPhone lineup.
When Will the New iPhones Be Released?
The iPhone XR will be released on October 26. Both the iPhone XS and the iPhone XS Max will be released on September 21.
How Much Will the New iPhones Cost?
The iPhone XR starts at $749 for the 64GB model. You'll face a price hike with the other phones: the iPhone XS begins at $999 for the 64GB model, and the iPhone XS Max begins at $1,099 for the 64GB model.
What Are the Specifications for the New iPhones?
As it turns out, the newest iPhones share a lot of the same specs. Here's how the similarities stack up across the entire lineup.
They All Have the Same ChipThe iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max are all equipped with the A12 Bionic chip. The 7 nanometer processor will reportedly open apps 30% faster than the 2017 iPhones.
They All Have 12MP CamerasGranted, the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max both have dual cameras, while the iPhone XR only has a single camera. While the iPhone XR won't boast both a wide-angle and telephoto lens, it will still be capable of taking excellent photos.
Additionally, all models also have the same 7MP True-Depth front-facing camera for better selfies.
They All Have 4K Video CaptureAll new iPhones have the capability to film 4K video at 24, 30, or 60 frames per second. They also have extended dynamic range, optical image stabilization, slo-mo video support, time-lapse video with stabilization, and stereo recording.
They All Lack a Fingerprint SensorInstead, the new iPhones will all be unlocked using improved Face ID. The security system has adaptive recognition in order to recognize any changes in your appearance, and allows you to easily log into apps and accounts.
They All Have Dual-Sim CapabilitiesAll three of the latest iPhones will offer dual-sim capabilities with nano-SIM and eSIM. Having dual-sim capability means one iPhone will be able to have two different phone numbers and even two different carriers.
This is a relief for anyone who might be tired of having to worry about both a work phone and a personal phone. It could also make international travel easier, since you could theoretically keep your regular phone number and then buy a prepaid SIM from a local carrier for whatever country you're visiting.
They All Have Better Battery LifeApple didn't provide specifics on the number of hours each battery will have. However, in the keynote, the iPhone XS was said to have 30 minutes more than the iPhone X, while the iPhone XS Max boasts 1.5 hours more than the iPhone X. The iPhone XR should have 1.5 more hours per day than the iPhone 8 Plus.
They'll All Use iOS 12The latest iOS iteration will release on September 17 and be available on all the new iPhones. It's a massive update, with new features spanning 14 different categories. These include everything from performance and AR to messages and Do Not Disturb.
So How Are the New iPhones Different?
The new iPhones aren't that different, aside from the obvious things like screen size and display. Unless you need certain features such as dual cameras, you can save yourself a decent chunk of change by opting for the so-called "budget" iPhone XR instead of the iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max.
Size: The iPhone XS comes in at 5.8", iPhone XS Max is 6.5", and iPhone XR is 6.1".
Display: Both the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max boast an OLED Super Retina screen, while the iPhone XR has an LCD Liquid Retina screen.
Colors: The iPhone X successors come in Gold, Silver, and Space Gray, while the iPhone XR will be available in Blue, Coral, Yellow, White, Black, and a Product (RED) version.
Storage Capacity: Both the iPhone XS and the iPhone XS Max come in 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB sizes. The iPhone XR also includes 64GB and 128GB models, but its highest tier is only 256GB.
Water-resistance: All three models are protected from contact with harmful dust. The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max both have IP68 ratings, which means they're water-resistant up to 6.5 feet for up to 30 minutes. The iPhone XR is rated IP67, which means it's only water-resistant up to 3.3 feet for up to 30 minutes.
3D Touch: Only the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are equipped with 3D Touch (but that might not be much of a loss for XR users).
Readers, will you be buying one of the latest iPhones? Which model are you most interested in? Let us know in the comments below!
5G will take a while to build out. And once lit up, the likelihood of standards issues with various carriers and phones is very likely. There are still turf battles about locating the nodes in many communities.
Basing your phone buy now on it is premature. For most folks, their current phone will wear out before 5G becomes prevalent.
Hey I bought my 6 used 2 years ago used and it it is still on the original battery working great, 931 charge cycles. the 11.4.1 update did slow it down however, may jump to ios 12 soon.
The security alone makes the iPhone the only phone worth having, but the best apps and the best selection of apps, the best platform integration and suite of online services, the power and convenience of find my iPhone and, with this series of phones, the power of computational photography which offers features unmatched by expensive DSLR, make these phones the clear buying choice and a bargain besides.
A thousand bucks is valued diffeerently by different folks.
If someone absolutely wants the latest model, so beit. It's their money.
(I happen to be content with with an iPhone SE - guts of the 6s. I could afford a top model, but choose to play the frugal game as my cheap, Scot blood desires.)
Buy a new budget phone every year for $200 ($17/mo) with subpar specs, it's slow and glitchy.
Buy a new flagship every two years for $1000, but sell your old one for $300, total $700 every two years ($29/mo). For some it's worth the extra $12/mo to have a fast phone with the best specs.
Or buy someone's old flagship every 12-18mo, sell your old one and the monthly ave cost is about $15 and always have a flagship that is 2-3yrs old.
Thanks for alerting us! We've corrected the information to reflect that iPhone XS and XS Max are available in 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB.
Thanks for reading!
Supposedly, am switching to Apple this year ( aiming a 256 GB $1,249.99 iPhone XS Max; can't go below the basic 64 GB cap). But at this astronomical 2018 iPhone prices..am NOT gonna be suckered by Apple, on a soon SLOWER frequency,/NON FUTURE PROOF iPhone.
Luckily, I was one of the fortunate ones who availed of the One Day Special Priced 128 GB $199.99 Amazon Halo Gray Essential PH-1, running with the latest Android Pie, coupled with the 360 camera accessory attachment and case for only $24 from the Essential website (to replace my shattered but dependable daily driver Google Nexus 6). Now that's a BETTER ROI, (a roughly $1,050 + tax difference saved). Well worth the savings, even still with the 4G LTE radio frequencies..
Surely no doubt, I can manage to pass again this year with NO REGRETS.
I'm a little freaked by the high price, but I bought the highest priced 6S at the time and it has lasted many years. I suspect I will bite the bullet and do the same. I'm no longer an early adopter like when I was young, so I'll let the bugs of first-run components and bugginess flush through before I buy.
I may break my general rule of never getting insurance, however. I've never lost or broken a phone, so my gamble to save money has been a good one thus far.
I get a refurb Samsung Galaxy every couple of years that's usually at least 2 models behind the newest. It does everything that I need and more, and I'll pay less than $200 for it.
Buying this phone is an example of why the younger generation is reported to be in so much debt. Why would anyone need to make monthly payments on a cell phone? Save up and pay cash when you have the money.
I don't buy new cars, and I don't buy overpriced Apple products. That money could be better spent elsewhere, like in my 401k.
@rez157 my daily driver is a 97 Accord with 282k miles that I've owned since '99. I don't drive it because I have to, but because I choose to. I also take pride in doing the maintenance myself and keeping it going. I haven't had a car payment in many years.
Honestly - I understand the new prices are high, and just like a brand new car, I will never buy one.
That being said, I also do want the latest and greatest tech.... so what is my compromise???
Well, I wait about 6 months for the phones to appear on ebay or craigslist (brand new or mint condition) for 50% off.
Cars take a 20%+ depreciation the first year, but phones are worse.
Me waiting a few months doesnt bother me as even a 2 year old flagship phone these days is still a great piece of phone tech.
I am holding out until Christmas for the Note 9 - by then, I bet it will be $500 on ebay and craigslist.
$1000 on a phone... oh my. That can get sold for $500, 2 years later.