Apple is one of the most recognizable names in the world today. Apple launched the iPhone XS Max in 2018. Since then, it has established itself as one of the bestselling iOS devices. Users originally loved the iPhone X, and with some fantastic upgrades and a remodeled version, iPhone XS Max experienced the same popularity.
In 2022, you cannot officially purchase a brand new version of the phone. However, there are many alternatives you can choose if you really want one. If you are having a hard time deciding if you should opt for an iPhone XS Max in 2022 or go for newer versions, this article is for you.
So, is the iPhone XS Max still worth it in 2022? How does it compare to the recent and previous launches in the Apple ecosystem? Let’s find out.
Hardware Stats
The iPhone XS Max features an A12 Bionic processor chip which is efficient in power consumption and processing as compared to the previous A11 chips. It comes equipped with a 6.5 inch super retina HD display that is a significant upgrade compared to the iPhone X which had a smaller 5.8” screen.
The phone comes with an internal 4GB of RAM and a 3174 mAh battery. The iPhone XS Max is IP68 water-resistant and had a 7 Megapixel front camera with TrueDepth support. The back camera featured dual 12MP lenses with wide angles and telephoto support.
When the device was first launched in the market, it retailed for $1099. But you can get one in 2022 for a much lower price. Before we decide if the device is a worthy buy in 2022, let’s further discuss its usability in other aspects.
Display Quality
Many users have reviewed that the display size and quality of the iPhone XS Max are perfect for streaming media and gaming. Truthfully so, it flaunts a relatively large screen than its predecessors with a super retina HD display.
Furthermore, the OLED screen has a sharp display that shows amazing colors and is nice to look at. The screen also supports Dolby Vision and HDR10 which takes streaming, playing, and binge-watching Netflix to an entirely new level.
In addition to the screen size, the display quality on the iPhone XS Max is top-notch and very comparable to the recent iOS devices. It has almost no bezels and the user feedback couldn’t have been better.
Is The iPhone XS Max Good at Taking Pictures?
The most significant upgrade that the iPhone XS Max had on the iPhone X was the low-light photography. Many users reported that the iPhone X performed quite average in low-light conditions.
Apple fixed that with the iPhone XS Max, yet another reason to still go for it in 2022. The Smart HDR feature was also highly appreciated by Apple fans which elevated the dynamic range of the iPhone cameras to a whole new level.
What’s amazing is that the Smart HDR feature allows the iPhone XS max to collect background information even before the shutter is pressed on the camera. Thus, every photo will have added details on highlights and background. This feature was not available on the previous-gen iPhones.
iPhone XS Max Performance and Power
With the A12 Bionic chip, the iPhone XS Max is 15% faster and 50% more power-efficient. Apple is always known for bringing significant upgrades to the new generations and this can be considered another breakthrough.
The iPhone XR had 3GB RAM, which was still a decent buy. However, 4GB RAM in the iPhone XS Max coupled with the impressive bionic chip took the performance and speed of the device to a new level.
For strong gamers out there, the iPhone XS Max can be a great option as it received a huge upgrade in processing power and power management sectors.
Battery Life
Let’s start with the fact that the iPhone XS Max has a better battery performance than all of the previous-gen models. Users can get 15 hours of watching videos which are 2 hours more than the iPhone X. The 3174 mAH battery beats the iPhone X’s 2176 mAh and the difference really shows when the phone is on standby.
Storage
The iPhone XS Max features 512GB of storage which means you will have enough for anything you’d to store. Even though the cameras of the iPhones are really good, the downside has always been the heavier image and video files. However, with 512GB, you’ll never run out of storage especially when you couple it with a cloud storage backup.
Affordable Price
One of the best things about the iPhone XS Max is its affordable price. Even though they retailed for about $1099 when they first came out, you can find used ones on Swappa starting from $379.
With the previous few models, iPhone had discontinued the classy gold color option on iOS devices. However, the iPhone XS Max is available in Gold. Being an IP68 water-resistant device, which is a slight upgrade from the iPhone X, the iPhone XS Max can survive on even deeper waters.
Conclusion: Is the iPhone XS Max Still Worth it?
iPhone XS Max Review
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iPhone XS Max Rating
Summary
The iPhone XS Max is a great phone! It may not be the “Latest and greatest” but it will not let you down, not to mention the price is a pleasant surprise from Apple.
Definitely! Whether you are a gaming nerd or a camera freak, the iPhone XS Max won’t let you down on any occasion. It has a nice performance, great battery life, improved camera features with the Smart HDR, and a sharp display.
Overall we’d say that it is a great buy for the price and you should definitely get one if you have difficulties making a decision. Furthermore, Apple is reputed for bringing software updates from time to time. iPhone XS Max is compatible with iOS 15 as well. So, this model will continue to get optimized with the latest software and patches.
iPhone XS Max was a nice upgrade from the iPhone X and still holds its ground among some of the newer iOS devices like the iPhone 12. The storage is large and since you can get used ones for a pretty low price, it is certainly a great idea to grab yourself one while you can. To conclude, iPhone XS Max is still worth it in 2022.