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Apple iPhone XS

Apple iPhone XS

Released 2018, September 12. Released 2018, September 21
Available Colors 3
Space Gray
Silver
Gold

Full Specifications

Network

TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 CDMA 800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66 - A2097 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71 - A1920, A2100
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps

Launch

Announced2018, September 12. Released 2018, September 21
StatusDiscontinued

Body

Dimensions143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm (5.65 x 2.79 x 0.30 in)
Weight177 g (6.24 oz)
BuildGlass front (Corning-made glass), glass back (Corning-made glass), stainless steel frame
SIMNano-SIM + eSIM IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 2m for 30 min)

Display

TypeSuper Retina OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 625 nits (HBM)
Size5.8 inches, 84.4 cm 2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution1125 x 2436 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~458 ppi density)
ProtectionScratch-resistant glass 3D Touch

Platform

OSiOS 12, upgradable to iOS 18.7
ChipsetApple A12 Bionic (7 nm)
CPUHexa-core (2x2.5 GHz Vortex + 4x1.6 GHz Tempest)
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)

Memory

Card slotNo
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 512GB 4GB RAM NVMe

Main Camera

Dual12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom
FeaturesQuad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Video4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR, stereo sound rec.

Selfie camera

Single7 MP, f/2.2, 32mm (standard) SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
FeaturesHDR
Video1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS

Sound

LoudspeakerYes, with stereo speakers
3.5mm jackNo

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
NFCYes
RadioNo
USBLightning, USB 2.0

Features

SensorsFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer

Battery

TypeLi-Ion 2658 mAh, non-removable (10.13 Wh)
Charging15W wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min Wireless (Qi)

Misc

ColorsSpace Gray, Silver, Gold
ModelsA2097, A1920, A2100, A2098, iPhone11,2
SAR1.19 W/kg (head)     1.18 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.99 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
PriceAbout 190 EUR

Our Tests

PerformanceAnTuTu: 346379 (v7) GeekBench: 11472 (v4.4) GFXBench: 47fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)
DisplayContrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 5.171 (sunlight)
CameraPhoto / Video
LoudspeakerVoice 71dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 78dB
Audio qualityNoise -93.7dB / Crosstalk -82.8dB
Battery (old)Endurance rating 72h
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Phone Opinions Review

Apple iPhone XS is one of those devices that tries to pack a lot into one package. Let us see if Apple has managed to put together a phone that is actually worth your money. Announced in 2018, September 12. Released 2018, September 21, it arrives at a time when the competition is as tight as ever.

Design & Display

The Apple iPhone XS comes with a 5.8 inches, 84.4 cm 2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) display, pushing a resolution of 1125 x 2436 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~458 ppi density), which is more than sharp enough for everyday use, streaming and a bit of gaming. In terms of design, the Apple iPhone XS keeps things modern and comfortable to hold. You can pick it up in a few finishes, including Space Gray.

Performance & Software

Powering the Apple iPhone XS is the Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm), paired with 4GB of RAM. That combination should handle day-to-day multitasking and most games without breaking a sweat. It runs iOS 12, upgradable to iOS 18.7 out of the box, so the software experience feels current.

Camera

Photography is handled by a main 12 MP shooter that should cover most situations, from daylight shots to the occasional low-light frame. Point-and-shoot results are reliable, and that is exactly what most buyers want.

Battery

There is a Li-Ion 2658 mAh, non-removable (10.13 Wh) battery inside, and that is a healthy number that keeps range anxiety at bay.

Our Opinion

So, what do we actually make of the Apple iPhone XS? This is a phone that does not try to be the flashiest option on the shelf, and honestly that works in its favour. It gets the basics right, offering a dependable main camera, a crisp display, which is exactly what most buyers are really after. If your priority is a phone that just works, day in and day out, then this one deserves a spot on your shortlist. You could nitpick a few things, as you can with any phone in this bracket. Overall though, the Apple iPhone XS is easy to recommend to the right buyer. If you have used this device or are planning to pick one up, do let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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