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iPhone XS specs vs. X, XR, XS Max: What's the same and different

See how Apple's latest iPhones compare with the original iPhone X, spec by spec.

Patrick Holland Managing Editor
Patrick Holland has been a phone reviewer for CNET since 2016. He is a former theater director who occasionally makes short films. Patrick has an eye for photography and a passion for everything mobile. He is a colorful raconteur who will guide you through the ever-changing, fast-paced world of phones, especially the iPhone and iOS. He used to co-host CNET's I'm So Obsessed podcast and interviewed guests like Jeff Goldblum, Alfre Woodard, Stephen Merchant, Sam Jay, Edgar Wright and Roy Wood Jr.
Expertise Apple, iPhone, iOS, Android, Samsung, Sony, Google, Motorola, interviews, coffee equipment, cats Credentials
  • Patrick's play The Cowboy is included in the Best American Short Plays 2011-12 anthology. He co-wrote and starred in the short film Baden Krunk that won the Best Wisconsin Short Film award at the Milwaukee Short Film Festival.
Patrick Holland
2 min read
Angela Lang/CNET

The iPhone XS , iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR phones are updates to 2017's iPhone X, 8 and 8 Plus . The iPhone XS retains the familiar design of the iPhone X, including a 5.8-inch OLED display and stainless-steel sides. Apple also offers a larger version of the XS with a 6.5-inch OLED display called the iPhone XS Max.

Read: iPhone 11: 8 features I want real bad

With a footprint about the same size as the iPhone 8 Plus (though the older phone has a smaller 5.5-inch LCD display), the iPhone XS Max has the largest display found on any current iPhone.

iPhone XS features vs. XS Max, XR, X

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The iPhone XS and XS Max come in silver, space gray and gold. Apple opted for more of a straw-colored gold this time than on previous gold iPhone models, which skewed closer to copper.

Then there's the iPhone XR, which has a 6.1-inch LCD display and an aluminum and glass body instead of the stainless steel and glass of the XS and XS Max. The iPhone XR comes in white, black, coral, yellow, blue and red (Product Red) and costs $749, £749 or AU$1,229. That's $50, £50 or AU$150 more than the iPhone 8  cost when it launched in 2017. The XR's colors are a callback to the iPhone 5C.

The iPhone XS Max behemoth shown from every angle

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The iPhone XS starts at $999, £999 or AU$1,629 for a 64GB model, while the iPhone XS Max costs $1,099, £1,099 or AU$1,799 for 64GB.  

All three new phones have a new A12 Bionic processor that Apple claims is 15 percent faster than last year's A11 chip in the iPhone X.

The iPhone XR has a single rear camera, and the XS and XS Max both have dual rear cameras like the iPhone X.

The iPhone XR, XS and XS Max are all available now. 

To put it all in perspective, check out the chart below, which compares the iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and last year's X. 

iPhone X specs compared with iPhone XS, XS Max and XR


iPhone XiPhone XRiPhone XSiPhone XS Max
Display size, resolution 5.8-inch; 2,436x1,125 pixels6.1-inch LCD Retina Display; 1,792x828 pixels5.8-inch Super Retina OLED; 2,436x1,125 pixels6.5-inch Super Retina OLED; 2,688x1,242 pixels
Pixel density 458 ppi326 ppi458 ppi458 ppi
Dimensions (inches) 5.7x2.79x0.3 in.5.9x3x0.33 in.5.7x2.8x0.3 in.6.2x3x.3 in.
Dimensions (millimeters) 143.6x70.9x7.7 mm150.9x75.7x8.3 mm143.6x70.9x7.7 mm157.5x77.4x7.7 mm
Weight (ounces, grams) 6.14 oz.; 174 g6.8 oz.; 194 g6.24 oz.; 177 g7.3 oz.; 208 g
Mobile software iOS 11iOS 12iOS 12iOS 12
Camera Dual 12-megapixelSingle 12-megapixelDual 12-megapixelDual 12-megapixel
Front-facing camera 7-megapixel7-megapixel with Face ID7-megapixel with Face ID7-megapixel with Face ID
Video capture 4K4K4K4K
Processor Apple A11 BionicApple A12 BionicApple A12 BionicApple A12 Bionic
Storage 64GB, 256GB64GB, 128GB, 256GB64GB, 256GB, 512GB64GB, 256GB, 512GB
RAM Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Expandable storage NoneNoneNoneNone
Battery Not disclosed, but lasted 11.45 hours in CNET's looped video playback testNot disclosed, but Apple claims it will last 90 minutes longer than iPhone 8 PlusNot disclosed, but Apple claims it will last 30 minutes longer than iPhone XNot disclosed, but Apple claims it will last 90 minutes longer than iPhone X
Fingerprint sensor None (Face ID via TrueDepth camera)None (Face ID)None (Face ID)None (Face ID)
Connector LightningLightningLightningLightning
Headphone jack NoNoNoNo
Special features Water-resistant (IP67), wireless charging, Face ID 3D unlock, MemojiWater-resistant: IP67, dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM), wireless charging, Face ID, MemojiWater-resistant (IP68), dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM), wireless charging, Face ID, MemojiWater-resistant (IP68), dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM), wireless charging, Face ID, Memoji
Price off-contract (USD) $999 (64GB), $1,149 (256GB)$749 (64GB), $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB)$999 (64GB), $1,149 (256GB), $1,349 (512GB)$1,099 (64GB), $1,249 (256GB), $1,449 (512GB)
Price (GBP) £999 (64GB), £1,149 (256GB)£749 (64GB), £799 (128GB), £899 (256GB)£999 (64GB), £1,149 (256GB), £1,349 (512GB)$1,099 (64GB), $1,249 (256GB), $1,449 (512GB)
Price (AUD) AU$1,579 (64GB), AU$1,829 (256GB)AU$1,229 (64GB), AU$1,299 (128GB), AU$1,479 (256GB)AU$1,629 (64GB), AU$1,879 (256GB), AU$2,199 (512GB)AU$1,799 (64GB), AU$2,049 (256GB), AU$2,369 (512GB)

The iPhone XS Max behemoth shown from every angle

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