iPhone Xs Max 256GB

Released in September 2018, the iPhone Xs Max 256GB was the top-of-the-line iPhone model for its time. It boasted a large 6.5-inch Super Retina OLED display, a powerful A12 Bionic chip, and a dual-lens rear camera system. While it is no longer the latest model, it is still a capable phone that can be found for a good price on the second-hand market.

Display:

The iPhone XS Max boasts a stunning 6.5-inch Super Retina OLED display with a resolution of 2688 x 1242 pixels. This translates to a pixel density of 458 pixels per inch (ppi), offering sharp and vibrant visuals.

• Technology: Super Retina OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode)
• Size: 6.5 inches
• Resolution: 2688 x 1242 pixels
• Pixel Density: 458 ppi
• HDR: Supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision
• True Tone: Adjusts the display white balance to match the ambient light for a more natural viewing experience.
• 3D Touch: Allows for pressure-sensitive interactions with the display.

This combination of features delivers an exceptional viewing experience, perfect for watching videos, playing games, and browsing the web.

• Dimensions:
  • Height: 157.5 mm (6.20 inches)
  • Width: 77.4 mm (3.05 inches)
  • Depth: 7.7 mm (0.30 inches)
• Weight: 208 grams (7.34 ounces)

It’s important to note that compared to newer iPhone models, the iPhone XS Max is considered to be on the larger and heavier side. If you prefer a more compact phone, you might find newer models more comfortable to use.

Storage Capacity:

• 64GB: This is the base storage option and might be sufficient for storing essential apps, music, and photos. However, it could fill up quickly for users who take a lot of videos, download large games, or store high-resolution photos and videos.
• 256GB: This option offers a good balance between storage capacity and price. It’s suitable for most users who don’t require massive storage but want more space than the base model.
• 512GB: This is the highest storage option, providing ample space for even the most demanding users. It can store a large amount of apps, games, music, photos, and videos without running out of space.

iPhone XS Chip:

The iPhone XS Max is powered by the Apple A12 Bionic chip, a powerhouse chip for its time (released in 2018). Here’s a breakdown of its details:

• Architecture: 7-nanometer (nm) process, making it one of the first smartphone chips built on this smaller and more efficient fabrication process.
• CPU: Hexa-core (6 cores) with 2 high-performance cores and 4 high-efficiency cores, offering a balance between power and efficiency.
• GPU: Apple-designed four-core graphics processing unit (GPU) for smooth performance in games and graphics-intensive tasks.
• Neural Engine: Next-generation Neural Engine with 8 cores, dedicated for machine learning tasks like facial recognition, image processing, and augmented reality experiences.

The iPhone XS Max boasts a dual-lens rear camera system and a front-facing TrueDepth camera, offering versatility for capturing photos and videos. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each:

Camera System:

• Dual-lens:
  • Wide lens: 12MP sensor with f/1.8 aperture, six-element lens, and optical image stabilization (OIS) for sharper photos and videos, especially in low-light conditions.
  • Telephoto lens: 12MP sensor with f/2.4 aperture, six-element lens, and OIS, enabling 2x optical zoom and up to 10x digital zoom to capture distant objects in detail.
• Features:
  • Portrait mode with Depth Control: Allows you to adjust the amount of background blur in portrait photos for an artistic effect.
  • Smart HDR: Captures multiple exposures at different lighting levels and combines them into a single image with wider dynamic range, resulting in brighter highlights and darker shadows.
  • 4K video recording at up to 60 fps: Capture smooth and high-resolution videos.
  • Extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps: Provides more detail in highlights and shadows for professional-looking videos.

Front Camera (TrueDepth):

• 7MP sensor with f/2.2 aperture: Suitable for selfies, FaceTime video calls, and Animoji/Memoji creations.
• Portrait mode with Depth Control: Similar to the rear camera, allows you to adjust the amount of background blur in portrait selfies.
• 4K video recording at up to 60 fps: Capture high-resolution videos for video calls or vlogging.

Video Recodings:

Resolutions and Frame Rates:

• 4K:
  • 24 fps (frames per second)
  • 30 fps
  • 60 fps
• 1080p:
  • 30 fps
  • 60 fps
• 720p:
  • 30 fps

Additional Features:

• Cinematic video stabilization (1080p and 720p): Electronically stabilizes your videos for smoother footage, even when handheld.
• Extended dynamic range (up to 30 fps): Captures more detail in highlights and shadows, offering a more professional look.
• Optical image stabilization (OIS) on wide and telephoto lenses: Minimizes camera shake for sharper videos, especially in low-light conditions.
• 4K video recording at 60 fps available only in HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding) format: Offers better compression and smaller file sizes compared to H.264, but compatibility with older devices and editing software might be limited.
• 1080p and 720p support both H.264 and HEVC formats.
• Stereo audio recording: Captures high-quality audio for your videos.
• Continuous autofocus: Automatically adjust focus during video recording to keep your subject sharp.
• Take 8MP still photos while recording 4K video: Capture memorable moments even while recording video.
• Playback zoom: This allows you to zoom in and out while playing back your videos.

Choosing the Right Option:

• 4K resolution: Ideal for capturing high-quality videos with stunning detail, but requires more storage space and might be overkill for everyday use.
• 1080p: A good balance between quality and file size, suitable for most everyday video recording needs.
• 720p: Best for saving storage space or sharing videos online quickly, but offers less detail compared to higher resolutions.
• Higher frame rates (30 fps or 60 fps): Provide smoother and more realistic video playback, especially for fast-paced action or sports. However, they also require more storage space.

TrueDepth camera:

The iPhone XS Max features a TrueDepth camera located at the top-notch of the display. This camera system plays a crucial role in various functionalities on your phone, beyond just taking selfies. Here’s a breakdown of its key aspects:

Components:

• 7MP sensor with f/2.2 aperture: Captures high-resolution images for selfies and video calls.
• Infrared camera: Assists with Face ID recognition in low-light conditions.
• Dot projector: Projects a grid of invisible infrared dots onto your face to create a depth map for Face ID.

Functionalities:

• Face ID: The primary function of the TrueDepth camera is to power Face ID, Apple’s secure facial recognition system for unlocking your phone, authorizing payments, and accessing various apps.
• Selfies: It allows you to capture high-quality selfies with Portrait mode and Depth Control, enabling artistic background blur effects.
• Animoji and Memoji: This camera system tracks your facial expressions and animations, allowing you to create fun and expressive Animoji and Memoji characters that mimic your movements.
• Portrait Lighting: Offers different lighting effects like Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, and Natural Light to enhance the look of your portrait photos and selfies.

Cellular Connectivity:

• Supports a wide range of cellular bands: This ensures compatibility with various mobile network operators around the world. You can check the specific bands supported by your phone model and carrier to verify compatibility in your region.
• Gigabit-class LTE: Provides high-speed data connectivity for downloading, streaming, and browsing the internet.
• 4×4 MIMO (Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output): This technology uses multiple antennas to improve signal strength and data transfer rates.
• LAA (Licensed Assisted Access): Utilizes unlicensed spectrum to improve network capacity and data speeds in congested areas.
• Voice over LTE (VoLTE): Enables high-definition voice calls over the LTE network, offering clearer audio quality compared to traditional voice calls.

Wireless Connectivity:

• Wi-Fi: Supports 802.11ac Wi-Fi with 2×2 MIMO technology for fast and reliable wireless connections.
• Bluetooth 5.0: Enables wireless communication with various devices like headphones, speakers, and smart accessories.
• NFC (Near Field Communication): Allows for contactless payments using Apple Pay and other compatible services.

Battery:

The iPhone XS Max comes with a built-in, non-removable lithium-ion battery. While Apple doesn’t disclose the specific battery capacity in milliampere-hours (mAh), various sources and reviews indicate it has a capacity of 3,174 mAh.

Here are some details about the battery performance:

• Talk time:
  • Up to 25 hours on Wi-Fi
  • Up to 14 hours on cellular network
• Internet use: Up to 13 hours on Wi-Fi
• Video playback: Up to 15 hours
• Audio playback: Up to 65 hours

he iPhone XS Max originally came pre-installed with iOS 12, released in September 2018. However, it is currently eligible to be upgraded to the latest version, iOS 17.3.1, as of October 26, 2023. This means the phone can receive the most up-to-date features, security patches, and bug fixes.

Here are some key features of iOS 17.3.1:

• Improved performance and bug fixes: Addresses various bugs and performance issues identified in previous versions.
• Enhanced security: Includes the latest security patches to protect your device from vulnerabilities.
• New features: While major updates typically introduce new features, point releases like 17.3.1 often focus on bug fixes and performance improvements. However, you might discover some minor interface tweaks or feature enhancements in this version.

Operating System:

• It is generally recommended to keep your iPhone updated to the latest version of iOS for optimal performance, security, and access to new features.
• You can check for software updates by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
• Before updating, ensure your phone is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and has enough battery life.

The iPhone XS Max uses nano-SIM cards. It’s important to note that there are two different versions of the iPhone XS Max:

• Model A1920: This model features a dual nano-SIM card tray, allowing you to use two separate cellular network providers simultaneously.
• Model A1921, A2104: These models are specifically designed for the Chinese market and feature a dual SIM card tray with one nano-SIM slot and one eSIM slot. An eSIM is a digital SIM card embedded within the phone itself, eliminating the need for a physical card.

Therefore, depending on the specific model you have, you will either need two nano-SIM cards or one nano-SIM card and an active eSIM service from a compatible carrier.

For the latest insights on iPhones, check out our reviews on the iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.