Released in September 2018, the iPhone XS built on the success of the iPhone X with a refined design, improved performance, and advanced camera capabilities. It was part of Apple’s flagship lineup alongside the larger iPhone XS Max.
Specifications
- Display: 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED, 1125 x 2436 pixels (458 ppi)
- Dimensions: 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm (5.65 x 2.79 x 0.30 inches)
- Weight: 177 grams (6.24 ounces)
- Storage Options: 64GB, 256GB, 512GB (no external storage)
- Processor: Hexa-core Apple A12 Bionic, with two high-performance cores and four efficiency cores
- RAM: 4 GB
- Operating System: iOS 12 (upgradable to iOS 16)
- Camera: Dual 12 MP rear cameras (wide: f/1.8, telephoto: f/2.4) with OIS, 4K video recording at 24/30/60 fps, 7 MP front camera
- Battery: 2658 mAh, non-removable, up to 20 hours talk time on 3G, wireless charging
- Connectivity: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac), Bluetooth 5.0, GPS
- Sensors: Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, compass, barometer, facial recognition (Face ID)
Design and Display
The iPhone XS retained the premium design introduced by the iPhone X, featuring a 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED display with HDR10 and Dolby Vision support, offering rich colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. The stainless steel frame and glass front and back gave the phone a sleek and modern look. The XS came in three finishes: Space Gray, Silver, and Gold.
The iPhone XS was also IP68-rated, making it resistant to dust and water (up to 2 meters for 30 minutes). This made it more durable than previous models, appealing to users who needed a rugged smartphone.
A12 Bionic Chip
The Apple A12 Bionic chip powered the iPhone XS, featuring 6-core processing with two high-performance cores and four efficiency cores. This chip delivered up to 15% faster performance while using 50% less power for certain tasks compared to the A11. The Neural Engine in the A12 Bionic was optimized for machine learning tasks, enabling better facial recognition, real-time photo enhancements, and augmented reality (AR) applications.
Camera and Photography
The iPhone XS featured a dual 12 MP camera system with wide and telephoto lenses. The wide lens had an f/1.8 aperture, while the telephoto lens offered an f/2.4 aperture with 2x optical zoom and optical image stabilization (OIS) on both lenses. Apple improved Smart HDR, enhancing image quality by balancing shadows and highlights for more detailed shots.
The Portrait Mode was refined with adjustable depth control, allowing users to change the level of background blur (bokeh) after taking the photo. The 7 MP TrueDepth front camera offered Portrait Mode as well, and supported 1080p video recording for high-quality selfies and video calls.
The rear camera supported 4K video recording at 24/30/60 fps, along with 1080p slow-motion video at 240 fps, making the iPhone XS a powerful device for both photography and videography enthusiasts.
Face ID and Security
The Face ID system, first introduced with the iPhone X, was faster and more accurate on the iPhone XS, thanks to the TrueDepth camera system and the improved Neural Engine. Face ID was used for secure authentication, unlocking the phone, and making payments via Apple Pay.
Battery Life and Wireless Charging
The iPhone XS featured a 2658 mAh battery, offering:
- Up to 20 hours of talk time
- 12 hours of internet use
- 14 hours of video playback
- 60 hours of audio playback
The phone supported wireless charging through the Qi standard, and also offered fast charging, which could charge the battery to 50% in just 30 minutes with an 18W adapter (sold separately).
Operating System and Software Features
The iPhone XS shipped with iOS 12, introducing features like:
- Screen Time: Tools to monitor and manage device usage.
- Group FaceTime: Video calls with up to 32 participants.
- Siri Shortcuts: Enabling automated tasks through Siri commands.
- Improved Augmented Reality (ARKit 2): Offering more immersive AR experiences.
The iPhone XS supported updates up to iOS 16, ensuring it stayed current with Apple’s latest features and security updates.
Connectivity
The iPhone XS supported 4G LTE Advanced, delivering faster mobile data speeds. It also included Wi-Fi 802.11ac with MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0, and NFC for Apple Pay. One notable feature was the introduction of dual SIM support—one physical SIM and one eSIM—allowing users to have two active phone numbers.
Reception and Legacy
The iPhone XS was widely praised for its performance, camera improvements, and display quality. Its combination of powerful internals and sleek design made it a popular choice among tech enthusiasts and everyday users alike. However, some users found its similarities to the iPhone X less exciting, given the lack of radical design changes.
Conclusion
The iPhone XS was a refinement of Apple’s flagship lineup, offering significant improvements in performance with the A12 Bionic chip, advanced camera capabilities, and a stunning OLED display. It provided a premium user experience while setting a high bar for future iPhone models. Despite not being a groundbreaking redesign, the iPhone XS remains a standout device, delivering top-tier performance and modern features in a stylish package.