![]() When I’m working on a smartphone review, I always push the device to its limit by booting up a few graphically impressive games. That said, the A12 Bionic chip handles tasks like editing photos with Pixelmator and playing high-end graphically-intensive games, especially recent ARKit titles that feature multiplayer like AR Smash Tanks, with ease. Similar to other high-end smartphones, including last year’s iPhone X and arguably any Android device that features Qualcomm’s powerful Snapdragon 845 processor, few users out there will ever need this amount of power in a smartphone. It’s also worth noting this is the first 7-nanometre chip to make its way to North America. In total, the A12 Bionic features 50 percent faster GPU performance, 50 percent lower power usage and 15 percent faster performance with its individual cores, according to Apple. The other major under-the-hood improvement with the XS stems from Apple’s new 7-nanometre A12 Bionic processor, which features the company’s next-generation Neural Engine. As someone who only just realized the wonders of wireless charging after using the iPhone 8 last year, this is definitely a good move on Apple’s part. This allows the iPhone XS to charge even when it’s not placed on the centre of a charging pad. Other iPhone X additions like wireless charging are also back this year, with the feature being slightly easier to use thanks to what Apple is calling off-axis performance. The XS is also capable of recording stereo audio, a first for Apple’s iPhone line. It would have been nice to see Apple follow in the steps of some of its Android peers and add support for Dolby’s Atmos surround sound technology. I wouldn’t go so far as to say the iPhone XS’ audio quality surpasses that of Samsung’s Note 9, the current top-tier sound offering when it comes to smartphones, but it comes close. ![]() It feels like the XS’ audio travels a greater distance, yet still remains crisp and clear. While the iPhone XS’ speakers aren’t necessarily louder, their soundstage is more robust and expansive. Apple also claims that the iPhone XS is able to shrug off spills from other liquids, including coffee, tea and carbonated beverages.Īnother improvement comes in the form of wider stereo sound. This means both devices can be submerged in water at a depth of up to two metres for approximately 30 minutes. It’s what inside that countsĪs with most smartphone releases in the now established era of incremental upgrades, under the hood is where the XS is more interesting.įirst off, the iPhone XS and XS Max now feature IP68 water and dust resistance. Still, I can’t shake the fact that the iPhone XS Max’s name sounds like a mid-2000s Capcom fighting game when said out loud. Though I don’t necessarily think the term ‘Max’ was the right option to denote this shift, I do understand why Apple made the decision to switch up its naming conventions. Unlike past versions of the iPhone - for example, the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus - both the XS and the XS Max include dual cameras, resulting in feature parity across both smartphones. ![]() You also might be wondering why Apple opted to ditch the Plus name in the first place. The other notable change this time around is that the new iPhone XS Max’s display comes in at a massive 6.5-inches. There’s just something about the way the Gold iPhone XS’ stainless steel edges catch the light that’s unique and visually appealing. I’m usually the fondest of Apple’s take on Grey, but, to my surprise, the Gold version of the has grown on me. ![]() ![]() While my Gold-coloured review XS has not yet taken a tumble, the phone’s glass front and rear do feel more substantial when compared to last year’s iPhone X.Ĭolour-wise, the iPhone XS and XS Max are available in three distinct variants: ‘Space Gray,’ ‘Silver’ and a new ‘Gold’ hue. While I can’t speak to Apple’s claims regarding ‘physical vapour deposition,’ what I can say is the stainless steel edge has a new grippy feel to it that seems like it will be more scratch-resistant.Īpple also claims the iPhone XS and XS Max feature better durability thanks to an improvement in the smartphones’ nearly all-glass construction. Although I was fond of the iPhone X’s stainless steel outer edge, it scratched extremely easily the iPhone X I’ve been using for the last year has spent the majority of its life in a case, yet its outer case is still covered with unsightly scuffs and scrapes. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |