Everything about the new IPhones!

The iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR, Apple's new iPhones for 2018, are officially here. While the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max have virtually the same guts, just in two different sizes, the iPhone XR introduces a profound shift in Apple's strategy by folding its "bargain" phone into the premium iPhone mix.

The cheaper iPhone XR shares many of the same specs as the top-tier iPhones, but comes in much bright colors and has some slimmed-down features, like a smaller battery than the new iPhone XS phones. The pricing is the most attractive for iPhone loyalists. Although there's nothing "budget" about the iPhone XR's $749 starting price, buyers looking for a new iPhone this year could easily gravitate for the cheaper, more colorful XR.



This reveal of Apple's 2018-2019 lineup is a big moment for the tech giant, which shook up its iPhone lineup in 2017 when it introduced the iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, effectively killing any chance of a future iPhone 9 and turning its whole iPhone naming scheme on its head. In a time when phones are becoming more and more expensive, Apple's decision embrace of the new "X" family is important because it cements a new strategy for Apple, one that will continue to set the pace for phonemakers as we move toward 2019.

 

 


iPhone XS and XS Max cameras

The iPhone XS and XS Max cameras share the same specs (see above), but don't be dismayed. Apple promises you'll get more from the camera than you did with the iPhone X, specifically because of the power of the A12 Bionic chip inside.

The camera's algorithms detect people's faces and bodies, and kick into instant red eye reduction. Smart HDR can identify highlights and find shadow detail.

Even more interesting, you can now adjust the depth of a portrait mode photo (called the Bokeh effect) after you take the photo, which gives you complete control over the blur. All editing happens in the Photos app through a slider.

 

iPhone XS and XS Max quick specs

•Two sizes: 5.8-inch (458ppi) and 6.5-inch (458ppi) with OLED HDR display (Super Retina displays)

•Colors: Gold, Silver and Space Grey finishes

•Camera: Dual camera 12-megapixel wide and telephoto lenses

•Front-facing cameras: 7-megapixel camera will bring depth to portrait mode photos

•A12 Bionic chip, 7nm (nanometer) processor promises to launch apps 30 percent faster than 2017 iPhones

•Storage options: 64GB, 128GB, 512GB

•IP68 water-resistance rating (two meters for up to 30 minutes in water)

•Battery life: iPhone XS should last 30 minutes longer than iPhone X; iPhone XS Max claims 1.5 hours longer than the iPhone X

•Dual-SIM card support through e-SIM technology

•Face ID promises to work faster at unlocking the phones

•3D Touch pressure-sensitivite screen

•Stereo sound with a wider stereo field than 2017 iPhones

•iOS 12 software

•Pricing: starts at $999 for 64GB iPhone XSiPhone XR specs: Apple's cheaper iPhone

 

XR quick specs:

•6.1-inch LCD screen with 1,792x828 resolution and 326ppi (Retina display)

•Aluminum body with glass back

•Single camera: 12-megapixel wide-angle lens, with IOS (same as iPhone XS)

•Storage options: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB

•Portrait mode photos through software

•FaceID with same True-Depth camera system as iPhone XS

•A12 Bionic chip

•Battery life claim: 1.5 hours more per day than the iPhone 8 Plus

•IP67 water resistance

•No 3D Touch on iPhone XR. Instead, you get haptic touch, like a trackpad

•iOS 12 software

•Colors: Blue, coral, yellow, white, black, Project Red

•Price: Starts at $749

The XR also boasts a wide range of colors!

Michael Phillips