Using the iPhone XS in 2024 - Review!
Summary
TLDRIn this tech review, Josh from 91 Tech examines the longevity of the iPhone Xs and Xs Max, launched in 2018, which still receive iOS updates up to iOS 18. Despite their age, these iPhones offer a premium design, full iOS support, and capable cameras. However, battery life is a significant drawback, with degraded performance over time. The video discusses whether these devices remain viable options in 2024, comparing them to newer models and considering them as potential budget choices in the used market.
Takeaways
- 📱 The iPhone Xs and Xs Max were released in 2018 as successors to the iPhone X, offering improvements such as a third color option in Gold and camera enhancements.
- 🔋 One of the main drawbacks of the iPhone Xs and Xs Max is their battery life, which has been a consistent issue even when the devices were new.
- 📲 The iPhone Xs series is still capable of running the latest iOS 18, which extends its lifespan and keeps it relevant, unlike the iPhone X which is stuck on iOS 16.
- 📱 The iPhone Xs and Xs Max offer a premium design with glass and stainless steel, similar to newer iPhone models, and come in larger sizes compared to the iPhone X.
- 📸 Despite being released in 2018, the iPhone Xs and Xs Max can still take decent photos, although they struggle in low light conditions compared to newer models.
- 🔌 The iPhone Xs lacks some modern features like 5G and 120Hz ProMotion display but still offers wireless charging and fast charging capabilities.
- 💾 Storage options for the iPhone Xs start at 64GB, which might be limiting for users with high media consumption, suggesting the need for cloud storage solutions.
- 📶 The iPhone Xs series supports 4G LTE but not 5G, which might be a consideration for users seeking the latest connectivity options.
- 💰 The iPhone Xs can be found at a lower price on the used market, making it an attractive budget option for those looking for an older but still capable device.
- 🔄 The video suggests that while the iPhone Xs and Xs Max are aging, they are still usable and can be considered for those who do not require the latest technology or are budget-conscious.
Q & A
When were the iPhone Xs and Xs Max released?
-The iPhone Xs and Xs Max were launched in late 2018.
What significant design changes were introduced with the iPhone Xs compared to the iPhone X?
-The iPhone Xs introduced a third color option in Gold and some basic camera and speed improvements. It also offered a larger size option with the Xs Max.
How many years of software updates has Apple provided for the iPhone Xs and Xs Max?
-As of the script's recording, the iPhone Xs and Xs Max have received at least 6 years of software updates, being updatable to iOS 18.
What is the primary concern for iPhone Xs owners regarding the device's performance after several years?
-The primary concern for iPhone Xs owners is the battery life, which has been a significant flaw even at the time of its release.
What is the minimum price range for an iPhone Xs with 64GB storage on eBay, according to the script?
-The iPhone Xs with 64GB storage can be found for under 150 US Dollars on eBay.
What feature does the iPhone Xs Max have that the standard iPhone Xs does not, in terms of physical size?
-The iPhone Xs Max has a larger physical size with a 6.5-inch display compared to the standard iPhone Xs, which has a 5.8-inch display.
What is the potential issue with the iPhone Xs when running resource-intensive tasks like gaming or video streaming?
-The iPhone Xs may experience repeated issues and rapid battery drain when running resource-intensive tasks due to its aging battery.
What is the advantage of the iPhone Xs over newer models in terms of size?
-The iPhone Xs has a smaller form factor, which some users may prefer for better one-handed usability.
What camera features did the iPhone Xs introduce in 2018, and how do they compare to newer models?
-The iPhone Xs introduced a 12-megapixel main wide sensor and a 12-megapixel telephoto 2x zoom lens. While it was a significant improvement in 2018, newer models like the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro introduced night mode and an ultra-wide camera lens, offering better low-light performance.
What is the script's recommendation for users considering purchasing an older iPhone model?
-The script suggests that users might consider buying an iPhone 11 or 11 Pro for better battery life and camera improvements, or even a 13 Pro for a more recent model.
What is the script's opinion on the longevity and usability of the iPhone Xs and Xs Max in 2024 and beyond?
-The script posits that despite their age, the iPhone Xs and Xs Max still feel like premium smartphones with the latest software, suggesting they can be used for a longer period if the user is not significantly inconvenienced by the battery life or other aging factors.
Outlines
📱 iPhone Xs and 10s Max: A Look Back
In late 2018, Apple released the iPhone Xs and 10s Max as successors to the iPhone X, which introduced major changes such as the removal of the home button and the introduction of the notch. The Xs series offered improvements in color options (Gold), camera capabilities, and a larger Max version. Notably, the Xs remains updatable to iOS 18, extending its lifespan beyond the iPhone X, which is stuck on iOS 16. This longevity makes the Xs still relevant today, prompting discussions on its performance six years later.
🔋 Battery Life: The Major Drawback
One of the biggest issues with the iPhone Xs has always been its mediocre battery life. Even back in 2018, the iPhone XR, with its lower power display, outperformed the Xs in terms of battery endurance. The problem is exacerbated over time as batteries degrade, especially after years of use. Many Xs and Xs Max owners have experienced slowdowns, random battery drain, and shorter battery life. While battery replacements are an option, frequent users of apps, video streaming, and gaming may struggle with the Xs's power performance today, especially with iOS 18 pushing the hardware further.
📷 The Premium Design and Cameras of the Xs
Despite being six years old, the iPhone Xs still feels like a flagship device due to its premium design, featuring a stainless steel frame and glass back. The iPhone Xs Max offers more variety with its larger screen and Gold color option, while the Xs maintains a sleek, one-handed usability with its smaller 5.8-inch screen. Though missing some modern features like the 120Hz ProMotion, the Xs remains fluid and performs well under iOS 18. Its hardware, including 3D Touch, Face ID, and decent camera quality, holds up, even as newer models like the iPhone 11 surpass it in low-light performance.
💻 Performance and Storage: Still Capable
The iPhone Xs remains capable of performing most tasks without major lag. With 4GB of RAM and Apple's A12 chipset, it handles iOS 18 decently. The Xs supports wireless charging and fast charging via a lightning port but is limited to 4G LTE, lacking 5G support. The phone also includes IP68 water resistance and is available in 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options. While 64GB may feel limiting today, Apple’s iCloud service offers a way to manage storage effectively. The Xs camera, with 12MP wide and telephoto lenses, still holds up but struggles in low light compared to modern devices.
📸 iPhone Xs: The Camera in 2024
When released, the iPhone Xs's camera was considered a significant improvement, though it was quickly overshadowed by the iPhone 11’s introduction of night mode and an ultra-wide lens. Today, the Xs still produces solid photos in good lighting, though it struggles in low-light conditions. The 12MP main and 2x zoom telephoto lenses offer decent results, with features like 4K video and portrait mode still in use. However, for those seeking better photography, especially in challenging conditions, newer iPhone models like the 11 Pro or beyond would provide a superior experience.
📈 Should You Buy or Upgrade?
While the iPhone Xs and Xs Max are still premium-feeling devices in 2024, they are aging, and battery life is a major concern. Buying a used iPhone Xs is possible at a relatively low price, but the XR or iPhone 11 models offer better value with improved battery life and cameras. For those already using an Xs, the phone remains functional for everyday tasks, and with full iOS support, there may be little need to upgrade unless battery issues or performance slowdowns become too problematic. For those considering an upgrade, newer models provide better longevity and enhanced features.
📊 Conclusion: Longevity and the iPhone Xs
The iPhone Xs and Xs Max, despite their age, remain capable smartphones with the latest iOS support, offering a premium design and satisfactory performance. However, issues like battery life and outdated camera features may push users to consider upgrading. Apple’s commitment to long-term iOS support makes the Xs usable for a bit longer, but for those seeking better battery life, improved cameras, or more modern features like 5G, newer models like the iPhone 13 or 15 are the better choices. Ultimately, if you’re content with your Xs and its battery holds up, it’s worth holding onto a little longer.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡iPhone Xs
💡iOS
💡Battery Life
💡Face ID
💡OLED Display
💡iPhone XR
💡Water Resistance
💡3D Touch
💡Camera Improvements
💡5G
💡iPhone 11
Highlights
iPhone Xs and 10s Max were launched in 2018 as successors to the iPhone X.
The iPhone Xs introduced a Gold color option and camera improvements.
The 10s Max offered a larger size option, which was missing in the iPhone X.
The iPhone X is stuck on iOS 16, while the 10s can be updated to iOS 18.
The 10s and 10s Max are expected to receive updates for at least 7 years.
The iPhone Xs has a premium design with glass and stainless steel.
The iPhone Xs and 10s Max still perform most tasks without significant lag.
Battery life is a significant issue for the iPhone Xs, even with a healthy battery.
Apple offers battery replacement services for a fee to improve battery health.
The iPhone Xs and 10s Max have a high-resolution OLED display.
The iPhone Xs lacks the 120Hz ProMotion display found in newer Pro iPhones.
The iPhone Xs supports wireless charging and has a lightning port.
The iPhone Xs has IP68 water resistance, which is beneficial for accidental drops.
The iPhone Xs features Face ID and 3D Touch, the last iPhone to include the latter.
Storage options for the iPhone Xs range from 64GB to 512GB.
The iPhone Xs camera setup includes a 12-megapixel main sensor and a 2x zoom lens.
The iPhone Xs camera performance is decent but struggles in low light conditions.
The iPhone Xs can be found for under $150 on the used market, but battery life may be a concern.
The iPhone XR might be a better budget option compared to the iPhone Xs due to better battery life.
Upgrading to a newer iPhone model will provide significant improvements in battery life and camera quality.
The iPhone Xs and 10s Max still feel premium and usable despite their age, running the latest software.
Transcripts
[Music]
launched in late 2018 and sold for only
a single year the iPhone Xs and 10s Max
came out as the successors to the widely
hyped iPhone 10 the phone that had
dropped the home button brought the
Notch and adopted the sort of style and
presentation that Apple has more or less
continued to refine to this day with
each passing year in iPhone the 10s did
a lot to sort of just fix what the
iPhone 10 had lacked it brought a third
color option in Gold some basic camera
and speed improvements that we see every
year and most importantly we got a
larger size option with the 10s Max
something that was missing from the 10 6
years later the iPhone 10 is stuck on
iOS 16 whereas the 10s is fully
updatable to iOS 18 extending its
lifespan and keeping the 10s still
relevant and this presents an
interesting conundrum in how these
iPhones hold up over a half decade later
hey how's it going I'm Josh from 91 Tech
and there's no question the longevity
has been very impressive with the 10s
and 10s Max as well as with the iPhone
10r the more mid-range option that Apple
released at the same time in 2018 having
more colors mainly the same specs but an
older LCD screen instead of OLED getting
iOS 18 means at least 7 years of updates
since assuming the phones don't get ios
19 you're looking at the latest versions
up until the fall of 2025 when iOS 19
would launch it could get ios 19 I think
it's pretty unlikely and even then most
apps do support phones a few versions
behind making for in theory many years
left before we can even remotely
consider the 10s and 10r anywhere near
obsolete on paper the 10s has a lot in
common with even the newest iPhones on
the market today it's got a premium
design with glass and stainless steel
two camera lenses on the back full iOS
support face ID and the edgo edge design
with only slightly thicker bezels than
what the 15 pro has and a beautiful high
resolution display with vibrant colors
and true blacks on paper the iPhone Xs
and 10s Max are every bit as capable as
the topof thee line iPhones still being
sold today and even in Practical terms
the 10s can download basically any app
and do basically anything that $1,000
plus pro iPhone would be able to do
there are however of course some Downs
signs that come with the age of these
phones and in this video I want to
discuss both the good and bad of using a
phone this old in 2024 and Beyond I
recently did a video on the 10r already
if you'd like to see that I'll link it
in the description but like with the 10r
it's not a bad time to upgrade from the
10s if you're considering it and along
with this there's also the Potential
Prospect of the 10s being an interesting
budget device to those looking at the
used market so let's start with the real
major issues that are going to crop up
with a phone like this and the
inconveniences being posed before we
look at the phone any further the
largest problem you'll hear from any
iPhone 10s owner that you're going to
find will be the battery life and this
is unfortunately always been one of its
biggest flaws even 6 years ago the 10r
with its lower power display always did
a better job at providing longer life
and even owners of the 10s Max with its
physically larger battery are not spared
from the mediocre at best power
performance and that's with a healthy
battery mind you once your battery
health is depleted around and even under
80% you're likely to notice significant
issues often with slowdowns and
seemingly random battery drain the
phones have been used over a half a
decade which means the batteries will
have inevitably degraded over time even
if they were replaced a couple years ago
they've degraded within those couple
years this is the same problem with any
older smartphone and it's potentially
even more noticeable here since it never
had great battery life to begin with I'm
speaking as a former owner of the 10s as
well as I had it from launch up to the
iPhone 11 Pro coming out a phone that
massively improved in this Department
Apple will replace batteries for a fee
and so that might be worth doing if
you've got poor battery health there
will even be a popup eventually once
your battery does need service but I
think at some point it may just be more
worth it to look to a different phone if
you're getting consistent issues iOS 18
is not going to be kind to even the
healthiest of batteries I'm on a beta
version at the moment but I can speak to
even older iOS versions not being much
better when it came to my past years
reviewing this device now all this being
said the battery is only going to be an
issue for those who use their phones a
moderate amount and are not solely doing
the lightest of tasks things like
texting maybe a little social media or
browsing the web that's not going to
drain the battery too fast assuming it's
healthy and the 10s could very well get
you a day if you're not using it too
much but if you do use it for more
things such as particularly video
streaming or gaming that's when you're
going to notice repeated issues and your
phone dying far too fast this is a phone
that on paper presents a lot of the same
experience as a current iPhone that
Apple sells but that battery is likely
to pose a very large issue for users and
going to something like the iPhone 15 is
going to be a Far and Away better
experience in this regard there are some
workarounds and caveats to all this of
course battery cases exist there are
portable battery Banks just keep a
charger in near buy and Juice It Up
whenever you need to for some people the
phone may just be working fine even with
a moderately unhealthy battery and if
that's you then hey more power to you
that pun was not intended but with full
iOS support there's little reason in
theory you'll actually need to upgrade
to a newer iPhone if you're not ready to
yet in my experience while the phone
isn't fast the 10s does perform
basically any task pretty handedly with
only occasional leg and slowdown this is
an iOS 18 beta version the full version
comes out in the fall 2024 but most
often if I'm going to get leg it's going
to be when the phone first boots up or
it's trying to do stuff in the
background something like low power mode
can also significantly affect things the
hardware here however is still extremely
premium and does feel like a flag ship
experience in spite of its age the glass
back with the curved stainless steel
frame feels fantastic in the hand and
having the max option as well as the
gold color offers some nice variety in
Choice which was notably lacking from
the 2017 iPhone 10 the smaller 10s is
5.8 in and the max is 6.5 in both are a
bit smaller than the current pro and pro
Max iPhones and the iPhone XR itself is
6.1 in which personally I feel like is a
pretty ideal size the smaller 10 and 10s
always did feel maybe a bit too small it
all just comes down to personal
preference and there's something to be
said for having a phone so usable with
one hand like the 10s is the smaller one
one although this here isn't actually a
10s it's an iPhone 10 I've only got a
10s Max but they're the exact same phone
apart from the size so having a 10 here
is just for showing the difference in
scale it also goes to show that yes
indeed the 10s is identical to the
iPhone 10 with the only real notable
difference cosmetically that I'm aware
of at least is on the bottom of the
phone there's an antenna band on the
iPhone XS that is notably absent on the
iPhone 10 easy way to tell them AP part
if for whatever reason you're ever in a
situation where you need to we don't
have the 120 HZ promotion of the newer
Pro iPhones but I don't think it's
something most users will really care
much about the phone still feels quite
fluid and smooth regardless assuming
you're not getting any leg from the
newer software thankfully gone are the
days of new iOS updates brutally slowing
down your phone so you can be confident
that the 10s as well as the 10r runs iOS
18 just fine even more so on the 10s
thanks to a little more RAM at 4 gigs
along with Apple's a12 chipset top- ofth
line specs for 2018 the hardware does
still hold up and while I would not
expect iOS 19 it's not completely
outside the realm of possibility either
on the bottom of the phone we have the
lightning ports and we also get wireless
charging thanks to the glass and fast
charging if you have the appropriate
power adapter we do only have up to 4G
LTE with the 10s 5G wouldn't come until
the iPhone 12 but I don't think that'll
really matter for most people the 10s
has ip68 water resistance which should
help in cases of dropping your phone
into the sink or toilet speaking of
cases you probably will want a case for
this phone since it is glass it is
relatively fragile face idea here is
really good and still feels quite fast
we also have 3D touch this was the last
iphone to have 3D touch a feature mainly
pointless now since a long press
accomplishes the same thing but it's
still pretty cool and I've always found
it a shame Apple never did more with it
for storage the 10s came in at 64 256 or
512 GB variations 64 gigs might feel a
little limiting today if you take a lot
of photos and video but I'd recommend an
iCloud photo subscription to not only
clear up space but also have your
pictures protected on the cloud in case
of your phone being being lost or
destroyed for only like a couple bucks a
month I actually think it's one of
Apple's best valued deals something kind
of rare from them these days so hey why
not take advantage let's talk about the
cameras which R touted is probably the
largest Improvement back in 2018 which
is a bit ironic given the 2019 iPhone 11
and 11 Pro sort of blew these devices
out of the water thanks to night mode
and the ultra wide camera lens but still
the 10s was no slouch at the time and
still takes decent photos today we've
got a 12 megapix main wide sensor and
another 12 megapixel telephoto 2x zoom
lens most of the photos you see here are
ones that I took with my year that I had
the phone back in 2018 to 2019 and there
were a lot of pictures I really liked I
thought it did a good job at the time
and I still think it did a good job and
that's the kind of nice thing about
having a relatively modern smartphone
even if it's 6 years old it still takes
pretty decent photos All Things
Considered you still got a lot of the
features you have today 4K 60 portrait
mode all these sorts of things and yeah
comparing it with like my 15 Pro the
newer phone is going to be significantly
better for sure but they still capture
the same image the 10s does hold up I
think pretty well at least until you get
into lower light situations that's where
it really starts to struggle with
graininess and blurriness becoming quite
common and again the iPhone 11 and 11
Pro really cleaned things up in that
regard only a year later but those
phones themselves are almost 5 years old
now so basically the camera considering
the age is pretty darn good on the
iPhone Xs and I really wouldn't worry
about it if you want a better camera if
you want something top the line then buy
a newer iPhone that's probably your
easiest solution and I would say that
you probably shouldn't buy the iPhone XS
or the 10s Max the smaller 10s at 64
gigs can be found for under 150 bucks on
ebay.com without too much difficulty
that's US Dollars and that's not too bad
right but the thing is the battery life
is not going to be very good even if
it's healthy and the phone is just older
I actually think the 10r might be a
better buy the battery life is not quite
as bad and it's around the same price as
the smaller 10s maybe even a little less
but I'd still at least go for an iPhone
11 or 11 Pro or something or even better
go up to like a 13 Pro if you get a
newer iPhone the biggest things you're
going to note is the much better battery
life as well as the camera improvements
everything else the speeds yeah it'll be
a bit faster a bit more reliable
consistent smooth fluid whatever but the
overall iOS experience doesn't change
significantly and that's what to me
makes the 10s and 10s Max still feel
like very usable and even premium
smartphones today they're gorgeous
phones for one thing that helps but
despite their age they just don't feel 6
years old yet running the latest
software ads a lot and if you're using
an iPhone XS right now now and you're
still happy with it battery life isn't
too much of an issue then I say hey why
not use it at least another year or at
least as long as you can stomach it get
as much life as you can out of your
phones I wouldn't recommend buying these
I'll link my iPhone buying guide in the
description if you're curious but in
terms of still using them unless the
inconveniences are so large that you
just need to upgrade I think the phones
can probably get you a bit longer and
hey Apple must as well giving them iOS
18 and so with that that's honestly
pretty much all I have to say a bit of a
shorter one today but you know these are
good phones that are just a bit older
that's thing and hopefully this helped
you out if it did maybe hit that like
button and consider subscribing for more
content just like this huge shout out to
the channel members you guys are the
absolute best thank you so much for
watching I'm Josh from 91 Tech and I
will see you all next time
[Music]
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