iPhone XS Max In-Depth Review (2025 Perspective)

People usually say the iPhone XS Max camera is better than the iPhone 11. I don’t know how they arrived at that conclusion, but in my opinion, the iPhone 11 camera is more advanced than the iPhone XS Max; in fact, the iPhone 11 camera is the first iPhone with a night mode on an iPhone. Also, the iPhone 11 has a better resell value than the iPhone XS Max.

Well, that’s a discussion for another day.

Today, our primary focus is on the iPhone XS Max 2025 perspective.

The iPhone XS Max, released in September 2018, was Apple’s first “Max” sized iPhone, offering a 6.5-inch Super Retina OLED display, improved dual cameras, and the powerful A12 Bionic chip. It is an old device compared to our more advanced models in 2025.

1. Design & Build Quality

PROS

• It has a premium stainless steel frame and glass back
• IP68 water and dust resistance (up to 2 meters for 30 mins)
• Large 6.5-inch display with slim bezels
• No camera bump as large as newer iPhones

CONS

• Heavier (208g) compared to newer models• No matte finish (prone to fingerprints and scratches)
• No USB-C (still uses Lightning port)

2. Display: Super Retina OLED (6.5 inches, HDR10, Dolby Vision)

The 2688 x 1242 resolution OLED panel was one of the best in 2018 and still holds up well today. It supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, making it excellent for media consumption.

PROS

• Rich colours, deep blacks, and high contrast
• True Tone & 3D Touch support          
• Good brightness levels (625 nits max)

CONS

• Lacks ProMotion (120Hz refresh rate)
• Not as bright as modern iPhones (iPhone 13+ models reach 1000+ nits)

3. Performance: A12 Bionic & iOS Support

The A12 Bionic (7nm, 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU) was ahead of its time, and while still capable, it’s now starting to show its age.

PROS

• Still handles everyday tasks well
• Capable of running iOS 17+
• AR and machine learning features supported

CONS

• No 5G support (limited to LTE)•
• Performance may struggle in high-end gaming•       iOS updates might stop soon (possibly after iOS 18 or 19)

4. Cameras: 12MP Dual-Lens System (Wide + Telephoto)

The dual 12MP sensors introduced Smart HDR, improving dynamic range. However, the camera system lacks some newer computational photography advancements compared to modern iPhones.

PROS

• Smart HDR improves colour accuracy
• 2x optical zoom (better than digital zoom)
• 4K video recording up to 60fps
• Portrait Mode with Depth Control

CONS

• No Night Mode (introduced in the iPhone 11 series)
• Selfie camera (7MP) is outdated
• Lacks LiDAR and ultra-wide lens

5. Battery Life & Charging

The 3,174 mAh battery was decent for its time but struggles to keep up with modern devices. More technologically advanced devices have come out since 2018.

PROS

• Wireless charging support (Qi standard)
• Fast charging (50% in 30 mins with 18W adapter)

CONS

• Battery health may have degraded over time
• No MagSafe charging support
• Slower charging compared to modern iPhones

6. Connectivity & Features

• Face ID (secure but slower than newer models)
• Dual SIM (nano-SIM + eSIM support)
• No 5G (only LTE)
• No Wi-Fi 6 or U1 chip

Is the iPhone XS Max worth purchasing in 2025?

If you need an iPhone but are working with a little budget, you could consider an iPhone XS Max in 2025. It’s still a decent device for basic tasks if you already own one.

Who Should Keep Using iPhone XS Max?

• ✅ Casual users who don’t need 5G or the latest features
• ✅ People who prefer Touch ID-less design but don’t want to upgrade yet
• ✅ Those who want to create daily content without using the latest flagship device from Apple.

Who Should Upgrade?

1. Heavy gamers or power users
2. Those needing better battery life or cameras
3. Anyone who wants a 5G, MagSafe, or ProMotion display

Best Upgrade Choices:

1. iPhone 12 Pro Max (a more significant upgrade)
2. iPhone 13 Pro Max or newer (for better battery & cameras)
3. iPhone 14 Plus (similar size, better battery, newer tech)
4. iPhone 15 Pro Max (for titanium build, periscope zoom, A17 Pro)
5. iPhone 16 Pro or Pro Max (this is Apple’s latest flagship phone in 2025). It has all the features that will fascinate users and deliver performance.

For a more in-depth look at the iPhone XS Max, you might find this real-life review helpful:

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