What are all the differences between the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models? How many different versions are there? Which is better?

Please note that the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max both have been discontinued. However, this Q&A has been updated subsequently with current iOS support details and more and is quite useful to anyone buying or selling one of these devices on the used market.

For several generations before the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, with models like the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, for example; the larger "Plus" model offered more than just a bigger screen.

For the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, though, the Max version basically is just a bigger version of the iPhone XS. It widely assumed that Apple changed the "Plus" moniker to "Max" for this reason, because it doesn't offer anything extra like a better camera.

So, the short answer is just that the iPhone XS Max is bigger than the iPhone XS. The longer answer is that the iPhone XS Max also offers better battery life. Understanding the similarities can be worthy of a in-depth comparison, too.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone XS - Left, iPhone XS Max - Right)

Of course, there are at least four iPhone XS and four iPhone XS Max models sold on different carriers and in different markets around the world. Specifically, there is the iPhone XS (US/Canada/Hong Kong), iPhone XS (Global), iPhone XS (Japan), and iPhone XS (China) as well as the iPhone XS Max (US/Canada), iPhone XS Max (Global), iPhone XS Max (Japan), and iPhone XS Max (China/Hong Kong).

There are SIM, network support, identifier, and distribution differences between these models that are important to understand.

External Differences & Similarities

Both the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models use a largely "surgical-grade stainless steel" case with a glass front and back and are waterproof to the IP68 standard (up to a depth of two meters for up to 30 minutes).

Both models have "wireless" -- or really inductive -- charging capability, as well as stereo speakers, a Lightning port, and a side-mounted Nano SIM access panel on the right side (all models support dual SIMs, most have a Nano SIM and an eSIM, but some have dual physical SIMs). Both models lack a Home button and support "Face ID" authentication, as well.

Additionally, both devices have a 3D-touch equipped OLED HDR "Super Retina" display (458 ppi, 1 million:1 contrast ratio) that occupies nearly the entire front of each device, but the dimensions are different. The smaller iPhone XS has a 5.8" (2436x1125) display and the larger iPhone XS Max has a massive 6.5" (2688x1242) display.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone XS Color Options: Silver, Space Gray, Gold)

Both models are sold in three color options: silver (left), a dark "Space Gray" (middle), and gold (right). All three color options have a black front, perhaps to de-emphasize the camera "notch" toward the top of the devices.

Camera Similarities

Unlike earlier corresponding iPhone models, the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max both have the same front and rear cameras.

The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max both have the same front-facing "TrueDepth" camera that not only supports "Advanced Face ID" identification functionality, but also takes 7 megapixel photos, shoots 1080p video, and has software support for Portrait mode, Portrait lighting, and more.

Both devices have the same rear dual camera systems. One camera is a wide angle (f/1.8 aperture) and the other is a telephoto (f/2.4 aperture), both with 12 megapixel sensors and support for optical image stabilization, and 4K photos and video. With a combination of hardware and software functionality, the rear cameras offer "advanced depth segmentation," Smart HDR, improved bokeh quality, and dynamic retroactively adjustable depth of field.

For details about what these camera improvements mean in the real world, you may enjoy this excellent analysis from Halide.

Identification Differences

It is simple to differentiate between the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max when both are next to one another, but identifying the specific iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max is more difficult. Likewise, it can be easy to confuse these iPhone models with earlier or later ones.

One relatively easy way to uniquely identify the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models is by the Model Number listed on the cardboard shipping box and within the iOS "Settings" app.

For the purpose of this Q&A, it is sufficient to note that the following model numbers refer to these devices:

iPhone Model	Model No
iPhone XS (US/Canada/Hong Kong)	A1920
iPhone XS (Global)	A2097
iPhone XS (Japan)	A2098
iPhone XS (China)	A2100
iPhone XS Max (US/Canada)	A1921
iPhone XS Max (Global)	A2101
iPhone XS Max (Japan)	A2102
iPhone XS Max (China/Hong Kong)	A2104

EveryiPhone.com's Ultimate iLookup feature also can precisely identify these iPhone models by Order Number (referred to as "Model" within the iOS "Settings" app under General > About), and their Serial Numbers, as well.

Battery Life Differences

Other than display size, battery life is the most significant point of differentiation between the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max:

	iPhone XS	iPhone XS Max
Talk Time	20 Hours	25 Hours
Internet Use	12 Hours	13 Hours
Video Playback	14 Hours	15 Hours
Audio Playback	60 Hours	65 Hours

Effectively, the larger iPhone XS Max has a physically larger battery, and it provides more runtime accordingly.

Wireless Connectivity & Data Differences

All iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models support Gigabit-class LTE with 4x4 MIMO and LAA; FDD-LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, and 66; TD-LTE bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 46; as well as UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); 2x2 MIMO Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0.

Other connectivity differs accordingly:

iPhone Model	Identifiers	Differing Connectivity
iPhone XS (US/Canada/Hong Kong) iPhone XS Max (US/Canada)	A1920 A1921	FDD-LTE 32, 71 CDMA EV-DO Rev. A
iPhone XS (Global) iPhone XS Max (Global)	A2097 A2101	FDD-LTE 28
iPhone XS (Japan) iPhone XS Max (Japan)	A2098 A2102	FDD-LTE 11, 21, 28, 66 TD-LTE 42 CDMA EV-DO Rev. A
iPhone XS (China) iPhone XS Max (China/Hong Kong)	A2100 A2104	FDD-LTE 32, 71 CDMA EV-DO Rev. A TD-SCDMA 1900 (F), 2000 (A)

It also is important to note that all of these models support dual SIMs with the exception of the China-specific iPhone XS (A2100). The China-specific iPhone XS Max (A2104) does support dual SIMs, but dual hardware Nano SIMs instead of one hardware Nano SIM and one eSIM in software like the other models.

Internal Differences & Similarities

In terms of specific parts, there are many internal differences between the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. The displays and batteries are different as are a number of other internal components.

However, in basic terms, the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are quite similar internally. Both use a 2.49 GHz six core "A12 Bionic chip" with a 64-bit architecture and a "next generation Neural Engine," have 4 GB of RAM, and the choice of either 64 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB of flash storage.

Both devices also have an NFC (Near Field Communication) chip with reader mode to allow digital payments in conjunction with "Apple Pay" software, too.

The Japan-specific models -- the A2098 and A2102 -- are advertised to support Sony's FeliCa, as well.

iOS Support Similarities

The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max both originally shipped with iOS 12. Both are fully supported by iOS 13, iOS 14, and iOS 15, as well.

The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max also support the current version of the iOS -- iOS 16 -- but neither model supports the Accessibility Detection, Live Captions, improved Depth of Field, and Visual Look Up features. Neither supports Apple Music Sing (Karaoke), either.

iPhone XS & iPhone XS Max Comparison Chart

The differences -- displays, battery life, and dimensions -- as well as other details and pricing information are summarized below:

	iPhone XS	iPhone XS Max
Display Size:	5.8"	6.5"
Display Resolution:	2436x1125	2688x1242
Display Type:	OLED HDR	OLED HDR
Storage Options:	64, 256, 512 GB	64, 256, 512 GB
Talk Time:	20 Hours	25 Hours
Internet Use:	12 Hours	13 Hours
Video Playback:	14 Hours	15 Hours
Audio Playback:	60 Hours	65 Hours
SIM Card:	Nano/eSIM	Nano/eSIM
Apple Pay (NFC):	Yes	Yes
Face ID:	Yes	Yes
FeliCa:	Japan Only (A2098)	Japan Only (A2102)
Dimensions:	5.65 x 2.79 x 0.30*	6.20 x 3.05 x 0.30*
Weight:	6.24 oz. (177 g)	7.34 oz. (208 g)
Original Price (US†):	US$999 US$1149 US$1349	US$1099 US$1249 US$1449
Original Price (UK†):	£999 £1149 £1349	£1099 £1249 £1449
Original Price (CA†):	C$1379 C$1589 C$1859	C$1519 C$1729 C$1999
Original Price (AU†):	A$1629 A$1879 A$2199	A$1799 A$2049 A$2369
Original Price (JP†):	¥112,800 ¥129,800 ¥152,800	¥124,800 ¥141,800 ¥164,800
Original Price (CN†):	RMB 8,699 RMB 10,099 RMB 11,899	RMB 9,599 RMB 10,999 RMB 12,799

* In inches, height x width x depth.

† These prices are unlocked and contract-free. Carrier subsidized and lease options also are available in many markets.

So, should I buy an iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max? Which is better for me?

The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models have been discontinued, but still are quite capable and remain well worth considering on the used market.

Compared to earlier models, where one often would have to decide whether a bigger screen and a better camera were worthwhile trade-offs for less portability, for the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, it is effectively just a matter of choosing your desired display size. If you want a beautiful, high quality iPhone with a very high quality display, either is could be for you.

Ignoring subsequent iPhone models, the EveryiPhone.com crew prefers the smaller iPhone XS because it is easier to hold and carry, but this is very much a personal decision. Between the two of them, if you want the biggest screen (and the best battery life), the iPhone XS Max is the better choice.

iPhone Purchase & Sale Options

There are no shortage of places to buy a used iPhone. However, buying your iPhone from a good company with an excellent reputation -- and quality after sales support -- will provide the best experience and save you money and time, too.

In the US, site sponsors Other World Computing and JemJem sell used and refurbished iPhone XS/iPhone XS Max models with free shipping. On the other hand, if you need to sell an iPhone, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPhone with an instant quote and prompt payment.

In Australia, site sponsor Mac City likewise has a variety of used iPhone models sold at low prices and available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.

Please also see EveryiPhone.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPhone model to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad.