Nuanced features of the newly released iPhones

Last week’s article in this column provides general features of the newly released iPhones - XS, XS Max, and XR. In today’s article, I will go deeper into more nuanced information about the devices. Since I have not used the devices myself, what I write is basically an account of people who have used the devices.

First of all, the naming scheme for the recent models of the iPhone is unwieldy, and makes it difficult to follow the evolution of the models. It will stagger your imagination somewhat and it certainly belies Apple’s doctrine of “insane simplicity.” To help you through the maze, these are the names of the recent iPhone models: iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus (2014); iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus (2015); iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus (2016); iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus (2017); and now iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR (2018).

There is agreement by virtually everyone who has tested the new phones - XS, XS Max, and XR: all the phones are noticeably faster than the preceding models. There is also the agreement that the cameras in the XS models are quite superior to those in previous iPhone models. But are these two major improvements sufficient to recommend the new phones? Many reviewers are not sure.

On 18 September 2018, Samuel Gibbs summarizes the take of tech journalists (from certain respected newspapers and tech magazines, including i newspaper, Cnet, the Verge, CNBC, Wired, Wall Street Journal, and TechRadar) on the newlyreleased iPhones. Gibbs’ article appears in the UK Guardian. I’ll provide the gist here for reasons of space, knowing that you can contact the original article for details. One of the reviewers says that “the XS is basically a new model with some improvements. Most of those improvements, though, are kind of hard to notice.” For example, the improvement on the screen which is based on a technology that Apple refers to as the Smart HDR (High Dynamic Range), is hard to distinguish in upgrades because screens are really good already! Another reviewer basically echoes this perception: “With subtle but strong improvements over last year’s X, the XS and XS Max are fabulous phones. But we’ve hit a point where every smartphone is great - it comes down to what you want and what you want to spend.” This reviewer goes on to suggest that you “keep your wallet closed. See you in a month with the XR review.” Moreover, another reviewer is a bit more skeptical: “Aside from one of the phones having a giant display, the iPhone XS and the larger iPhone XS Max don’t feel much different from last year’s iPhone X. This year’s phones don’t spark strong feelings - except maybe chagrin that they cost so much.”

One reviewer is particularly concerned about the ergonomic design of the new iPhones - how they fit into your palm compared to other competing devices. I personally find this observation to be quite interesting. He is basically saying that XS Max doesn’t “sit as comfortably in the hand as it could, and considering the size and cost of the XS Max it’s a phone you want to be able to securely hold.” He also compares the iPhone XS Max to a number of phones, including the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (6.4-inch screen), OnePlus 6 (6.2-inch) and Sony Xperia XZ3 (6-inch). “The iPhone felt thicker, and less planted in the hand than all of them.”

The reviewer notes that the iPhone XS Max is thinner than all of those other phones at just 7.7mm. He suggests a reason for the apparent contradiction: “The reason for this is simple: tapered edges. The Samsung, Sony and OnePlus all taper their rear edges, giving the impression of a thinner device while also allowing them to sit a little better in the curvature of your hand. The iPhone XS Max has a totally flat back that’s a little more awkward to hold, and we found that a tactfully-placed pinkie finger on the underside of the phone was a must for one-handed use.” Another reviewer, who is more used to huge smartphones and the using of both hands to operate them, is a bit more forgiving on the ergonomic snafus described above.

A few reviewers suggest that the XS models are still quite susceptible to physical damage, just like X. One reviewer says that “both the XS and XS Max have what Apple says is ‘the most durable glass in the world,’” but that “my XS Max review unit cracked after a minor fall onto wood. All these glass slabs still need protection.”

As stated above, there is agreement that the new iPhones are driven by more powerful engines, enabling you to run more sophisticated video games and augmented reality experiences. The advanced features of the cameras of the new phones are also not contested. In next week’s article, I will dig deeper into why the cameras of the new iPhones have received high grades.