iphonexsmax
Latest
Comparing the Galaxy S10+ and the Xperia 1 to the iPhone XS Max
Folding phones aren't the only big displays you'll see at this year's Mobile World Congress. Plenty of traditional, non-bendy devices have graced the show floor this year, with screens far past six inches — we're long past the days when handsets like the Galaxy Note were anomalies. This year's S10+ is certainly a contender in size, but Sony won't be left behind thanks to its super tall Xperia 1. These two flagships are entering a race that the iPhone XS Max is already in thanks to its 6.5-inch screen, though the addition of triple rear cameras will certainly help the newcomers' chances. For the full skinny on how this competition will shake out, you'll have to wait for our reviews of the new Samsung and Sony handsets in the coming weeks, but for now check out our handy spec table to see how the early numbers stack up.
Galaxy S10+ vs. the competition: The cameras are just the beginning
The S10+ isn't pushing any boundaries with the size of its 6.4-inch display: However, it is the company's first dynamic AMOLED screen. And it really stands out with its new triple rear camera setup. However, that's not all that distinguishes Samsung's new large handset in 2019. Check out the table below to see how the S10+ stands up against its closest competition like the Pixel 3XL and iPhone XS Max. And don't forget to check back in a few weeks for our full review of the S10 and S10+, when we'll look at more than just the numbers.
Apple has its own smart battery cases for iPhone XS and XR
Yes, the rumors and leaks were true -- Apple has a new battery case after a lengthy absence, and it appears to have learned a few lessons in the process. The Smart Battery Case for iPhone XS, XS Max and XR extends your handset's battery to as much as 39 hours of talk time (on the XR), but avoids the ungainly lump from the iPhone 6/6s case that launched in 2015. Instead, there's a more graceful (if still bulky) slope. It supports wireless charging, too, so you don't have to plug in just because you want extra runtime.
Mophie's wireless iPhone battery case keeps your Lightning port free
Many iPhone battery cases use the Lightning port to keep your handset topped up, and that's obviously a problem when there's no headphone jack. Case makers either need to add a port back or make you forego wired listening altogether. Mophie, however, has a simple solution: wireless charging. Its newly unveiled Juice Pack Access relies solely on Qi to power the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR, keeping the Lightning port open for wired headphones while adding 25 to 31 hours of extra talk time. This also avoids the bulky chin that you've seen in the past.
Apple may start building the iPhone XS and XR in India next year
Apple will reportedly start building its most expensive phones, including the iPhone X, XS and XR, in India starting in 2019, according to Reuters. Assembly of the devices will take place at a plant in Sriperumbudur operated by controversial tech manufacturing firm Foxconn. Apple has struggled to gain footing in the region where the company has faced slow sales and an executive exodus.
T-Mobile's eSIM support for new iPhones is limited to prepaid lines
Now that AT&T and Verizon have switched on their support for eSIMs in iPhones, it's T-Mobile's turn. The magenta network has released an eSIM app that adds a line to your iPhone XR, iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max without making you insert a little card. There's one big gotcha, though: it's currently limited to prepaid service. T-Mobile pitches this as an option for visitors to the US, existing customers who want a secondary line or would-be switchers who want to try the network without a deeper commitment. Support for regular subscriptions is coming, but you'll presently need to hold off if you wanted to reserve the physical slot for travel SIMs or (gasp) a rival provider.
Verizon will reportedly roll out iPhone dual SIM support in December
With iOS 12.1, Apple brought dual SIM support to the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR, allowing users of these newest models to utilize both a physical SIM and an eSIM. But due to a software issue that caused dual SIM activation to degrade its service, Verizon opted not to activate eSIMs when the update rolled out. However, according to an internal memo 9to5Mac got its hands on, Verizon will start supporting dual SIM activation come early December.
Google Photos update brings depth control to iOS
Google has added a useful feature to its Google Photos app for iOS. You'll be able to tweak background blur levels and adjust the focus on portrait mode photos. The depth editor tool is arriving on iOS soon after Google added it to the app on Pixel 2, Pixel 3 and some Moto phones. Notably, Pixel 3 phones have a built-in depth control feature, as do iPhone XS and XS Max.
iPhone dual-SIM support doesn't play nicely with Verizon (for now)
Don't rush to try iOS 12.1's dual-SIM support if you're a customer of our parent company Verizon. PCMag has learned that the current software drops iPhone XS, XS Max and XR users down to CDMA (that is, the 2G network) if you activate another carrier on the eSIM and use your Verizon SIM card for the secondary line while in the US. This won't hurt if you're roaming abroad, but it's crippling for domestic use: You'll lose anything resembling fast data, and even basic coverage will shrink, given that 30 percent of Verizon's cell sites are LTE only. Accordingly, Verizon has decided it would rather decline to activate eSIMs for now than make users suffer when they rely on the company for a second line.
Pixel 3 XL vs. the competition: Beyond the notch
With all the leaks during the past few weeks, it may have seemed there wasn't a lot more to reveal about the Pixel 3 XL. But after today's announcement, we finally have some official confirmation of its internals, including a whopper of a front camera in that notch. While you'll have to wait a few weeks for our official review of Google's newest large handset, we can at least stack up the XL against its closest competition. Check out the table below to see how the specs fare against behemoths like the Galaxy Note 9, the budget-priced OnePlus 6 (the 6T is still a few weeks away) and of course, Apple's mega-sized iPhone XS Max.
Apple issues update to fix iPhone XS charging and WiFi problems
It didn't take long for Apple to tackle some of the iPhone XS' teething troubles. The company has released an iOS 12.0.1 update that, most notably, fixes a glitch that prevented the XS and XS Max from charging over a wired connection until you woke the screen. This didn't affect everyone (yours truly was fine), but this could prove a relief to anyone worried they'd wake up to a low battery. It also fixes a WiFi reception problem where the device would rejoin a network on the slower 2.4GHz band instead of 5GHz.
Some iPhone XS units won't charge until you wake the screen
It wouldn't be a major phone launch without some teething troubles, and the iPhone XS appears to be no exception to the rule. Some device owners on Apple's forums, Reddit and Unbox Therapy (among others) have reported that their units won't charge properly through the Lightning cable until the screen wakes up. In certain cases, it won't work until you both wake the screen and reconnect. Suffice it to say this could be inconvenient if you plugged in at night and were counting on a full charge the following day.
Watch the iPhone XS survive drop tests on concrete
We've all had that brief moment of panic when our (probably expensive) smartphones plunge onto solid ground, so Apple's claim that the glass on Apple's latest iPhones is the toughest on any smartphone might be welcome news for the clumsiest among us. To see if Apple's proclamation held weight, Tom's Guide put the iPhone XS and XS Max through their paces with a drop test onto concrete from varying heights on the edge, face and rear of the devices.
Belkin's wireless charging dock handles your iPhone XS and Apple Watch
While we wait to see if Apple's AirPower mat will ever make an appearance, owners of new iPhones and Apple Watches who want to charge both at the same time could consider this Belkin dock. The BOOST↑UP Wireless Charging Dock works with iPhone 8 and newer models (including the just-launched iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max) and all Apple Watches.
Apple iPhone XS and XS Max review: Pricey but future-proof
When Apple introduced the iPhone X last year, it didn't just release a new phone -- it presented a new vision of what iPhones should be. The fact that the X became Apple's top-selling model quarter after quarter was proof that people were embracing change. Now, with the arrival of the new iPhone XS and XS Max, Apple's vision feels almost inescapable. That's not necessarily a bad thing for iOS fans. These new XS models represent Apple at the top of its hardware game, and if you buy either of them, you probably won't need to upgrade for quite a while. They're that good. The bigger question here is whether the iPhone XS and XS Max are must-own devices, and that's where things get complicated. Before we can divine an answer to that question, though, we need to understand what makes these iPhones as valuable as they are.
iPhone XS teardown shows few changes aside from the battery
You know it was only a matter of time before the people over at iFixit tore apart Apple's latest and greatest smartphones. For the first time, they took their screwdrivers and tools to two phones at once: the iPhone XS and the XS Max.
iPhone XS and XS Max, Day 1: A clear step forward
Last year was a big one for Apple — with the launch of the iPhone X, the company redefined what it meant to be iPhone. This year, Apple's job wasn't any easier. It had to figure out what worked, what didn't, and put that knowledge to use building a trio of new smartphones that would make its new vision more accessible. And now that the iPhone XS and XS Max are finally here, we're getting to see if Apple actually achieved those feats.
Apple iPhone Xs, Xs Max and Watch Series 4 pre-orders are open
Snagging Apple's latest and greatest iPhone costs a bit more than it did in previous years, but some of you early adopters will surely be lined up to secure a device right away. As usual, preorders via Apple and the various wireless carriers will open shortly, at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. Last year the OLED-screened iPhone X quickly sold through its predicted initial shipments, but one would expect that supply will be more predictable this year for iPhone Xs / Xs Max variants (ranging from $999 to $1,449, with shipments beginning in a week) -- if you're hoping for a $740+ iPhone Xr, that won't be ready to pre-order until October 19th, with shipments beginning on the 26th. Whether or not you're upgrading your handset right away, there's also a new wearable to consider, as the Apple Watch Series 4 arrives with the first big change in screen size since the device first appeared in 2015. It's thinner than ever, still available with its own LTE connection and is ready to take both health and fitness more seriously. It's $399 with just WiFi, and $499 with LTE, and like the Xs will start shipping on September 21st. If you're hoping to snag one of the devices, then Apple.com, or, (at least in the US) the websites for carriers like AT&T / Sprint (phone, watch) / T-Mobile / Verizon are good places to start. Apple's Store app can occasionally be more reliable for access, and naturally you'll want to check beforehand to make sure your payment and shipping information is up to date. Also, there's the Apple iPhone Upgrade program to consider -- with these new higher prices installment plans are more appealing than ever.
Apple raised the price of its best phone by $330, and no one cares
The trend over the past few years is clear: iPhone sales are slowing down. Apple wasn't going to be able to achieve huge sales growth forever, and until the company makes inroads in India or strengthens its position in China, Apple is looking for other ways to keep revenue on the rise. Perhaps the most obvious way to do that is to raise the price of an iPhone -- and over the past two years, Apple has successfully made buying its latest and greatest phones significantly more expensive.
The biggest announcements from Apple's iPhone Xs event
As we all wake from the haze that follows an Apple event, we've collected together all the major announcements, new products and conspicuously absent devices that came from 2018's big iPhone briefing.
