Dan Pražák I can't even believe that it's already been a year since I bought the iPhone X. Although I'm basically satisfied with everything, I was still tempted to try this year's models. In addition to the iPhone XR, I was naturally interested in the iPhone XS Max, whose large display can lead to higher productivity and at the same time satisfy more avid gamers or fans of Netflix and similar services. After all, that's also why I didn't refuse the offer to try the new Max for some time. For now, I don't dare to say whether I will keep it until next fall or not, but I already got my first impressions of the phone after two days of use, so let's summarize them.
For me, as an iPhone X owner, the new Max isn't a big change. The design is essentially exactly the same – a glass back and shiny stainless steel edges that flow into minimal bezels surrounding the cutout display. However, two antenna strips were added to the upper and lower edges, which also disrupted the symmetry of the outlets for the speaker and microphone at the Lightning port. From the point of view of functionality, it doesn't matter, since the removed sockets were fake and really only served design purposes, but users with an emphasis on detail may freeze their absence. Anyway, a certain interesting thing is that the XS Max has one more port on each side compared to the smaller XS.
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In a way, I was also interested in the cut-out, which, despite the significantly larger display, is dimensionally identical to the smaller model. However, despite the fact that there is more space around the cut-out, the indicator showing the remaining battery capacity in percentage has not returned to the top line - the icons are simply bigger and therefore take up more space, which is logical given the higher resolution of the display.
Along with the cutout, Face ID is also inexorably linked, which according to Apple should be even faster. Although I tried my best to compare it to the iPhone X, I didn't notice a difference in face recognition speeds. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the iPhone X has scanned my face so many times over the past year that it slightly sped up the authentication process and, at least initially, will be on par with this year's generation. Perhaps, on the contrary, the improved Face ID is not faster, but its reliability in specific situations has only improved. In any case, we will provide more detailed test results in the review itself.
The alpha and omega of the iPhone XS Max is undoubtedly the display. 6,5 inches is a really high number for a smartphone, which you need to take into account when buying. However, the Max is the same size as the 8 Plus (even less than a millimeter lower and narrower), so it is not a newcomer in terms of dimensions. On the contrary, the giant display brings many benefits. Whether it is, for example, a noticeably larger keyboard on which typing is undoubtedly more comfortable, watching videos on YouTube is more pleasant, the split screen function in some system applications or the ability to set an enlarged view of the control elements, the Max has a lot to offer compared to its smaller brother. On the other hand, the absence of the landscape mode on the home screen, which is known from the Plus models, is a bit disappointing, but perhaps we will see its addition with the upcoming iOS update.
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I was also pleasantly surprised by the camera. Although it is still too early for final verdicts and specific differences will only be shown by the photo tests we are preparing, the improvement is noticeable even after a few hours of use. The improved portrait mode deserves praise, and I was also surprised by photos taken in poor lighting conditions. We are preparing a comprehensive assessment for the review itself, but you can already see a few examples in the gallery below.
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The sound reproduction is also noticeably different. The iPhone XS Max's speakers are louder, significantly. Apple refers to the improvement as "wider stereo presentation," but a layman's note is that the Max simply plays music louder. However, the question remains as to whether this is a step in the right direction, because I personally find the sound from the new product to be of slightly lower quality, especially the bass is not as pronounced as with the iPhone X. One way or another, we will continue to examine the sound performance in the editorial office.
So, how to evaluate the iPhone XS Max after daily use? Hardly, really. However, not at all due to the fact that it is only the first impressions, but in short, for me, as an iPhone X owner, it brings only a minimum of innovation. On the other hand, for fans of plus models, Max is, in my opinion, absolutely ideal. More details like charging speed, battery life, wireless speeds and more are in the works for a separate review.
And again the pink tint of the AMOLED, gold LCD of the iPhone 8 plus.
Hello everyone who has an XS MAX,
Have you noticed that FB, Mssenger and Whatsapp apps are not adapted to the display? The font/text in apps is larger than others or the phone's system. Is it because they are not customized? Should I wait for an update? I don't think it will happen to me?.. because when I want to share a photo through these applications and when they are opened, everything is displayed in the same size... but purely in the application when I open it, it is enlarged.... :(