When Apple released the iPhone XS Max, the 6.5-inch phone was the biggest phone on its shelf. While the smartphone maker has added to their ranks of Max phones, the iPhone XS Max is still a top-quality device that performs well to justify its high price. Here, we review this solid offering from Apple, its price and where you can buy one in Nigeria.
Design
If you think the iPhone XS Max looks similar to the iPhone X, you’d be correct. The iPhone XS Max is an almost exact copy of the X, with the only difference being its large screen size. The phone is not the handiest of phones and does not sit as securely in my palm as I’d like. For a phone that costs this much, I definitely don’t want it slipping out of my grasp.
The back of the device is rather flat and the edges curved, making it hard to hold during one-handed use. As a redeeming feature, the device is IP68 certified, with Apple claiming it can remain submerged in water in depths of up to 2 meters for 30 minutes without suffering any damage.
The iPhone XS Max lacks a headphone jack since Apple killed it off in the iPhone 6. The charging port is centralised and flanked by the speakers.
Display
The display on this device is big and bold, as expected from a 6.5-inch screen. There’s a lot of screen real estate here, and if you enjoy watching movies and videos on the go, you’ll like this one. The device sports a Super Retina Display that makes colours pop. The screen is incredibly bright, posing no problems for outdoor use.
The OLED panel on the iPhone XS Max does a pretty good job. Colours are sharp and crisp and the screen is responsive to the touch. Not surprisingly, the display has a Delta-E rating of 0.22, representing the colour accuracy of the screen.
Performance
The iPhone XS Max is powered by an A12 Bionic processor which does a pretty solid job with the speed. Most notably, Face ID is a bit faster than it was on the iPhone X, so using the security feature is even more of a breeze.
The smartphone also opens up apps fairly rapidly, with games like PUBG and Fortnite loading in record time. Of course, the device had no problems playing the games, and the screen was responsive to input.
Camera
The iPhone XS Max rescues Apple’s faltering camera game. The iPhone X did not perform as well against the Pixel 2, with the latter performing much better. The iPhone XS Max closes the gap with an impressive showing from the camera department. The camera delivers stunning detail, even when zoomed in.
The Smart HDR mode lets you take even better pictures, with a lot of detail and no noise. Portrait images look great, although the edges are slightly blown out and it can tend to show a bit too much detail. Overall, it’s an impressive device for photography. The 7-MP front camera offers you a pictures with the right amount of detail, even in low light.
Battery
The iPhone XS Max carries a 3,174 mAh battery. While this might be a small capacity battery in an Android device, the iPhone’s custom processors do a decent job of battery management.
If you want a phone you can carry with you on your daily outings without needing to charge, the iPhone XS Max is the device you want. When tested, it lasted 10 hours and 38 minutes on full-screen brightness and web surfing. It’s a pretty impressive battery, for an iPhone.
The device is capable of wireless charging, but the devices you need for this are not included in the box; you’d have to buy them separately.
Price of the iPhone XS Max in Nigeria
It is one of Apple’s priciest phones, pegged at N320,000 on Jumia and Konga.
Verdict
The iPhone XS Max is an impressive device, suitable for users who put some demand on their phones. With a pretty large screen, it’s a favourite among people looking for a viewing experience. Get this phone if you want a solid performance, a great camera and a resilient battery.
General
Brand | Apple |
Model | iPhone XS Max |
Release date | September 2018 |
Launched in India | Yes |
Form factor | Touchscreen |
Dimensions (mm) | 157.50 x 77.40 x 7.70 |
Weight (g) | 208.00 |
IP rating | IP68 |
Removable battery | No |
Fast charging | Proprietary |
Wireless charging | Yes |
Colours | Gold, Silver, Space Grey |
Display
Screen size (inches) | 6.50 |
Touchscreen | Yes |
Resolution | 1242×2688 pixels |
Protection type | Other |
Pixels per inch (PPI) | 458 |
Hardware
Processor | hexa-core |
Processor make | Apple A12 Bionic |
Internal storage | 64GB |
Expandable storage | No |
Camera
Rear camera | 12-megapixel (f/1.8, 1.4-micron) + 12-megapixel (f/2.4) |
Rear autofocus | Yes |
Rear flash | Yes |
Front camera | 7-megapixel (f/2.2) |
Software
Operating system | iOS 12 |