Apple originally announced the iPhone XS on September 12, 2018. The phone came available for pre-order a few days after the announcement and started shipping on September 21, 2018. The iPhone XS launched as part of the 12th generation iPhone lineup, which also included the iPhone XS Max and the iPhone Xr.
The iPhone XS filled the middle slot in the 12th generation lineup, with the iPhone Xr being the more affordable option, and the XS Max is the larger and more expensive option. The iPhone XS provided a great overall experience, but the iPhone Xr was often recommended simply due to the lower price point.
Apple recently announced the iPhone 12 lineup, and that means prices are dropping on previous-generation models, such as the iPhone XS. Continue reading as we see how the iPhone XS stacks up against some newer, and some older models of the iPhone.
iPhone XS vs 12 Pro Max
One of the highlights of the iPhone XS was the camera setup, which Apple billed as being a “breakthrough” dual-camera system. The iPhone XS camera quality stands quite well, even in 2020. However, if you are planning to upgrade your iPhone and you value the camera experience, you may be considering the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Each of these models features 12MP wide-angle and telephoto cameras on the back, though each has a different aperture, and the 12 Pro Max also has an ultra-wide-angle camera.
iPhone XS
- Wide: 12MP f/1.8 aperture
- Telephoto: 12MP f/2.4 aperture
iPhone 12 Pro Max
- Wide: 12MP f/1.6 aperture
- Telephoto: 12MP f/2.2 aperture
- Ultra-wide: 12MP f/2.4 aperture, 120-degree field of view
Both models support core features such as Portrait Mode and Portrait Lighting and have a Burst mode, timer mode, advanced red-eye correction, and auto-image stabilization. But the iPhone 12 Pro Max steps up with better zoom functionality, and it also has a night mode, which wasn’t supported on the iPhone XS. The iPhone 12 Pro Max Night mode works with the ultra-wide and wide-angle cameras, and Night Mode Portraits are further enhanced with the LiDAR Scanner.
Aside from the camera setup, the specs for both models are detailed below.
| iPhone XS | iPhone 12 Pro Max | |
| Processor | A12 Bionic | A14 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 6GB |
| Display | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD (2436 x 1125) | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR (2778 x 1284) |
| Front Camera | 7MP TrueDepth | 12MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Dual 12MP wide-angle and telephoto | Pro 12MP ultra-wide, wide-angle, and telephoto |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Battery | 2,658 mAh | 3,687 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $999 | Starting at $1,099 |
Upgrading from the iPhone XS to the iPhone 12 Pro Max will bring some expected improvements. For example, the 12 Pro Max has a newer processor and more RAM. It also has a much larger battery, and while both models have an IP68 rating, the 12 Pro Max allows for a depth of up to 6 meters for 30 minutes with the XS allowing for a depth of up to 2 meters. Perhaps the most noticeable difference is with the display, which is nearly a full inch bigger (and with a higher resolution) on the 12 Pro Max.
The current iPhone 12 Pro Max pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone 12 Pro Max compares to the iPhone XS in our comparison guide.
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iPhone XS vs 12 Pro
Similar to the iPhone 12 Pro Max, you can expect an overall improvement in terms of performance due to a newer processor and more RAM. The processor goes from the A12 Bionic to the A14 Bionic and the RAM goes from 4GB to 6GB. You’ll also get a bigger battery, and a bit more in terms of water resistance. Both the XS and 12 Pro have an IP68 rating that covers 30 minutes in water, but the 12 Pro allows for a depth of up to 6 meters and the XS topped out at 2 meters.
| iPhone XS | iPhone 12 Pro | |
| Processor | A12 Bionic | A14 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 6GB |
| Display | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD (2436 x 1125) | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR (2532 x 1170) |
| Front Camera | 7MP TrueDepth | 12MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Dual 12MP wide-angle and telephoto | Pro 12MP ultra-wide, wide-angle, and telephoto |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Battery | 2,658 mAh | 2,815 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $999 | Starting at $999 |
The XR and 12 Pro displays are each HDR, True Tone, and with wide color (P3). The displays are also close in size, with the 12 Pro being only slightly larger at 6.1 inches instead of 5.8 inches. But overall, the 12 Pro display has a higher resolution, higher contrast ratio, and higher max brightness.
iPhone XS
- Resolution: 2436 x 1125
- Contrast Ratio: 1,000,000:1
- Max Brightness: 625 cd/m2
iPhone 12 Pro
- Resolution: 2532 x 1170
- Contrast Ratio: 2,000,000:1
- Max Brightness: 800 nits max (typical), 1200 nits max (HDR)
The camera setup is the other big upgrade going from the iPhone XS to the 12 Pro. Both models have a 12MP wide-angle and telephoto camera, though, as we saw with the 12 Pro Max, the 12 Pro has improvements in terms of the hardware that added goodies such as better performance in low-light situations. The 12 Pro also has an ultra-wide-angle lens with a 120-degree field of view and LiDAR.
The current iPhone 12 Pro pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone 12 Pro compares to the iPhone XS in our comparison guide.
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iPhone XS vs 12 mini
The iPhone XS remains a solid phone, even in 2020. However, the release of the iPhone 12 mini would offer a great upgrade path if you want a smaller phone. You’ll notice some spec similarities between both models, such as both phones having 4GB of RAM, and a dual 12MP camera setup on the back.
The front-facing camera on the 12 mini steps up to a 12MP TrueDepth camera, and while both models have an IP68 rating, the 12 mini rating covers a bit deeper depth (up to 6 meters).
| iPhone XS | iPhone 12 mini | |
| Processor | A12 Bionic | A14 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB |
| Display | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD (2436 x 1125) | 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR (2340 x 1080) |
| Front Camera | 7MP TrueDepth | 12MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Dual 12MP wide-angle and telephoto | Dual 12MP ultra-wide and wide-angle |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Battery | 2,658 mAh | 2,815 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $999 | Stating at $699 |
Of course, the iPhone 12 mini also has a newer processor, and that means you’ll be getting an overall performance boost. The display on the iPhone 12 mini is a little smaller, 5.4 inches as compared to the 5.8-inch display on the XS, but the 12 mini has a higher display resolution and the display goes from a Super Retina HD to a Super Retina XDR.
Other features aside, the key difference is likely the overall size of the phone itself. The iPhone 12 mini measures in at 5.18 (H) x 2.53 (W) x 0.29 (D) inches, and the iPhone XS measures in at 5.65 (H) x 2.79 (W) x 0.30 (D) inches. The iPhone 12 mini also weighs less, at 4.76 ounces compared to the iPhone XS at 6.24 ounces.
The current iPhone 12 mini pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone 12 mini compares to the iPhone XS in our comparison guide.
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iPhone XS vs 12
Provided you take decent care of your iPhone, it should last 3, 4, or 5 years without much worry. But lots of people choose to go with a self-imposed two-year upgrade cycle. The iPhone 12 would be a solid upgrade if you are currently using an iPhone XS. One of the key differences will come from the new look of the iPhone 12. The 12 has a newer squared-off design, which goes back to the look of the iPhone 4.
| iPhone XS | iPhone 12 | |
| Processor | A12 Bionic | A14 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB |
| Display | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD (2436 x 1125) | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR (2532 x 1170) |
| Front Camera | 7MP TrueDepth | 12MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Dual 12MP wide-angle and telephoto | Dual 12MP ultra-wide and wide-angle |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Battery | 2,658 mAh | 2,815 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $999 | Starting at $799 |
For some, the new look will be enough to convince them to upgrade, but there is a bit more you’ll get. As a starting point, the processor goes from the Apple A12 Bionic to the A14 Bionic, which will give you a good boost in overall performance. The iPhone 12 also has a 12MP TrueDepth camera on the front, which is up from the 7MP on the XS. The rear-facing camera also had some improvements. Both phones have a dual 12MP setup on the back, but the XS has a wide-angle and telephoto and the 12 has an ultra-wide and wide-angle. The iPhone 12 also has Smart HDR 3, Deep Fusion, and Night Mode support.
The current iPhone 12 pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone 12 compares to the iPhone XS in our comparison guide.
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iPhone XS vs SE 2020
Going from the iPhone XS to the iPhone SE (2020) may not be a common upgrade path, but there are some benefits. You would be getting a smaller phone, which for some is a real perk. You also get a home button with Touch ID on the iPhone SE (2020).
| iPhone XS | iPhone SE 2020 | |
| Processor | A12 Bionic | A13 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 3GB |
| Display | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD (2436 x 1125) | 4.7-inch Retina HD (1334 x 750) |
| Front Camera | 7MP TrueDepth | 7MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Dual 12MP wide-angle and telephoto | 12MP wide-angle |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP67 |
| Battery | 2,658 mAh | 1,821 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $999 | Starting at $399 |
As you will see from the above specs, the display is a fair bit smaller on the iPhone SE. Not to mention, a lower resolution. But the smaller overall size of the phone will make the SE easier to carry around. The iPhone SE measures in at 5.45 (H) x 2.65 (W) x 0.29 (D) inches, and the iPhone XS measures in at 5.65 (H) x 2.79 (W) x 0.30 (D) inches.
The iPhone SE was released in 2020, as opposed to the XS, which was released in 2018. This really just means you can expect a newer Apple processor, and as a result, a bit of a boost in terms of performance. The iPhone SE has the A13 Bionic processor, though, it does step down to 3GB of RAM. The other noticeable difference deals with the rear-camera setup. The iPhone XS had a telephoto lens, and the SE has a single 12MP wide-angle camera. Going from the XS to the SE would also mean stepping down a bit in terms of the water-resistance level, and due to the size of the phone — a smaller battery.
The current iPhone SE 2020 pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone SE 2020 compares to the iPhone XS in our comparison guide.
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iPhone XS vs 11 Pro Max
According to the release years, going from the iPhone XS to the 11 Pro Max would be a one-year upgrade, but upgrading to the 11 Pro Max in 2020 (as opposed to when it was originally released in 2019) means getting it for a much better price. Both of these models have 4GB of RAM, and each had the same internal storage options at 64GB, 256GB, or 512GB.
| iPhone XS | iPhone 11 Pro Max | |
| Processor | A12 Bionic | A13 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB |
| Display | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD (2436 x 1125) | 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR (2688 x 1242) |
| Front Camera | 7MP TrueDepth | 12MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Dual 12MP wide-angle and telephoto | Triple 12MP ultra-wide, wide-angle, and telephoto |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Battery | 2,658 mAh | 3,969 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $999 | Starting at $1,099 |
But that is where the similarities stop. The 11 Pro Max has a larger display and a higher display resolution. You would also be getting a much larger battery, a newer version of the Apple processor, a better depth rating for water-resistance, and a 12MP TrueDepth camera on the front. The XS has a 7MP TrueDepth camera on the front.
Perhaps the bigger differences are in the sizes of the phones and the rear-camera setup. The iPhone 11 Pro Max is a fair bit larger in size, and it measures in at 6.22 (H) x 3.06 (W) x 0.32 (D) inches. The rear camera setup goes from the dual 12MP (wide-angle and telephoto) on the XS to a triple 12MP on the 11 Pro Max, which has a wide-angle and telephoto and adds an ultra-wide. The iPhone 11 Pro Max also launched with Night mode and features next-generation Smart HDR for photos.
The current iPhone 11 Pro Max pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone 11 Pro Max compares to the iPhone XS in our comparison guide.
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iPhone XS vs 11
Going from the iPhone XS to the iPhone 11 wouldn’t be as big of an upgrade as compared to the XS to the 11 Pro Max, but there are some key benefits. The first is similar to the 11 Pro Max in that you can get a solid deal on a newish iPhone 11 right now. You also get a bump in overall performance due to the Apple A13 Bionic chip.
| iPhone XS | iPhone 11 | |
| Processor | A12 Bionic | A13 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB |
| Display | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD (2436 x 1125) | 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD (1792 x 828) |
| Front Camera | 7MP TrueDepth | 12MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Dual 12MP wide-angle and telephoto | Dual 12MP ultra-wide and wide-angle |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Battery | 2,658 mAh | 3,110 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $999 | Starting at $699 |
In some respects, going from the iPhone XS to the 11 would be a step-down. For example, the display on the XS is a little smaller, at 5.8 inches compared to the 6.1-inch display on the 11. But the XS display is a Super Retina HD with a much higher resolution.
The current iPhone 11 pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone 11 compares to the iPhone XS in our comparison guide.
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iPhone XS vs XS Max
Switching from the iPhone XS to the iPhone XS Max would come down to one factor — size. These phones were both released at the same time, which means they share many of the same specs.
| iPhone XS | iPhone XS Max | |
| Processor | A12 Bionic | A12 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB |
| Display | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD (2436 x 1125) | 6.5-inch Super Retina HD (2688 x 1242) |
| Front Camera | 7MP TrueDepth | 7MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Dual 12MP wide-angle and telephoto | Dual 12MP wide-angle and telephoto |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Battery | 2,658 mAh | 3,174 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $999 | Starting at $1,099 |
Both are powered by the Apple A12 Bionic processor and have 4GB of RAM so the overall performance will be the same. Both models also share the same camera setup and have the same IP68 rating for water resistance. Going back to the size, and we see the differences in the display and the overall size of the phone. Picking up an iPhone XS Max would have you going from a 5.8-inch to a 6.5-inch display. You would also be getting a bump in the display resolution with the XS Max. Of course, the larger overall size of the phone also means a larger phone. While not everyone will be happy carrying a bigger phone, the bigger battery will mean less worrying about making it through the day without running out of juice.
The current iPhone XS Max pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone XS Max compares to the iPhone XS in our comparison guide.
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Up until this point, we’ve been looking from the perspective of having an iPhone XS and upgrading to a newer iPhone. As we move forward, we’ll be looking from the perspective of upgrading to the iPhone XS from an older iPhone.
iPhone XS vs Xr
The iPhone XS and the Xr were both released in 2018 as part of the 12th generation iPhone lineup. The iPhone XS offers a bit better specs, both in terms of the amount of RAM, the higher display resolution, and the rear-camera setup.
The iPhone XS was the prime choice when these two phones launched, but the iPhone Xr was the more frequently recommended due to the lower price point. At $250 less, the iPhone Xr may not have had all the features found on the XS, but it had more than enough to be very happy with.
| iPhone XS | iPhone Xr | |
| Processor | A12 Bionic | A12 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 3GB |
| Display | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD (2436 x 1125) | 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD (1792 x 828) |
| Front Camera | 7MP TrueDepth | 7MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Dual 12MP wide-angle and telephoto | 12MP wide-angle |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP67 |
| Battery | 2,658 mAh | 2,942 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $999 | Starting at $749 |
The good news here is that iPhone prices drop over time, and in 2020 — the iPhone XS is very capable, and also a very affordable phone. If you have an Xr and happen to be looking to step up a bit — the XS is certainly worth considering, especially if you plan to use your phone for photography. The iPhone XS may not have some of the newer camera features such as Night Mode, which were introduced after this model was released, but it does have a dual 12MP camera setup on the back with a wide-angle and telephoto lens.
The current iPhone Xr pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone Xr compares to the iPhone XS in our comparison guide.
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iPhone XS vs X
The iPhone X launched in 2017, and the release marked a new way to interact with your iPhone. The iPhone X shifted from a home button and Touch ID to the gesture-based UI and Face ID. There was quite a bit of excitement around the iPhone X launch due to this change, but the follow-up iPhone XS ended up keeping many of the same hardware features.
| iPhone XS | iPhone X | |
| Processor | A12 Bionic | A11 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 3GB |
| Display | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD (2436 x 1125) | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD (2436 x 1125) |
| Front Camera | 7MP TrueDepth | 7MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Dual 12MP wide-angle and telephoto | Dual 12MP wide-angle and telephoto |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP67 |
| Battery | 2,658 mAh | 2,716 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $999 | Starting at $999 |
As you’ve likely noticed from the spec list, the XS and X share a similar-sized battery and camera setup. They also each have a Super Retina HD display with the same display resolution. Apple doesn’t recommend going swimming with your iPhone, but going from the X to the XS will give you a bit of a boost in terms of water resistance — just in case it falls in the water, or you find yourself stuck outside in heavy rain.
One consideration in upgrading from an iPhone X to an iPhone XS would be with the newer processor and more RAM. You would go from the A11 with 3GB of RAM to the A12 with 4GB of RAM, and that would mean a bit of a performance boost in your day-to-day usage. Typically, this wouldn’t be an upgrade path for many, but with prices getting better and better on the iPhone XS, it could be a nice step.
The current iPhone X pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone X compares to the iPhone XS in our comparison guide.
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iPhone XS vs 8 Plus
The iPhone 8 Plus is a solid phone and it is performing quite well, even today in 2020, which marks three years since it was released. But as phones age, people will naturally start looking to upgrade, and going from an 8 Plus to the XS would be a great upgrade path.
| iPhone XS | iPhone 8 Plus | |
| Processor | A12 Bionic | A11 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 3GB |
| Display | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD (2436 x 1125) | 5.8-inch Retina HD (1920 x 1080) |
| Front Camera | 7MP TrueDepth | 7MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Dual 12MP wide-angle and telephoto | Dual 12MP wide-angle and telephoto |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP67 |
| Battery | 2,658 mAh | 2,691 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $999 | Starting at $799 |
The iPhone 8 Plus has a home button and uses Touch ID for security, which for some is a perk they will not want to give up. If you are in that category, you may want to look towards the iPhone SE (2020). But otherwise, you would be stepping up in terms of the processor and RAM, going from the A11 Bionic with 3GB to the A12 Bionic with 4GB and that will help in terms of performance. The rear-facing camera setup is similar on both models, but the iPhone XS brought features such as Smart HDR and improved hardware due to the faster f/2.4 aperture.
Perhaps the key is the overall look and feel of the iPhone XS. The iPhone XS is a bit smaller in overall size, but it also has a bit larger display with a higher resolution.
The current iPhone 8 Plus pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone 8 Plus compares to the iPhone XS in our comparison guide.
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iPhone XS vs 8
An iPhone 8 is still getting regular software updates from Apple, and it still has enough power to meet the daily needs of plenty of iPhone users. But, upgrading from an iPhone 8 to an iPhone XS will give you a boost in almost all aspects.
| iPhone XS | iPhone 8 | |
| Processor | A12 Bionic | A11 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 2GB |
| Display | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD (2436 x 1125) | 4.7-inch Retina HD (1334 x 750) |
| Front Camera | 7MP TrueDepth | 7MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Dual 12MP wide-angle and telephoto | 12MP wide-angle |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP67 |
| Battery | 2,658 mAh | 1,821 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $999 | Starting at $699 |
As a starting point, you would be getting a year-over-year boost in the processor, going from the Apple A11 to the A12, but you are also getting double the RAM — going from 2GB to 4GB. Other key highlights include a much bigger battery, a better rating for water resistance, and a much-improved camera setup. The iPhone 8 had a single 12MP wide-angle lens on the back and the XS goes to a dual 12MP with the addition of a telephoto lens.
Aside from the internal and photography related perks, the iPhone XS features a larger and nicer display. You would be going from a 4.7-inch display at 1334 x 750 to a 5.8-inch display at 2436 x 1125. This upgrade path would also mean going from Touch ID to Face ID, which also means getting the gesture-based UI that was first introduced with the iPhone X.
The current iPhone 8 pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone 8 compares to the iPhone XS in our comparison guide.
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With prices getting better and better on previous generations of the iPhone — now is a great time to pick up your newish iPhone. Whichever model you choose, you can buy with confidence in knowing the Swappa marketplace is both easy to use and safe. Swappa staff reviews each listing before approval, and we are available to help 24/7/365.
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