HDR takes multiple captures of an image and analyzes the
collection for a variety of characteristics such as color, white
balance, and exposure, then combines the optimal values
into one photo. Combine that with Apple’s depth of field
slider (which lets you control how much of the background is
blurred), and my primitive photographic attempts begin to look
remarkable.
4K VIDEO RECORDING
The large OLED screen coupled with the Super Retina HD
resolution and Dolby Vision support make videos you record
with 4K 60 frames per second (fps) sparkle. The clarity is
remarkable, making the XS Max a dedicated video camera
replacement. If you intend to shoot lots of 4K video with the
iPhone, I suggest spending the extra money to get the 512
GB model, the highest storage option available in an iPhone
today. Just be prepared to have that Face ID notch get in the
way of full-screen video playback.
DOES IT BEAT ANDROID?
All other technical specifications, including improved water
protection, up to 30 fps slow-motion video capture, fast
Gigabit-class LTE, slightly improved battery life over the
iPhone X, and the new Dual SIM feature, place the iPhone XS
Max at parity or slightly above comparable flagship Android
phones, with Samsung’s Galaxy Note 9 being the closest
competitor. The Note 9 doesn’t have the unsightly front notch,
but its facial recognition capabilities do not yet appear to be
as fast or as accurate as the XS Max. Samsung also
enshrouds its user interface in what I find to be a
cluttered interface compared to the simplicity and
consistent user experience that iOS has offered for
years.
THE FINAL VERDICT
The Apple iPhone XS Max is the pinnacle of iPhone hardware mastery. While it may not be as big of a technical leap
forward compared to the original iPhone X, it is still a marvel
of high-tech engineering and elegant design. Current iPhone
X owners should take a pass on the XS Max unless they absolutely require a bigger screen and more storage. Those with
older iPhone Plus models may want to seriously consider the
XS Max, assuming the front-facing notch isn’t too much of a
distraction for them. �
“CURRENT IPHONE X
OWNERS SHOULD
TAKE A PASS ON
THE XS MAX UNLESS
THEY ABSOLUTELY
REQUIRE A BIGGER
SCREEN AND MORE
STORAGE.”
PROS
• Gorgeous 6.5-inch screen
• Wicked fast A12 Bionic processor
• Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM)
• Gigabit-class LTE capable radio
CONS
• Front camera notch
• Shorter battery life than the iPhone XR
• No outstanding new features compared to last year’s model
• Expensive
Mike Riley, a professional software developer and emerging information technologist,
is the author of Programming Your Home, published by Pragmatic Bookshelf. Mike is
also a contributing editor and author of hundreds of technical articles and reviews for
a number of popular technology publications. For more information, contact Mike via
email at mike@mikeriley.com and follow him on Twitter @mriley.
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