Going by looks, you wouldn’t notice much of a difference between the iPhone X and XS. But that can be said about many iPhones from recent times. But while the changes may be subtle, the performance difference has always been not so subtle. It’s among the few details Apple will proudly disclose. But faced with a decision of buying either one of them, you would want to know what makes them different. Why each of them is special and what each one can do for you. So, we did just that. Here are the differences between the iPhone X and iPhone XS.
iPhone X vs. XS: Design
The design philosophy on the iPhone X and iPhone XS is identical. The one major difference is that the iPhone XS is IP68 rated for water and dust resistance while the iPhone X is IP67 rated. This means that while the iPhone XS can be submerged under two meters of water for 30-minutes, the iPhone X will only be safe up to a depth of one meter. This isn’t something you use daily, but it’s a nice safety net to have, just in case. Both phones have an identical notch that houses the front camera and FaceID sensors. FaceID has been the primary security feature for all iPhones since it was introduced on the iPhone X. Likewise, both phones feature round and curved edges, which gives both phones a sleek premium feel on the hands. They are both available in black and space grey, but the iPhone XS is available in Gold as well.
iPhone X vs. XS: Display
The iPhone X and iPhone XS share the same 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED, which is also HDR10 and Dolby Vision capable. However, Apple claims that the OLED panel on the iPhone XS will deliver up to 60% dynamic range on HDR media. You can test this with Dolby Vision and HDR10 content. That aside, the premium resolution offers an excellent opportunity for you to enjoy your media. Both displays have a 60Hz refresh rate. Both phones still maintain an impressive screen-to-body ratio with thin bezels all around and rounded edges. This makes for a strong premium design that you’ll surely love.
iPhone X vs. XS: Performance
Most of the differences between the iPhone X and XS stem from the internals. The iPhone XS was the first iPhone with a 7nm+ chip, and while Apple has since moved to 5nm+ on the iPhone 12, it was the first major change between iPhone X and iPhone XS. The smaller the chip, the more efficient it is, and iPhone XS’s A12 Bionic chip is a monster. The graphical performance and efficiency got a 50% boost on top of the 15% bump in CPU performance. The iPhone X features the A11 Bionic chipset, which was the fastest chips of its time. The A12 bionic is just an improvement over it, which means it was a solid foundation to start with. The improved neural engine improves image processing, especially for Face ID.
The iPhone XS also improves on the iPhone X, spotting 4GB of RAM compared to 3GB on the iPhone X. The additional RAM translates to better multitasking capabilities and generally an excellent user experience. Both the iPhone X and iPhone XS are available with 64GB and 256GB internal storage, but iPhone XS adds a 512GB variant to its line-up.
iPhone X vs. XS: Camera
Given the many similarities, it is easy to assume that the dual 12MP cameras are also similar. They are not, so while the iPhone X can take good pictures, the iPhone XS takes better shots. Taking advantage of the new processor is an advanced image processing software-the benefits are plainly evident. Portrait mode on the iPhone XS offersmore options compared to the iPhone XS, including the ability to adjust the blur of your background after taking the photo. The HDR10 also adds a ton of detail to photos, and Smart HDR also performs better on the iPhone XS. The main camera is bigger on the iPhone XS, which combines these changing sensor sizes to better light capturing abilities. The iPhone X has a great camera, and you won’t be disappointed by its pictures.
iPhone X vs. XS: Battery life
The iPhone X has a 2716mAh battery compared to iPhone XS’s 2659mAh. This isn’t much of a difference. However, the iPhone XS’smuch more efficient chip gives it an edge. Both phones are, however, capable of over 9 hours of regular use of a single charge. They both do support 15W fast charging and can charge from 50% battery in 30 minutes. That said, they do not support MagSafe accessories, which are only usable on the iPhone 12 as of now.
Conclusion
Based on the above, it is evident that the iPhone XS is a step up from the iPhone X despite both phones looking similar on the exterior. Apple made minute tweaks all over, and this contributes to the whole phone feeling different. That said, it’s been a while since both phones were released, which means you could get greater value by buying a refurbished iPhone X from Phonebot. The iPhone X is available for cheaper thanthe iPhone XS, and that a plus if you are looking for a powerful budget phone. So, if you do not need the latest flagship features, you could live comfortably with one of the two.
