In the year 2018, Apple Inc. introduced the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max to worldwide markets. Following this launch, both the models were in high demand. However, the question that arises is, are they still available on the market for purchase?
Apple’s iPhones, the iPhone X and iPhone XR (launched in 2017) were succeeded by the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. The latter was highly popular in the UK and the US. Yet, because of their lower price and colourful chassis, the iPhone X and iPhone XR had a larger customer base than their successors.
Like the iPhone X, the iPhone XS was also a 5.8-inch model. However, in addition to this, there was also a larger 6.5-inch model, which is the iPhone XS Max. Both the phones featured the sharpest OLED displays and the highest pixel density than any other Apple device, which supported Dolby Vision, HDR 10, and Wide Color. The iPhone XS and XS Max are meant to have the most durable glass ever in a smartphone with improved resistance to scratches, as claimed by Apple.
Despite these features, Apple discontinued both the models in 2019, a year after their release. What was the reason behind this drastic step? Let’s dig into the details of the same!
Why did Apple discontinue the sale of its iPhone XS?
Apple has a pattern of keeping one or two of its former iPhone models on the market as a less expensive alternative to the newer models. For instance, it kept the iPhone 12 in circulation even after the official launch of the iPhone 13 in September 2021. However, with the iPhone XS, this didn’t happen. Why is that?
For the iPhone 11, in a first, Apple released three models of its iPhone, that is, the iPhone 11, the iPhone 11 Pro, and the iPhone 11 Pro Max. The iPhone 13 was marketed as an entry-level iPhone and was cheaper than the iPhone XS.
The iPhone 11 offered more variety than its predecessor, the iPhone XS range. It specified alternatives for all types of users and all types of budgets, from entry-level (the iPhone 11) to flagship alternatives (the Pro and Pro Max). The iPhone 11 Pro featured a 5.8-inch display, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max measured in at 6.5 inches—the same as on the iPhone XS and XS Max, respectively.
Enhancements on the iPhone 11 Pro models included the introduction of a triple rear camera system, compared to a dual camera on the iPhone XS models; improved Face ID facial recognition; several hours of additional battery life; and a faster processor, the A13 Bionic.
This is why the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max were discontinued by Apple a year after their release. Thus, with the iPhone 11 range and the cheaper and more popular iPhone XR, Apple dealt with all its necessary bases. The iPhone XR was still made available in 2019, alongside the iPhone 11 range, as the cheaper alternative to the new phone.
But what if the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are still on the market in 2021? Would their purchase be worth it? Let’s find out.
The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max do not have 5G connectivity, much like all of Apple’s iPhones before the iPhone 12. This simply means that if you have a 5G network, it won’t be compatible with these phones. This would be a major inconvenience if someone wanted to buy the iPhone XS or XS Max in 2021. Beyond this, both the XS and the XS Max have been lauded for their performance.
Back in 2018, both these iPhones were a big attraction for many buyers because they were powered by Apple’s A12 Bionic chipset. In 2021, the A12 could still give most Android phones on the market a run for their money! However, it cannot hold its own against the excellent performance of Apple’s newer A14 and A15 chipsets found inside the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13.
Since both the smartphones—the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max—are now a couple of years old, they are quite inexpensive for an iPhone. But how cheap are the iPhone XS and the iPhone XS Max in 2021? You’ll pay around $400 for the XS and $450 for the XS Max—almost half the price of the iPhone 13. However, wholesale iPhones might be cheaper as compared to these prices.
Conclusion
If not having a 5G network in your iPhone is not a problem for you, and you want to pick up an older iPhone model for a lot less money than a new iPhone, like the iPhone 13, then the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are still extremely viable options in 2021. The camera and the overall performance of both the phones is great. However, if the same is an issue for you, it’s better to go for one of the newer models.
