iPhone XR hands-on review

Research Center:

Apple iPhone XR

Apple unveiled three iPhones last year, and it looks like we can continue to expect a set of three for the foreseeable future. In 2017, the most expensive iPhone was the odd one out. This year, it’s the cheapest — the iPhone XR (that’s pronounced ten-R). It shares similar qualities as the new iPhone Xs and Xs Max, but there’s a reason why it’s $250 less expensive than the entry-level Xs.

Design: An iPhone 8 merged with an iPhone X

Apple tends to offer more color options for its cheaper devices, and that hasn’t changed with the iPhone XR. It’s one of the most noticeable traits of the phone, as it comes in Product (Red), white, coral, black, blue, and a mesmerizing yellow (our favorite of the lot). In comparison, the Xs and Xs Max only come in three colors that are more elegant than flashy.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

From the back, the iPhone XR looks like an iPhone 8. That’s because of its next distinguishing characteristic, a single-lens camera that’s slightly raised. We’ll get to the camera later, but don’t underestimate it just because it has one lens. It shares many of the same features as the Xs and Xs Max. The aluminum frame around the edges feels high-end, and the glass — which is Apple’s “most durable” — is capable of wireless charging.

From the back, the iPhone XR looks like an iPhone 8.

You can say goodbye to Touch ID. Gone are the chunky bezels that surround the screen, as well as the home button. The iPhone XR’s design is a lot like the iPhone X, but a few differences are noticeable. The edges around the screen — the bezels — are thicker, which gives the iPhone XR a cheaper vibe. Still, the bezels are much thinner than the iPhone 8. The 6.1-inch screen puts the XR squarely between the 5.8-inch iPhone Xs and the 6.5-inch iPhone 8 Plus. It’s comfortable to hold, and not cumbersome at all.

The screen technology quite impressive, and perhaps the biggest internal difference between the XR and other iPhones. This is an LCD screen, which Apple has named Liquid Retina HD display. That’s a 1,792 x 828 resolution (326 pixels per inch), which doesn’t sound high, but content on the screen managed to look quite sharp. It’s a wide color display with support for True Tone, which means the screen’s color will adapt to the ambient lighting surrounding you. We watched a few scenes from Ready Player One, and colors in the film were well saturated with surprisingly deep black levels. It’s excellent.

Apple iPhone XR Compared To

Apple iPhone X

Apple iPhone 7

Apple iPhone 7 Plus

Apple iPhone SE

iPhone 6S Plus

Apple iPhone 6 Plus

Apple iPhone 6

Apple iPhone 5C

Apple iPhone 5

Apple iPhone 4S

Apple iPhone 4

Apple iPhone 3GS 32GB

Apple iPhone 3GS 16GB

Apple iPhone (4GB)

Apple iPhone (8GB)

The iPhone XR isn’t the flagship, but we think most people will be satisfied with it. The phone is even rated for IP67 water resistance, so it can stay submerged up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. That’s as good as the iPhone Xs or Xs Max, but most people just need water resistance to hold up in rain or survive an accidental drop in a puddle.

Stunning performance, iOS 12, and battery life

Apple’s new A12 Bionic processor powers all the new iPhones, including the iPhone XR. It boasts a “next-generation Neural Engine,” which now has 8 cores, and overall the chip can process 5 trillion operations per second. It’s impressive, and it means the iPhone XR can handle anything you’d throw at it.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

We played Elder Scrolls: Blades, a new game from Bethesda due to release later this year, and were blown away by the detailed graphics. It’s among the most attractive mobile games we’ve ever seen, and it looked incredibly smooth in motion. Walking around and moving the camera was fluid, with zero stutter or lag. We also tried an ARKit 2.0 game, and it managed to seamlessly layer detailed graphics over the real world. Granted, all of this was done in a controlled demo, so we’ll need to do further testing to see just how far the A12 Bionic processor can take us.

We played Elder Scrolls: Blades […] and were blown away by the detailed graphics.

With the removal of the home button, you now need to use gestures first introduced with the iPhone X to navigate the operating system. It’s one of the best gesture systems we’ve used on a smartphone, and we didn’t run into any performance problems moving around the OS, or with opening and switching between apps. The iPhone XR runs iOS 12, which drops September 17, and you can read our guide on everything that’s new with the latest version.

Battery-wise, Apple claims the iPhone XR can last up to 1.5 hours longer than the iPhone 8 Plus, which means you can expect about a full day of use. We’ll need to use the phone for a few days to see more precise measurements, and to see if Apple’s claims ring true.

A strong camera

The iPhone XR has the same 12-megapixel camera as the Xs, with a f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization. The camera includes an all new sensor over last year’s models, which should deliver stronger photos. But there are two features we’re particularly excited about: Portrait Mode and Smart HDR.

That’s right — despite only having one lens, Apple has introduced Portrait Mode into the iPhone XR, just like Google managed with the Pixel 2. The results probably won’t live up to the dual-camera system on the Xs and Xs Max, but the brief shots we snapped looked great. It managed to accurately identify the edges around a person’s face and the blur effect was strong. You can also access the Portrait Lighting features Apple introduced with the iPhone X last year.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Portrait Mode also has a new feature: You can now change the depth of field after you snap a photo. It’s a feature we’ve seen on some Android phones for quite some time, but it’s good to see it included even on Apple’s more reasonably priced phone.

The camera didn’t have any shutter lag, and the photos we took in the event space looked great.

Smart HDR is a completely new feature that captures a lot of photos at the same time. With the help of the A12 Bionic processor, the camera chooses the best of each to create one photo with excellent dynamic range. That means you won’t need to worry about photos being too overexposed or underexposed in dynamic lighting conditions. However, we haven’t been able to test this yet. Apple also said you can record stereo sound with the camera, and there’s extended dynamic range, but these were also outside what we could test during our hands-on.

The front-facing, 7-megapixel camera (with f/2.2 aperture) snapped a few nice selfies in our testing — including Portrait Mode selfies, thanks to the TrueDepth camera on the front. Expect to be able to create Animojis and Memojis with iOS 12 on this device, as well

The camera didn’t have any shutter lag, and the photos we took in the event space looked great. This is an area we’ll be testing much more rigorously when we get our hands on the iPhone XR. As with its design and performance, the camera is likely more than adequate for most people.

Price and availability

The iPhone XR starts at $750 and comes with either 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB storage options. It will be available for pre-order starting October 19 and arrives on October 26.

Though more affordable than its peers, the iPhone XR is still an expensive phone. We’d like to see Apple offer an even more affordable entry. Still, the iPhone XR looks like a great option for people who want most of what flagship iPhones offer, without paying $1,000 (or more).

iPhone XS Max hands-on review

Research Center:

Apple iPhone XS Max

One of the most frequent criticisms we’ve heard about the iPhone X is that its 5.8-inch screen simply isn’t big enough. Last year, big-screen lovers had to opt for the less fully featured iPhone 8 Plus to get the most real estate. Not anymore. Apple’s new iPhone Xs Max has a much bigger screen than the iPhone X, and all the same top-shelf features. It’s the perfect option for people who want to upgrade from older Plus models.

We do think the name is a bit of an unfortunate mishap. Apple should have stuck to the traditional Plus moniker, as Xs Max (pronounced ten-S Max) sounds like the name of an Android phone from five years ago. Naming issues aside, let’s dive into what it’s like to hold this phone.

Large-screen iPhone X

The iPhone Xs Max is big, beautiful, and bold — especially with the new gold color option (silver and space grey are also available if you want something less flashy). It has a massive 6.5-inch screen, but the body is about the same size as the iPhone 8 Plus. If you’re coming from a Plus device, you should feel right at home. If you’re not, this phone will feel cumbersome. It requires two hands to operate, as we struggled to quickly reach parts of the screen with one.

It looks exactly like last year’s iPhone X, which isn’t a bad thing at all. The back is minimal, with the elegantly placed vertical dual camera. We do wish the camera was flush on the back, but we’ve been wishing for this for quite some time. The glass — which Apple said is its “most durable” — feels nice to the touch, and the metal frame feels high-end. The Xs Max is heavy at 208 grams, but it certainly helps make it feel worth the price tag.

The button and charger placements remain the same — there’s also still no headphone jack — and the notch on the front carries the TrueDepth camera for Face ID. This unlocking method is said to be faster and more secure than ever before thanks to the new processor inside the Xs Max, but we were unable to test it.

The Xs Max’s screen is the star of the show here. It’s a beautiful 6.5-inch Super Retina HD OLED screen, with colors that pop and mesmerizingly deep levels of black. It supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, so you’re getting accurate color representation, that makes supported content look absolutely stunning. We watched a few scenes from Ready Player One, and it looks realistic, as though we were very much a part of the virtual world.

It’s the perfect option for people who want to upgrade from older Plus models.

The 2,688 x 1,242 resolution means you’re getting the highest resolution iPhone available (458 pixels per inch), and everything on the screen looks incredibly sharp and crisp. There’s also support for True Tone again, which adjusts the screen colors to match the temperature of the light in your surroundings.

It’s a fantastic screen, and the Xs Max’s size makes it the perfect option for consuming media. Apple also improved the water resistance on the device, bumping it up to IP68, which means you can leave it submerged up to two meters for 30 minutes.

Strong performance, iOS 12, and better battery life

Apple’s latest processor is the A12 Bionic, and it’s powering all the new iPhones. It includes a “next-generation Neural Engine,” which now has eight cores, and overall the chip can process 5 trillion operations per second. That essentially means the iPhone Xs Max can handle seriously intense computing tasks, and complete them faster than ever before. It may well be the most powerful smartphone available to date.

We played Elder Scrolls: Blades, a new game from Bethesda arriving later this year, and were blown away by the level of detailed graphics. It’s one of the best-looking mobile games we’ve ever seen, and it’s astoundingly smooth on this phone. Walking around and moving the camera is fluid, with zero stutter or lag. We also tried an ARKit 2.0 game, which managed to seamlessly layer detailed graphics over the real world. Granted, all of this was done in a controlled demo, so we’ll definitely need to do further testing to see just how far the A12 Bionic processor can take us.

iPhone Xs Max Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

With the removal of the home button, you now need to use gestures first introduced with the iPhone X to navigate the operating system. It’s one of the best gesture systems we’ve used on a smartphone, and we didn’t run into any performance problems moving around the OS, or with opening and switching between apps. The iPhone XS Max runs iOS 12, which drops September 17, and you can read our guide on everything that’s new with the latest version.

It looks exactly like last year’s iPhone X, which isn’t a bad thing at all.

Battery-wise, Apple claims the iPhone Xs Max can last up to 1.5 hours longer than the iPhone X, which means you can expect about a full day of use. We’ll need to use the phone for a few days to see more precise measurements, and whether Apple’s claims ring true.

Wireless charging is available again, but we’re still bummed to see no fast-charging cable included in the box — you need to buy it separately.

Solid camera improvements

The iPhone Xs Max has two 12-megapixel cameras on the back: a standard f/1.8 lens and a telephoto lens with a f/2.4 aperture. The second lens is capable of up to 2x optical zoom, and it’s used for Portrait Mode photos. The camera sensor is said to be bigger than last year’s iPhone X, so you should see slight improvements overall.

Two key improvements enhance the camera experience over the iPhone X: Depth Control and Smart HDR. The former allows you to adjust the level of bokeh — or background blur — in Portrait Mode photos. It works really well, and it’s a great option if you want to tweak the photo exactly to your liking. It’s a feature we’ve seen on other Android phones before. You also still get the same Portrait Lighting features from last year, but all of these should work better than ever thanks to the A12 Bionic. In the few tests we did, the camera was capable of identifying the edges around a subject accurately. We’ll need to do more testing to see how it fares.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

We’re more excited to test Smart HDR. Essentially, it captures a lot of photos at the same time, and then with the help of the A12 Bionic processor, the camera chooses the best of each to create one photo with excellent dynamic range. That means you won’t need to worry about photos being overexposed or underexposed in dynamic lighting conditions – it will look just right. The example photos we saw looked absolutely stunning, which is why we can’t wait to take the iPhone Xs Max out for a spin in contrasting lighting.

Apple also said you can record stereo sound with the camera, and there’s extended dynamic range, but we haven’t had a chance to see this in action.

The front-facing, 7-megapixel camera (with f/2.2 aperture) snapped a few nice selfies in our testing — including Portrait Mode selfies, thanks to the TrueDepth camera on the front. Expect to be able to create Animojis and Memojis with iOS 12 on this device as well.

The camera didn’t have any shutter lag, and the photos we took in the event space looked good, but we’ll need more time to fully test the iPhone Xs Max and see its full capabilities.

Apple iPhone XS Max Compared To

Apple iPhone XS

Apple iPhone XR

Apple iPhone X

Apple iPhone 7

Apple iPhone 7 Plus

Apple iPhone SE

iPhone 6S Plus

Apple iPhone 6 Plus

Apple iPhone 6

Apple iPhone 5C

Apple iPhone 5

Apple iPhone 4S

Apple iPhone 4

Apple iPhone 3GS 16GB

Apple iPhone (4GB)

Price and availability

The iPhone Xs Max starts at $1,100, which is a lot of money. Most people will likely be satisfied with the iPhone XR, the third iPhone announced today that has similar features, except for the OLED screen and second camera on the rear. You should only consider the Max if you want the extra screen real estate, but the slight bump in battery life makes it a good choice too. Pre-orders start September 14, and the phone goes on sale on September 21.

It’s the most expensive smartphone from

Apple

to date, but keep in mind this is very much an “S” model iPhone. The upgrades are modest over last year’s iPhone X, but it certainly is quite a jump if you’re coming from anything older than an iPhone 8. We’ll be testing the new crop of iPhones over the next two weeks, so stay tuned for our final thoughts on whether the Xs Max is a worthwhile upgrade.

iPhone XS hands-on review

Research Center:

Apple iPhone XS

The iPhone Xs is indistinguishable from last year’s iPhone X. As the “S” moniker suggests, it brings modest upgrades, but from what we’ve seen so far, you likely won’t want to upgrade to it over the iPhone X. That doesn’t mean it’s bad — it’s just the least interesting iPhone announced today because it’s so similar to last year’s model. It’s a compelling product for Android owners looking to switch, or for people looking to upgrade anything older than an iPhone 8. Let’s take a closer look.

Same size, same looks

The iPhone Xs has the same exact 5.8-inch screen as last year’s iPhone X, which for reference puts it in between the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus. It’s currently the smallest of the new iPhone devices announced today — the iPhone XR has a larger 6.1-inch screen.

iPhone Xs Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Out of all three new phones, including the iPhone Xs Max, we still love the size of the iPhone Xs the most. While some may have pined for a larger screen, we always thought the iPhone X’s screen struck a perfect balance — it wasn’t too big, making it comfortable to hold, and it still provided enough screen real estate to make watching videos enjoyable.

It looks exactly like last year’s iPhone X, which isn’t a bad thing at all. The back is minimal, with an elegantly-placed vertical dual camera.

iPhone Xs Max can handle seriously intense tasks, and complete them faster than ever before.

We do wish the camera was flush on the back, but we’ve been wishing for this for quite some time. The glass — which Apple said is its “most durable” — feels nice to the touch, and the metal frame feels high-end. It now comes in gold, but silver and space grey options are still available. We love the look of the gold, and we think it’s the one to buy this year.

The buttons and Lightning charger remain where they were, there’s still no headphone jack, and the notch on the front carries the TrueDepth camera for Face ID. Apple claims this unlocking method is faster and more secure than ever before thanks to the new processor inside the Xs, but we were unable to test it.

The Super Retina HD OLED screen on the front supports Dolby Vision and HDR10, and it has the same exact 2,436 x 1,125 resolution as last year’s iPhone X (458 pixels per inch). The colors on the screen are realistic and well saturated, but it’s still the black levels that impress. We watched a few scenes from Ready Player One, and it looks realistic, as though we were very much a part of the virtual world. There’s also support for True Tone again, which adjusts the screen colors to match the temperature of the light in your surroundings.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The Xs Max is your best bet for a bigger screen, but we’re more than satisfied with this size. It’s easy to use one handed, which wins it points in our book. Apple also improved the water resistance on the device, bumping it up to IP68, which means you can leave it submerged up to two meters for 30 minutes.

Strong performance, iOS 12, and better battery life

Apple’s latest processor is the A12 Bionic, and it’s powering all the new iPhones. It includes a “next-generation Neural Engine,” which now has eight cores, and overall the chip can process 5 trillion operations per second. That essentially means the iPhone Xs Max can handle seriously intense computing tasks, and complete them faster than ever before. It may well be the most powerful smartphone available to date.

We didn’t run into any performance problems moving around the OS.

We played Elder Scrolls: Blades, a new game from Bethesda arriving later this year, and were blown away by the level of detailed graphics. It’s one of the best-looking mobile games we’ve ever seen, and it’s astoundingly smooth on this phone. Walking around and moving the camera is fluid, with zero stutter or lag.

We also tried an ARKit 2.0 game, which managed to seamlessly layer detailed graphics over the real world. Granted, all of this was done in a controlled demo, so we’ll definitely need to do further testing to see just how far the A12 Bionic processor can take us.

With the removal of the home button, you now need to use gestures first introduced with the iPhone X to navigate the operating system. It’s one of the best gesture systems we’ve used on a smartphone, and we didn’t run into any performance problems moving around the OS, or with opening and switching between apps. The iPhone XS Max runs iOS 12, which drops September 17, and you can read our guide on everything that’s new with the latest version.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Battery-wise, Apple claims the iPhone Xs can last up to 30 minutes longer than the iPhone X, which means you can expect about a day of use. That’s a little disappointing, as we’d have like to see a more substantial improvement here, but we’ll need to use the phone for a few days to see more precise measurements, and to see if Apple’s claims ring true.

Wireless charging is available again, but we’re still bummed to see no fast-charging cable included in the box — you need to buy it separately.

Solid camera improvements

The iPhone Xs has two 12-megapixel cameras on the back, a standard f/1.8 lens and a telephoto lens with a f/2.4 aperture. The second lens is capable of up to 2x optical zoom, and it’s used for Portrait Mode photos. The camera sensor is said to be bigger than last year’s iPhone X, so you should see slight improvements overall.

The Smart HDR example photos we saw looked absolutely stunning.

Two key improvements enhance the camera experience over the iPhone X: Depth Control and Smart HDR. The former allows you to adjust the level of bokeh — or background blur — in Portrait Mode photos. It works really well, and it’s a great option if you want to tweak the photo exactly to your liking. It’s a feature we’ve seen on other Android phones before.

You also still get the same Portrait Lighting features from last year, but they should work better than ever thanks to the A12 Bionic. In the few tests we did, the camera was capable of identifying the edges around a subject accurately. We’ll need to do more testing to see how it fares.

We’re more excited to test Smart HDR. Essentially, it captures a lot of photos at the same time, and then with the help of the A12 Bionic processor, the camera chooses the best of each to create one photo with excellent dynamic range. That means you won’t need to worry about photos being too overexposed or underexposed in dynamic lighting conditions — but just right. The example photos we saw looked absolutely stunning, which is why we can’t wait to take the iPhone Xs out for a spin in contrasting lighting.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Apple also said you can record stereo sound with the camera, and there’s extended dynamic range, but we haven’t had a chance to see this in action.

The front-facing, 7-megapixel camera (with f/2.2 aperture) snapped a few nice selfies in our testing — including Portrait Mode selfies, thanks to the TrueDepth camera on the front. Expect to be able to create Animojis and Memojis with iOS 12 on this device as well.

The camera didn’t have any shutter lag, and the photos we took in the event space looked good, but we’ll need more time to fully test the iPhone Xs and see its full capabilities.

Price and availability

The iPhone Xs starts at $1,000, which is the same price as last year’s iPhone X. It comes with three storage options: 64GB, 256GB, or 512GB.

Most people will likely be satisfied with the iPhone XR, the third iPhone announced today, which has similar features, minus the OLED screen and second camera on the rear. However, considering Apple stopped selling the iPhone SE today, the iPhone Xs is now the smallest iPhone you can buy from the company. That may be reason enough for many people to buy it over the others.

Apple iPhone XS Compared To

Apple iPhone XS Max

Apple iPhone XR

Apple iPhone X

Apple iPhone 7

Apple iPhone 7 Plus

Apple iPhone SE

iPhone 6S Plus

Apple iPhone 6 Plus

Apple iPhone 6

Apple iPhone 5C

Apple iPhone 5

Apple iPhone 4S

Apple iPhone 4

Apple iPhone 3GS 16GB

Apple iPhone (4GB)

If you want a bigger screen, go for the iPhone Xs Max. Pre-orders start September 14, and the phone goes on sale on September 21.

We can’t reiterate enough how much of a modest upgrade the iPhone Xs is over the iPhone X. We’ll be reviewing the device soon, but from what we’ve seen so far, you do not need to upgrade to the Xs if you have an iPhone X. This is a phone for people upgrading from any iPhone without the modern design aesthetic, and to entice Android owners.

Everything Apple Didn’t Announce at Today’s Event

Today’s “Gather Round” Apple event focused on just the iPhone and the Apple Watch, with Apple introducing the iPhone XS, the iPhone XS Max, and the iPhone XR, along with updated Apple Watch Series 4 models.

There was no sign of the iPad Pro, AirPower, or new Macs, and because we know these products are in the works, no mention at the September event essentially confirms that an October event is in the works. In past years, when there have been new fall Macs and iPads on the horizon, Apple has held an iPhone event and then a separate October event, which is likely to be the plan again this year.

Below, we’ve listed everything rumored to be on the horizon that was not included in today’s event.

iPad Pro

Apple is said to be working on updated iPad Pro models that adopt an iPhone X-style design with slimmer bezels and no Home button, with the iPads instead set to gain a TrueDepth Camera System that will allow Face ID to be used for biometric authentication purposes.

While the iPhone XS includes a notch for the TrueDepth Camera, leaked iPad Pro designs in the iOS 12 beta suggest the iPad Pro models will not have a notch, instead retaining slim top and bottom bezels. Apple is also not planning to use an OLED display for the iPad at this time due to cost and production issues.

Renderings of 12.9-inch iPad Pro based on alleged CAD drawings
Rumors suggest the new iPad Pro models will be available in screen sizes that are approximately 11 and 12.9 inches, with Apple using chamfered edges that are similar in design to the iPhone SE. The antenna lines on the device may also be located at the top and bottom, similar to the iPhone 7.

Renderings of 12.9-inch iPad Pro based on alleged CAD drawings
Renders based on leaked CAD drawings suggest the iPad Pro has a relocated Smart Connector that’s been moved from the side of the device to the back of the device, but how this would functionally work remains in question, so it’s not clear if the information is accurate.

We’ve also heard that the new iPad Pro models will not feature a headphone jack, with Apple opting to do away with the port as it did in the iPhone lineup beginning with the iPhone 7.

Mac mini

Apple is said to be working on a refreshed version of the Mac mini that’s focused on pro users. The upgraded device will include new storage and processor options, and because of its pro focus, it could be more expensive than previous Mac mini products.

There’s not a lot of additional information available on the Mac mini, but a previous rumor suggested the higher-end version “won’t be so mini anymore” hinting at least one configuration with a larger size to accommodate higher-end components.

Given that this is going to be a pro-focused machine, it’s not clear what chips it will adopt, but Intel this year has announced 8th-generation processors appropriate for both desktop and notebook machines. Past Mac mini models have used the same chips as the 13-inch MacBook Pro, but Apple may be planning to opt for more powerful chips for a pro Mac mini model.

Low-Cost MacBook Air

Apple has a 13-inch MacBook Air replacement in the works, which has been the subject of rumors for more than a year now. It’s been unclear whether Apple plans to position the machine in the MacBook Air family or the 12-inch MacBook family, but some concrete details about the upcoming notebook can be gleaned from everything we’ve heard.

Positioned as an entry-level low-cost machine in Apple’s product lineup, the notebook will be 13 inches in size and it will feature a Retina display. It is said to be similar in design to the current 13-inch MacBook Air, but with slimmer bezels.

It’s not entirely clear how Apple will distinguish this machine from the 12-inch MacBook if it’s going to offer a Retina display, but if the design is similar to the current MacBook Air, the 12-inch MacBook will still be Apple’s lightest machine, justifying its higher price tag.

Various pricing rumors have suggested that it could be available for anywhere from $799 to $1,200, but the most reliable source, Bloomberg, believes it will cost under $1,000.

Whiskey Lake chips appropriate for a MacBook Air-like machine were announced by Intel in August, and so Apple could potentially be planning to use these chips in the device.

12-Inch MacBook

Regardless of whether the rumored lower-cost 13-inch notebook is a MacBook Air or a MacBook, Apple is likely still planning to maintain the 12-inch MacBook lineup, though reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently confusingly said that the 13-inch machine could “replace the position” of the current 12-inch MacBook, and it’s not entirely clear what that means.

Upgraded 12-inch MacBooks will likely feature Intel’s 8th-generation Amber Lake Y-series processors, announced in August. These chips bring processor and battery improvements, so new MacBooks could offer both faster performance and longer battery life.

Aside from upgraded Intel chips, there’s been little information on what else Apple might add to a refreshed MacBook lineup.

iMacs

We haven’t heard any iMac rumors in recent months, but Apple refreshes its iMac lineup on a regular basis, so an upgrade may be in the works.

If iMacs are refreshed in 2018, new machines could feature upgraded 8th-generation Intel processors, improved GPUs, and perhaps the adoption of the T2 chip that was introduced in the iMac Pro and has since been added to the MacBook Pro.

AirPower

It’s not clear what’s going on with the AirPower, the accessory that’s meant to charge the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at once. It was introduced in September 2017, and since then, Apple has made no mention of it.

AirPower was not included in today’s event, and in fact, after the event, Apple basically removed all mentions of the AirPower from its website.

The one AirPower mention is limited to the AirPods page, where an optional wireless AirPods charging case is listed as “currently unavailable.” The AirPower doesn’t appear to be listed anywhere else.

Apple said the AirPower would debut at some point in 2018, so we could still see it in October, November, or December.

Tag: September 2018 event
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Electrocardiogram Functionality in New Apple Watch Series 4 Models Limited to US, Coming Later This Year

Apple Watch Series 4 models include an electrical heart rate sensor that’s designed to take an electrocardiogram (ECG) using an ECG app, the built-in sensor, and the electrodes included in the Digital Crown, but the ECG functionality won’t be coming until later this year.

According to Apple’s Apple Watch Series 4 website, the ECG app that will enable the electrocardiogram feature will be available later in 2018. That means at launch, the ECG feature won’t be functional.

As several MacRumors readers have pointed out, it appears ECG readings are going to be limited to Apple Watch models sold in the United States. Apple Watch Series 4 pages for countries like the UK and Canada contain no mention of the feature, and Apple’s press release for Series 4 models says ECG functionality is U.S. only.

To take an ECG reading from the Apple Watch, users will need to place a finger on the Digital Crown while wearing the watch. The reading is completed in just 30 seconds, allowing users to determine whether their hearts are beating in a regular pattern or if there are signs of atrial fibrillation, which can be an indicator of serious health problems.

Atrial fibrillation is a health condition that often goes undiagnosed, so the ECG feature in the Apple Watch will be highly useful for detecting early signs of disease. ECG readings also normally require a full ECG machine and a visit to the doctor, which is far less convenient than a reading taken with the Apple Watch.

Apple says that the ECG feature in the Apple Watch has been granted a De Novo classification by the FDA as outlined on the FDA’s website [PDF], and the need for regulatory approval is likely why the ECG feature is not available in other countries.

De Novo FDA approval is a preliminary approval process granted to new devices that are not likely to cause harm. According to the FDA, the Apple Watch’s ECG feature should be used only for informational purposes, should only be used by those over 22 years of age, and is not recommended for people with known arrhythmias.

The ECG app is a software-only mobile medical application intended for use with the Apple Watch to create, record, store, transfer, and display a single channel electrocardiogram (ECG) similar to a Lead I ECG. The ECG app determines the presence of atrial fibrillation (AFib) or sinus rhythm on a classifiable waveform. The ECG app is not recommended for users with other known arrhythmias.

The ECG app is intended for over-the-counter (OTC) use. The ECG data displayed by the ECG app is intended for informational use only. The user is not intended to interpret or take clinical action based on the device output without consultation of a qualified healthcare professional. The ECG waveform is meant to supplement rhythm classification for the purposes of discriminating AFib from normal sinus rhythm and not intended to replace traditional methods of diagnosis or treatment.

The ECG app is not intended for use by people under 22 years old.

Apple has also obtained FDA approval for the feature in the Apple Watch Series 4 models that sends notifications when an irregular heart rhythm is detected through the ECG feature or through standard Apple Watch heart rate monitoring.

All ECG data gathered by Apple Watch Series 4 models is stored in the Health app in a PDF format that can easily be shared with physicians.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 4, watchOS 5Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Offering Pre-Approval for iPhone Upgrade Program in Apple Store App

Following the announcement of the iPhone XS and the iPhone XS Max, which will be available for pre-order this Friday, Apple is letting prospective and existing iPhone Upgrade customers get pre-approval through the Apple Store app [Direct Link].

When selecting “View Pricing” on the iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max, there’s a banner option to “Get Ready” for the iPhone XS pre-order. Tapping on this banner allows users to choose an iPhone, confirm a carrier, and get pre-approved for an iPhone Upgrade Program loan.

There’s also an upgrade process for existing iPhone Upgrade Program users that can be found right under the “Get ready for pre-order now” option.

All iPhone Upgrade customers, both those new to the program and existing users, should go through this pre-approval process ahead of pre-orders to speed up their iPhone orders on Friday.

Pre-approvals will be available until 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 13, with pre-orders set to begin at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, September 14.

With the iPhone Upgrade Program, pricing on the iPhone XS starts at $49.91 per month, while pricing on the iPhone XS Max starts at $54.08 per month.

Related Roundup: iPhone XSTags: iPhone Upgrade Program, September 2018 event
Discuss this article in our forums

In mobile cyberwar, attackers prefer to phish rather than send malware

After examining half a billion emails sent between January and June, researchers at FireEye revealed that an alarming one out of every 101 emails are malicious, but it’s not just malware that you should be looking out for. While malicious emails can either contain a link to convince you to download harmful software onto your system, attackers can also deceive you into divulging sensitive information through phishing scams.

In fact, 10 percent of all malicious emails sent today contain viruses, worms, ransomware, trojans, spyware, or adware. These emails are classified as malware. However, most emails — an overwhelming 90 percent — are based on social engineering scams, such as spear phishing, impersonation, credential harvesting, or other schemes. The number of non-malware scams has increased by 65 percent year-over-year.

The shift in attack strategy has been largely driven by the adoption of mobile devices. Because most people check their emails on their phones, it’s harder to send a virus that way and attackers are changing their strategy. “With email security solutions focused on detecting malware, cybercriminals are adapting their attacks, exposing organizations to malware-less assaults such as CEO fraud,” FireEye reported.

Researchers noted that it’s easier for hackers to trick their victims into thinking they’re communicating with someone they know with CEO fraud and spear phishing campaigns because “most mobile email clients display only the sender’s name — and not an email address.” By using social engineering, these types of attacks are much easier to carry out against victims using mobile devices. Hackers no longer have to spoof an entire domain name — instead, all they need to do is convince you that you’re communicating with a trusted person, like a boss or CEO, by faking the name displayed in the header of the message.

Though phishing campaigns have been on the rise worldwide, these types of attacks have gained a lot of publicity in the United States since the 2016 presidential election. It’s been reported that a successful phishing attempt gave Russian hackers to approximately 60,000 emails belonging to John Podesta, the campaign chairman of Hillary Clinton. The tactic was also used to breach the network of Sony Picture Entertainment in a highly publicized hack in 2014.

FireEye claims that email is the most popular vector for cyber attacks, and that “91 percent of cybercrime starts with email.”

Editors’ Recommendations

• Homeland Security is worried about Gmail’s confidentiality mode
• Just when you thought spam was dead, it’s back and worse than ever
• Google will warn businesses if state-sponsored hackers target G Suite users
• Here’s how to send a text message from your email account
• The best email clients

Apple Watch Series 4 vs. Series 3: Which should you get?

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

In September, Apple pulled back the curtain on the latest iteration of its popular smartwatch, the Apple Watch Series 4. The Series 3 is already a superb device — as of 2018, it topped our list of the best smartwatches — so what could Apple possibly do to best it? A few things, as it turns out. The Series 4 has a number of new features (some subtle, some astounding), but it’s not a cheap gadget, and if you already own a Series 3, you may wonder whether the upgrade is worth it. Let’s break down the differences between the two models.

Specs

Apple Watch Series 4

Apple Watch Series 3

Display size
40mm (44mm w/ cellular)
38mm (42mm w/ cellular)

Resolution

324 x 394 pixels (368 x 448 w/ cellular)

272 x 340 pixels (312 x 390 w/ cellular)

Touchscreen
LTPO OLED Retina display w/ Force Touch
OLED Retina display w/ Force Touch

Wireless interface
Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, LTE and UMTS
Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, LTE and UMTS

Depth
10.7mm
11.4mm

Accelerometer
Yes
Yes

Gyroscope
Yes
Yes

Altimeter
Yes
Yes

Ambient light sensor
Yes
Yes

Optical heart rate
Yes
Yes

GPS
Yes
Yes

Water resistant
Yes
Yes

Battery life
18 hours
18 hours

Price
From $399
From $279

Availability 
Available to order September 14, available September 21
Now

Design and display

The Series 3 was a familiar face for anyone who had one of the previous models, with the most notable difference being a colored dot on the crown. It was also just a tiny bit thicker than its predecessors.

The Series 4 sports a seamless edge-to-edge display, and Apple boasts that it is more than 30 percent larger than the Series 3’s. This is in keeping with the trend in mobile devices of purging bezels once and for all, and it makes for a sleek device.

The Series 3 expanded the functionality of the Apple Watch by adding cellular support, and the Series 4 builds on this with an improvement in form: The new watch has a back made of black ceramic and sapphire, which Apple claims will allow radio waves to flow with less resistance, improving reception. The Series 4 also rocks a speaker that is 50 percent louder than the previous generation’s. These factors combine to make a smartwatch that should be much better for making calls on the go — although whether this makes the Apple Watch a legitimate smartphone replacement is still up in the air.

A small but welcome touch is the addition of haptic feedback to the Series 4’s crown. As users scroll through screens, the watch will reward them with a comforting click.

Fitness and health-tracking features

The Series 3 was already a great fitness tracker. In our review, we described it as “clear, concise, informative, and encouraging, and with many different modes to suit the majority of people.” We also noted that “heart-rate monitoring is easy, and there are varied tracking options for walking, running, cycling, swimming, and more.”

The Series 4 pushes the design to new heights with the addition of an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor. When a user places their finger on the crown, the watch creates a “closed circuit” and can measure the rhythm of the user’s heart. It’s a major addition for customers worried about their heart health, and according to Apple it is the first ECG sensor available over the counter. Apple has already secured approval from the Food and Drug Administration for the Series 4 to be considered a legitimate medical device.

Another boon to the Series 4’s health tracking is the ability to detect when the user has fallen over. If the user remains on the ground for a minute, the watch can even place a call to emergency services, a miraculous feature for people who live alone and need assistance.

Battery life

With all these new features, one may wonder if the battery life has taken a hit. Apple hasn’t extended the battery life, but it has at least maintained it. Like its predecessor, the Series 4 will get 18-hour “all-day” battery life, although Apple did bump the outdoor workout battery life to six hours.

Pricing and availability

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The circle of wearable life continues, and with the arrival of the Series 4, Apple is dropping the starting price of the Series 3 to $279. The Series 4 will start at $399, or $499 for the cellular version. Customers will be able to place their orders for the Series 4 starting September 14, and the device will be available (in most markets) starting September 21.

Conclusion

If you’re strapped for cash, the Series 3 remains a lovely device, and you’d certainly be fine sticking with it (or picking it up at the new, lower price). For those who don’t balk at the Series 4’s price tag, however, it is undoubtedly the smartwatch to get, a bold evolution of what was already the premier device on the market. Its new health-tracking features are unparalleled, and a great addition for anyone concerned about their vitals.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Apple Watch Series 4: Everything you need to know
• Here’s how and where to buy the Apple Watch Series 4
• Best Buy is knocking $50 off the Apple Watch Series 3 for a short time
• Save $50 on the Apple Watch Series 3 with Best Buy’s Black Friday in July sale
• The Apple Watch Series 1 has been discounted to an all-time low

Apple iPhone Xr vs. iPhone 8 vs. iPhone 7 vs. iPhone 6s: Which is best for you?

If you’re not willing to spring for Apple’s cream of the crop, but you’d like to upgrade from an older iPhone, or even make the switch from Android, then this iPhone competition should interest you. We’re pitting the new iPhone Xr against last year’s iPhone 8, the iPhone 7, and the now-discontinued iPhone 6s to find out just what the differences are.

Which iPhone will suit you and your budget best? Find out in this iPhone royal rumble as we compare the specs in various categories and explain what has changed.

Specs

Apple iPhone Xr

Apple iPhone 8
Apple iPhone 7

Apple iPhone 6s

Size
150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm (5.94 x 2.98 x 0.33 inches)
138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm (5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 inches)
138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm (5.44 x 2.64 x 0.28 inches)
138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm (5.44 x 2.64 x 0.28 inches)

Weight
194g (6.84 oz)
148g (5.22 oz)
138g (4.87 oz)
143g (5.04 oz)

Screen size
6.1 inches
4.7 inches
4.7 inches
4.7 inches

Screen resolution
1,792 x 828 pixels (326 ppi)
1,334 x 750 pixels (326 ppi)
1,334 x 750 pixels (326 ppi)
1,334 x 750 pixels (326 ppi)

Operating system
iOS 12
iOS 11 (upgradeable to iOS 12)
iOS 10 (upgradeable to iOS 12)
iOS 9 (upgradeable to iOS 12)

Storage space
64GB, 128GB, 256GB
64GB, 256GB
32GB, 128GB, 256GB
16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB

MicroSD card slot
No
No
No
No

Tap-to-pay services
Apple Pay
Apple Pay
Apple Pay
Apple Pay

Processor
A12 Bionic
A11 Bionic
A10 Fusion
A9

RAM
TBC
2GB
2GB
2GB

Camera
12MP rear with OIS, 7MP front
12MP rear with OIS, 7MP front
12MP rear with OIS, 7MP front
12MP rear, 5MP front

Video
2,160p up to 60 fps, 1080p up to 240 fps
2,160p up to 60 fps, 1080p up to 240 fps
2,160 at 30 fps, 1080p up to 120 fps, 720p at 240 fps
2,160 at 30 fps, 1080p up to 120 fps, 720p at 240 fps

Bluetooth version
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 4.2
Bluetooth 4.2

Ports
Lightning port
Lightning port
Lightning port
3.5mm audio jack, Lightning port

Fingerprint sensor
No
Yes
Yes
Yes

Water resistance
IP67
IP67
IP67
No

Battery
TBC
1,821mAh
1,960mAh
1,715 mAh

App marketplace
Apple App Store
Apple App Store
Apple App Store
Apple App Store

Network support
T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint
T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint
T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint
T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint

Colors
White, Black, Blue, Coral, Yellow, Red
Silver, Space Grey, Gold, Red
Jet Black, Black, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, Red
Space Gey, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold

Price
$750
$600
$450
$400 or less

Buy from
Apple
Apple
Apple
Discontinued

Review score
Hands-on review
3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5 stars

Performance, battery life, and charging

With a new processor rolling out every year, Apple steadily improves on power efficiency and performance. The iPhone 7 is faster and smoother than the iPhone 6s, the iPhone 8 is faster and smoother than the iPhone 7, and so on. This year is no exception, so we can expect lightning-fast performance from the iPhone Xr, which boasts the same A12 Bionic chip as the top-of-the-line iPhone Xs and Xs Max. The iPhone 8 is still perfectly capable of handling everything you can throw at it and the iPhone 7 is no slouch, but if you’re upgrading from the iPhone 6s, then you’re really going to feel the difference.

There’s wireless charging support for the iPhone Xr and iPhone 8 and both also support fast charging, though you have to buy a fast charger separately if you want to enjoy it. We didn’t find a big difference between the iPhone 8 and 7 in terms of battery life, but Apple claims that the iPhone Xr can last 90 minutes longer than the iPhone 8 Plus, so it clearly has more stamina than the rest of our competitors.

Winner: iPhone Xr

Design and durability

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

From the iPhone 6s through to the iPhone 8, there have been only minor changes in the design. Perhaps most notably, the 3.5mm headphone port was dropped in the iPhone 7. Apple also managed to reduce the antenna bands that broke up the aluminum body. With the iPhone 8, that aluminum back was replaced with glass, enabling wireless charging for the first time. The iPhone 8, 7, and 6s all have large bezels above and below the screen, with a TouchID home button below.

After a few years of gradual refinement, the iPhone Xr stands out as a bigger shift with a large edge-to-edge display and the same notch you’ll find in the iPhone X, Xs, and Xs Max. There’s no room for TouchID and it continues the glass back trend.

In terms of durability, the iPhone 6s is the odd one out with no water resistance, while all the others have an IP67 rating that allows them to survive immersion in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. The switch to a glass back probably makes the iPhone Xr and 8 slightly more at risk of serious damage from a fall, so a good case is advisable.

Winner: iPhone Xr

Display

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Amazingly, the display remained almost entirely unchanged from the iPhone 6s through to the iPhone 8. All three of the older iPhones sport a 4.7-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1,334 x 750 pixels. Apple made slight improvements to get more out of it, but the iPhone Xr is significantly different with a much larger 6.1-inch display and the same notch as the iPhone X. It is still an LCD screen, but it’s 6.1 inches diagonally and has a resolution of 1,792 x 828 pixels. Apple is calling it a Liquid Retina display and claiming that it’s the most advanced LCD display on the market.

All these iPhones have the same level of sharpness with resolutions that work out to 326 pixel-per-inch (ppi). You are going to be comfortable watching movies, playing games, or reading on any of these displays, but the iPhone Xr is the best in terms of size and quality.

Winner: iPhone Xr

Camera

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

All of these iPhones have solid cameras, but there was a significant jump between the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 7 with Apple introducing optical image stabilization (OIS) and ramping up the megapixel count in the front-facing camera to 7 megapixels.

The iPhone Xr sports a 12 megapixel main camera with an f/1.8 aperture and OIS, which is the same as the iPhone 8’s camera on paper, but the newer sensor is supposed to be faster, according to Apple. It also supports the new depth control in portrait mode for a customizable bokeh effect.

The selfie cameras in the iPhone 8 and 7 are similar, but the iPhone Xr boasts the same TrueDepth front-facing camera as the X, Xs, and Xs Max. That’s handy since you’ll need FaceID to unlock it without any TouchID on the device, but it means you’ll be able to enjoy Animojis and Memojis on the new iPhone, too.

Winner: iPhone Xr

Software and updates

Simon Hill / Digital Trends

There’s a new version of iOS every year, but Apple is also very good at updating older iPhones. The iPhone Xr will launch with iOS 12 on board, but all of the iPhones we’re comparing here can be updated to iOS 12. The iPhone 6s was also the first to support 3D Touch, so there’s no significant difference between the iPhone 8, 7, and 6s in terms of the software experience. However, the most recent iPhone Xr doesn’t have 3D Touch and relies on gestures and tap, so it does feel distinct. You also get the aforementioned FaceID and everything else the front-facing TrueDepth camera can do.

The current cutoff for iOS 12 is the iPhone 5s, so we expect the iPhone 6s to get another couple of updates. The newer iPhones will continue to get updates for longer, but there isn’t a big gap here.

Winner: iPhone Xr

Special features

There aren’t a lot of special features to speak of because Apple concentrates on getting the core experience right, but we could highlight that TrueDepth camera again since the Xr is the only one here to have it. The extra screen real estate and quality, as well as the new color options, might catch your attention, too.

Winner: iPhone Xr

Price

When Apple releases a new iPhone, it always drops the prices on its older models. The iPhone 6s is now discontinued, though you can probably pick one up from a carrier or retailer or buy a cheap refurbished model. The iPhone 7 has dropped down to $450, the iPhone 8 starts at $600, and the new iPhone Xr will set you back $750.

While the rest are widely available now, you can’t pre-order the iPhone Xr until October 19, it will ship on October 26.

Overall winner: iPhone Xr

Unsurprisingly, the newest of the bunch, the iPhone Xr, has more to offer than its predecessors, but that doesn’t necessarily make it the best choice for you. If you would prefer a smaller iPhone and you love the classic design and TouchID, then the iPhone 8 is going to be a great buy that could still last you for years. The iPhone 7 also still has a lot of life left and could serve you well if you want to save some cash. Although we mourn the passing of the headphone port, the iPhone 6s has had its day and we wouldn’t recommend buying one, though if you do have one, you could probably just about squeeze another year out of it.

If you’re buying now, we think the iPhone Xr justifies the extra expense and offers many of the same features you’ll find in Apple’s much more expensive flagships.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Apple iPhone Xs vs. iPhone X: What difference does a year make?
• Huawei P20 Pro vs. Apple iPhone X: A battle of flagship smartphones
• iPhone XR hands-on review
• Mophie vs. Belkin vs. Anker vs. iOttie: Finding the best wireless charging pad for iPhones
• Apple iPhone Xs: News, release, specs, and more

Here’s how and where to buy the Apple Watch Series 4

The Apple Watch Series 4 is officially here, and it comes packed with not only a larger display, but a bunch of additional health features, including a built-in electric heart-sensor. It also comes in two different case sizes: A 40mm model and 44mm model.

Aside from the Apple store, the company’s next-generation smartwatch will be available in other locations as well. While pre-orders aren’t live quite yet, customers will soon be able to purchase it from carriers, brick-and-mortar stores, and online retailers.

Here’s where to buy the Apple Watch Series 4.

The Apple Store

The Apple Watch Series 4 will be available for pre-order in the U.S. through Apple’s site and the Apple Store app starting Friday, September 14, with in-store availability starting on Friday, September 21 (also the same day pre-orders will ship). For those not in the U.S., global availability on the Series 4 varies — but Apple has listed the countries on its website.

The smartwatch comes in two different types of models. You can either opt for the one with cellular connectivity built-in along with GPS, or you can choose to go with only GPS. Regardless, both smartwatches come with the new health features.

In terms of color variants, the Series 4 comes in three aluminum finishes — gold, space grey, and silver. There’s also a gold stainless steel option, in addition to the silver and space black stainless steel versions.

As for pricing, the Series 4 with cellular connectivity starts at $499. If you opt for the Series 4 without cellular connectivity and just built-in GPS, it starts at $399. It’s important to note that cost not only varies depending on whether you choose to have network connectivity, but also depending on which color variant and case size you purchase.

Buying the Apple Watch Series 4 from wireless carriers

Those who want the Series 4 with cellular connectivity can also purchase the smartwatch through their specific carriers. Not all carriers have announced pricing and availability yet, but we’ll continue to update this article as more information rolls in.

T-Mobile

The first, and only carrier so far, to announce availability for the Series 4 is T-Mobile. Customers can pre-order the smartwatch starting Friday, September 14, at 12:01 a.m. PT. Pricing has not been finalized yet.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Apple Watch Series 4: Everything you need to know
• Apple’s September 12 Event: Everything Apple announced
• Apple Watch Series 4 vs. Series 3: Which should you get?
• The best Apple Watch deals for September 2018
• The Fitbit Versa: everything you need to know