The best iPhone Xs cases

Apple’s iPhone Xs is a stunning phone with a gorgeous OLED screen and a glass and metal build that’s seriously classy. While the look was no doubt partly what attracted you in the first place, leaving it uncovered could be risky. Glass can crack, or scratch, the metal frame is prone to scuffs, and repairs are expensive.

You may also want to stamp your own personality on your new iPhone or add some extra utility. Whatever you’re after, you can find something here to tempt you as we run through some of the best iPhone Xs cases.

Casetify Impact Case ($50)

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Simon Hill/Digital Trends

Simon Hill/Digital Trends

There’s no need for a compromise between style and protection if you opt for the Impact case from Casetify. This lightweight case is slim but boasts a special layer of a material called qiTech around the frame which absorbs fall impact giving you drop protection up to 6.6 feet. The shell is glossy and transparent, but it comes with a wide variety of different decorative finishes and you can even custom design your own look by uploading an image. The shock absorbing inner layer around the frame comes in black, white, or pink. All the button covers and openings you need are there and the camera cutout is black to prevent any flash reflection.

Buy it now from:

Casetify

Case-Mate Street Smart Case ($35 to $50)

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Simon Hill/Digital Trends

Simon Hill/Digital Trends

No one else does shiny, pretty iPhone cases quite as well as Case-Mate and the Street Smart collection has everything from translucent iridescence to a gold glitter waterfall to mother of pearl. There are also purple flowers, dot patterns, and even a matte black option. Just because these cases have some sparkle doesn’t mean they scrimp in the drop-protection department — the cushioned corners will guard your iPhone XS against falls of up to 10 feet. The metallic button covers add an extra flourish and every case comes with a lifetime warranty.

Buy it now from:

Case-Mate Amazon

Incipio Stashback Case ($35)

With an all-new sliding design, Incipio’s Stashback series is even more tempting for iPhone XS owners. The idea is to give you some space to hide away your credit cards and ID, so you don’t need to take a wallet or purse out with you all the time. The cleverly concealed storage has room for up to three cards or maybe a card and some cash. It has generous openings for easy access to the port, switch, and camera, button covers, and a subtle line design in a black or navy finish.

Buy it now from:

Incipio

Totallee Thin Case ($25)

If you’re a minimalist and you can’t stand chunky cases, then these super slim offerings from Totallee might suit you perfectly. They’re very light and just 0.02 inches thick and they have closely tuned cutouts that offer easy access to everything. These cases are not going to provide much in the way of drop protection, but they should ward off scratches and minor bumps. You have a wide choice of finishes from matte black, grey, or navy blue to frosted clear or frosted black, to glossy clear, black, or white.

Buy it now from:

Totallee

Nomad Rugged Leather Case ($45)

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If you’re after luxurious leather to bring an understated touch of style to your iPhone XS, then you owe it to yourself to check out Nomad’s wares. These rugged cases have been slimmed down compared to past versions, but they still offer solid drop protection. The Horween leather finish comes in black and brown, feels great in hand, and develops more character as it ages. Nomad also does folio-style cases, but the leather shell is our top pick.

Buy it now from:

Nomad

Mous Limitless 2.0 Case ($50)

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You’ll enjoy sound protection from this Mous case with a system of air pockets and a mix of polycarbonate and TPU ensuring that you have strong drop protection. The basic shell is very sturdy with chunky button covers, accurate openings, and a protective lip for the screen. The real attraction, though, is the range of back panel finishes which include carbon fiber, wood, leather, and real shell. They’re eye-catching and highly protective, which is a great combo in a case.

Buy it now from:

Mous

Speck Presidio V-Grip Case ($40 to $45)

We usually recommend the Presidio Grip from Speck, but the veteran case manufacturer has turned out a new line this year and the V-Grip caught our eye. With a specially ridged bumper, this case won’t slip off tales or out of your hand easily and if it does there’s solid drop protection for falls of up to 10 feet. There is also a raised lip around the screen and chunky button covers to protect your iPhone Xs from every angle. The back is clear to show off that Apple design, but there is a sparkly tint to the gold version.

Buy it now from:

Speck

RhinoShield Mod NX Case ($32 plus)

You can pick from a variety of different case designs at Rhinoshield, but the best for customization is the Mod NX system. You get the classic bumper that made Rhinoshield famous, with impressive drop protection that’s good up to 11 feet, but it comes in a wide variety of different colors which you can mix and match different colors of the rim ($5) and buttons ($3) with. You can just go with the bumper if you like, or you can add in a backplate that’s transparent, one with a marble effect, or choose from more than 100 designs.

Buy it now from:

Rhinoshield

Snakehive Vintage Leather Wallet Case ($30)

These stylish leather wallet cases are made from full grain cowhide nubuck leather and finished in a wide range of colors. Open the cover and you’ll find three slots for cards as well as a larger compartment for cash. It also bends back to act as a stand for propping your phone in landscape view. There is a simple plastic shell to hold your iPhone XS securely in place. The cover also has a handy magnetic clasp and the distinctive snake logo on the front.

Buy it now from:

Snakehive

Moshi StealthCover Case ($40)

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If you fancy a folio-style case with a front cover, but you don’t want to have to open it to see the screen all the time, then this case from Moshi has you covered. The front cover is translucent allowing you to see who is calling or check incoming messages without opening it. You can also use FaceID with the cover closed and there is a magnetic closure to keep it from popping open uninvited. The shell itself should guard against minor drops and bumps and your iPhone Xs is covered from every angle. This one comes in champagne pink or gunmetal grey.

Buy it now from:

Moshi

Editors’ Recommendations

• The best iPhone 7 Plus cases
• Apple iPhone Xs: News, release, specs, and more
• The best protective iPhone cases
• The best iPhone 8 cases and covers
• Keep that flagship phone safe with the best iPhone X cases and covers

iPhone Xs, Xs Max, and iPhone Xr: 5 things we love, 5 things we hate

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Apple released its latest trio of smartphones, the iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max, and iPhone Xr. And like every year, Apple did not fail to disappoint. While there absolutely awesome phones, that doesn’t mean we have zero complaints.

Here are five things we love, and five things we hate about the iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max, and iPhone Xr.

Love

Tons of color options

In terms of color options alone, Apple tends to be a little conservative when it comes to iPhones. Sure, the iPhone 5c came in exciting colors, but that seemed to be a one-off event, with Apple returning to its more subdued line up the following year.

In 2018, however, it looks like Apple is ready to dip its toe back into the deep end. It released the new iPhone Xr in six exciting colors. You’ll find the iPhone Xr in black, white, yellow, coral, and blue. Oh, and we can’t forget about the red edition that’s being released at launch for the first time ever this year.

The iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max will continue to come in more traditional colors. This year you’ll find them in space grey, silver, as well as a new gold model.

Extra battery life

If you’re seeking a little extra juice, you may want to check out the 2018 iPhones. Apple has made hardware and software improvements to all three phones that will ensure you have plenty of battery life.

While the extra 30 minutes of power Apple claims you get on the iPhone Xs isn’t that exciting, it’s definitely better than nothing. The real magic, however, is on the iPhone Xs Max and iPhone Xr: Both phones will reportedly give you an extra hour and a half of power.

So much storage

Ready to store tons of photos or music? This year, Apple went all in on its storage options for all of its new iPhones. Both the iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max are available with three different storage capacities: 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB.

The iPhone Xr comes in three options as well: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB. While you will likely have plenty of storage with nearly any of these phones, you may want to buy one with a higher capacity since none of the phones have external storage slots.

Dual SIM support

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

While Dual SIM support may not be exciting for most of us in the U.S., lots of iPhone users around the world are rejoicing. The iPhone Xs and Xs Max will be the first Apple handsets to support dual SIM technology.

Instead of just creating a hybrid SIM slot, Apple is following the Google Pixel 2’s lead. The iPhone Xs and Xs Max will have one traditional SIM along with one eSIM.

Most major U.S. carriers (with the exception of Sprint) will support the iPhone Xs and Xs Max built-in eSIM at launch, so you’ll be able to easily activate service. That leaves the SIM slot open for international travel or if you’re in an area that doesn’t receive good service from your primary carrier.

Split view on iPhone Xs Max

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The iPhone Xs Max is the biggest that Apple has ever created and one of the biggest on the market. That means there is lots of extra screen real estate to work with.

Fortunately, Apple is putting that extra real estate to use. Once reserved for iPads, the iPhone Xs Max will be the first iPhone to support a split view. That means we will finally be able to have two apps open side by side: A feature that’s been available on most Android smartphones for years.

Hate

No more headphone dongle

First, it was the headphone jack, and now it’s the dongle. The 2018 iPhone lineup (and iPhone 8 for that matter) will no longer include a headphone dongle in the box.

If you want to listen to music or movies on your phone, you’re left with two options. You can either embrace Bluetooth headphones, or pay Apple $9 for the dinky little dongle that used to come in the box gratis.

That camera bump

Let’s talk about the new iPhones. From the front they look sleek and gorgeous, but if you turn the phone over things quickly change. Yes, we’re talking about that ugly camera bump.

While Apple continues to update and refine its hardware, it just seems to ignore that ugly little bump that makes its phones wobble. Luckily, you’ll likely have a case that will balance things out for you.

The top notch is here to stay

Sure, it’s been a year since Apple brought the top notch to the mainstream, but that doesn’t mean we’ve grown to love it. Quite the opposite, actually, since we’ve seen other smartphone manufacturers find creative ways to minimize or eliminate the notch altogether.

The 5W adapter

Seriously, Apple? It’s 2018 and you’re still including a chintzy 5W charger with your iPhones, even though the entire lineup is capable of fast charging. While there were plenty of rumors that an 18W charger would come standard with the 2018 iPhones, we now know that is not the case.

iPhone Xs Max Price

When Apple announced the iPhone X last year, it was one of the first smartphones on the market that managed to surpass the $1,000 threshold. The year, Apple’s pushing the envelope a little further with the iPhone Xs Max.

The iPhone Xs Max comes in at a staggering $1,100: That’s slightly less than the least expensive MacBook Pro. However, iPhones get long-term software support, so it’s not necessary to switch phones every year.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Apple iPhone Xs: News, release, specs, and more
• Here’s how to buy the brand-new Apple iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max, and iPhone Xr
• Apple iPhone Xs vs. iPhone X: What difference does a year make?
• Apple iPhone Xr vs. iPhone 8 vs. iPhone 7 vs. iPhone 6s: Which is best for you?
• Everything you need to know about the Apple iPhone XR

You can’t buy the iPhone SE anymore, but Apple has cut prices for these iPhones

Apple has finally taken the wraps off of the next generation of iPhones, called the iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max, and iPhone XR, ushering in a new generation of iPhone and immediately outdating older devices, including the iPhone X, iPhone 8, and other previous models.

But not everyone needs the latest and greatest model. Not everyone is a power-user, and not everyone needs all of the new features on offer in new devices. So if that’s you, the release of new iPhone models is still good news — it means that older iPhones will be discounted.

There are a few iPhone models that Apple has discontinued with the release of the iPhone Xs, Xs Max, and Xr. For starters, last year’s iPhone X is no longer available from Apple. The iPhone SE has also been discontinued. Still, Apple is offering a few older iPhone models, and they come at a pretty sweet price.

iPhone 8

For starters, Apple is still offering the iPhone 8 — and it’s offering the phone at quite a discount. The iPhone 8 with 64GB now comes at $600, while the 256GB version of the device comes at $750. The iPhone 8 Plus, on the other hand, starts at $700 for the 64GB model, while the 256GB model is available for $850.

All this represents a relatively substantial discount from Apple. At launch, the iPhone 8 came at $700, so the devices have been discounted by $100. All of the iPhone 8 models are available directly from the Apple website.

iPhone 7

The iPhone 7 is even more sharply discounted from its original list price from when it was released two years ago. The phone is available in two storage options and two sizes. The standard iPhone 7 starts at $450 for the 32GB model, while the 128GB model is $100 more at $550. The iPhone 7 Plus is $120 more expensive than the standard iPhone 7 — so the iPhone 7 Plus 32GB model comes at $670, while the 128GB model comes at $770.

Given that the standard iPhone 7 was listed at $650 when it launched, the move represents a $200 discount. Like the iPhone 8, the iPhone 7 is available discounted from Apple’s website.

Of course, if you want an even greater mark-down, you can check out Apple’s refurbished online store. Apple is very good at ensuring that its refurbished products are still high quality and work perfectly well. At the time of this writing, only the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus were available on the refurbished store, though that may change.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Everything you need to know about the Apple iPhone XR
• Apple iPhone Xr vs. iPhone 8 vs. iPhone 7 vs. iPhone 6s: Which is best for you?
• Here’s how to buy the brand-new Apple iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max, and iPhone Xr
• Apple iPhone Xs: News, release, specs, and more
• Buy a professionally refurbished iPhone 6 and save $100

Here are hands-on photos of Apple’s new iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR

iPhone Xs and Xs Max

Apple has taken the wraps off its next-generation iPhones and they come in the form of the iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max, and iPhone Xr. While they all have very similar titles, each iPhone brings along its own set of features, aesthetic, and price point.

We were on the ground at Apple’s hardware event in Cupertino, California, where we got to see the highly anticipated iPhones in person. Below, are some hands-on photos to give you an up-close look of each device.

iPhone Xs and Xs Max

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The iPhone Xs is the successor to last year’s iPhone X. It comes complete with a nearly bezel-less 5.8-inch, Super Retina OLED display and a notch at the top. Meanwhile, with the iPhone Xs Max, Apple did things a little differently this time with the iPhone Xs Max. Rather than releasing a ‘Plus’ size version as it normally would, the company went even bigger — with a 6.5-inch Retina OLED display instead of the usual 5.5-inch as seen on the iPhone 7 Plus and 8 Plus.

Both models come in a variety of colors — gold, space grey, and silver. The Xs and Xs Max are also made of glass, but has a higher durability rating and has an IP68 rating for water-resistance.

Physical size aside, the iPhone Xs and Xs Max also have most of their specs in common. On the back, you will find two new cameras — one 12-megapixel, wide-angle sensor with an f/1,8 aperture and a second telephoto lens with 12 megapixels, optical image stabilization, 2x optical zoom, and an f/2.2 aperture. With a TrueDepth camera system, you can also take advantage of features like Face ID and animojis.

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iPhone Xs Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

iPhone Xs Max Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

iPhone Xs Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

iPhone Xs Max Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

iPhone Xs Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Under the hood is Apple’s next-generation A-series processor, the A12 Bionic trip. Apple says it works 15 percent faster and has 40 percent lower power consumption in comparison to the previous generation. While Apple hasn’t announced the size of the batteries, the iPhone Xs has 30 minutes more time on the iPhone Xs in comparison to the iPhone X while the Xs Max has 90 more minutes.

For more in-depth information on the iPhone Xs and Xs Max, check out our news post here.

iPhone XR

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With the iPhone Xs and Xs Max priced both priced at over $1,000, Apple also released what it considers a “budget-friendly” iPhone X alternative called the iPhone XR — for $749. In terms of design, the iPhone has a 6.1-inch LCD display (bigger than the iPhone Xs) that Apple calls a Liquid Display. As with the entire iPhone X lineup, the XR also includes a notch at the top. On the back, you will find a single-lens camera that comes in at 12 megapixels with an aperture of f/1.8 and support for Portrait Mode via machine learning. As with the iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max, the XR also has a TrueDepth camera system.

The XR comes with the same A12 Bionic processor, and comes in 64GB, 128Gb, and 256Gb storage options. The battery for this iPhone has yet to be disclosed, but Apple says it lasts an hour and a half more than the iPhone 8 Plus.

Perhaps the most interesting part about the iPhone XR are the color variants it comes in. Apple is taking it back to those iPhone 5C days by offering the XR in some fun, vibrant colors. Aside from white or black, customers will get to choose from blue, coral, red, and yellow.

You can learn more about the iPhone XR here.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Apple iPhone Xs: News, release, specs, and more
• Here’s how to buy the brand-new Apple iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max, and iPhone Xr
• Apple iPhone Xs vs. iPhone X: What difference does a year make?
• Everything you need to know about the Apple iPhone XR
• Apple iPhone Xr vs. iPhone 8 vs. iPhone 7 vs. iPhone 6s: Which is best for you?

Samsung Galaxy S9 vs. iPhone XS: Which should you buy?

We’re a virtual company made up of tech experts from across the globe. We live and breathe Android phones, and we happen to know a lot about iOS, too. It’s our mission to set you up with the right phone for you.

Galaxy S9

Android superphone

$620 at Amazon

Pros

• Significantly cheaper than the iPhone XS
• Excellent dual aperture camera
• Multiple authentication methods

Cons

• Mediocre battery life
• Bixby Button still isn’t very useful

The Galaxy S9 is one of the most full-featured Android phones on the market, with powerful specs and a gorgeous AMOLED display. Its dual aperture camera excels in low light, and perhaps best of all, there’s no notch occupying part of the display.

iPhone XS

Big screen, small phone

$1000 at Apple

Pros

• Incredibly powerful A12 Bionic chip
• 120Hz touch sensing display
• Improved FaceID

Cons

• Siri is still behind Google Assistant
• No fingerprint sensor

The iPhone XS is Apple’s most powerful phone yet, with the remarkably powerful A12 Bionic chip. It has a great 5.8-inch display in a compact body, and excellent stereo speakers. FaceID replaces a fingerprint sensor, and the cameras have gained some powerful new features.

Software preferences aside, the Galaxy S9 and iPhone XS are actually pretty similar phones. Both have glass and metal industrial designs with high screen-to-body ratios, along with IP68 resistance, wireless charging, stereo speakers, and so on. The biggest difference is price — the S9 has fallen below $650, while the iPhone XS sits at a hard to swallow $1000 starting price.

What are the differences?

A large deciding factor in which phone you should buy is, of course, the operating system behind it. By now, you probably know where you stand on Android versus iOS (and if you’re here at Android Central, we’ve got a good idea at which one you prefer). Both have their various pros and cons, but in short, Samsung’s software on top of Android offers an extremely customizable but arguably cluttered experience, whereas iOS 12 is simple to use but lacking in custom options.

It’s hard to find any major flaws with either phone’s hardware. Both have very similar 5.8-inch AMOLED displays, but many will prefer the Galaxy S9’s notch-less approach. Hidden within that notch are Apple’s newly improved Face ID sensors, which are more secure than Samsung’s facial recognition, though the S9 offers more ways to unlock your phone, retaining the “legacy” fingerprint sensor and throwing in an iris scanner.

Operating system	Android 8.0 Oreo	iOS 12
Display	5.8-inch AMOLED, 2960 x 1440 @ 570ppi	5.8-inch AMOLED, 2436 x 1125 @ 463ppi
Chipset	Snapdragon 845	A12 Bionic
RAM	4GB	4GB
Storage	64GB/128GB/256GB	64GB/256GB/512GB
Rear camera 1	12MP, 1.4μm, f/1.5-2.4, OIS, LED flash	12MP, 1.4μm, f/1.8, OIS, True Tone flash
Rear camera 2	None	12MP 2x telephoto, f/2.4
Front camera	8MP, f/1.7	7MP, f/2.2
Battery	3000mAh	2716mAh
Charging	USB-C, wireless charging	Lightning, wireless charging
Water resistance	IP68 dust and water resistance	IP68 dust and water resistance
Security	Fingerprint sensor, face unlock, iris scanner	Face unlock

One big difference between the two phones is the cameras. The iPhone XS features dual cameras, while the Galaxy S9 has a single camera with dual apertures. Apple made a big deal during the iPhone XS announcement over some of the improved camera features, including adjustable aperture in post and stereo audio during video capture, but the S9’s camera is no slouch either, with a wide range of manual controls and post-processing effects of its own.

Unless you really prefer iOS over Android, there’s not much reason to spend nearly $400 more on the iPhone XS.

Then there’s storage. The iPhone XS reaches all the way up to 512GB of storage, doubling the Galaxy S9’s maximum capacity, but that kind of storage doesn’t come cheap. Even at the matching 64GB base options, there’s nearly a $400 difference in price, leaning in the S9’s favor. What’s more, you can simply upgrade the storage in the Galaxy S9 with a microSD card — once you buy an iPhone XS, you’re locked into the storage option you chose without room for expansion.

The wide price gap will be more than enough to push a considerable amount of consumers towards the Galaxy S9, and with good reason. You’re getting a very similar experience in terms of performance, cameras, and physical dimensions at a much cheaper price — but if you’re already tied into the Apple ecosystem with other products like a Mac or iPad, or you simply prefer iOS over Android, the iPhone XS is certainly a compelling option.

Galaxy S9

Android superphone

$620 at Amazon

The does-it-all Android phone that fits in one hand and won’t run you $1000.

Samsung’s compact flagship has it all — a gorgeous design, an incredible curved display, powerful specs, and a great camera. As an added bonus, you get it all for under $650.

iPhone XS

Big screen, small phone

The four-digit iPhone with the most powerful mobile processor and Face ID.

$1000 at Apple

If you can stomach paying $1000 for a phone, the iPhone XS makes it worth your while with the A12 Bionic chip, improved cameras, and tremendous app support.

Canada Daily Deals: Robo vacs, security cameras and more

Whether you’re looking for new tech gear or household items, we’ve got you covered.

We found plenty of great deals today that include big discounts on ILIFE Robo vacs, Bluetooth speakers and headphones, Yi home security cams and much more!

View the rest of the deals

Each day, the Thrifter Canada team scouts out and shares amazing deals on products you know and love, helping you find the best prices on the ‘net.

For more Canadian deals coverage, be sure to keep an eye on Thrifter CA and follow the team on Twitter.

Google Pixel 2 XL vs. iPhone XS Max: Which Should You Buy?

We’re a virtual company made up of tech experts from across the globe. We live and breathe Android phones, and we happen to know a lot about iOS, too. It’s our mission to set you up with the right phone.

Pixel 2 XL

Google’s finest

$849 at Google

Pros

• Stunning camera
• Front-facing speakers
• Best way to experience Android

Cons

• AMOLED Display has problems
• No wireless charging

If you want the best experience Google can offer, this is it. The camera is exceptional, especially in low light, and the speakers on this phone are incredible. And, of course, Google’s software updates arrive here before anywhere anywhere else.

iPhone XS Max

Bezel-free hugeness

$1100 at Apple

Pros

• Fantastic, huge display
• Wireless charging
• Face unlock is pretty great

Cons

• No fingerprint sensor
• No USB-C port

Apple took the impressive iPhone X and made it huge. The display is best in class, the speakers are surprisingly loud, and there’s nothing else quite like Apple’s face unlock system. This design isn’t without trade-offs, but overall this is an excellent phone.

Though it may be a bit obvious, the Pixel 2 XL is meant to be the very best Android experience around, while the iPhone XS Max is as premium as an iPhone has ever been. Each phone stands strong with clean software and incredible performance, but your needs may justify one over the other.

When worlds collide

There are tons of great Android phones these days, but the Pixel represents Google’s own vision of what the platform should be. Its clean and simple interface is home to a bevy of smart features, including the ever-powerful Google Assistant. In addition, thanks to Google’s machine learning, the Pixel 2 XL remains one of the very best pocket cameras around, despite having a single rear-facing lens.

Then there’s the iPhone XS Max. With an enormous 6.5-inch display, it’s the largest iPhone ever made, and the True Tone Super Retina display is far better than the Pixel 2 XL’s problematic pOLED panel — though some people still won’t be a fan of the iPhone’s infamous notch. It also boasts Apple’s extremely powerful A12 Bionic chip which, on top of assuring smooth performance, augments AR and camera capabilities.

There’s a trade-off at every turn with these phones; the iPhone XS Max relies on Face ID rather than a more traditional fingerprint sensor like the Pixel 2 XL, the latter of which many still prefer, but the Pixel lacks the iPhone’s handy wireless charging. That’s more important than people tend to think, especially on a water resistant phone — should you submerge your phone, wireless charging is the only way to top it off while you wait for the port to dry.

Operating system	Android 9 Pie	iOS 12
Display	6-inch pOLED, 2880×1440 @ 441ppi	6.5-inch AMOLED, 2688 x 1238 @ 458ppi
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 835	A12 Bionic
RAM	4GB	4GB
Storage	64GB/128GB	64GB/256GB/512GB
Rear camera 1	12.2MP, 1.4μm, f/1.8OIS, dual LED flash	12MP, 1.4μm, f/1.8OIS, True Tone flash
Rear camera 2	None	12MP, f/2.4, 2X Optical Zoom
Front camera	8MP, 1.4μm, f/2.4	7MP, f/2.2
Battery	3520mAh	Unspecified
Charging	USB-C, wireless charging	Lightning, wireless charging
Water resistance	IP67 dust and water resistance	IP68 dust and water resistance
Security	Fingerprint sensor	Face unlock

Each phone offers the very best experience its respective platform can offer.

The iPhone XS Max features a makeshift stereo speaker setup, combining the earpiece speaker with the bottom speaker grill, but the Pixel 2 XL offers a more genuine stereo effect with dual front-firing speakers. Neither phone features microSD expandability or a 3.5mm headphone jack, but each can at least achieve wired audio through an adapter — just keep in mind that Apple is no longer including a Lightning to auxiliary adapter in the box with its phones.

That lack of microSD expandability plays a pretty significant role in determining which phone to buy, since both start at 64GB with a $250 difference in price. The Pixel 2 XL maxes out at 128GB of storage for $949, while the iPhone XS Max reaches all the way up to 512GB — assuming you have $1449 to spare. Both Google and Apple offer financing options to ease the initial blow, but even so, these aren’t insignificant numbers by any means.

Whether or not the iPhone XS Max is worth that much more than the Pixel 2 XL comes almost entirely down to your preference in platforms, along with your storage needs. Both phones have incredible cameras, smooth performance, and huge screens, and each serves as its respective manufacturer’s poster child for what a phone can and should be. If you don’t have any particular software preferences, though, you won’t be missing out on much by saving a few hundred dollars and buying the Pixel 2 XL.

Pixel 2 XL

Google’s finest

$849 at Google

The very best Android experience Google has to offer.

Though it’s soon to be replaced by its sequel, the Pixel 2 XL is the culmination of all of Google’s software tricks and machine learning.

iPhone XS Max

Bezel-free hugeness

The biggest, most powerful, and most expensive iPhone ever.

$1100 at Apple

The iPhone XS Max improves on everything that already made the iPhone X great, and upscales to a whopping 6.5-inch display.

iPhone XS and XS Max Feature Upgraded IP68 Water and Dust Resistance

One of the new features included in Apple’s high-end OLED iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max is improved water and dust resistance, with the two devices now offering an IP68 rating, equivalent to Samsung’s Galaxy S9 smartphones.

The IP68 rating means the iPhone XS and XS Max can withstand water up to two meters (6.6 feet) deep for approximately 30 minutes. In this number, the IP6x rating refers to dust resistance while the 8 represents water resistance.

IP6x is the highest dust resistance rating, so the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are fully protected from dust and dirt. The new IP68 rating is up from the IP67 rating of previous iPhones.

Apple’s iPhone XR is also water and dust resistant, but it is IP67 rated rather than IP68 rated, like the iPhone X. IP67 means that the iPhone XR can withstand immersion in water up to one meter (3.3 feet) for 30 minutes.

Apple does not cover any kind of water damage to its iOS devices, so it’s always best to use caution when exposing a water resistant iPhone to liquids.

Apple also warns that seals against water resistance can weaken over time, which is another reason why it’s best not to deliberately expose iPhones to moisture. In general, though, the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR will hold up to accidental splashes of water and rain.

The Apple Watch Series 4, also newly announced, continues to feature the same water resistance rating as the Apple Watch Series 3. It has a water resistance of rating of 50 meters under ISO standard 22810:2010.

That means the Apple Watch Series 4 is suitable for shallow-water activities like swimming in a pool or an ocean, but it should not be used for scuba diving, waterskiing, or other activities that involve exposure to deep water or high-velocity water.

Related Roundup: iPhone XSTag: September 2018 event
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iPhone XR Hands-On: Vibrant Colors, Solid Camera/Display, and Cheaper Price Should Entice Many Users

In addition to hands-on time with the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, members of the media today got the chance to see the new LCD iPhone XR up close. This is Apple’s cheaper alternative to the higher-tier XS models, with the XR starting at $749 in 64GB and rising from there.

In person, The Verge said that the six new colors of the iPhone XR are all very vibrant, and the site particularly liked Coral and (PRODUCT)Red. Additionally, The Verge described the iPhone XR as noticeably lighter in comparison to the XS, and ultimately said that the XR will likely become the “default” iPhone for many users this holiday season.

I just spent a few moments playing with the new iPhone XR, which feels like it will be the default iPhone for many people this season. Not only does it have a very similar design to the more expensive iPhone XS model, it has many of the same features for a considerably lower price.

The iPhone XR comes in six different colors, including very nice-looking coral and blue options. The colors are extremely vibrant in person; the coral and red, in particular, are terrific. (They’re honestly a reason to get the XR over the XS if you don’t care about the other features like dual cameras and 3D Touch.)

In terms of downgrades from the iPhone XS to make the XR cheaper, Apple went for an LCD display instead of OLED, chose a single-lens rear facing camera instead of the dual lens on the XS, and removed 3D Touch. TechCrunch, like many outlets, said that if you don’t miss these features then it’s easy to see why the XR will be enticing, particularly if you want more color options.

Other than those differences, the iPhone XR has an A12 Bionic chip, a TrueDepth camera system, and Face ID — just like the iPhone XS.

For most users, I suspect most of these elements won’t really be missed — unless, of course, you’ve already gotten comfortable with the iPhone X. While $749 is hardly “cheap” by the standards of mid-range handsets in 2018, it’s a pretty good entry-level price for an Apple handset. Also, don’t underestimate the importance of colors choices in the phone-buying process.

The XR feels like less of an afterthought, unlike the iPhone 8, which was hugely overshadowed by the iPhone X released alongside it. It looks and feels enough like the premium handset that, when coupled with the $250 price drop, it seems inevitable that Apple will sell a ton of the damn things.

Mashable reported that the rear camera on the iPhone XR is still impressive, despite the fact that it’s not a true Portrait Mode effect like those produced by the dual cameras on iPhone XS or XS Max.

Noticeably impressive is the camera. It’s got just a single rear camera (there’s no 2x telephoto lens), but it’s still stunning. The Steve Jobs Theater hands-on area was relatively well-lit, so it’s hard to say how well the camera performs IRL, but that adjustable bokeh effect for portrait photos looks sick. Not so great: the even larger camera bump. The thing is massive.

A couple of minutes is obviously not enough time to get to know the iPhone XR, but at first blush, it looks like a winner. The colors will suck you right in. I’d totally buy the yellow one.

The iPhone XR will go up for pre-order this Friday, October 19, ahead of a launch one week later on October 26.

Related Roundup: iPhone XSTag: September 2018 event
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Apple Watch Series 4 Hands-On: Larger Displays, New Finishes, Slightly Thinner, ECG, and More

Following the introduction of Apple Watch Series 4 models at Steve Jobs Theater today, MacRumors and other media outlets were provided with some up-and-close hands-on time with the new lineup.

At first glance, the most obvious difference with Series 4 models is their larger displays, as Apple has significantly reduced the size of the bezels around the screen. The bezels now look similar to those on the iPhone X and newer, although the display is not completely edge to edge.

Apple says the larger displays provide 32 percent and 35 percent more viewing area on the new 40mm and 44mm models respectively, compared to the previous 38mm and 42mm models in previous generations.

Taking advantage of the larger displays, Apple has redesigned the entire watchOS interface to provide more information with richer detail. A new Infograph watch face can accommodate up to eight complications.

Series 4 models are also ever slightly thinner than Series 3 models, measuring in at 10.7mm, compared to 11.4mm. Apple didn’t allow me to test my Series 3 band with a Series 4 model, but it did confirm that both new and existing bands are compatible with all Apple Watch generations.

Apple Watch Series 4 has a new electrical heart sensor on the back side for electrocardiography, often shortened to ECG or EKG. This potentially life-saving functionality can indicate whether your heart rhythm shows signs of atrial fibrillation, a serious form of irregular heart rhythm.

Series 4 introduces some finishes, including gold stainless steel casing and a gold Milanese Loop. The back side on all the new models is now crafted from sapphire crystal and ceramic, whereas some Series 3 models had composite backs.

On the side of Series 4 models, the Digital Crown features a thin circle, which is black on GPS configurations and red on LTE configurations. By comparison, nearly the entire Digital Crown is red on Series 3 models with LTE. In my opinion, the new, subdued look of the crown is more aesthetically pleasing.

Overall, the Series 4 models do not represent a full-out redesign of the Apple Watch, but the larger displays and improved health monitoring tools are much welcomed features that are worth considering upgrading for.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 4, watchOS 5Tag: September 2018 eventBuyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
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