First Impressions: iPhone XS Max Has Some Great Subtle Improvements

iPhone XS Max

I got my hands on the iPhone XS Max. And even though I’m not blown away by it, there are some things that have me quite impressed. I will have a full review soon, but these are my initial impressions.

• This thing is big. It’s not too big to carry as my main phone, but it’s big.
• The screen is, perhaps, the most gorgeous one I have seen on a smartphone. It looks slightly better than the screen on the iPhone X in terms of color accuracy and saturation.
• I don’t notice much of a difference between the camera on this and the X. I do like the fact you can adjust the depth-of-field after you take the picture (though I find this only works in Portrait mode). The photos look slightly better in darker-lit situations.
• The new stereo microphones are a welcome addition and they do make the videos come to life. However, I don’t find as much separation as I did using the mics on Sennheiser’s AMBEO Smart Headset.
• I love the gold finishing on the back.

• The stereo speakers have a wider soundstage and can substitute for Bluetooth speakers in many cases. I used the speakers on the iPhone XS Max to play music in my car, and I didn’t miss turning on my car’s stereo system.
• The speakers can get very loud without distortion.
• Face ID works a little faster than it did on the X. Perhaps, it works more accurately too.
• My eyes thank the larger text on this new iPhone.
• This just feels so solid in your hands.
• The bigger screen makes the XS Max even better to use as your car GPS.
• The battery seems to last about an hour more than it does on the iPhone X. Even this slight bump is much needed and appreciated.
• This has become my favorite new device to watch Netflix or Hulu on.