Apple iPhone XS Smartphone Review

[Redaktion]

Apple has stuck with its "S" nomenclature even after its anniversary iPhone and has consequently followed the iPhone X with the iPhone XS. As with previous "S" models, the iPhone XS is more a technical refinement of its predecessor than a fundamental departure. The iPhone XS should do everything better than its predecessor without reinventing itself. Read on for our iPhone XS review and to find out whether the device can match expectations.

Update: First impressions, display measurements (PWM), Wi-Fi performance and initial benchmarks.

Update II: Further benchmarks, battery tests and sections on Communication, Accessories, Connectivity and Speakers have been added.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-iPhone-XS-Smartphone-Review.333546.0.html

[BroMan]

Does PWM appear on all brightness levels?
PS your comment dialog sucks

[AAA125]

My iPhone xs gave 141 fps in Manhattan 3.0 and 27 in high tier and 74 in normal tier plz correct it ,scores in carchase and Manhattan 3.1 are way too less on your tests compared to mine plz use updated app and ios

[Puppy]

Does PWM appear on all brightness levels?
PS your comment dialog sucks

Yes, my Lumia 950 has 500 Hz :-)

[Daniel Schmidt]

Does PWM appear on all brightness levels?

Yes.

[Łukasz Wczysła]

Pretty much - the same case, few minor improvments, smaller battery than previous model(the hell right?)- 91%. Galaxy note 9 initialy got 88 where they improve almost every problema with previous model.
I kinda pity samsung, they move us forward and got choked by unsatisfied testers.
Apple pretty much haven't moved an inch for 5 years or so, noone bats an eye, except for price tag of course.
Don't buy a phone that has quick charge, and has balls to NOT include fast charching brick in set, wow they add Oled - 3 years behind competition. 91%.

[S.Yu]

Pretty much - the same case, few minor improvments, smaller battery than previous model(the hell right?)- 91%. Galaxy note 9 initialy got 88 where they improve almost every problema with previous model.
I kinda pity samsung, they move us forward and got choked by unsatisfied testers.
Apple pretty much haven't moved an inch for 5 years or so, noone bats an eye, except for price tag of course.
Don't buy a phone that has quick charge, and has balls to NOT include fast charching brick in set, wow they add Oled - 3 years behind competition. 91%.

It doesn't work like that, you should read into the subscores.

[S.Yu]

I believe you used the 40MP mode on P20P for all the image samples?
And was Auto HDR on or off?
I really recommend that you be a little more specific when doing the camera tests.

[TDDM]

Hi,

Thank you for the very informative review. I have a few questions about the PWM, if you wouldn't mind.

1. I see that someone asked if PWM was present at all brightness levels, and you replied that it is. In the PWM section of the review, it says  "Flickering detected at a brightness setting of 99 % and below. There should be no flickering or PWM above this brightness setting." Could you please clarify whether PWM is present at 100%?

2. I'm unfortunately pretty sensitive to PWM, do you have a recommended brightness level to minimize PWM exposure?

3. Do you know if the XS Max has the same PWM implementation as the XS?

Again, thanks for the great review. I really appreciate how you guys make a note of the PWM, barely any other review sites even mention it at all. It's really helpful when buying a product to be able to come here and check the PWM stats.

[Daniel Schmidt]

Hi,

Thank you for the very informative review. I have a few questions about the PWM, if you wouldn't mind.

1. I see that someone asked if PWM was present at all brightness levels, and you replied that it is. In the PWM section of the review, it says  "Flickering detected at a brightness setting of 99 % and below. There should be no flickering or PWM above this brightness setting." Could you please clarify whether PWM is present at 100%?

2. I'm unfortunately pretty sensitive to PWM, do you have a recommended brightness level to minimize PWM exposure?

3. Do you know if the XS Max has the same PWM implementation as the XS?

Again, thanks for the great review. I really appreciate how you guys make a note of the PWM, barely any other review sites even mention it at all. It's really helpful when buying a product to be able to come here and check the PWM stats.

At 100 % the screen runs at a low power consumption mode that works with 60 Hz, but this mode will only be achieved if the display brightness is maximized by the light sensor.

No, there is no special brightness level to minimize PWM. But PWM on an OLED screen is different to an IPS screen. The amplitude response is more shallow and this is why the PWM effect is "softer" on OLEDs.

Yes, the XS Max uses the same display technology.

@S.Yu: All pictures of the P20 Pro are shot with 40 MP and disabled AI-function.

[william blake]

pwm on a 2kusd device omegalul. yes guys, lets pay for antutu scores.

[S.Yu]

Hi,

Thank you for the very informative review. I have a few questions about the PWM, if you wouldn't mind.

1. I see that someone asked if PWM was present at all brightness levels, and you replied that it is. In the PWM section of the review, it says  "Flickering detected at a brightness setting of 99 % and below. There should be no flickering or PWM above this brightness setting." Could you please clarify whether PWM is present at 100%?

2. I'm unfortunately pretty sensitive to PWM, do you have a recommended brightness level to minimize PWM exposure?

3. Do you know if the XS Max has the same PWM implementation as the XS?

Again, thanks for the great review. I really appreciate how you guys make a note of the PWM, barely any other review sites even mention it at all. It's really helpful when buying a product to be able to come here and check the PWM stats.

At 100 % the screen runs at a low power consumption mode that works with 60 Hz, but this mode will only be achieved if the display brightness is maximized by the light sensor.

No, there is no special brightness level to minimize PWM. But PWM on an OLED screen is different to an IPS screen. The amplitude response is more shallow and this is why the PWM effect is "softer" on OLEDs.

Yes, the XS Max uses the same display technology.

@S.Yu: All pictures of the P20 Pro are shot with 40 MP and disabled AI-function.

Actually by Auto HDR I meant Apple's, it could be turned on or off and from other reviews there's a pretty big difference in details.

[Gustav]

Water damage is still not covered by Apple's Warranty.

[verne803]

Apple pretty much haven't moved an inch for 5 years or so, noone bats an eye, except for price tag of course.

You're obviously delusional.

[David Allen]

Can you please explain the following statement regarding the XS for us laymen thank you!

Equally, the amplitude curve is so shallow that it should not cause problems for even those who are PWM sensitive.