Why the IPhone XS Is the Most Used IPhone Right Now
Apple will happily sell you a new iPhone 13 for $ 800, $ 1,000, or even $ 1,100. But if you don’t want a 120Hz display or the latest and greatest smartphone camera money can buy, you can find a lot of value in the used iPhone market. You can find any iPhone ever for sale on the Internet, but this year there is one that is particularly eye-catching; iPhone Tennis (sorry, iPhone XS).
The history of the iPhone XS (and friends)
Apple released the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR back in 2018. This was the first release of an Apple smartphone since a massive redesign of the iPhone X, and for the first time every new iPhone has the same design language; Edge-to-edge display with controversial Face ID notch.
It didn’t seem like a big upgrade at the time; the XS’s design was nearly identical to the X (except for the new color), and the rear cameras – although technically refined – didn’t ruin last year’s images. The biggest change was the processor, which greatly expanded the capabilities of machine learning and graphics while adding modest CPU upgrades.
In fact, phones seemed to be meant for people who were migrating from much older devices; You can save some money and get a colorful XR, or spend a few bucks on the XS Max to get the largest display in iPhone history.
Why isn’t the other iPhone the best value on the market?
There are many great iPhone offerings; The iPhone X is still gaining momentum and looks like a relatively new iPhone from afar. Even the iPhone 6S runs iOS 15; you can buy one of the used devices cheaply and still get the latest updates from Apple.
The point is, while iOS 15 supports a long list of iPhones, the software doesn’t treat all iPhones the same. Apple has gone further and removed some features from its latest update for older iPhones; Live text ; FaceTime portrait mode; AR walking routes in Apple Maps; the ability to search for places inside photos; unlocking smart Home-kit locks using the Wallet; and Siri support on the device.
What hardware does iOS 15 require for these features?
These iOS 15 features require an Apple A12 chip or newer. This means that the iPhone 6S, 6S Plus, SE (1st generation), 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus, and X are missing out on these fun new features because their processors are simply not powerful enough to handle them (at least , Apple claims).
It just so happens that the A12 chip is found in the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR (as well as the fifth generation iPad Mini, third generation iPad Air, eighth generation iPad, and second generation Apple TV 4K, if you want to know). All three of these iPhones support the aforementioned iOS 15 features, as well as all the other new changes found in Apple’s big update, making them the oldest iPhones to offer full iOS 15 functionality.
I don’t know about you, but when I hear “oldest iPhone” I hear “cheapest iPhone.” This is what makes these second hand phones so attractive.
Why is the iPhone XS better than the XS Max or XR?
It really comes down to cost. According to Swappa, the average iPhone XS costs about $ 309 . The XS Max and XR, on the other hand, are priced at $ 365 and $ 287, respectively. Of course, if you want to spend as little money as possible on the iPhone A12, you go for the XR. If you want a huge display and don’t mind spending the extra money, then the XS Max is for you.
But XS is for those in the middle; this is for those who want dual cameras and an OLED display that the XR can’t give you but don’t care about the 6.5-inch screen. You will spend a little more to get a little more, but you will save on things you don’t really need. For most people looking for a quality iPhone without breaking the bank this year, you really can’t go wrong with the iPhone XS.