The iPhone XS is still a solid phone you can buy. This phone gives you awesome features without breaking the bank. You might be wondering if this older model still works. This guide shows you everything about the iPhone XS specifications.
You will learn how to use its coolest features easily. We talk about battery life tricks and camera quality secrets. After reading this, you will know if it fits you. You will feel confident about choosing this phone or not. We even compare the iPhone XS vs iPhone XR for you. This helps you pick the one that matches your life.
Should You Choose the iPhone XS or iPhone XR?
Lots of people ask me which phone is actually better. The iPhone XS and iPhone XR both have cool things going on. Here are the big differences you need to know about. Think about what you really care about in a phone. Both are great, but they work for different kinds of people.
iPhone XS Strengths
The iPhone XS screen is absolutely gorgeous to look at every day. This phone feels fancy when you hold it in your hand. The camera quality gives you two lenses, so zooming rocks here. You can pick from 64G, B 256GB, or even 512GB of space. The phone survives being dropped in water two meters deep. This costs more money, but you get fancier tech inside.
iPhone XR Strengths
The iPhone XR saves you a bunch of money right away. This phone comes in six bright colors that look fun. The screen is pretty good, even though it is LCD. Battery life goes way longer than the iPhone XS usually does. You only get one camera, but it still takes nice pictures. This phone rocks if you want to spend less money.
Which Should You Choose?
Get the iPhone XS if you love watching videos on phones. Grab it if taking great photos matters a lot to you. Get the iPhone XR if saving money is your main goal today. Pick it if you hate charging your phone all the time. Both phones do the same stuff and work really great.
How to Set Up Your New iPhone XS
Getting your iPhone XS running is super easy and quick, honestly. You just need WiFi and your Apple ID password ready now. Follow these steps, and you will be texting friends soon.
- Hold the side button down until you see the logo.
- Pick your language and then tap on your country name.
- Join your WiFi by typing in the password you know.
- Train Face ID by moving your head around in circles.
- Make a six-number passcode you can actually remember later.
- Decide if you want old phone data or start fresh.
- Type in your Apple ID and the password for it.
- Tap agree to the boring terms Apple shows you now.
- You can add your credit card for Apple Pay later.
- Pick if you want True Tone and how big the text is.
How to Use the iPhone XS Camera Features
The iPhone XS camera quality is honestly one reason to buy. This phone has two cameras on the back for you. You can snap amazing pictures without being a photographer at all. The camera even works great when it is pretty dark outside.
Taking Regular Photos
- Tap the Camera app icon that looks like a camera.
- Point your phone at whatever you want to capture now.
- Tap that big white circle at the bottom to shoot.
- Pinch your fingers together or apart to zoom in or out.
- Tap anywhere on the screen to make that spot super clear.
Using Portrait Mode
- Open Camera and swipe left until you see Portrait there.
- Step back about three to eight feet from the person.
- Wait until you see the yellow box say Depth Effect.
- Tap the little squares icon to change the lighting look.
- Snap the photo, and you can blur more or less.
Recording Video
- Swipe over to Video mode in the Camera app now.
- Hit the red button and your video starts recording immediately.
- Tap the white button to grab photos while recording, too.
- Slide the zoom thing to get closer to your subject.
- Press the red button again when you are all done.
How to Improve iPhone XS Battery Life
The iPhone XS battery life gives you twelve hours on the internet. You can squeeze out more juice with some easy tricks. Little tweaks to settings really help your phone stay alive.
- Flip on Low Power Mode in your Settings under Battery.
- Make your screen dimmer or let it adjust by itself.
- Stop apps from refreshing when you are not using them.
- Turn off location for apps that do not need it.
- Use WiFi at home instead of burning through cellular data.
- Kill apps running in the background, eating up your power.
- Stop your email from pushing and check it yourself instead.
- Turn down those fancy motion effects that drain your juice.
- Stop apps from downloading updates when you are not looking.
- Turn on Airplane Mode when the signal is terrible and draining.
Understanding iPhone XS Specifications and Performance
The iPhone XS specifications prove this phone still has some power. It runs on the A12 Bionic chip, which is fast. The phone looks nice in gold, silver, or space gray. Let me break down what these specifications actually mean for you.
Display Quality
The iPhone XS rocks a 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED screen here. This screen makes black colors look truly black, not gray. Colors pop out and look real thanks to fancy technology. The screen packs in 2436 by 1125 tiny pixels total. You get 458 pixels crammed into every single square inch. True Tone makes colors look natural in any room lighting.
Storage and Memory
You pick between 64GB, 256GB, or 512GB when you buy this. The phone has no slot to add a memory card. Grab more storage if you shoot tons of photos daily. Apps and games eat up your storage space really fast. The phone system already uses ten to twelve gigabytes itself.
Water Resistance
The iPhone XS survives water with its IP68 protection rating here. This means two meters underwater for thirty minutes. Do not go swimming with it or take underwater selfies. Water damage will not be covered by your Apple warranty. Dry it totally before you plug in the charger overnight.
Comparing iPhone XS Price and Value Today
The iPhone XS price dropped a lot since it launched. You can grab this phone cheaper now than before today. Used ones and refurbished models are even less expensive overall. Think about what you get for the price tag.
New iPhone XS Pricing
Finding a brand new iPhone XS is getting pretty tough now. Apple quit making this model back in September 2019, actually. Some random stores might still have new ones sitting around. You will probably pay around 500 to 700 bucks today. The price changes based on storage size and who sells.
Used and Refurbished Options
Used iPhone XS phones go for 250 to 450 dollars, usually. Refurbished ones from Apple include a warranty for peace of mind. Check how healthy the battery is before buying used phones. Make sure the screen does not have any cracks anywhere. Ask if it works with any carrier or just one.
How to Take Care of Your iPhone XS
Treating your iPhone XS right makes it last way longer, honestly. The phone is tough, but it can still crack if dropped. Do these things to keep your phone looking good.
- Get a case to save it from hitting the ground.
- Stick a screen protector on to block scratches and cracks.
- Do not leave it in your hot car or freezing car.
- Stop charging it overnight because that hurts the battery’s health.
- Wipe the screen with something soft, not rough paper towels.
- Download new iOS updates when Apple releases them for you.
- Keep it in your pocket when it rains hard outside.
- Do not let beach sand get stuck in the charging.
- Restart it once a week to make it run smoothly.
- Save your photos to iCloud so you never lose them.
iPhone XS Review: Is It Still Good Today?
This iPhone XS review looks at how it holds up now. The phone is pretty old, but still works fine, honestly. Tons of people still rock this model every single day. Let me tell you what is great and what sucks.
What Still Works Great
The camera quality still takes beautiful photos and videos today, clearly. The screen looks stunning with colors that really pop out. Face ID unlocks super fast and keeps strangers out always. The phone handles most apps without slowing down at all. Build quality feels solid, not cheap, with glass and metal. Water resistance saves you from spills and rain accidents happening.
What Could Be Better
The battery life does not last as long as that of phones. You might charge it halfway through your day, sometimes, unfortunately. The phone will never ever work on 5G networks, period. Apple might stop sending updates in a year or two. The notch at the top looks pretty chunky and big. You cannot add more storage with a memory card ever.
Conclusion
You now know everything important about the iPhone XS phone, honestly. This guide covered setup tricks, camera tips, and battery life hacks. You learned what all those iPhone XS specifications actually mean. The price makes this a pretty sweet deal in 2026. Remember the iPhone XS vs iPhone XR comparison when you are deciding. Take care of it, and this phone will last you years. Hit up Apple support online if you need more help.
FAQ
How Long Does the iPhone XS battery Last Daily?
The iPhone XS battery life gives you twelve hours online roughly. You get fourteen hours of watching videos on a full charge. Talking on the phone works for twenty hours with a signal. Battery time depends a lot on what you do, honestly. Low Power Mode helps it go way longer every time.
Is the iPhone XS Camera Quality Good for Photography Today?
Yeah, the iPhone XS camera quality is still pretty solid, honestly. The two cameras snap sharp photos in most lighting situations. Portrait mode makes backgrounds blurry, and subjects pop out nicely. Night photos are okay, but not as good as phones. The camera shoots 4K video at sixty frames per second.
What Is the Current iPhone XS Price for Used MJodels?
Used iPhone XS phones cost 250 to 450 dollars right now. The price depends on storage and how beat up it is. Refurbished ones from Apple cost more than regular used ones. Always check battery health before buying from random people selling. Unlocked phones cost more than ones locked to one carrier.
How Do iPhone XS Specifications Compare to Newer iPhones Today?
The iPhone XS specifications are decent, but not the latest. The A12 chip is slower than what new phones have. The screen looks as good as current iPhones, mostly here. Storage choices match what most phones offer you these days. Water resistance is not as strong as that of the newest models.
Should I Buy the iPhone XS or iPhone XR Now?
Get the iPhone XS if screen quality matters most to you. Grab the iPhone XR if battery life is more important to you instead of daily. The iPhone XS vs iPhone XR choice depends on your wallet. Both phones run iOS and work awesome for most people. Maybe save up for a newer one if you can.
