Compare models

iPhone X Vs iPhone XS

  • 1-year minimum warranty
  • Free delivery on all items
  • Free 30-day returns
iPhone X
iPhone X
Starting at

Refurbished price:£93.00

Versus £449.00 new

See options
iPhone XS
iPhone XS
Starting at

Refurbished price:£110.00

Versus £559.00 new

See options

Differences at a glance

The iPhone X, released in November 2017, marked a significant design evolution for Apple, introducing a full-screen display and Face ID. Its successor, the iPhone Xs, launched in September 2018, refined this new design while bringing internal enhancements. Both devices operate on Apple's iOS platform, providing a consistent user experience, but the Xs offers updated performance and camera capabilities.

Scores

Durability

When considering the practical lifespan, the iPhone X and iPhone Xs have distinct differences primarily due to their release dates and subsequent software support.

  • Release Timeline: The iPhone X was released in November 2017, while the iPhone Xs followed in September 2018. This one-year difference impacts their software longevity.
  • Software Longevity: The iPhone X received its last major iOS update with iOS 16. The iPhone Xs, being newer, extended its software support one year further, receiving iOS 17. This means the Xs will continue to receive security updates and app compatibility for a slightly longer period.
  • Repairability: Both models feature a glass front and back, making them susceptible to damage from drops. The iPhone X received a repairability score of 6 out of 10 from iFixit, indicating that display and battery replacements are feasible, but other repairs can be complex due to internal component arrangements. Repairability scores for the iPhone Xs are generally similar, with common repairs like screen and battery replacements being manageable.

Year of Release

2017

2018

Compatible with latest Update

No

Yes

OS

iOS

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance difference between the iPhone X and iPhone Xs is notable, especially with the passage of time and the increasing demands of modern applications.

  • Processing Power: The iPhone Xs features a more advanced internal processor compared to the iPhone X. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and more efficient handling of demanding applications and games.
  • Multitasking: The iPhone Xs includes more RAM, which allows it to keep more applications open in the background without needing to reload them, providing a more fluid multitasking experience. The iPhone X, with less RAM, may experience more frequent app refreshes when switching between many applications.
  • Storage Options: While both models offered 64GB and 256GB storage configurations, the iPhone Xs introduced an additional 512GB option, providing more space for photos, videos, and applications for users with extensive storage needs.

Memory (GB)

3 GB

4 GB

Screen quality

Both the iPhone X and iPhone Xs feature similar display technologies and specifications, providing a high-quality visual experience.

  • Display Technology: Both devices utilize a 5.8-inch OLED display, which delivers deep blacks, high contrast, and vibrant colors. This technology provides an immersive viewing experience for media consumption.
  • Resolution and Clarity: The resolution and pixel density are virtually identical between the two models, ensuring sharp text and clear images. Both screens offer excellent clarity for everyday use, from browsing to watching videos.
  • Brightness and Dynamic Range: Both displays offer comparable brightness levels, performing well in various lighting conditions. The iPhone Xs display offers slightly improved color accuracy and 60% greater dynamic range, which may be noticeable to discerning users, particularly with HDR content.

Resolution

1125 x 2436

1125 x 2436

Screen type

Super Retina OLED

Super Retina OLED

Audiovisual

The camera systems on the iPhone X and iPhone Xs share a similar dual-lens setup, but the Xs introduces significant software and hardware enhancements for improved image quality.

  • Rear Camera System: Both phones feature a dual 12-megapixel camera system with wide and telephoto lenses, offering optical image stabilization on both. The iPhone Xs, however, benefits from a larger sensor and improved image signal processing, leading to better light gathering capabilities.
  • Photography Features: The iPhone Xs introduced Smart HDR, which captures multiple frames at different exposures and combines them for better detail in highlights and shadows, especially in high-contrast scenes. It also offers improved Portrait Mode with Depth Control, allowing users to adjust the background blur after taking a photo.
  • Video and Audio: Both devices record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. The iPhone Xs offers slightly better dynamic range in video and improved stereo audio recording, enhancing the media capture experience.

Main camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

7 megapixels

7 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several practical elements differentiate these two devices.

  • Connectivity: The iPhone Xs features an upgraded cellular modem, offering faster LTE speeds compared to the iPhone X. Both support standard Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. The iPhone Xs also introduced dual-SIM capabilities through an eSIM, a first for the iPhone line.
  • Durability Features: While both phones have a glass and stainless steel construction, the iPhone Xs boasts an improved IP68 water and dust resistance rating, allowing it to withstand submersion in deeper water for longer periods compared to the iPhone X's IP67 rating.
  • Biometric Security: Both devices rely on Face ID for secure authentication. The iPhone Xs features a faster and more responsive Face ID system, making unlocking and authenticating payments quicker due to an updated processor and algorithms.

Weight

174 g

177 g

Screen size (in)

5.8

5.8

Mobile network

4G

4G

SIM card

Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

Lightning

Lightning

What the community thinks

User sentiment for the iPhone X often highlighted its groundbreaking design, vibrant OLED display, and the introduction of Face ID as significant advancements. Criticisms sometimes focused on the initial adjustment to the notch and the absence of a physical home button. Some users also noted that its battery life, while adequate, wasn't exceptional compared to larger models of its time.

The iPhone Xs generally received praise for refining the iPhone X's design, offering noticeable performance improvements, and enhancing camera capabilities, particularly with Smart HDR and improved low-light performance. Some users, however, found the display quality to be inconsistent in early models, with some reporting a yellow tint compared to the iPhone X.

Users prioritizing the latest software support and slightly enhanced performance for demanding applications may find the iPhone Xs better suited to their needs. Those who value camera improvements, especially in challenging lighting conditions and with Portrait Mode, will also lean towards the Xs. Conversely, users for whom the original iPhone X's feature set is sufficient and who do not require the absolute latest software updates might find it still meets their daily requirements. Both models offer a quality-assured refurbished option, providing an eco-friendly alternative for those looking to extend the life of these devices.