Apple released iPhone XS – and iPhone XS Max – in 2018 and both the models quickly became popular. But are they still available in the market?
Apple’s widely popular iPhones, iPhone X and iPhone XR, were succeeded by iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. Owing to its lower price and colorful chassis, the former model outsold the latter by a considerable margin.
Yet, both iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max were met with a considerably wide demand in the UK and the US. Both of the iPhones looked similar to the iPhone X, but in addition to the 5.8-inch model, there was also a larger 6.5-inch model. iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max featured the sharpest OLED displays and highest pixel density of any Apple device, which supported Dolby Vision, HDR 10, and Wide Color. iPhone XS Max, the 6.5-inch iPhone, was the largest display Apple has offered, but that is similar to the size of the iPhone 8 Plus. According to Apple, the iPhone XS and XS Max had the most durable glass ever in a smartphone with improved scratch resistance.
Despite these features, Apple discontinued the same of both the models in 2019, a year after its release. Why did this happen? Let’s dig into the details of the same.
Why did Apple discontinue the sale of its iPhone XS?
Usually, Apple keeps one or two of its older iPhone models available in the market, offering them as a cheaper alternative to its newer models. For example, iPhone 12 is still available in the stores to buy even after the official launch of iPhone 13. However, with the iPhone XS, this didn’t happen. Why is that?
It has been over one year since Apple released its last set of flagship handsets – iPhone X and iPhone 8/8 Plus. Since then, there have been new iPhones released every year until 2019. But this time around, instead of releasing three flagships like they normally do (one for regular consumers, one for prosumers and the remaining one aimed at the business market), Apple has only released new models – iPhone 13 Max and iPhone 13.
However, it has been found that the iPhone XS Max is still in high demand despite being over a year old. And if reports are to be believed, the company has discontinued its production after seeing an abnormally large gap between supply and demand. This means apple might have produced more units than what the market could handle, resulting in many of them remaining unsold for months now. The Cupertino giant has reportedly confirmed that sales of the 6.5-inch flagship will end by this month itself, whereas Apple dealerships across US are already offering discounts on both models under the “iPhone XS clearance” banner.
It is possible that Apple discontinued the iPhone XS because:
– The company decided to focus on a new line of iPhones, iPhone 13
– The iPhone XS and the iPhone XS Max were not selling as well as previous flagships, such as the iPhone 8 and iPhone X. Instead of putting more money into marketing them, Apple decided to discontinue both models in favor of new products that they believe will be more profitable.
– The company is planning to release a new line of iPhones that look similar but boast better specs and design. This could be possible since there have been various rumors indicating that 2019’s lineup will consist of three different phones: one with an OLED display like all other iPhones released in 2018, another which features a bigger battery but comes at a lower price point than the current flagship
– The iPhone XR was more popular than the iPhone XS
– The iPhone XS Max had a high demand but not enough to continue production
– The iPhone XS was too expensive
– The design was too similar to the iPhone X
– There were reports of low sales and high return rates for the device
– It’s been over a year since it was released and it’s time for a new model
– iOS 13 doesn’t support the iPhone X
– iPhone 13
Whatever the reason might be, it is a bitter pill to swallow for those who had been planning on buying the device. With Apple discontinuing both models, iPhone fans will have no option but to opt for lesser expensive handsets from the company – the iPhone 13 Max and iPhone 13. However, they aren’t completely devoid of features. In fact, some users would argue that these new iPhones offer better features than their successors. The pair comes with an upgraded processor and camera module among other things.
But what if the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max were still available during 2021? Would their purchase be worth it? Let’s find out.
Keep in mind that the iPhone XS Max was released on September 21, 2018, so it will be exactly two years old by the time 2021 rolls around.
The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are still two of the best smartphones money can buy. They come with a powerful A12 Bionic chip, a triple-lens rear camera setup and 4GB of RAM. The battery life is also impressive, lasting up to 12 hours on a single charge.
If you were to buy the iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max in 2021, you would be getting a device that is still one of the most powerful on the market. It would also have the latest version of iOS installed on it, meaning you would get all the new features and bug fixes.
Keep in mind that both models might not be available anymore by 2021, so your best bet is to buy them as soon as possible. The sooner you buy, the more likely you are to find a device that is still in stock.
Apple’s decision to discontinue the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max might seem like a bad move but there are many reasons why it could have been made. What do you think of the company’s decision to discontinue these devices?
iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max were discontinued because: “the company decided to focus on a new line of iPhones, iPhone 13” or “The device was too expensive” or “It’s been over a year since it was released and it’s time for a new model.” … There were reports of low sales and high return rates for the device. Whatever the reason might be, it is a bitter pill to swallow for those who had been planning on buying the device. With Apple discontinuing both models, iPhone fans will have no option but to opt for lesser expensive handsets from the company – the iPhone 13 Max and iPhone 13.
Similar to all of Apple’s iPhones before the iPhone 12, the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max do not have 5G connectivity. This means if you go with one of these phones in 2021, you will not be able to access 5G. This would be the main downside to buying an iPhone XS or XS Max in 2021. Beyond this, both the XS and the XS Max have great performance.
Powered by Apple’s A12 Bionic chipset, the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max were two of the most powerful phones on the market back in 2018. In 2021, the A12 can still hold its own against most Android phones, but it is dwarfed by the performance of Apple’s newer A14 and A15 chipsets found inside the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13.
And because the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are now a couple of years old, you can pick up either phone for very little money (for an iPhone). How cheap are the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max in 2021? You’ll pay around $400 for the XS and $450 for the XS Max – or, almost half the price of an iPhone 13. However, wholesale iPhones might be cheaper as compared to these prices.
Conclusion
If not having a 5G network in your iPhone is not a problem for you, and you want to pick up an older iPhone flagship for a lot less money than a new iPhone, like the iPhone 13, then, the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are still extremely viable options in 2021. The camera and the overall performance of both the phones is great. However, if the same is an issue for you, it’s better to go for one of the newer models.