A quick review after 48 hours with my shiny new XS..
In the past I've vigorously defended the smaller form factor iPhone, and the SE is not only the best small iPhone Apple have produced, but when weighted for features, internals and value for money at the time it was released, it's probably THE best iPhone Apple have produced.
But with no imminent refresh or replacement, and a general push across the 'phone' world to larger display devices which we still refer to as "phones" but are clearly handheld computers with extraordinary power and capability, that happen to include phone functions... I decided to try out the new XS.
After 48 hours of playing with it, I'm definitely going to keep it. It really is an extraordinary device. From hardware to software, from creativity to content consumption, I am sold. The screen is simply stunning. The FaceID is fine - not as bad as I was expecting, having been a big fan of TouchID for so long. The camera system is incredible. The shape/size/weight is bigger than my perfect phone, but I am getting used to it, and I definitely love the large screen for looking at photos and video.
Downsides: It's crazy expensive. The notch is unfortunate, and I think the display corners are overly rounded. I wish the sides were squared rather than curved, to make it more secure to hold. A few software frustrations, but that's iOS and would be the same on any iPhone.
But overall, I am impressed, and am not unhappy to have moved away from the small form factor of the SE.
In the past I've vigorously defended the smaller form factor iPhone, and the SE is not only the best small iPhone Apple have produced, but when weighted for features, internals and value for money at the time it was released, it's probably THE best iPhone Apple have produced.
But with no imminent refresh or replacement, and a general push across the 'phone' world to larger display devices which we still refer to as "phones" but are clearly handheld computers with extraordinary power and capability, that happen to include phone functions... I decided to try out the new XS.
After 48 hours of playing with it, I'm definitely going to keep it. It really is an extraordinary device. From hardware to software, from creativity to content consumption, I am sold. The screen is simply stunning. The FaceID is fine - not as bad as I was expecting, having been a big fan of TouchID for so long. The camera system is incredible. The shape/size/weight is bigger than my perfect phone, but I am getting used to it, and I definitely love the large screen for looking at photos and video.
Downsides: It's crazy expensive. The notch is unfortunate, and I think the display corners are overly rounded. I wish the sides were squared rather than curved, to make it more secure to hold. A few software frustrations, but that's iOS and would be the same on any iPhone.
But overall, I am impressed, and am not unhappy to have moved away from the small form factor of the SE.
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