Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPhone X Used iPhone X vs used iPhone Xs

Poki

Poki

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Mar 21, 2012
1,318
903
Hi guys,

I'm still on my iPhone 6, and I would love to keep it for another year since I think the iPhone Xs is just a little too big for my hands. However, I want to upgrade my Apple Watch Series 0 to the next generation, and since that one won't be compatible with iOS 12 on the iPhone 6, I'm forced to buy a new iPhone in September.

If I upgrade, I want to go with a Face ID phone, because I think the UX is far superior to Touch ID on my iPad Pro – even if that means I'm going to have to deal with a bigger phone. However, I'm not going to pay €1,300+ on a huge phone, so it'll be a used one. Since I purchase all my music through iTunes and don't stream, I need at least 256 GB of storage.

Current used prices for devices in good condition are approx. €700 for an iPhone X or €900 for an iPhone Xs. I'm expecting both to drop another €100 in September, when the next generation is released. So, is the Xs worth the extra €200? Seems like the only big advantage would be one more year of software support, or am I missing anything?
 
The XS has superior Portrait Mode from the A12 chip with post-processing options. It’s the only feature I’m aware of over the X (as opposed to spec bumps).
 
danmart said:
The XS has superior Portrait Mode from the A12 chip with post-processing options. It’s the only feature I’m aware of over the X (as opposed to spec bumps).
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I always bring a dedicated camera with me for various reasons, I will never use the iPhone camera for anything but document scanning, so the camera quality doesn't matter to me at all.
 
when using the X & XS side by side, they seem identical. The X to XS spec bump was probably the smallest iPhone upgrade in iPhone history. IMO - not worth it.
 
Get the X. Save the 200 euro (sorry, I don't know the monetary symbol on the US Mac keyboard)

They're both amazing and clearly ahead of anything else on the market from a processor standpoint. You're a frontrunner with the X, so stay there :)
 
I agree, the camera is the only reason to go with the Xs. You'll get a full warranty with the refurb and it's AppleCare eligible.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JohnCrichton
Thanks for your input! An iPhone X it shall be. :cool:
 
Thanks again for your advice – I just bought a mint iPhone X 256 GB silver with 92% battery health for €656 shipped. Not super cheap and battery health seems kinda mediocre considering my much older iPhone 6 has 93%, but since it's mint, I'm pretty happy with it.
 
Poki said:
Thanks again for your advice – I just bought a mint iPhone X 256 GB silver with 92% battery health for €656 shipped. Not super cheap and battery health seems kinda mediocre considering my much older iPhone 6 has 93%, but since it's mint, I'm pretty happy with it.
Click to expand...

The battery is the easiest part to have replaced. That's something.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Poki
I had an X and upgraded to an XS. It is a minor improvement with FaceID being slightly faster and apps loading slightly faster.

The reason I updated is that I plan on skipping the iPhone 11 for now and the updated XS was like new with 100% battery, AppleCare+ for another 16 months, and it was a relatively low cost upgrade. So necessary, not at all but not a bad update in the least. Also, I have a Nomad Leather case that cost almost $50 and the XS fits that as well so don’t have to update that. I’ve learned the nicer cases age better than the $15 cases on Amazon.

Also the 2020 iPhone is supposed to have a 5.4inch screen vs the current 5.8 and the notch may be reduced significantly. I personally am very excited about that one (assuming it’s true) so another reason I upgraded to the XS and am going to try and skip the iPhone 11 update this year.
 
Last edited:
omelet1978 said:
Also the 2020 iPhone is supposed to have a 5.4inch screen vs the current 5.8 and the notch may be reduced significantly. I personally am very excited about that one (assuming it’s true) so another reason I upgraded to the XS and am going to try and skip the iPhone 11 update this year.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm also very excited for the 5,4" model, maybe with even smaller borders to make the device actually smaller than the iPhone 8. But since I really want to upgrade my Apple Watch Series 0 to whatever Apple introduces in September, I had to upgrade this year (iPhone 6 won't get iOS 13, so it won't be compatible with future Apple Watch models), and at that price, I won't loose more than a few hundred bucks when selling it next year to buy the 5.4" one.
 
If you wanna get a new phone right away, definitely get the X. They are now cheaper and there is really not much difference between X and Xs. Most important feature would be the improved camera quality, plus Smart HDR and Advanced Bokeh. But if you say you only scan documents with the camera and you don't need the newest and best camera system - save your money and go with the X. Amazing phone. Great screen, CPU and Camera. Even for 2019.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Poki
iPhone X and XS have no difference to me, unless you really care boout the Portrait mode or A12, JUST CHOOSE A CHEAPER ONE
 
I went from a 6s to a X in '17 and the differences were amazing. The Xs is mostly camera tweaks and the latest chips. Maybe I'll look again in '20.
 
The X is a good phone. Look at purchasing one from the Apple Refurbished site - they're as good (and probably better in some ways) than new.

The XS is a great phone, but for the money (and for how long you keep the phone) I would just save the money and enjoy the ride with the X.
 
Poki said:
Thanks again for your advice – I just bought a mint iPhone X 256 GB silver with 92% battery health for €656 shipped. Not super cheap and battery health seems kinda mediocre considering my much older iPhone 6 has 93%, but since it's mint, I'm pretty happy with it.
Click to expand...

Don’t worry about battery health all that much. I returned my iPhone XR few months ago and brought a refurbished iPhone 8 Plus (not Apple refurbished). It has 84% battery health. Half years in, it still going strong.

I am pretty much covered in battery side, I have a charger on my workplace, cable in my car and battery bank on my bag all the time.
 
LovingTeddy said:
Don’t worry about battery health all that much. I returned my iPhone XR few months ago and brought a refurbished iPhone 8 Plus (not Apple refurbished). It has 84% battery health. Half years in, it still going strong.

I am pretty much covered in battery side, I have a charger on my workplace, cable in my car and battery bank on my bag all the time.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I usually still have 50% left on my iPhone 6 when I come home from work, about 13 hours into the day, so I guess I'll be fine with the X. The battery health just seems to be the only less than perfect part of the device I bought, at least according to the listing. It was delivered today, can't wait to get home and unbox it.
 
Poki said:
Yeah, I usually still have 50% left on my iPhone 6 when I come home from work, about 13 hours into the day, so I guess I'll be fine with the X. The battery health just seems to be the only less than perfect part of the device I bought, at least according to the listing. It was delivered today, can't wait to get home and unbox it.
Click to expand...

Did you brought on eBay? I am too afraid of getting scammed by eBay seller. LOL
 
LovingTeddy said:
Did you brought on eBay? I am too afraid of getting scammed by eBay seller. LOL
Click to expand...

Yep, bought through ebay. I actually bought a lot of stuff used from ebay, including Leica cameras and lenses, sometimes for €5.000+. The only time I got scammed was when I payed through bank transfer (yeah, I know, pretty stupid), but whenever I used PayPal it went pretty smooth. PayPal even covers cost of sending back to the seller if something's wrong, and you get your money back before sending the item back.
 
Poki said:
Hi guys,

I'm still on my iPhone 6, and I would love to keep it for another year since I think the iPhone Xs is just a little too big for my hands. However, I want to upgrade my Apple Watch Series 0 to the next generation, and since that one won't be compatible with iOS 12 on the iPhone 6, I'm forced to buy a new iPhone in September.

If I upgrade, I want to go with a Face ID phone, because I think the UX is far superior to Touch ID on my iPad Pro – even if that means I'm going to have to deal with a bigger phone. However, I'm not going to pay €1,300+ on a huge phone, so it'll be a used one. Since I purchase all my music through iTunes and don't stream, I need at least 256 GB of storage.

Current used prices for devices in good condition are approx. €700 for an iPhone X or €900 for an iPhone Xs. I'm expecting both to drop another €100 in September, when the next generation is released. So, is the Xs worth the extra €200? Seems like the only big advantage would be one more year of software support, or am I missing anything?
Click to expand...

Yes the XS is well worth the premium, better cameras and faster. Plus stereo sound recording.
 
Soo ... update from me: The first used X I received did have a swollen battery and a lot of scratches even though it was supposed to be mint, so I sent it back. Bought a refurbished "like new" one from a dealer for a little more money, and that one actually is like new: Not a single scratch, 100% battery health and Apple warranty until July 2020. I'd say that was a good deal.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back