Despite the fact that this year is an "S upgrade" year, Apple changed up just enough of what it does to make this year a bit different. Not so much when it comes to the hardware itself, because it's in there that we find the familiar. But it comes down to the devices the company is selling now.
Typically we'd see Apple introduce a new iPhone, or iPhones, and we'd get the model from the year before slide down the line and get a price drop. I know a few different people who were going to buy a new phone this year, but they were going to get the iPhone X. They'd get some top-tier specifications, the great camera, and so on and so forth, but they wouldn't need to spend $1,000 or more to get those things.
"Oh, sorry, but the iPhone X is discontinued."
I said that to a friend of mine last night. His immediate reply was "that's not possible, I always buy last year's model", and then I had to breakdown what Apple was doing this year. Needless to say, he wasn't a fan. But when I got to the point where I said he could get a brand new iPhone, the iPhone XR, starting at what last year's iPhone X probably would've cost, his tune changed a bit.
And that's what a lot of the reviews for the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max seemed to hint at, too. Some, in fact, said it plain as day. Wait for the iPhone XR. I don't necessarily agree with that, simply because this is an "S upgrade" year and we knew what we were going to get -- even without all the leaks and rumors. If you're accustomed to getting a new iPhone every year, this isn't the year that should stop that from happening. Especially if you want a bigger display.
But, there is a lot to like about the iPhone XR. It has the same 12-megapixel camera system as the higher priced models, albeit with one camera and not two. The same A12 Bionic processor under the hood, the same minimized bezels (I still hate the notch and I always will), and plenty of color options! I'm telling you right now I'd buy a blue iPhone XS Max in a heartbeat, and I'm frustrated that it's only in the XR lineup. And while it might not be OLED, I have no doubt the "Liquid Retina" LCD display with the XR is going to be excellent.
Like I said above, I think we should all know what we were getting this year. However, when we're talking about phones that start at $1,000 and work up from there, maybe waiting for a review isn't that bad of an idea. And while the iPhone XS/XS Max reviews are positive enough, there doesn't seem to be a general consensus that, yes, you should definitely go out and spend a lot of money for either model. "Just wait for the iPhone XR." Save some money, scale back on just a couple of different features.
Reviews are important, especially for those who might be considering several different smartphone options when the time rolls around for them to upgrade. So in light of the iPhone XS reviews and the iPhone XR coming down the line, are you waiting to see the review for Apple's other 2018 smartphone before you make a decision? Or have you already decided on which iPhone model you're going with this year? And of course, this goes with any other phone, like the upcoming OnePlus 6T and the Pixel 3 lineup. Are you waiting for the reviews? Let me know!