iPhone XS, XS Max and XR: all the tech from Apple’s keynote
Cheaper smartphone debuts alongside iPhone X replacements and Watch Series 4

A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Apple unveiled its eagerly awaited new line-up of iPhones and the new Watch Series 4 last night at the company’s biggest keynote of the year.
The trilliondollar tech giant confirmed that its new mobiles will be called the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR - news that came as little surprise after the firm accidentally leaked the names hours before the event, at its headquarters in Cupertino, California.
But fans still have to wait a little longer before they can get their hands on the new devices.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Pre-orders for the iPhone XS and XS Max kick off on 14 September, with shipping to begin on 21 September. The XR can be pre-ordered from the 19 October and deliveries are expected from 26 October.
Here’s what else we learned from Apple’s major product showcase:
Apple Watch Series 4 kicks off the keynote
Apple opened its presentation, at 6pm UK time, with the announcement of its new Watch Series 4.
The smartwatch boasts a slightly larger body than its predecessor, says Digital Trends. The new watch will come in two sizes, 40mm or 44mm - up from 38mm and 42mm - and features a 30% larger display.
The upgrades continue on the inside. The Series 4 can now perform electrocardiograms (ECG), allowing users to record their heart rate, says Alphr.
The device has been approved by the US-based Food and Drug Administration (FDA), making it the first over-the-counter ECG device on the market, the site adds.
The Watch Series 4 arrives in stores on 21 September, with prices starting at £399 for the 40mm model and £499 for the 44mm version.
iPhone XS and XS Max take the stage
This was the moment that fans and critics had been waiting for - when Apple took the wraps off the new iPhone XS and XS Max.
A replacement for last year’s iPhone X, the XS features a 5.8in OLED display with a 2436 x 1125 resolution, The Verge says. The screen size increases to 6.5in on the XS Max, while resolution gets a bump to 2688 x 1242 pixels.
Both models come with HDR (high dynamic range) features, which holster contrast ratios for more realistic light effects. Dolby Vision is also included, to enhance HDR effects on films and games that support it.
The camera has been given a boost as well. Users can now change the aperture, a setting that effects depth of field of an image, after a photo has been taken, says Engadget.
Battery life has been tweaked too, with an extra 30 minutes of usage on the iPhone XS compared with the old X. And the XS Max has the biggest iPhone battery ever, offering an extra 90 minutes, the website notes.
Prices for the XS kick off at £999, with XS Max models from £1,099.
iPhone XR rounds off the event
Apple had one more product up its sleeve after unveiling its range-topping smartphones.
The iPhone XR, previously rumoured to be called the XC, is a cheaper alternative to the XS and XS Max.
The budget handset still features the same A12 processor and edge-to-edge display design as the top-tier phones. However, the screen is a 6.1in LCD, rather than the OLED panels found in the XS and XS Max.
The XR screen is similar to that on the current iPhone 8, but isn’t quite as vibrant as Apple’s most expensive devices.
Apple also does away with the dual-lens camera found on the XS and instead offers a 12 megapixel single-lens system on the XR.
The budget model is significantly cheaper than its siblings, at £749, and can be specced in a range of colours, with a choice of white, blue, black, yellow, coral or red.
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
-
China steals the spotlight at Apple's iPhone 15 launch
How will a directive from the Chinese government affect the tech giant?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Why is a tiny change to the iPhone's charger such a big deal?
Today's Big Question A change to comply with EU regulations could have global ramifications
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Apple fixes its 'ducking' autocorrect problem
Speed Read
By Brigid Kennedy Published
-
Could Apple's $3,500 headset change the VR game?
Today's Big Question The ski goggle-like device could revolutionize an industry — that is, if people are willing to buy it
By Brigid Kennedy Published
-
Apple’s Vision Pro: is the VR future finally here?
Talking Point The ‘mixed reality’ headset could redefine how we use personal devices
By Sorcha Bradley Published
-
Apple’s Foxconn iPhone nightmare
Talking Point Zero-Covid protests in Zhengzhou slow down production of flagship smartphones ahead of Christmas rush
By Julia O'Driscoll Published
-
iPhone 14: are Apple launch events losing their lustre?
Speed Read Social media users have ‘poked fun’ at tech giant’s latest event amid talk of ‘upgrade fatigue’
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Why Covid is threatening the world’s supply of iPhones
feature Chinese authorities working with key companies to resume production
By The Week Staff Published