Apple iPhone XS Max 256GB

If you insist. While last year's iPhone X (review) marked the first real change in iPhone design in years, the XS and XS Max launched this year just carry forward the same design language. So while the X and the XS look exactly the same, the XS Max is just a supersized version of those. The notch is there of course, holding all the wizardry that makes Face ID (Apple's face recognition and authentication mechanism), work. And while I'm on the subject of Face ID, I should mention that it works beautifully and reliably on the iPhone XS Max, even though I think that face unlock on the OnePlus 6 is faster. Don't try and look for a home button or a fingerprint scanner, since those are MIA.

Well, coming from the iPhone X, the XS Max definitely feels much larger… and heavier too. I wouldn't say it gets unwieldy, but you should probably avoid it if you prefer compact phones and care for one-handed usage. Physically, the Max is just about the same size as the iPhone 8 Plus (review) from last year, but it feels much bigger because of the all-screen fascia. I'm talking about a difference of a full inch between the screens on these two devices here.

Visual nirvana. DisplayMate has rated the iPhone XS Max display the best yet, and those guys might just be right. The 6.5-inch Super Retina HD display bears a resolution of 2,688 x 1,242 pixels, delivering a density of 458 pixels per inch. And thanks to the use of OLED tech, the display makes the colours pop and the blacks dissolve into nothingness.

The short answer to that is yes. Weirdly, the long answer to that is yes too. But, I do have a longer version of that. Before I get into the actual shooting prowess, let me just touch upon the specs first. So you get 12MP + 12MP optically stabilised dual cameras at the back, with one of them being a f/1.8 wide-angle and the other being a f/2.4 telephoto lens. The pixel size is bigger this time around, meaning more light can be captured, resulting into better low-light shots. At the front is a 7MP sensor with f/2.2 wide-angle lens for selfies.

Oh yes. iOS 12 brings with it a smorgasbord of new and useful features. For one, notifications from apps are grouped, making the notifications panel much less cluttered than before.

There's a lot to look forward to, actually. The A12 Bionic chip that powers the new iPhone is the industry's first 7nm processor, and promises big improvements, both in terms of raw number crunching, and power efficiency. The new Neural Engine also deserves special mention, since Apple claims it handles real-time machine learning, and improves AR experiences, photos and features like Animojis.

Pretty good. The large size allows the iPhone XS Max to pack in a larger battery, and you can expect about a day's worth with medium to heavy usage. Sure, you might still find yourself hunting for a charger by evening if you play games extensively or use the phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot for long hours, but on the flip side, could even return home with 30% fuel left in the tank if your usage is light. Battery life hasn't been the iPhones' strong suit, and coming from the iPhone X, I can personally vouch for that. However, the XS Max surprised me, pleasantly I might add. The phone does takes ages to charge if you use the bundled charger though. No fast charging goodness here, at least out of the box.

Better waterproofing for one. Thanks to the improved IP rating (IP68 to be specific), the iPhone XS Max can survive for longer under deeper water (maximum depth of 2m up to 30 minutes), and won't mind if you spill other liquids like milk or beer (Apple's words, not mine. I swear). Wireless charging is there as well, so is support for fast charging.

Before you ask yourself that, you need to figure out whether you can afford one, or are ready to sign your life away to EMI schemes. The pricing for the iPhone XS Max starts at a whopping Rs 1,09,900 for the 64GB model, going all the way up to Rs 1,44,900 for the top-end model with 512GB storage. For the same amount of money, you could buy yourself a Samsung Galaxy Note9, and save enough for one more Note9. The opportunity cost is huge. That said, if you have your heart set on it, the iPhone XS Max does make for a worthy purchase.