iPhone XS - page 9

iOS 12.1 will bring Dual SIM feature to iPhone XS and XS Max

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When iPhone Dual SIM support appears in iOS 12.1, it will be possible to use two service plans at once with Apple's latest models.
When iPhone Dual SIM support appears in iOS 12.1, it will be possible to use two service plans at once with Apple's latest models.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

A hotly anticipated feature wasn’t available when the iPhone XS models arrived last week, but Apple is hard at work bringing Dual SIM support to these new handsets. This cutting-edge features is included in the first iOS 12.1 beta.

When the full version of the operating system update becomes available later this fall, the iPhone XS and XS Max will be able to simultaneously connect to two cellular providers.

Supply chain sources think high price could hurt iPhone XS orders

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iPhone XS box gold
Just like the iPhone X, folks are predicting gloom for the iPhone XS -- based on its price tag.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Déjà vu much? A new report claims that the high price of Apple’s new iPhone XS series is likely to result in a slow down in demand later in 2018, after the initial fanfare for the new devices fades. This is said to be particularly true for the iPhone XS Max, which costs up to $1,449 for the 512 GB version.

While that’s certainly a possibility, however, remember that many people predicted the same fate would befall the iPhone X last year — and they wound up being spectacularly wrong.

iPhone XS Max production cost is shockingly low

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Open the iPhone XS Max and you'll see just $443 worth of components.
Open the iPhone XS Max and you'll see just $443 worth of components.
Photo: TechInsights

An estimate of the component costs for each iPhone XS Max shows that much less than half of the purchase price goes to producing the device. This is Apple’s most expensive phone ever — and likely its most profitable.

The cost of storage went up considerably but Apple managed to save money by removing some 3D Touch components from the display.

How to find if iPhone XS and Apple Watch 4 are in stock near you

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iPhone Xs
Avoid lines and find the iPhone of your dreams with this tool.
Photo: Apple

Didn’t get in on the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max pre-order madness and are now lusting after the best smartphone display ever?

There’s a simple tool on the internet that can save you hours of searching so you get the iPhone you want today. All it takes is setting a few filters and you’ll be alerted as soon as your local store has the new iPhones or Apple Watch Series 4 in stock.

This is how the tool works:

Is iPhone XS battery life really better?

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iPhone XS gaming
The first iPhone with ProMotion?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple promises that you’ll get better battery life if you upgrade to the iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max. Their cutting-edge A12 Bionic chips and power-efficient Super Retina displays should mean that they last longer than any other iPhone in between charges.

But is that really the case? One battery test has found that last year’s iPhone X actually has more stamina than its successor.

iPhone XS Max vastly outsells smaller XS

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iPhone Xs
The iPhone XS Max is Apple's best selling model by a wide margin.
Photo: Apple

When it comes to iPhones, it appears bigger is much better. The iPhone XS series debuted on Friday, and a respected analyst reports the larger of the two is selling far, far better than its smaller sibling.

The analyst also reports that the new Apple Watch Series 4 is selling better than he expected.

Don’t be fooled: iPhone XS is not a boring ‘S’ upgrade [Review]

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iPhone XS and XS Max
There are over 1.4 billion active Apple devices in the world.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

If you ever watched schlocky ’70s sci-fi show The Six Million Dollar Man, you probably remember the opening sequence, during which a faceless narrator describes building a man who is “better than he was before. Better … stronger … faster.”

With the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, Apple’s engineers achieved just that type of incredible transformation. They fabricated phones that look “normal,” like last year’s iPhone X. But, just like the shadowy geniuses who built the bionic man, Apple indeed made the iPhone X better, stronger and faster — thanks in large part to the A12 Bionic chip that powers the new phones’ most advanced functions. (Other hardware and software upgrades help, too.)

Just like Col. Steve Austin, the ace astronaut who got $6 million worth of bionic implants after a devastating crash, the iPhone X received massive internal upgrades to morph into the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. While it looks like the same old (excellent) device, it’s actually far more fantastic and futuristic.

It’s a total bionic blast!

Storage is cheaper than ever, but iPhone customers don’t benefit

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iphone XS
The new iPhones are Apple's priciest ever.
Photo: Apple

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Apple doesn’t go out of its way to pass savings on to to customers.

According to a new report, despite the cost of NAND flash memory halving in price over the past year, Apple hasn’t reduced the cost of its iPhones accordingly. In fact, Apple charges the same 78 cents-per-gif that it did in 2017 — meaning that the iPhone is even more profitable.

iPhone XS is stronger, but certainly not unbreakable

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iPhone XS broken
Yes, you still need a case.
Photo: SquareTrade

iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max boast the strongest glass ever used in a smartphone, Apple says. But is it strong enough?

New tests reveal that although Apple’s devices may be tougher than their predecessors, they’re still not unbreakable. Drop one on a sidewalk and it will almost certainly result in a pricey repair bill.

The iPhone XS Camera review for iPhone 7 owners

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Depth Control gets confused by glass.
Depth Control gets confused by glass.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Most iPhone camera reviewers are upgrading from last year’s model, the incredible iPhone X. Most iPhone buyers are upgrading from an earlier iPhone, probably the iPhone 6s or 7. This review is for the buyers. In it, I compare the new iPhone XS camera to the iPhone 7 camera, and talk about just how massive an upgrade this is.

iPhone X owners shouldn’t feel left out, though. Camera-wise, the iPhone XS and XS Max might be the biggest iPhone upgrade since the iPhone 3GS added autofocus. One note: The iPhone XS Max has the exact same camera as the XS, so this review goes for both.

For Middle East elites, packing two iPhones is a way of life

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ullu
Hold two iPhones in Ullu's Dual Case made of full-grain or hand-colored leather.
Photo: Ullu

In shopping for a stunning case to outfit your new iPhone XS or XS Max, you might spot an accessory that hints at an even richer lifestyle — one that holds two iPhones.

People with two phones, one for personal and the other assigned by a boss for work, is not that unusual. But, elites in the Middle East, where Apple has about 60 percent of the smartphone market, tend to carry two iPhones by choice.

For those of us who own more than one iPhone, with a penchant for carrying them both around, the Dual Case is worth a look. For the rest of us, check out Ullu’s great lineup of iPhone cases for the XS and XS Max.

See Nomad’s new cases for iPhone XR, iPhone XS, & iPhone XS Max

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nomad
A brand-new iPhone deserves a brand-new case. See Nomad's debut of three new cases for iPhone XS, XS Max and XR.
Photo: Nomad

What’s good for Apple Watch Series 4 is good for the new iPhones XS, XS Max and XR. We’re talking about Nomad’s much-loved leather, Apple-inspired accessories including Apple Watch straps and rugged iPhone cases.

From folios to wallet to protective cases built from the best materials and finest leather sourced from the Horween Leather Co. in Chicago. These well-built cases will protect that gorgeous new iPhone in minimalist style.

Check out Nomad’s just-released lineup of strong and sturdy cases for Apple’s newest iPhones.

Cult of Mac Magazine: Set up your new iPhone XS the right way

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There's a right way to set up your iPhone. These iPhone setup tips will help.
There's a right way to set up your iPhone. These tips will help.
Image: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

In this week’s Cult of Mac Magazine: If you’re one of the smiling Apple fans who picked up an iPhone XS or XS Max today, use these tips to ensure you get everything up and running optimally.

You’ll find that story and much more. Get your free subscription to Cult of Mac Magazine from iTunes. Or read on for this week’s top stories.

All the new iPhone XS, XR and XS Max features you need to know

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Depth Control
Depth Control is dead-easy to use.
Photo: Apple

Just got a new iPhone XS but are confused about where to find all of its amazing new features?

Apple just put out a new video that gives an in-depth look at all the fun new stuff you can do with the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR. Depth Control, Dual SIM, Memojis and much more are all covered in the quick video. It should help you master your new device.

Watch and learn!

Unboxing and hands-on with the iPhone XS in gold

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iPhone XS box gold
Bag yours before they're all gone.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Today Apple finally released the iPhone XS, XS Max and Apple Watch Series 4. Now, in true Cult of Mac YouTube tradition, we’ve gotten our hands on it and made an unboxing video.

You can see the full unboxing in all of its golden glory, the box design, its contents and a quick hands-on with the iPhone XS.

Check it out:

Belkin’s gorgeous dock charges iPhone XS and Apple Watch with style

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Belkin
This is one of the prettiest docks we've ever seen.
Photo: Belkin

iPhone XS and Apple Watch Series 4 owners looking for the perfect chargers to both of their new devices just got a lot of love from Belkin with a dock that works on both iPhones and Apple Watch.

Belkin introduced its new BoostUp wireless charging dock for iPhone + Apple Watch today that not only keeps your new tech juiced up, but it’s also so pretty you won’t be ashamed to have it on full display in your house.

Here’s another angle:

Tim Cook greets customers at Palo Alto Apple Store

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Tim Cook
Tim Cook shook hands with customers at the Palo Alto Apple Store.
Screenshot: CNBC

Apple CEO Tim Cook joined Apple Store employees in Palo Alto, Calif. this morning to greet customers as they arrived to purchase the latest Apple Watch or iPhone.

This is a fall tradition for Cook, who stood outside the door to be the first to greet and shake hands with customers as they came through the door.

Unscientific drop test pits Apple’s new iPhones against iPhone X

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Broken iPhone XS screen2
And to think that most folks don't even have their new iPhone yet!
Photo: TechSmartt

The world’s not fair. Most people haven’t even gotten their hands on the new iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, and already a video of Apple’s top newest handsets being purposely damaged has shown up online.

It’s the work of YouTube channel TechSmartt, which describes it as the “ultimate drop test” for Apple’s new handsets. And while we think that the “ultimate” suffix might be better saved for a more scientific drop test, we’ll take what we can get at this early stage!

Is iPhone XS Apple’s worst ‘S’ phone? Catch the conversation this week on The CultCast

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CultCast MacBook Pro iPhone XS
iPhone XS—how's it stack up?

This week on The CultCast: Is iPhone XS the worst Apple “S” phone of all time? We compare the XS to Apple’s other flagship “S” releases. Plus: We round up what reviewers are saying about iPhone XS and Apple Watch 4; reveal which Apple Watch feature is giving people a serious case of FOMO; and discuss a leaked detail in iOS 12.1 that all but confirms a new iPad event this fall.

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. It’s simple to accept Apple Pay and sell your wares with your very own Squarespace website. Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10 percent off your first hosting plan or domain.

iPhone XS user guide suggests AirPower isn’t quite dead yet

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AirPower
Is AirPod finally ready to make its big debut?
Photo: Apple

With no mention of it during the iPhone XS keynote, and little sign of it on Apple’s website, it was beginning to look like AirPower had been wiped entirely from Apple’s plans. But it seems the wireless charger isn’t quite dead yet.

AirPower is mentioned in the iPhone XS user guide, early adopters have noticed today. A reference in the latest iOS 12.1 beta also provides hope for the device.

Huawei van trolls Apple on day of iPhone XS launch

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Huawei van
Huawei is promoting its new Mate handsets.
Photo: Huawei/Twitter

Chinese smartphone maker Huawei recently stole Apple’s crown as the world’s second biggest smartphone maker on volume. But it’s still keen to position itself as a scrappy young upstart, jabbing away at the larger, trillion dollar Cupertino giant.

With that goal in mind, the Chinese manufacturer today trolled Apple at the launch of its iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. How? By parking up a Huawei van outside Apple’s flagship retail store in London to engage with prospective customers.

Some iPhone XS and Apple Watch Series 4 preorders delayed by UPS

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iPhone XS Kyoto
Is your preorder still arriving today?
Photo: Apple

Some iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 buyers are disappointed after finding out that their shiny new devices won’t be arriving today as expected.

A number of customers are reporting that their delivery dates have slipped to Monday, September 24 — but that may not be the case, after all.