macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 30, 2005
Montgomery, AL
I’m currently on my iPhone 7, and briefly tried the XS Max before deciding that it was too big for my daily uses. Currently, Verizon is offering $100 off the iPhone X, which makes the 256GB version $949. I’d get another $100 credit with the trade in of a used iPhone SE. so essentially $849. This puts it in line with the XR price wise, but I get the smaller form factor and OLED.
How has your performance improved with OS 12, and does the speed of Face ID match up well against the XS?


macrumors 6502
Jun 5, 2018
I still have my old X that I will be trading in at some point towards the XS. I have an iPhone XS Max on my other line.

The difference between FaceID is negligible, but noticeable...if that makes sense. Functionally they are the same, but it is a little faster. It doesn't make it or break it for me. If you own the X, there is not really much reason to upgrade to the XS unless you just want to have the latest and greatest devices. The X has been great on iOS 12 and operates the same as the XS Max does until you get into GPU heavy applications.

The X is a great device, and if it fits your pocketbook better, you lose out on nothing by going for it over the XS!


macrumors 68040
Sep 22, 2015
Washington, DC
I have a X and tested iOS 12 when it was in beta. My X is faster and Face ID is noticeably faster for me. I’m even able to unlock my phone in the dark while lying down. All in all, I don’t regret keeping my X for another year.
  • Like
Reactions: anitak1982


macrumors 68020
Jan 27, 2011
iPhone X is fantastic. Buy it!

I ended up returning my XS after 2 weeks of side-by-side comparisons.

XS has better low-light camera and speakers have more depth.

Face ID was literally the exact same. I held both phones right next to each other, and started at the point where they touched, and unlocked over and over and over. They were always the exact same speed. Unlocked at the exact same time, every time.

The biggest annoyance of the XS to me was the animation stutter. After 10 seconds idle (like, reading something, for example), swiping home would always result in a stuttering laggy animation. 100% of the time. This still occurred after a fresh reset before returning it. Users on here are saying the iOS 12.0.1 update has not fixed it yet, nor has the 12.1 beta.

My iPhone X remains perfectly smooth, all the time.