The iPhone XS is one of the best phones you can buy today, which makes sense as it's also one of the most expensive flagships ever. As opposed to doing our normal "Is It Worth It" video this year, instead I think it's a lot more useful if we answer the most important question with any new gadget launch.

Who should buy the iPhone XS? One big reason to pick up the XS or the XS Max if you're already in the Apple ecosystem and you're looking for an upgrade, especially if you're coming from an older device such as an iPhone 6 or 6s, this is a big step forward. Take the camera, for example. Put it side by side with the 6s and you will notice a big difference.

Now part of this is because there are several generations between the phones, which means that things like color science, dynamic range, and video quality have all been improved. But you're also getting additional functionality, including the second telephoto option, which is especially useful for the portrait mode, which is actually pretty good on the XS.

It's also hard to overlook the difference in screen size. Gone are the days of huge bezels on top and bottom. Instead, the new iPhone is basically all screen up front, including the notch. Oh yes, my friends, the notch. Look, personally I don't mind the notch. Not only is it on basically every flagship phone out there, but at this point, while sure, you might think it looks ugly, almost anyone is going to be able to get used to it very quickly.

That notch houses one of the biggest differences between the XS and previous generations. Face ID. Simply put, instead of having a home button, the iPhone now has a facial recognition system that allows you to unlock your phone with just a glance. The XS also features a new faster processor, improved storage options, and enhanced water resistance.

Simply put, the iPhone XS is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality smartphone experience. With its advanced camera capabilities, sleek design, and seamless user interface, it's no wonder why so many people are choosing to upgrade to this latest model. But is it worth the extra cost? That's what we're here to find out.

One point in favor of the XS is if you're really into media consumption. Which, odds are if you're watching this video right now, you probably are. Based on early numbers, it seems like the XS Max is heavily outselling the standard XS, and that's really only for one reason - the fact that it's got that bigger display.

Besides that, there's actually really no difference between the XS and the XS Max. The 6.5 inch OLED display is about as good as it gets for a smartphone. Not only is the brightness, color, and especially contrast terrific, but it also supports all the fancy new display technologies, including HDR10 and Dolby Vision.

The improved speakers also make a difference. Not only are they louder, but they also have better stereo separation. That, combined with the screen, makes the XS Max an excellent media consumption device. Honestly, the main reason to not buy the iPhone XS is really simple - the iPhone XR.

Take everything that's good about the XS, add a wide variety of colors, remove the telephoto camera while still keeping the main camera intact, and replace the OLED display for an IPS panel, and boom, you've got yourself an iPhone XR, which just so happens to be a full $250 cheaper. That's a big difference compared to past generations.

Previously, Apple would knock about $100 off of the entry-level iPhone, but this year, you're getting the XR with almost the exact same specs but with a major price cut. Something that's easy to miss is that while the XR does have a lower pixel density, which is on-par with the iPhone 8, but the actual screen size itself is right in between the XS and the XS Max.

The XR won't be out until late October, so I can't give it my full recommendation just yet. But on paper, it really does look like the full package. You just aren't missing much compared to the XS. And that's why I think waiting for the XR is worth it for almost everyone else.

WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: en- Hey guys, this is Austin.The iPhone XS is one of thebest phones you can buy today,which makes sense asit's also one of the mostexpensive flagships ever.As opposed to doing ournormal Is It Worth Itvideo this year, insteadI think it's a lotmore useful if we answerthe most important questionwith any new gadget launch.Who should buy the iPhone XS?One big reason to pickup the XS or the XS Maxis if you're alreadyin the Apple ecosystemand you're looking for an upgrade,especially if you'recoming from an older devicesuch as an iPhone 6 or 6s,this is a big step forward.Take the camera, for example.Put it side by sidewith the 6s and you willnotice a big difference.Now part of this is because there areseveral generations between the phones,which means that thingslike color science,dynamic range, and the video qualityhas all been improved.But you're also gettingadditional functionality,including the second telephoto option,which is especially usefulfor the portrait mode,which is actually pretty good on the XS.It's also hard to overlook the differencein screen size.Gone are the days of hugebezels on top and bottom.Instead, the new iPhoneis basically all screenup front, including the notch.Oh yes, my friends, the notch.Look, personally I don't mind the notch.Not only is it on basically every flagshipphone out there, but atthis point, while sure,you might think it looks ugly,almost anyone is going to be ableto get used to it very quickly.That notch houses one ofthe biggest differencesbetween the XS and previous generations.Face ID.Put simply, instead ofhaving a home buttonwith Touch ID, instead you use your faceto unlock the X and the XS.And, generally speaking,it works pretty well.Certainly not perfect,but as far as I'm concerned, not bad.There are also some softwareupdates from legacy phones,and some of which are pretty substantial.One of my favorites is thegesture-based navigation,since you don't have ahome button to be ableto exit apps, as well as swipe in and outof multi-tasking and whatnot.This makes it a lot faster to be ableto just swipe on the bottom of the screen.Performance is also a consideration.Every year, the iPhone does get faster.And while the A-Series processors have beenreally impressive, especiallythe last couple years,when you pit the XS compared to the X,and especially goingback to the 7 and the 6S,you're gonna notice a prettysubstantial difference.Sure, the camera is asolid update this year,but it is certainly not worth droppinganother $1000 to get.Same thing goes for the performance.Yes, on paper the XS is faster,but realistically, there's almost noreal world difference.More than any phone I've used in years,the iPhone X has held up so wellover a full year of use.The battery life still lasts all day long.It still feels fast, the camera is great.If you have one and you're not, like,rocking a broken screen or something,it is almost impossiblefor me to recommendit over the XS.No, no, I didn't actually mean that.That's the wrong,I flipped that.The X still feels every bit as fastas it did last year, and even more sonow that iOS 12 is out.Speaking of, let'sactually talk about iOS 12for a second.As opposed to most updates,which make your iPhone feel slower,12 legitimately does make even olderiPhones feel a lot faster.I'll be real.If my job wasn't toreview the latest tech,I would not have updatedmy iPhone X to a XS.It's good, but the upgradesare just not worth it.On the other hand, onereason why you mightwanna pick up the XS is longevity.It's really impressive that Apple is stillsupporting the iPhone 5s after five years.And honestly, the softwaresupport on the iOS side,it's one of the majoradvantages over Androidin my opinion.If the XS gets that same level of support,it is a serious selling point.Sure, $1000 for a phone is expensive.But when you break that up over three,four, or even five years of usable,well, use, that's pretty cool.There's also the fact thatthe updated screen designis the new standard going forward,which is a good sign for app support.Long story short.If you want to pick up a new iPhone today,the XS has a good shot of being ableto last quite a while.On the other hand, noteveryone wants to spend$1000 on a new phone.Sure, the XS is great,but there's a lot ofother things you could do with $1000.Like pay rent, or buy alot of Subway sandwiches.- What?- $5.00 footlong.- That's a lot of $5.00 footlongs.That's--- They're not doing that.- 200 of them.- They're not, they're notdoing that anymore.- No.- Wait, they're not?- That's not a thing anymore.- Not only can you pick up a much cheaperAndroid phone such as the Pocophone F1for a lot less than half the price,but there are also other iOS optionsthat can do a decent jobof not costing $1000,such as the iPhone 7,which is now $450.Sure, it's probably notgoing to last as long,but you're still getting a solid camera,really reasonable performance,and it costs less thanhalf the price of the XS.One point in favor of the XS,specifically with theMax, is if you're reallyinto media consumption.Which, odds are if you'rewatching this video right now,you probably are.Based on early numbers,it seems like the XS Maxis heavily outselling the standard XS,and that's really only for one reason,the fact that it's gotthat bigger display.Besides that, there'sactually really no differencebetween the XS and the XS Max.The 6.5 inch OLED display is about as goodas it gets for a smartphone.Not only is the brightness, and the color,and especially the contrast, terrific,but it does support all the fancy newdisplay technologies, including HDR10and Dolby Vision.The improved speakersalso make a difference.Not only are they louder,but they also havebetter stereo separation.And that, combined with the screen,makes the XS Max an excellentmedia consumption device.Honestly, the main reason to not buythe iPhone XS is reallysimple, the iPhone XR.Take everything that's good about the XS,add a wide variety of colors,remove the telephoto camera while stillkeeping the main camera intact,and replace the OLEDdisplay for an IPS panel,and boom, you've gotyourself an iPhone XR,which just so happens tobe a full $250 cheaper.That's a big differencecompared to past generations.Previously, Apple wouldknock about $100 off ofthe entry-level iPhone.But this year, you'regetting the XR with almostthe exact same spec butwith a major price cut.Something that's easy tomiss is that while the XRdoes have a lower pixel density,which is on-par with the iPhone 8,but the actual screen size itself is rightin-between the XS and the XS Max.The XR won't be out until late October,so I can't give it my fullrecommendation just yet.But on paper, it really doeslook like the full package.You just aren't missingmuch compared to the XS.And that is my recommendation.If you really want the best and have thebudget for it, by allmeans pick up the XS.It's a great phone.For almost everyone else though,I really feel like waitingfor the XR is worth it.