iPhone XS Max vs iPhone 8: is the iPhone XS Max worth the bigger price tag?

Newer, bigger, and definitely pricier, is the iPhone XS Max a better buy than the iPhone 8? Will it make your life easier? Is the tech worth having? Let’s find out.

iPhone XS Max – an amazing screen

When it launched in 2018, the iPhone XS Max was the largest iPhone ever made. It measures 150 x 75 mm and has a beautiful, big 6.5-inch screen, and OLED technology for stunning images when watching videos and playing games. It was designed for a better immersive experience, and it lived up to the hype. In addition to the gorgeous screen, it has a dual 12 MP camera, the same MP as the iPhone 8, but that only has a single camera, a 7 MP front camera – just like the iPhone 8, and wireless charging, also like the iPhone 8. The XS Max did away with the home button and by doing so created even more space on the screen. In terms of battery life, you get around 15 hours of video playback and 25 hours of wireless talk time. The iPhone XS Max can run iOS 16.

iPhone 8 – still a popular choice

The iPhone 8 is a solid overall phone with a strong processor and a good camera, it has an A11 bionic six-core processor compared to A12 on the iPhone XS Max. It can run iOS 16 without feeling sluggish. It was also the first iPhone to feature wireless charging with its glass back. If you’re not a fan of bigger phones, the iPhone 8’s 138 x 67 mm size is sure to please and the 4.7-inch screen is pretty nice too. It’s also the newest phone to keep the old home button style and classic design which many still favour, and it has Touch ID rather than Face ID. Price-wise the iPhone 8 comes in way below the XS Max which is another possible reason to buy, on release they cost €779 and €1,179 respectively and if you’re looking for an eco-friendly, refurbished phone there’s still a difference today.

Which should I choose?

If you’re choosing between the iPhone 8 and iPhone XS Max, then it depends on whether you want to pay the higher price for more advanced tech, a bigger screen, and a more modern design, or whether a good all-rounder with the classic design is more your thing. Both are great options on the refurbished market.