iPhone Diff

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Only the differences are shown. 31 specs stay the same.

+0you gain

−4you give up

iPhone XS came out in September 2018. iPhone 7 Plus came out in September 2016, 2 years later. iPhone XS stopped getting new iOS versions at iOS 18. iPhone 7 Plus stopped getting new iOS versions at iOS 15.8.8.

Note on iPhone 7 Plus: Apple's announcement listed only the combined starting price; $769 for 32 GB is widely reported.

Updates & AI

iOS 18 → iOS 15.8.8

The only change here

Screen

OLED → LCD

5.5 in screen, Home button

Charging & ports

7.5 W → None

The only change here

Price check

7 Plus launched at $769

Not currently sold refurbished by Back Market or Apple.

Updates & AI1 loss
  • Latest iOS

    iOS 18›iOS 15.8.8

    What does this mean?

    iOS is the software that runs the iPhone: the home screen, the built-in apps, the settings and the security protection. Apple releases a new version every September.

    A phone on the newest iOS gets new features every year and regular security fixes. A phone stuck on an older version keeps working, but it no longer gets new features, and after a while it stops getting security fixes too.

    Matters most if: You use banking, payment or work apps. They are usually the first to require a recent iOS.

    More in the glossary →

Price1 change

Price check

iPhone 7 Plus — launched at $769

  • Used on eBay
  • Back Market does not list models this old
  • Apple does not currently sell this model refurbished

What your iPhone XS sells for

Links open in a new tab. Prices are set by each seller and change daily.

  • Launch price (US)

    $999›$769−$230

    What does this mean?

    The price Apple charged in the US on launch day, for the lowest storage option, before tax.

    This is not what the phone costs today. Older models drop in price over time, so check the used and refurbished links for current prices.

Screen2 losses · 1 change
  • Screen size

    5.8 in›5.5 in

    What does this mean?

    Screen size measured corner to corner, in inches. One inch is 2.54 cm.

    A bigger screen is easier to read and better for video, but the phone is larger and heavier. A smaller phone is easier to use with one hand and fits more pockets.

  • Screen type

    OLED›LCD

    What does this mean?

    LCD screens use a light behind the whole screen. OLED screens have pixels that each make their own light and can switch off completely.

    OLED shows true black, higher contrast and richer colors, and is easier to read in the dark. LCD blacks look dark gray. Both are perfectly usable.

    More in the glossary →

  • Top of the screen

    Notch›Home button

    What does this mean?

    What sits at the top of the front. Home button: a round button under the screen. Notch: a black cut-out at the top of the screen for the front camera. Dynamic Island: a smaller pill-shaped cut-out that turns into live information.

    Dynamic Island shows timers, music, deliveries, calls and directions in that space, and you can tap it to jump back into the app. Phones with a home button have a smaller screen for the same body size.

    More in the glossary →

Design & buttons4 changes
  • Unlock

    Face ID›Touch ID

    What does this mean?

    How you unlock the phone. Face ID recognizes your face. Touch ID reads your fingerprint.

    Face ID works just by looking at the phone, even in the dark. Touch ID works well with a mask on, but needs a dry, clean finger.

    More in the glossary →

  • Weight

    177 g›188 g

    What does this mean?

    Weight in grams. 100 grams is about 3.5 ounces.

    Around 30 grams difference is noticeable when holding the phone for a long time, lying down, or in a shirt pocket. Bigger batteries and screens add weight.

  • Frame

    Stainless steel›Aluminum

    What does this mean?

    The material around the edge of the phone.

    Aluminum is light and spreads heat well. Stainless steel is shiny and heavy. Titanium is strong and light. Day to day, most people notice the weight more than the material, and many use a case anyway.

    More in the glossary →

  • Water resistance

    IP68 (2 m)›IP67 (1 m)

    What does this mean?

    IP stands for Ingress Protection, a standard rating for how well something keeps out dust and water. The first number is dust (6 is the highest), the second is water. IP67 survives 1 meter for 30 minutes. IP68 goes deeper; Apple lists the tested depth in meters.

    Rain, spills and a quick drop in the sink are fine on all of these. Protection wears down over the years, and Apple does not cover water damage under warranty, so swimming with the phone is still not a good idea.

    More in the glossary →

Charging & ports1 loss
  • Wireless charging

    7.5 W›None

    What does this mean?

    W (watts) measures how much power flows into the battery. Higher watts means faster charging. This is for wireless charging, where you lay the phone on a charging pad.

    At 7.5 W wireless charging is slow, good for overnight. At 15 W or more it is handy during the day. The top speed only works with a matching charger and power adapter.

    More in the glossary →

Chip & storage2 changes
  • Chip

    A12 Bionic›A10 Fusion

    What does this mean?

    The chip is the phone's brain. It runs every app, processes photos and handles the AI features.

    A newer chip makes the phone faster, keeps it fast for more years, and decides which new features it can get. Apple Intelligence, for example, only works on recent models.

    More in the glossary →

  • Storage options

    64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB›32 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB

    What does this mean?

    Storage is where your photos, videos, apps and messages are kept. 1 TB (terabyte) is 1,024 GB.

    iPhones have no memory card slot, so you cannot add storage later. As a rough guide, 128 GB fills up fast if you shoot a lot of video. 256 GB suits most people.

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