What Apple's iPhone XS (details) and iPhone XS Max (details) get right, they get very right. The problem is what they get wrong, they get very wrong and further tests have found a new skeleton in the closet…
Perhaps predictably (given existing complaints), the problem concerns both new iPhone’s wired charging with CNBC and PhoneArena describing their findings as “insanely slow” and “borderline criminal” respectively.
What Apple's iPhone XS (details) and iPhone XS Max (details) get right, they get very right. The problem is what they get wrong, they get very wrong and further tests have found a new skeleton in the closet…
Perhaps predictably (given existing complaints), the problem concerns both new iPhone’s wired charging with CNBC and PhoneArena describing their findings as “insanely slow” and “borderline criminal” respectively.
PhoneArena breaks down the numbers in detail, revealing that charging from flat to full with the bundled charger takes the iPhone XS a whopping 3 hours 5 minutes, while the iPhone XS Max takes 3 hours 29 minutes - almost half a working day.
“This is borderline criminal compared to most Androids whose fast chargers come in the box and don't require you shell out $68 extra for the privilege,” concludes PhoneArena reviewer Daniel Petrov.
He is right. Apple prices its USB-C fast charger at $49 and the required USB-C one metre cable costs $19. Moreover, even with its fast charger Tom’s Guide has shown charging speeds still lag behind cheaper rivals from OnePlus and LG.
CNBC agrees with PhoneArena’s conclusion, describing standard wired charging on both the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max as “insanely slow”:
“With most Android phones, I can plug in my phone, take a shower and know that I have enough battery to get me several more hours of battery life,” says CNBC’s Todd Haselton. “With the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, unless I use a bigger charger like the one included with the iPad, I don't get that same experience.”
Defending its decision, Apple told Haselton that lots of customers “actually prefer the tiny charger to larger ones, since it's so compact and can be carried anywhere” which is about as bad as excuses get.
Furthermore, while Apple spent some time promoting the faster wireless charging in its new iPhones, this also isn’t without problems.
For starters, it is slower than most premium Android rivals since its Qi-compatible charging doesn’t use even half of the standard’s 18W specification and, secondly, regular wireless charging has been shown to wear out batteries. Coincidentally, last week Apple confirmed it will charge more to replace batteries in the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.
All of which means the iPhone XR (details) looks even more appealing. It may have the same charging limitations as the XSes, but it is a lot cheaper, has much better battery life, retains their best features and comes in better colours.
Minor display concerns aside, it’s a no-brainer…