Note from the Editor:This article was originally published on 19 September 2018.

Apple CEO Tim Cook declares that the iPhones of the future are the best iPhones ever.

The 2018 line of the company, and specifically the iPhone XS Max delivers on this promise. They are the fastest, smartest iPhones that we have seen.

The new iPhones are going to cost you a lot of money, just like the new Ferrari. You’ll get a better engine, new paint and some new features, but underneath it is still the same vehicle you bought last year. These new iPhones will cost you a great deal of money, just as the new Ferrari.

Starting at $999, the 5.8-inch iPhone XS will be available in stores starting on Friday. The iPhone XS Max is $100 more expensive than its 6.5-inch bigger sister. You want the Max with 512GB storage, but it’s $1,449! You’ll have to pay $1,449. Next month, the “affordable iPhone XR” ($749) will be available.

This is quite a price to pay, considering that iPhones are so durable now, it’s not always necessary to upgrade.

You shouldn’t avoid buying one. Both the XS Max and XS are impressive upgrades that offer many features. It’s up to you whether either of the two models is right for you.

Stop reading if you have been seeing this as “X S” and “X Max”. The iPhone 10S, 10S max. We’ve also been getting it wrong this week.

The iPhone XS Max and XS S: What you can expect

Internally, the iPhone XS Max and iPhone XS are almost identical. Both have a 12-megapixel camera and better speakers. They also allow you to use two SIM cards in one phone, which is a great feature for people traveling internationally or who need to change between a personal and a work device.

Apple A12 Bionic Chip powers the phones, allowing them to run complex apps like augmented reality and Face ID faster. Apple emphasized the speed of its new smartphones during their product announcement. They are indeed fast. The models that came before were also fast.

The XS Max and XS feature stunning OLED displays that allow you to watch videos in a totally immersive way.

Both devices have improved battery life. Apple ( AAPL ) claims that the XS can last 30 minutes more than the X of the previous year, while the Max will run for 90 minutes. We’ll take the extra time, even if it’s only 30 minutes.

The iPhone XS Max and iPhone XS are both different in size. Although the Max is large, it’s the same size of the iPhone 8 Plus. Edge-to-edge screens give the impression that the Max is larger, but the iPhone 8 Plus will fit just as comfortably in your hand.

It’s difficult to get rid of the impression that this device was made to look big. The XS Max lacks many of the features that are designed for larger screens. For example, it doesn’t have a second row of applications or a dual-screen display. This is a lost opportunity.

Cameras are the real stars of these new models. Smart HDR is a new feature that takes four frames at various exposures, and then blends the images together. This feature was also available on Google Pixel 2 and allows for more detailed photos.

The iPhone Portrait Mode is likely to be the most popular feature. It allows you to change the depth after taking a picture, giving you more creative control. You can blur out the background to give a photo of your friend at a beach a more artistic feel. You can change the background to show more ocean if you wish.

It’s an impressively-executed feature, but the results also depend on your photo skills and the lighting. It’s a great feature when it works. You’ll get an acceptable picture even if it isn’t good. Both the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Pixel 2 offer similar features.

The XS Max and XS come with headphones. However, unlike last year’s model, there is no adapter in the box. You’ll have to pay $9 extra for an adapter if you wish to use your old headphones. Apple is telling us it’s time to accept the lack of a headphone port.

What should you choose between the iPhone XS and XS Max iPhone?

You may find it difficult to justify spending more than $1000 on an iPhone. Apple has quietly discontinued its cheaper devices such as the iPhone 6S and iPhone SE, but it continues to sell two older models – the iPhone 7 ($449), and iPhone 8 ($599) – at lower prices if you are looking for a new device, without having to spend a lot of money on the XS series.

Upgrade your current software to iOS 12, if you don’t want to buy a new iPhone or can’t justify the cost. Screen Time is a new tool that will track how much time you spend on your iPhone. It took me only two hours to realise that I was using apps such as Instagram far too often. You can also set timers to determine how long you use specific apps.

Not all iOS 12’s features are available on older models. Memoji is an animated cartoon emoji that you can personalize to look just like you. To create it and send it to a friend, you need an iPhone equipped with Face ID.

Consider the iPhone XS and XS Max if you are still on the fence. They will last for several years. As these devices become more durable, the 2-year cycle of replacement is becoming less common. Apple’s higher prices are a result of this.

Correction: A previous version of this post incorrectly stated the price of iPhone XR.