# TLDR Review: iPhone XS Max

*Published: 2025-12-27 | Updated: 2025-12-27 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/iphone-xs-max*

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## Product: iPhone XS Max
**Brand:** Apple

## Pros
- The design is sleek and elegant, featuring a stunning gold finish and a spotless stainless steel band that looks premium.
- Face ID is quick, secure, and more convenient than expected, providing a notable improvement over Touch ID.
- The OLED Super Retina Display delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks, creating an exceptional viewing experience.
- Performance is top-notch, often considered better than the iPhone 11 and significantly outperforming older models like the iPhone 7 Plus and other competitors.
- The camera captures sharp, detailed photos with impressive color accuracy.
- Battery health is generally strong, with many units arriving around 90% or higher, offering good longevity.
- The phone runs smoothly and remains responsive after extended use, making it reliable for gaming and everyday tasks.
- 64GB of storage is sufficient for many users who don’t require excessive space.
- Comes unlocked and properly wiped, ready for immediate setup with genuine Apple certification confirmed.

## Cons
- Battery health can vary, with some units reported around 76%-82%, potentially leading to shorter battery life.
- The included charger is off-brand, which might be a concern for some buyers valuing official Apple accessories.
- Because it’s a renewed product, battery longevity and overall condition can be inconsistent, occasionally requiring an additional portable battery for heavy users.
- Storage capacity may feel limited for users accustomed to larger capacities or extensive media libraries.

## Bottom Line

The Apple iPhone XS Max (Renewed) in Gold is a solid choice if you want a premium-looking, high-performance phone with excellent display and camera quality but want to save compared to buying new. Just be mindful of battery health variability common with renewed units, which might necessitate carrying a portable charger for heavy use. If you're after longer battery life or larger storage, you might want to explore newer models or options with higher capacity. Overall, this phone offers a brilliant balance of style and power at a more accessible price point, especially for those upgrading from older devices.

## Pros vs Cons at a Glance

| Pros | Cons |
|------|------|
| The design is sleek and elegant, featuring a stunning gold finish and a spotless stainless steel band that looks premium. | Battery health can vary, with some units reported around 76%-82%, potentially leading to shorter battery life. |
| Face ID is quick, secure, and more convenient than expected, providing a notable improvement over Touch ID. | The included charger is off-brand, which might be a concern for some buyers valuing official Apple accessories. |
| The OLED Super Retina Display delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks, creating an exceptional viewing experience. | Because it’s a renewed product, battery longevity and overall condition can be inconsistent, occasionally requiring an additional portable battery for heavy users. |
| Performance is top-notch, often considered better than the iPhone 11 and significantly outperforming older models like the iPhone 7 Plus and other competitors. | Storage capacity may feel limited for users accustomed to larger capacities or extensive media libraries. |
| The camera captures sharp, detailed photos with impressive color accuracy. |  |
| Battery health is generally strong, with many units arriving around 90% or higher, offering good longevity. |  |
| The phone runs smoothly and remains responsive after extended use, making it reliable for gaming and everyday tasks. |  |
| 64GB of storage is sufficient for many users who don’t require excessive space. |  |
| Comes unlocked and properly wiped, ready for immediate setup with genuine Apple certification confirmed. |  |

## Current Prices

| Retailer | Price | Availability |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| Fastogear Online | $939.97  | Check |

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*About this review: We pulled together findings from professional and user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from thousands of retailers to give you the short version.*