Now that we're just three days away from the launch of the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, Apple has given the green light for publications and YouTubers to publish full reviews and unboxing videos of its latest smartphones. In this post, we've rounded up a few unboxing videos that were shared early this morning, most of which focus on the all-new gold color of the iPhone XS and XS Max.

If you've ever owned an iPhone, it appears that the contents of the box for the iPhone XS and XS Max won't be too surprising. The box art showcases the edge-to-edge OLED display of each device and simply says "iPhone" on the sides. If you buy the gold color, the iPhone and Apple logos are also subtly tinted with gold coloring.

iphonexsdesign 1
Inside the box for both the iPhone XS and XS Max you'll find paperwork, Apple stickers, the iPhone itself, the EarPods (with no Lightning-to-3.5mm dongle), an AC adapter, and a Lightning cable.

YouTuber Jonathan Morrison notes that one difference is that in the box for the iPhone XS the AC adapter sits above the EarPods, but for the iPhone XS Max Apple has swapped this positioning. Morrison also gave a quick impression of the faster Face ID in iPhone XS, stating that while it won't make an iPhone X feel slow in comparison it is noticeably zippy and worked perfectly even in low light.


Marques Brownlee unboxed the 512GB iPhone XS Max and iPhone XS in Gold, sharing a quick glimpse at three live wallpapers that are exclusive to the new iPhones. The wallpapers are all a play on the planetoid imagery seen since the first iPhone XS leak, with different colors including a green and purple planet, all subtly hiding the iPhone XS' notch.


iJustine compared the various gold colors that Apple has introduced over the years, showcasing the noticable difference between the yellow tones of the gold on the iPhone 6s and the darker gold on the iPhone XS. The iPhone 8's gold is closer to that of the iPhone XS, but appears to be slightly lighter. iJustine also showed off a few of Apple's leather cases, including Saddle Brown and Cape Cod Blue.


For full impressions on the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, you can check out a few reviews which we've rounded up right here. The overall consensus appears to be that the iPhone XS is a worthy upgrade for users on older model iPhones, but numerous publications mention that waiting for the cheaper iPhone XR to launch in October might make more sense for many customers.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

NetMage Avatar
81 months ago
How many times must it be mentioned - the wallpapers are soap bubble images. Apple even released a behind the scenes video showing how they were taken.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
5105973 Avatar
81 months ago
Oh good, iJustine has a new video up. It’s one of those horrible grey mornings where my coffee has failed me. If iJustine’s inexhaustible enthusiasm can’t wake me up, nothing can.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
yaxomoxay Avatar
81 months ago
Spoiler: It is the exact same as last year's X unboxing but gold.
Wrong. No lightning-jack adapter.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
5105973 Avatar
81 months ago
Okay this is freaky. I made the post about iJustine’s video. Went to my YouTube app to watch it and as I was watching it the heavy cloud cover over my house parted and some sun is finally peeking through. :eek: Behold the power of perky! Thank you iJustine. I have enough energy and enthusiasm to fold the laundry now and wait patiently for my Maximum Excess phone.

Edit: whoa, apparently my husband had already folded the laundry last night when I was babying a pinched nerve! :eek::DGreat man! Great Day.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iTom17 Avatar
81 months ago
The phones are the same, period. The only reasonable upgrade would be going from 5S to X. Everything in between is just pure bollocks.. are you now saying that it’s worth upgrading from the X? For what? For a split second difference in Face ID unlocking? And trust me, that’s just the brain justifying the fact that you’ve just spent 1000$. I’m an Apple fan but that’s just idiotic.
I stand with GrumpyMom. You may find it impossible to justify upgrading to an iPhone Xs (and considering its ridiculous price I can totally understand that), but to ignore the actual changes that the new device brings is just not fair.

The problem is that people tend to consider the features that Apple mentioned during their keynote, or whatever reviewers name. And generally there's plenty of other features that don't get any mention. When you take those features into account, you'll see that the complete set of new things is definitely more than you'd think.

It's still the most marginal 's' upgrade ever, that I cannot refuse to acknowledge. But I can see people upgrading to the iPhone Xs. Even if they're coming from an iPhone X, be it for the bigger screen if the iPhone Xs Max.

And by the way, I agree with GrumpyMom on iJustine as well: she may be a bit too enthusiastic when it comes to Apple products, but damn do I love that enthusiasm of hers. I do follow many other YouTubers obviously (like Marques Brownlee, Jonathan Morrison, Austin Evans and SuperSaf) and look very much forward to their extensive reviews.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Superhappytree Avatar
81 months ago
Spoiler: It is the exact same as last year's X unboxing but gold.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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