iPhone · Retina & Beyond · 2018
iPhone XS
The iPhone X refined: the leading-edge 7 nm A12, dual cameras with Smart HDR, and a new gold finish.
First 7 nm phone chip (A12 Bionic) and Smart HDR photography.
iPhone 11 (2019)
iPhone XS: key facts
When was the iPhone XS released?
The iPhone XS arrived on September 21, 2018. Apple discontinued it in September 2019.
How much did the iPhone XS cost?
The iPhone XS launched at $999 in 2018, about $1,249 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Apple A12 Bionic at 2.49 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, 5.8" Super Retina OLED, 2436×1125 display.
Why does the iPhone XS matter?
First 7 nm phone chip (A12 Bionic) and Smart HDR photography.
Full specifications
| CPU | Apple A12 Bionic · 2.49 GHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 6 |
| Memory (RAM) | 4 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB |
| Display | 5.8" Super Retina OLED, 2436×1125 |
| GPU | Apple 4-core GPU |
| Ports | Lightning |
| Weight | 177 g |
| Dimensions | 143.6×70.9×7.7 mm |
| Operating system | iOS 12 |
| Released | September 21, 2018 |
| Discontinued | September 2019 |
| Launch price | $999 |
How the iPhone XS compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 4.0× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 2.49 GHz, the clock is roughly 1.3× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 16,400 modern phone photos, a respectable library even today.
Launched at $999 in 2018, about $1,249 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
"XS" is pronounced "ten-S," continuing the Roman-numeral naming.
Related iPhone models
Open the iPhone XS in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11