iPhone 6S vs iPhone XS Max
Shop iPhone
iPhone 6S
Starting at
£32.09£149.00 new
iPhone XS Max
Starting at
£168.09£459.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 6S and iPhone XS Max?
iPhone 6S vs XS Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 6S starts at £32.09, £136 less than the iPhone XS Max. The iPhone XS Max is the newer model, released in 2018.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Apple A9 APL0898 on the iPhone 6S, Apple A12 Bionic on the iPhone XS Max.
- The iPhone XS Max has more RAM: 4 GB vs 2 GB.
- The iPhone XS Max has a bigger battery: 3174 mAh vs 1715 mAh.
iPhone 6S vs iPhone XS Max specs
The iPhone 6S and iPhone XS Max differ mainly in size, performance, and features that suit different needs. The iPhone 6S has a smaller screen and battery, simpler cameras, and includes a headphone jack. It is a good fit if you want a lighter phone with straightforward functionality and lower storage options. The iPhone XS Max offers a much larger screen with higher resolution and OLED display, more RAM, a bigger battery, and dual SIM capability with eSIM. It suits users who want a more spacious display, enhanced performance, and higher storage capacity.
iPhone 6S vs iPhone XS Max price
Colour
iPhone 6S vs iPhone XS Max battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software support, and physical characteristics that affect how long devices last in daily use.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 6S has a 1715 mAh battery, which suits users with lighter daily phone use or those who prioritise a smaller device. The iPhone XS Max has a larger 3174 mAh battery, offering longer usage between charges, which benefits users who spend more time streaming video or using power-hungry apps.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 6S vs iPhone XS Max performance
Performance differences come down to processing power, memory, and storage options. These impact speed, multitasking, and how much data or apps you can keep on the device.
Processor and RAM
The iPhone 6S uses the Apple A9 chipset with 2 GB RAM, which suits everyday tasks like messaging and browsing with reasonable speed. The iPhone XS Max has the Apple A12 Bionic chipset and 4 GB RAM, better for users who want faster processing, smoother multitasking, and handling more demanding apps.
Storage Capacity
Storage options for the iPhone 6S are 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB, fitting users with basic storage needs or who use cloud services. The iPhone XS Max offers 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB, suitable for those who want to store large amounts of photos, videos, and apps directly on their device.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 6S vs iPhone XS Max screen
Screen quality affects how you view content, with differences in size, resolution, and display type shaping your experience watching videos, reading, or browsing.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 6S has a 4.7 inch screen with a resolution of 750 x 1334 pixels, which suits users who prefer a compact device that fits comfortably in one hand. The iPhone XS Max features a much larger 6.5 inch screen and higher 1242 x 2688 resolution, offering a roomier display ideal for watching videos and multitasking.
Display Technology
The iPhone 6S uses an IPS LCD screen, providing clear and accurate colours for everyday use. The iPhone XS Max has a Super Retina OLED display, which delivers deeper blacks and more vibrant colours, enhancing visual detail and contrast for media consumption.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 6S vs iPhone XS Max camera
Audiovisual features include the cameras that capture photos and video, as well as the front camera for selfies and video calls.
Main Camera
Both phones have a 12 megapixel main camera, so either device can capture photos with the same pixel count. This makes them both suitable for general photography needs.
Front Camera
The iPhone 6S offers a 5 megapixel front camera, which works well for simple selfies and video calls. The iPhone XS Max has a 7 megapixel front camera, providing more detail for selfies and video chats.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 6S vs iPhone XS Max size and design
Other differences cover connectivity, physical dimensions, and additional features that influence how the devices fit your lifestyle and preferences.
Connector and Headphone Jack
The iPhone 6S includes a Lightning connector and a 3.5mm headphone jack, making it compatible with traditional wired headphones without needing an adapter. The iPhone XS Max has only a Lightning connector, so wired headphones require a Lightning adapter or wireless models.
SIM Card Options
The iPhone 6S uses a physical SIM card only. The iPhone XS Max supports both a physical SIM and an eSIM, suiting users who want the flexibility of two active phone numbers without swapping SIM cards.
Size and Weight
The iPhone 6S measures 138.3 mm by 67.1 mm and weighs 143 g, making it compact and lightweight for easy one-handed use. The iPhone XS Max is larger and heavier at 15.75 cm by 7.74 cm and 208 g, which suits users who prefer a bigger device for media but still want a reasonable carry weight.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 6S or iPhone XS Max: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 6S if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £32.09, £136 less than the iPhone XS Max
- you want a lighter build (143 g vs 208 g)
- you want a headphone jack
Buy the iPhone XS Max if
- you want more RAM (4 GB vs 2 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (3174 mAh vs 1715 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.5 inch vs 4.7 inch)
What our customers say
Customers appreciate the iPhone 6S for its excellent condition and value. Many mention it feels like a brand new phone and suits those who want a good quality device with a simpler size and usability. The battery condition varies, with some reports of batteries lasting all day and others noting replacement needs. The phone's light weight and manageable size make it popular for gifts and everyday use, especially for users who prefer a smaller device.
For the iPhone XS Max, customers highlight the large screen and good condition, praising its visual quality and performance. Some find the setup takes longer, and a few mention issues with battery life or features like Face ID not working. The phone appeals to those who want a spacious display and higher storage capacities. Overall, it is seen as a capable phone for users who want more advanced features and screen real estate.
Both phones suit different needs: the iPhone 6S for those preferring a compact, straightforward experience, and the iPhone XS Max for users seeking a larger screen and enhanced performance.
iPhone 6S vs iPhone XS Max FAQs
iPhone 6S vs XS Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A9 APL0898 on the iPhone 6S, Apple A12 Bionic on the iPhone XS Max. The iPhone XS Max has more RAM: 4 GB vs 2 GB.
The iPhone 6S is cheaper refurbished, from £32.09 compared with £168.09 for the iPhone XS Max.
The iPhone XS Max has a bigger battery: 3174 mAh vs 1715 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 12 megapixels.
Updates for the iPhone 6S ended in Mar 2025. Its last version is iOS 15. Updates for the iPhone XS Max ended in Apr 2026. Its last version is iOS 18.
The iPhone XS Max adds more RAM (4 GB vs 2 GB), a bigger battery (3174 mAh vs 1715 mAh) and a bigger screen (6.5 inch vs 4.7 inch). Refurbished, it costs £136 more (from £168.09 vs £32.09).
Refurbished, the iPhone 6S comes in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB, and the iPhone XS Max in 64GB, 256GB and 512GB.
