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Apple focuses on size with 'Illusion' ad for iPhone XS & XS Max

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Apple on Saturday uploaded the first TV-length ad for the iPhone XS and XS Max to YouTube, dubbed "Illusion."

The ad was first seen during Apple's Sept. 12 press event, and features gold versions of the phones against a stark black background with a magic theme. It doesn't delve into any depth about the phones' features however, except to highlight the size of their OLED displays with the slogan "Welcome to the big screens."

While the iPhone XS is the same size as its predecessor, the 5.8-inch iPhone X, the XS Max is Apple's biggest phone ever at 6.5 inches. That's 0.1 inches larger than the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, and 1.4 inches off the size of the iPad mini 4.

The XS is in most respects faster version of the iPhone X, but does have other upgrades like dual-SIM support and significantly improved photography, including better low-light performance and processing enhanced by the A12 processor's upgraded Neural Engine. Owners can even adjust bokeh after a photo was taken.

The XS Max is essentially the same device, simply with an enlarged screen. Preorders for both phones are underway ahead of a Sept. 21 launch.



46 Comments

lkrupp 19 Years · 10521 comments

Gizmodo is excoriating Apple for "hiding" the notch in this commercial, claiming it's all but unethical. Ever notice how these douchebag websites latch onto something negative and beat it to death? First the headphone jack and now the notch, both of which have been proven to be accepted by the majority of buyers. When's the next Samsung notch shaming ad coming coming? Anybody?

indiekiduk 16 Years · 386 comments

The soap bubble wallpaper does hide the notch but might not be on purpose because the XR wallpaper does not hide it.

cgWerks 8 Years · 2947 comments

Thinnest.... now biggest.
Apple has some interesting fetishes.

StrangeDays 8 Years · 12986 comments

cgWerks said:
Thinnest.... now biggest.
Apple has some interesting fetishes.

As do their customers, who continually reaffirm and vote with their wallets. 

seankill 15 Years · 566 comments

I haven’t taken the time to run the numbers but I imagine the note has as much screen area despite the smaller screen size. 

I prefer the notes “non-notch” style. That said, it’s alright.