Recommended
iPhone 16
from ~$799
- 48MP Fusion camera
- USB-C
- A18 chip
- Dynamic Island
Apple · Phone · 2018
Upgrading your iPhone XS Max? The best upgrades right now: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro Max. Compare specs, prices, and buy on Amazon in one tap.
Find your upgrade in the interactive 3D finder →| Display | 6.5" OLED |
|---|---|
| Chip | A12 Bionic |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Battery | 3174 mAh |
| Camera | 12MP dual |
from ~$799
from ~$1199
Only the specs that actually change are listed — everything else is broadly the same.
| iPhone XS Max | iPhone 16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.5" OLED | 6.1" OLED |
| Chip | A12 Bionic | A18 |
| Storage | 64GB | 128GB |
| Battery | 3174 mAh | 3561 mAh |
| Camera | 12MP dual | 48MP dual |
Your iPhone XS Max is 8+ years old, which is past the point where most phones stop receiving full software and security updates and where battery wear is significant. This is a genuine upgrade case — and the gains below are large enough that you'll notice them daily, not just on a spec sheet.
For most people the iPhone 16 is the best balance of price and improvement, starting around $799. The main gains: 48MP Fusion camera; USB-C; A18 chip; Dynamic Island.
It still works, but at 8+ years you're likely past full software support and well into battery wear. Most owners at this age notice a real difference after upgrading.
Trade-in values move constantly with condition and carrier promotions, so treat any fixed number with suspicion. Check the current offer from Apple, Samsung, or your carrier directly, and compare it against selling privately — private sales usually pay more but take longer.