Each year, smartphones play a bigger role in our everyday lives—to the point that for most of us, our entire livelihood is managed by this small device. On September 12, Apple unveiled its latest iPhones, the iPhone XR, starting at $749; iPhone XS, starting at $999; and iPhone XS Max, starting at $1,099.
However, Apple didn’t unveil a “revolutionary” device, but, rather, a better, faster version of its predecessor. It even goes as far as saying, “iPhone XS is everything you love about iPhone. Taken to the extreme.” In other words, the new iPhone XS is a much better, faster version of the iPhone X. The question becomes: Do you need one?
Design
Design isn’t necessarily a key factor when deciding if one should purchase a new phone; however, it’s hard to say that one can’t be lured by the shine and appeal of a new object. In this case, the new iPhone XS looks just like the latest iPhone X. It has a stainless steel frame and comes in three colors: gold, silver and space grey. Perhaps the most important aspect to its design is the display; it essentially takes over the entire screen in its 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch screens. This means the end user has a bigger surface area to work and communicate than ever before on an iPhone. One could say that is a distinguishable attribute that sets the new iPhone apart from others.
Battery Life and Storage
The iPhone XS will also have a longer battery life than the original iPhone X. The iPhone XS will have 30 more minutes of battery life, and the iPhone XS Max will last up to an hour and a half longer. Despite rumors suggesting the iPhone XS would include wireless charging, this is one feature that was not included in the latest update.
Additionally, the iPhone XS Max will have larger storage capabilities than ever before, with as much as 512 GB of storage. This is one of the reasons why the iPhone XS Max is the most expensive iPhone to date.
Siri Shortcuts
According to Apple, the new iPhone XS series will have a “smarter Siri.” Think of this as your own personal assistant who is communicating your entire schedule with you on a daily basis. For instance, Siri will wake you up in the morning at 8:00 a.m., and as you head out the door, order and pay for your coffee (just the way you like it), so all you’ll have to do is grab it and go. As you pick up your coffee, Siri will pull up the address of your first listing appointment of the day and configure the fastest route to that appointment.
As 11:00 rolls around, and the time has come for you to wrap up your listing appointment, Siri will remind you that you’ll need to email comps to your other clients Mr. and Mrs. Smith by 1:00 p.m., so they have time to review them before your listing appointment the following morning. Then, at 3:30, Siri will remind you that your dry cleaning is ready for pick-up, and that you must stop by the office to pick up some contracts before heading home.
For those who can’t afford a personal assistant, the iPhone XS offers a great solution to stay organized and on top of things in your busy day-to-day.
Camera
Perhaps one of the most exciting aspects of the latest iPhone is the camera. The freedom to carry such a powerful device has made it possible to take quality pictures without relying on a photographer or a professional camera. Just like the previous version, the new iPhone XS has two rear cameras with an improved true tone flash that’s reported to be twice as fast as the previous version.
Additionally, Apple has added some new photo editing features to the iPhone XS models: one can now edit the depth in the background of a picture, which means you can adjust the blur after taking a shot. For instance, if you wanted to take a picture of your listing with the focus primarily on the home and not the neighborhood and yard, you can adjust the blur to ensure the home itself is the focal point of that picture. This new functionality could also be useful in updating your headshots more often; in fact, Apple showcased a few headshot photos as examples when unveiling its new camera features.
Dual SIM Capability
Although dual SIM has already been adopted by some Android models, Apple announced Wednesday that its new iPhone XS will be the first model to carry this capability. Dual SIM allows you to keep work and personal life separate. One can have a SIM card for business and a separate SIM card for personal things. Dual SIM phones will let you know which line a call or text is coming through on. This means you’ll be able to differentiate between business or personal calls before answering the phone.
Dual SIM also allows you to have better coverage, since you can add SIMS from two different carriers to a single smartphone. Basically, if your showings are in an area with poor service, the other SIM card can work as back-up if your second carrier has better coverage in that particular area. In order to utilize this feature, you’ll need to find a carrier that offers this service. Apple displayed logos from major carriers, so it’s safe to say the majority will have this functionality.
New technology is always exciting, but whether or not the new iPhone XS is right for you is a decision only you can make. Speaking of new technology, Homes.com has completely reimagined how consumers search for a home. It’s now easier than ever for homebuyers to find the home they love. To learn more about the new technology on Homes.com and its innovative, new advertising opportunities, click here.
Monica Torresi is the senior marketing manager at Homes.com. For more information, please visit marketing.homes.com.
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