Why did Apple discontinue the iPhone XS but keep the XR?

Apple no longer sells the iPhone XS after the release of iPhone 11 range in since 2019. Usually, when the new iPhone models are released, Apple keeps one or two of its older models around to offers them in a lower price compared to the newer models. For example, you can still buy iPhone 13, even if iPhone 14 series is released. However, with the iPhone XS this did not happen after iPhone 11 series was official. The reason for that is simple.

For the first time, Apple released three models of its iPhone with the iPhone 11 which are the entry-level iPhone 11, and the flagship options the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max. With iPhone 11 series Apple offered options for all types of users from budget to flagship options. iPhone XS and XS Max were two of the most powerful phones in the market in 2018 powered by A12 Bionic chipset. When iPhone 11 was launched it was marketed as an entry-level iPhone and was cheaper compared to the iPhone XS.

Apple decided to discontinue iPhone XS since it could affect the sales of the newer iPhone 11 series. iPhone XS has a lot of features that are close to the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro. This lack of truly innovative features of the newer models of the iPhone could also be the reason Apple discontinued the iPhone XS.

iPhone XS and XS Max had the highest pixel density of any Apple device and they featured the sharpest OLED display. As Apple states, iPhone XS and XS Max had the most durable glass ever with an improved scratch resistance in a smartphone. Since they were premium phones offering them at a lower price a year later could negatively affect the sales of iPhone 11 Pro models. This can be one of the reasons why Apple decided to discontinue the iPhone XS models. Also, for Apple it was more important to focus on a new line of iPhones and therefore, the company decided to discontinue the XS models in favor of the newer products. Apple believed it was more profitable for the company to focus on the new products.

Although, the iPhone XS models were discontinued, Apple still kept the iPhone XR. The iPhone XR costs so much less than the iPhone XS models since it does not have some premium features that the iPhone XS models offer. iPhone XR belongs to the iPhone X series and the size of the phone falls something in between the iPhone XS and XS Max with a 6.1-inch display. There are some key differences between the iPhone XR and iPhone XS.

The iPhone XR is made from different materials, and it is built differently than the iPhone XS even though they have pretty much the same looking design. It has an LCD screen while the XS models have OLED. The iPhone XR also has 3GB of RAM which is one gig less than the iPhone XS models. However, that is pretty much enough for the iPhone XR since the display has less pixels per inch than the iPhone XS. The iPhone XR also comes with a powerful battery which is the best part of this phone, and it is as good as the iPhone XS model’s and maybe even better.

The biggest difference between the iPhone XR and XS models is the camera. The iPhone XS models come with a dual camera system, and they have a telephoto lens which is missing in the iPhone XR. The iPhone XR is the budget option of the iPhone X models.

iPhone XR was one of the best-selling iPhones released by Apple. It remained one of the most popular iPhones in the market for a few years after its launch. When iPhone X series were released, the iPhone XR was outselling the iPhone X and XS series. There are clearly some obvious differences between the two iPhone X models. Let’s have a look at some of the reasons why Apple decided to discontinue the iPhone XS models while kept around the XR model.

One of the reasons why Apple kept the iPhone XR is because it did not have comparable siblings in the lineup. The presence of iPhone XR in the market did not have any negative impacts on the sales of the new iPhone models released the year after the release of iPhone X series. The iPhone XR was not as expensive as the iPhone XS models, and it lacks some of the premium features that the iPhone XS models have. That’s why iPhone XR had a more affordable price status since the beginning of its release. Keeping the iPhone XR in the market did not affect the sales of iPhone 11 series.

Apple releases the new line of its iPhones every year and that includes budget options as well as flagship options. As the new iPhone is released one or two older iPhones models are still kept around but drop in price compared to the newer iPhone models. With the iPhone XS models which were the premium options of the iPhone X series this did not happen. They were discontinued the following year as iPhone 11 series was introduced. The reasons for that decision Apple has made back in 2019 we have discussed above.

Even though Apple no longer sells iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max but the used and refurbished preowned options are still available for sale. You can obtain them from sources like Phone Daddy, a wholesale company that specializes in selling high-quality new, renewed, and used tech at discounted prices. iPhone XS models are available at discounted price on Phone Daddy’s website.

Phone Daddy is a leading name in selling used phones. Their aim is to provide everyone uninterrupted access to quality tech and play an eco-conscious role in preventing smartphones from ending up in landfills. With Phone Daddy’s you pay exactly what you see on our site, with no hidden charges. Phone Daddy offers upfront prices and reasonable rates on all used and refurbished iPhone XS. Getting an iPhone XS from Phone Daddy means you will also get a 30-day guarantee and a one-year warranty on all products. In case you run through any issues with a device, you can return it or ask for a replacement.