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See Top Ranked SmartphonesApple iPhone XS/XS Max (2018) vs Samsung Galaxy S8 (2017)
See our analysis
Analysis:
The Apple iPhone XS has done great in quite a few roundups from some of the most highly trusted sources available, such as AVForums, PCmag, bicycling.com, and CNET, which perform high-quality in-depth testing. It got awarded the "Best Smartphone Over 6 Inches 2018" title by AVForums, "Ranked 1 out of 10" by PCmag, and "Ranked 2 out of 10" by bicycling.com in their respective roundups. Earning that much praise from such respected sources is undoubtedly an impressive accomplishment.
Moving on to the Samsung Galaxy S8 (2017): it was well-received by reviewers from numerous sources that perform their own objective hands-on testing, including slashgear.com, Techradar, MakeUseOf, Android Central, GadgetMatch, and Gear Patrol. It did great in their roundups - it was named "Best Samsung phone #5" by slashgear.com, "Best Samsung phone battery" by Techradar, and "Ranked 2 out of 5" by MakeUseOf. That alone points toward it being worthy of consideration.
Out of the sources that tested and rated both of these Smartphones, T3, PhoneArena, and techadvisor.com preferred the Apple iPhone XS, whereas reviewers at Expert Reviews, TrustedReviews, hardwarezone.com.sg, and slashgear.com liked the Samsung Galaxy S8 (2017) better. What Hi-Fi?, Tom's Guide, Techradar, WIRED UK, AVForums, PCmag, and CNET gave them identical review scores.
We also took a look at which sources liked these products best - the highest Apple iPhone XS rating came from What Hi-Fi?, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S8 (2017) most impressed reviewers at Expert Reviews; they earned scores of 10 and 10, respectively.
Lastly, we averaged out all of the reviews scores that we could find on these two products and compared them to other Smartphones on the market. We learned that both of them performed far better than most of their competitors - the overall review average earned by Smartphones being 7.5 out of 10, whereas the Apple iPhone XS and Samsung Galaxy S8 (2017) managed averages of 8.6 and 8.7 points, respectively.
Due to the difference in their prices, however, it's important to keep in mind that a direct Apple iPhone XS vs. Samsung Galaxy S8 (2017) comparison might not be entirely fair - some sources don't take value for money into account when assigning their scores and therefore have a tendency to rate more premium products better.
Tech. Specs Comparison
Apple iPhone XS
Samsung Galaxy S8 (2017)
$179
Operating System
iOS
Android
Screen size
5.8 (inches)
5.8 (inches)
Reddit Threads (7)
in "I want it"
Last updated: 12 Mar 2019
in "Ming-Chi Kuo cuts first quarter iPhone sales estimates by 20%, says iPhone XR demand is low"
Last updated: 14 Dec 2018
in "iPhone XS Max beats Mate 20 Pro in speed test after Huawei was 'confident' it would outpace Apple's flagship"
Last updated: 11 Dec 2018
in "Weekend Discussion and Victory Thread for the week of November 02, 2018"
Last updated: 4 Nov 2018
in "My impression of the Xs after a few days."
Last updated: 26 Sep 2018
in "What phone do you have?"
Last updated: 27 Aug 2020
in "Quick iPhone Xs Review After a Month"
Last updated: 27 Oct 2018
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Reddit Threads (18)
in "Switching to IOS"
Last updated: 8 Aug 2020
in "My smartphone is 6 years old and still going strong"
Last updated: 24 Jun 2020
in "The world of flagships is getting very boring for those who don't take pictures"
Last updated: 11 Jun 2020
in "What should I buy Thursday (Sep 12 2019) - Your weekly device inquiry thread!"
Last updated: 13 Sep 2019
in "How long have you had your current phone?"
Last updated: 22 Aug 2020
in "Very strong battery"
Last updated: 18 Aug 2020
in "Basic Questions Thread - August 16, 2020"
Last updated: 16 Aug 2020
in "What’s the most overpriced thing you’ve seen?"
Last updated: 14 Aug 2020
in "What device do you play CODM on?"
Last updated: 31 Jul 2020
in "Is anyone elses battery life like mine?"
Last updated: 21 Jun 2020
in "[Chat] February 26, 2020"
Last updated: 27 Feb 2020
in "[Chat] February 26, 2020"
Last updated: 27 Feb 2020
in "[Chat] February 26, 2020"
Last updated: 27 Feb 2020
in "I play with low graphic and still have those annoying "frozing screen" when i use operators or skip KillCam"
Last updated: 29 Jan 2020
in "Non-iPhone users, what is your phone and how is it better than the iPhone?"
Last updated: 3 Sep 2019
in "Looking for an indestructable, waterproof phone for a plumber."
Last updated: 16 Dec 2018
in "Tomorrow I start the Pacific Crest Trail. Here's all my gear."
Last updated: 28 Mar 2018
in "Free phone"
Last updated: 28 Feb 2020
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Sentiment analysis from Youtube reviewers
See fewer
Sentiment analysis from Youtube reviewers
Higher than average expert review score
7.6
Overall Avg. for Smartphones
8.6
Avg. Review Score
Score
Higher than average expert review score
7.6
Overall Avg. for Smartphones
8.7
Avg. Review Score
Score
Highly recommended by trusted experts
Highly Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “The Best Phones for School”
Last updated: 19 Aug 2019
bicycling.com
Highly Trusted Source-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Runner Upin “The Year’s 10 Best Smartphones (So Far)”
Last updated: 22 Jun 2022
Highly Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Runner Upin “Note 10 Plus vs. iPhone XS Max: Which phone has the best camera?”
Highly Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Smartphone Over 6 Inches 2018in “Editor's Choice Awards - Best Smartphones 2018”
Last updated: 18 Dec 2018
Highly Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “The best iPhone for photography in 2023: from the iPhone SE to iPhone 14 Pro Max”
Last updated: 14 Jun 2023
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “11 best smartphones for 2019, from Apple, Huawei, Samsung and more”
Last updated: 8 Oct 2020
Trusted Source-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “iMore's Best of 2018 Awards - the winners are...”
Last updated: 1 Oct 2020
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Runner Upin “The Best Smartphone Camera: Google Pixel, Apple iPhone, OnePlus, and More”
Last updated: 29 Mar 2019
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best non-Androidin “There are a lot of big phones out there, but which is right for you?”
Last updated: 10 Jan 2019
elle.com
-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “10 Parent-Perfect Gifts That Make Up for the Hell You Raised”
Last updated: 3 Jun 2022
gizbot.com
-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “Best Premium Smartphones To Buy In India In 2020”
Last updated: 3 Jan 2020
Reddit-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “iPhone XS Max users, how do you like your phones?”
Highly Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “Gear Envy: How This Sales VP Juggles Meetings, Dogs, and Gym Time”
Last updated: 19 Feb 2019
Trusted Source-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “iMore Best of iPhone Awards 2018”
Last updated: 28 Dec 2018
Highly Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Runner Upin “The Hottest Phones for the Holidays”
Last updated: 21 Nov 2018
Highly Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Runner Upin “PCMag's Holiday Wish List: The Tech We Want”
Last updated: 7 Nov 2018
Depth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “15 Men’s Briefcase Essentials For The Daily Grind”
Last updated: 20 Jul 2023
mensjournal.com
-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “Gear of the Year 2018: The 55 Best New Tech, Tools, and Toys”
Last updated: 28 Feb 2023
Depth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “15 Men’s Briefcase Essentials For The Daily Grind”
Last updated: 20 Jul 2023
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Recommended by trusted experts
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “Best Cricket Wireless Phones as of March 2018”
Last updated: 23 Oct 2018
Trusted Source-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “Best Premium Smartphones above $600 (June 2017 Edition)”
Last updated: 2 Sep 2017
Trusted Source-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Runner Upin “The Tech We’re Geeking Out Over Right Now”
Last updated: 25 Aug 2022
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Runner Upin “5 iPhone X Alternatives With Edge-to-Edge Displays”
Last updated: 26 Sep 2017
Trusted Source-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Samsung phone #5in “The 5 Best And 5 Worst Samsung Phones Of All Time”
Last updated: 7 Sep 2022
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Samsung phone batteryin “Best phones for battery: 8 smartphone stamina champs”
Last updated: 24 Dec 2017
Depth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “The best water-resistant and waterproof smartphones”
Last updated: 2 Aug 2023
Depth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “Best Fast Charging Quick Charge 2.0 / 3.0 / 4.0 Smartphones”
Last updated: 21 Jun 2018
The TelegraphDepth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “The best mobile phones to buy this Christmas”
Last updated: 12 Dec 2017
-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Runner Upin “The Best Cell Phones for Kids to Stay Connected Safely”
Last updated: 13 Jun 2023
Depth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “Best smartphone cameras: iPhone X, iPhone 8, Samsung Galaxy S8”
Last updated: 7 Mar 2018
Depth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “Samsung Galaxy S Phones: What You Need to Know”
Last updated: 9 Feb 2022
usatoday.com
-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “The Best Phones Under $500 of 2023”
Last updated: 5 Jun 2023
Trusted Source-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “Best Premium Smartphones above $600 (August 2017 Edition)”
Last updated: 2 Sep 2017
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “5 Similarly Priced Alternatives to the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Pro 5 - From Desktops to Laptops and Notebooks”
Last updated: 22 Jun 2017
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “El mejor teléfono celular de 2017: El Top 10 de los smartphones que hemos probado”
Last updated: 18 Jul 2017
Depth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “Best smartphone cameras: iPhone X, iPhone 8, Samsung Galaxy S8”
Last updated: 7 Mar 2018
Trusted Source-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “Best Premium Smartphones above $600 (July 2017 Edition)”
Last updated: 2 Sep 2017
Depth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “The 20 best smartphones in the world”
Last updated: 5 Aug 2017
Trusted Source-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “Best Premium Smartphones above $600 (May 2017 Edition)”
Last updated: 2 Sep 2017
Depth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “The 20 best smartphones in the world”
Last updated: 5 Aug 2017
Trusted Source-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “Best Premium Smartphones above P30,000 (August 2017 Edition)”
Last updated: 8 Aug 2017
Trusted Source-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “Best Premium Smartphones above PhP 30,000 (July 2017 Edition)”
Last updated: 17 Jul 2017
Trusted Source-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “Best Premium Smartphones above P30,000 (June 2017 Edition)”
Last updated: 10 Jun 2017
Trusted Source-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “Best Premium Smartphones above P30,000 (May 2017 Edition)”
Last updated: 7 May 2017
Trusted Source-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “This Year in Gear: 73 Notable Tech Products Released in 2017”
Last updated: 26 Aug 2022
See fewer recommendations
Find the best product and price, effortlessly.
Discover deals on the best products
We do the research. You save the money.