iPhone XS and XS Max review: Apple's latest are the best yet. How can I choose one?

Apple’s iPhone XS and XS Max are officially launching today. But for some early adopters, their launch experience isn’t going as expected.Reportedly, a small number of users are receiving iPhone XS Max devices with faulty or seemingly damaged displays. We have only seen a couple of reports thus far, but it’s still fairly early into the 2018 lineup’s official roll out.

The 5.8-inch iPhone XS, due in stores on Friday, starts at $999. Its 6.5-inch big sister, the iPhone XS Max, which launches on the same day, costs $100 more. Want the fully souped-up Max, with 512 GB of storage? That'll cost you $1,449. The "affordable" iPhone XR ($749) ships next month.

All of this is a lot to pay for a mostly incremental upgrade, especially now that upgrading isn't always necessary, since iPhones hold up so much better than they used to.

Should you buy an iPhone XS or XS Max?

It may be hard to wrap your mind around spending nearly a grand or more on a new iPhone. Although Apple quietly discontinued some of its lower-cost devices, including the iPhone 6S, iPhone SE and the iPhone X, it still sells two older models -- iPhone 7 ($449) and the iPhone 8 ($599) -- at cheaper price points, if you want a replacement device without splurging for the XS line.

If you're not in the market for another iPhone, can't afford one or just can't bring yourself to spend the money, consider upgrading your existing software to iOS 12 to make it feel new again. Try the buzzy new Screen Time tool, which logs just how obsessed you are with your iPhone. (It took me less than two hours to realize I access apps like Instagram way too much.) The feature also lets you set timers for how long you want to use certain apps.