As the entry-level option in Apple’s 2018 iPhone lineup, you might expect some sacrifices to hit a lower price. While there are some compromises made, they’re in areas that the average person might not notice. Reviewers all agreed that Apple chose the perfect places to cut corners with the iPhone XR.
On the design front, you’ll find aluminum instead of stainless steel on sides. But since this aluminum is color-matched to the glass back, you’ll likely never notice. There are also more color options available for the XR than the pricier models -- including red, blue, and other bold options.
The phone is rated slightly lower for water resistance. Earning an IP67 rating, the phone is protected from submersion in up to one meter of water instead of the two meters offered by the pricier models.
Around front, you’ll find another compromise in the 6.10-inch, 1,792-by-828 pixel LCD panel. There’s still a notch at the top. And since it’s an LCD instead of OLED there is a drop in contrast compared to the more expensive Xs or Xs Max . Still, reviewers found the screen excellent with bold colors, great viewing angles, and plenty of brightness.
Many noted that unless you placed the phone side-by-side with the more expensive models, you’d have trouble noticing a difference.
A lack of 3D Touch is the only other change to the screen. Apple instead, included Haptic Touch, which is similar but doesn’t have the pressure sensitivity of the 3D version.
The phone also includes the same A12 processor as the Xs or Xs Max but only 3GB of RAM. Given the power of the A12 chip, reviewers had no issues with performance despite the lower memory.
In an odd twist, the XR gives you more storage options, offering 64, 128, or 256GB of storage. That’s one more option than the Xs or Xs Max .
The front-facing camera on the XR is identical to the other models. However, the rear camera is simplified to a single-lens camera with software portrait mode and digital zoom. It uses the same lens, sensors, and aperture size as the other models, it only lacks the additional 2x telephoto lens. Reviews show it keeps up with the dual-lens options in most cases.
Finally, the XR beats the Xs and Xs Max in terms of battery life. This is likely because it uses a smaller, lower resolution panel.
Overall, reviewers loved the iPhone XR, with many calling it the best iPhone to date. SlashGear notes, “... though the iPhone XR may not be ‘perfect’ it’s definitely close enough for most.”
Otherwise, the phone looks and runs just like its pricier siblings. For more on what to expect from the XR, check out our iPhone XS summary .
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Paul Thurrott, ThurrottIt lacks the superior and higher-resolution OLED display found in the much more expensive iPhone XS and XS Max. Yes, it features only a single rear camera instead of those iPhones’ more impressive dual camera systems. And yes, it’s made of aluminum where XS and XS Max deliver a more premium stainles...
- Andrei Frumusanu, AnandTechI think the iPhone XR is also priced a tad too high, and if you’re not entrenched in the iOS ecosystem, there are better value alternatives. I count myself among those who wouldn’t buy a smartphone at this price, and certainly not if it does compromise on some features. In a way this might be the ra...
- Tom Fogden, Tech.CoThe iPhone XR is, objectively, a good phone. It has a decent screen, a super-fast processor, decent battery life, and an attractive design. It also benefits from the typically tight integration into Apple’s ecosystem and brand kudos. However, when you compare it to its competitors, the XR seems out-...
- Permalink, 512 pixelsThe lack of the zoom lens is a bummer if you have gotten used to it, but consumers trading in their old iPhone 6S or 7 are never going to know what they are missing. The XR is for people upgrading from old phones, not those of us who bought the iPhone X a year ago. It gets customers into a modern, F...
- Josh Smith, GottaBeMobileYou get nearly identical performance, excellent software, most of the iPhone XS features, wireless charging, Face ID and a good camera for $250 less than the cheapest iPhone XS. You have to give up on the beautiful OLED display that the iPhone XS has, but the iPhone XR display is good enough for mos...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
Apple released the iPhone XR on October 26, 2018.
The iPhone XR price will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front. You can compare Apple iPhone XR prices from around the web here on The Informr.
Apple backs up the iPhone XR with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your iPhone XR has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Apple support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Apple's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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