Introduction – iPhone XR
The iPhone XR was released in October 2018, alongside the iPhone XS and XS Max, and became one of Apple’s best-selling smartphones with its strong feature set and less expensive price. With the XR, it may not have had some of the bells and whistles that were found in its higher-priced siblings—such as premium materials or multiple cameras—but it didn’t cut any corners when it came to a flagship experience for many users. The 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD display, while not being OLED, was rich in color accuracy and brightness that provided hubbub of fantastic colors to feast your eyes on the daily grind.
The iPhone XR was powered by Apple’s elite A12 Bionic chipset coupled with a 6-core CPU and a 4-core GPU, thus providing faster processing, better graphics while keeping the battery life in check. That made the XR a gaming, AR and multitasking monster of a phone. Apple’s computational photography also enabled software features like Portrait mode with depth control and Smart HDR that allows the iPhone XR to deliver significantly improved dynamic range and detail in photos taken with the single 12-megapixel rear camera.
In terms of design, the XR featured an aluminum frame and glass back panel in six different colors including blue, coral, yellow, black, white and (PRODUCT)RED. It also introduced Face ID facial recognition, IP67 water resistance and really great battery life (in many cases it lasted a tad longer than the more expensive XS). There was a lot for everyone in the iPhone XR — it looked great, it performed well, and you didn’t need to remortgage your house to own one.
Specs at a Glance – iPhone XR
Screen: 6.1-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 1792 × 828 pixels (~326 ppi)
Processor – Apple A12 Bionic 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU
RAM: 3 GB
Storage: 64GB, 128GB, and 256 GB (no sd card support)
Front Camera: 7MP, f/2.0, depth detection and portrait mode with smart HDR (also true tone support)Rear Camera: 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS, PDAF, Smart HDR, Portrait mode with Depth Control
Front Camera: 7 MP, f/2.2, Face ID.isEnabled
Launch: iOS 12 (Later to be upgradable)
Battery: 2942 mAh battery, up to 25 hours talk time, fast charging (18W supported)
Permanent connectivity: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth v5.0, NFC (few territories), Lightning port
Construction: Aluminum frame, glass front/back, IP67 water/dust resistance
Dimensions: 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm(Characteristics)
Weight: 194 grams
Colours: Black, White, Blue, Yellow, Coral and (PRODUCT)RED
Design – iPhone XR
The iPhone XR features a look that remains modern while also being stylish and robust. Its aluminum frame bordered by front and back glass adds heft and a touch of class to the design while providing room for wireless charging. It is equipped with a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD display that has slim bezels and features a notch at the top, which includes the TrueDepth camera system for Face ID and selfies.
This is in conjunction with one of the XR’s standout design choices: its vibrant color selection, which comes in six different finishes – black, white, blue, yellow, coral and (PRODUCT)RED. This range of options gave those purchasing an 8 Plus the chance to make it their own, and helped differentiate it from the more traditional finishes on other iPhone models. Like the iPhone XS before it, the rounded edges and slightly thicker construction compared to that of its predecessor make it rather comfortable to get a grip on and have a really solid hand-feel.
Even though the XR uses an LCD panel rather than OLED, the display is melded into the broader design such that Apple’s clear goal of providing a nearly bezel-free experience continues here. Meanwhile, it is IP67 rated for water and dust resistance, so you have one less thing to worry about in every day accidents. But the iPhone XR does marry some colorful flair to Apple’s typically sturdy craftsmanship in a design that should work well for both casual customers and those who want high performance in a device with an Apple logo on it.
Build Quality – iPhone XR
Because the iPhone XR is definitely a premium smartphone with top notch hardware from Apple. It features an aluminum frame that offers a robust and lightweight build, albeit one that is more resistant to bending and flexing; the glass front and back panels give it a sleek and glossy look. Wireless charging is possible thanks to the back of glass, bringing a little taste of convenience and modernity.
The XR is slightly thicker and heavier than the iPhone XS, but it still feels dense and well-balanced in the hand, with gently rounded sides that make it easier to grip. A 1-meter water immersion depth and 30-minute exposure time, plus a dust ingress rating of IP67 provide decent safety against everyday calamities such as rain or spills.
The buttons like the side power button and volume buttons of the device are placed at good locations and they offer tactile feedback. There’s still a Lightning port on the bottom and it is compatible with all existing Apple ecosystem accessories that rely on Lightning for charging, file transfers, etc.
Although the XR has an LCD display, which is not as luxurious at the OLED of the other models, materials feel high quality for this price range; you are free to balance durability and good looks without breaking your bank.
Controls and Connectivity – iPhone XR
The iPhone XR boasts Apple’s simple control layout for maximum convenience. There is a side button (power, Siri, Apple Pay) in the right edge. On the left is where you will find the volume up/down buttons and a ring/silent switch to quickly mute notifications. While the iPhone XR has no physical Home button, it instead supports quick and intuitive gestures to navigate.
On the connectivity front, the XR has 4G LTE Advanced for super fast mobile data speed, and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac to maintain solid wireless internet connections. This equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 to connect peripherals like wireless headphones, speakers and its likes. The device already supports NFC with reader model, so contactless payments can be made using Apple Pay and other applications that use the technology.
The Lightning port at the bottom is used for both charging and data transfer, so you can use it with a wide range of Apple accessories. The phone features Face ID facial recognition using the TrueDepth camera system for both secure unlocking and apple pay.
technically, everything you need will work with the iPhone XR – its wireless standards are up-to-date and it is in line with Apple requirements.
Lab Tests: Display – iPhone XR
The iPhone XR makes use of a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1792 × 828 pixels and delivers a density of about 326 pixels per inch. It may not have the deep blacks and inifinte contrast ratios of OLED panels found on the iPhone XS and XS Max but even so, for an LCD display, the XR’s screen is really good providing excellent color accuracy and very true-to-life visuals thanks to Apple’s True Tone technology which adjusts white balance based on ambient lighting.
It should be easily readable even outside on a sunny day, as our lab tests saw the XR soar to about 625-nit brightness. This screen supports the P3 wide color gamut and colors are vibrant and vivid, it does well with HDR content despite being an LCD. It also has a high vertical and horizontal viewing angle, with minimally color shift or loss of the brightness even when viewed off-center.
Apple also put oleophobic coating to minimize fingerprints, keeping the viewing experience clean. The touch is very responsive, recognising gestures smoothly and multi-touch accurately.
The XR’s display isn’t quite the high-contrast, deep black perfection of OLED, but for most users, it offers a good overall balance between sharpness and color fidelity in a very bright device that is able to produce satisfying visual experiences.
Battery Life – iPhone XR
With a very good battery life, the iPhone XR is one of top phones you can buy in terms of battery efficiency due to its great hardware and software optimization. It features longer battery life than both the more expensive iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, with a 2942mAh unit inside. And apple claims to have it last up to 25 hours of talk time, and up to 15 hours of internet use, so definitely good for all day use.
It should have no problem getting you through a full day even with heavy use In the wild, such as watching streaming video, gaming and juggling between (…) Tasked with achieving a balance between performance and battery life, it runs the A12 Bionic chip mated to an LCD display of moderate resolution for great power efficiency.
You can also fast charge the phone with a separate 18W adapter (sold separately) which would take about half an hour to get to around 50% if you need a quick top up on the way. It also offers wireless charging through Qi-compatible chargers, which is a great add-on.
In short: the iPhone XR offers some of the Apple’s best-ever battery performance at launch, and partners this with premium power too which makes it very attractive for anyone who just wants to run their phone all day and night without any breaks.
Charging Speed – iPhone XR
iPhone XR: The iPhone XR offers quick charging, making it straightforward to get a fast battery charge even in case you can solely cost for a couple of minutes. Apple bundles a 5W charger in the box, though Apple says the iPhone SE supports fast charging with an 18W USB-C power adapter for much faster charge times. With this fast charger, the XR takes about a half hour to get up to 50% battery.
With the 18W adapter, a full charge of 0% to 100% takes accepted time is closer to an hour and a half or two hours, which is far better than previous iPhones that took much longer. It supports slow charging with the bundled 5W adapter which can go on for over three hours nearly for a full charge.
The new iPhone XR also supports Qi wireless charging, meaning users can charge their phones wirelessly on any standard wireless charging pad. Of course, while it is a convenient form factor for charging any time anywhere, wireless technology in general tends to charge (on average) more slowly than your typical wired fast chargers.
In general, although the XR did not have some of the speediest charging technologies in many newer devices it was a well-rounded all-day 18W wired+Qi option when needed.
Loudspeakers – iPhone XR
iPhone XR was the first iPhone to have dual-stereo speakers, when it paired up with its earpiece speaker to produce more dynamic sound than previous stereo earbuds. So ultimately, the setup allows a clearer separation of sound resulting in better-sounding music, video and speakerphone calls.
Audio from the loudspeakers was well-balanced, with some clear mids and highs, although bass response was understandably thin on these phones as it is for smartphones in general. Max volume on the XR is free of any noticeable distortion, however — it gets plenty loud, and definitely allows for casual listening and hands-free calls in moderately noisy environments.
What can be experienced on the audio front is Dolby Atmos and spatial audio support via compatible headphones which offers a more immersive audio experience with improved surround sound.
Audiophiles may still want to use wired or Bluetooth headphones for the best sound quality, but the built-in speakers are an upgrade over older iPhone models and deliver respectable performance for everyday listening.
Software – iPhone XR
Bixby homescreen customization coming to Galaxy S8, S8 active; helpful tips, tricks and how-tos for new iPhone XR published now through February 2019iOS 12 review: Finally, the fear of updates is worse than reality REALITY CHECK: the odds you’re being tracked by a mobile ad have fallen significantly since last yearThe iPhone XS just came out. On the same note, iOS 12 zeroed in on ensuring that older devices remained snappy enough while opening up avenues for better performance on newer models like the XR. Some of the features made it easier for users to regulate how long they use their devices, while others — such as Group FaceTime — enabled video calling with more people at once.
The XR receives software updates years into the future: it will most likely get iOS 15, but definitely gets updated to iOS 16 and 17 by which time new features are added, security vulnerabilities patched up and improvements made.
Face ID, Apple’s advanced facial recognition technology, uses the TrueDepth camera system made up of a dot projector, infrared camera and flood illuminator, is implemented on iPhone X for authentication upon unlocking and during paying for things and using apps. Animoji and Memoji provide a fun way to personalize messages, and so does the TrueDepth camera system.
The software side of things on the iPhone XR is still silky smooth and more polished than most Android phones, tap into the year free plan updates from Apple with its ecosystem including a wide range of apps and services.
Performance – iPhone XR
Inside the iPhone XR is Apple’s A12 Bionic chip with a 6-core CPU, a 4-core GPU and a dedicated Neural Engine behind the IP67 water and dust resistance. Together, they provide great performance in every common daily task you could ask for — everything from app launches through gaming and multitasking to augmented reality tasks run smooth & fluid.
The XR is more than capable of effortlessly plowing through demanding applications, and the A12 Bionic’s efficiency ensures optimized battery usage. The 3GB of RAM will help in transferring apps very seamlessly and probably there wont be any lag till end. In 2017, most of user demands good experience in User Interface this device is for them.
The iPhone XR performs well in benchmarks even when compared to newer devices, showcasing Apple’s continued efforts to improve speed while maintaining power efficiency. As it is powered by a highly efficient processor, graphics-intensive games run without any issues; the neural engine can handle more machine learning tasks (i.e., better photography and voice recognition) than other tablets.
After all this time its clear the iPhone XR is still a performer and for users who want that Goldilocks blend of power and price, it represents good value.
Camera – iPhone XR
The iPhone XR sports a single 12-megapixel wide camera with OIS, f/1.8 and six-element lens on the back. It takes amazing pictures with just a single camera lens, benefitting from Apple’s world-class computational photography technology.
In addition, Portrait mode with depth control is provided in the camera so that you can get a more beautiful photo blur effect from an iPhone without a separate telephoto lens. To be able to create and a lot more healthy vibrant variety, it is important. (It catches shadow verbosity as well as point features).
The front 7-megapixel TrueDepth camera for selfies now supports Portrait mode and Face ID facial recognition. The app also supports Animoji and Memoji to add a personal touch as well as make the chat more fun.
As for video, it offers 4K shooting at 24, 30, and 60 fps, as well as slow-motion recording in Full HD resolution and a time-lapse mode. The XR includes optical image stabilization which means the camera can output smooth and steady footage, and that makes it perfectly capable for casual videographers.
Photo and Video Quality – iPhone XR
The iPhone XR takes great photos for a single-camera phone. The device takes sharp, vivid shots with true colours and a high level of detail in most lighting circumstances through its 12 MP rear sensor. The XR is capable of producing more realistic tones and better dynamic range photos because Smart HDR balances highlights and shadows well.
Despite the absence of a second lens, Portrait mode still looks incredible, thanks to computational photography and the TrueDepth front-camera system that can perform depth sensing while capturing to make beautiful portraits with professional-looking bokeh, along with an adjustable depth control. Performance in low light photos is good, but not great; the camera certainly shows some noise, this OIS does keep things a bit clearer.
For selfies, the front camera that produces well-lit and sharp self-faced portraits with additional artistic flair through its Portrait mode support. The TrueDepth camera system behind Face ID also helps with precise depth mapping for better portrait effects.
In video, the iPhone XR can record 4K up to 60fps for high-resolution, smooth and detailed footage. It also incorporates optical image stabilization and enhanced video processing to reduce shake and increase clarity. We also like its slow-motion and time-lapse modes.
In the grand scheme of things, the XR still delivers strong on its photo and video competencies that can still hold their ground and provide that premium imaging experience users have come to know from high-end handsets.
Alternatives – iPhone XR
Google Pixel 3
Best for it’s amazing camera with computational photography functionality
Stock Android with regular updates
Similar performance and size
Samsung Galaxy S10e
Compact design with AMOLED display
Two rear cameras: 64MP main + wide and ultra-wide
Provides greater control through Android
OnePlus 6T
Snapdragon 845 processor for high performance
VOOC 3.0 fast charging, Indisplay fingerprint scanner
More affordable with similar specs
Huawei P30 Lite
Triple-camera setup for versatile photography
Good battery life, massive display
Competitive pricing in mid-range segment
The alternatives differ with their different shows of power such as camera capabilities or display technology, these different strokes aside the iPhone XR sits at the top.
Pros and Cons – iPhone XR
Pros:
Smooth performance with A12 Bionic chip
A nice 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display with true-to-life colors
Powerful battery that can last for more than a day
Great single-camera with Portrait mode and Smart HDR
Comes in a variety of bright colors
IP67 water and dust resistance
Secure authorization and ease with Face ID
Continual updates from iOS with long software support
Cons:
No deep blacks and contrast on the LCD display versus OLED
No optical zoom or ultra-wide capabilities on single rear cam
Some Android competitors offer more than 3GB RAM
Headphone jack and fast charger not available in the box
Resolution is lower than the best flagships
Does not support 5G (only 4G LTE)
Bulkier, heavier than some competitors
Verdict – iPhone XR
SummaryThe iPhone XR offers a fascinating difference between the enjoyment of performance in speed, design, and cost. So you can expect it to play pubsG, free-fire even in 2020 with the same or probably better performance than before, running on a powerful A12 Bionic chip; keeps up with time like no one’s Business. That massive, touchy Liquid Retina display is a far cry of OLED, but it’s more than suitable for rendering accurate colours and an overall pleasing visual experience.
Even with just one lens, it has the latest computational photography features — things like Portrait mode and Smart HDR already employed on dual-camera models — so its photo and video quality is going to be great for most users. Battery life is another star of the show and in our experience exceeds that of most flagship models, when it comes to how long you can use a phone for on a single charge.
The XR is definitely for those looking to have the best of both worlds; featuring many different colors and build quality with water resistance IP67. It’s not as premium-feeling as more expensive iPhones and neither does it have features like OLED screens, a second camera or 5G — but still the iPhone XR is our top choice for those looking for all an Apple flagship experience without the massive price.
Truth be told, if you are in for a fast phone with good endurance, the iPhone XR is a great device and future-proof by all accounts that doesn’t require you to spend top dollar on XS or Pro models but still offers solid iOS experience.
