Feature Articles

Should you upgrade to the Apple iPhone XR?

By James Lu - 26 Oct 2018

From iPhone X to iPhone XR

The iPhone XR is available today, but should you get one? We're here to help you decide.

First of all, here's a quick recap of everything you need to know about the XR:

  • 6.1-inch LCD "Liquid Retina" display with a 1,792 x 828 pixels resolution (326 ppi). This is the same pixel density used on every non-Plus LCD iPhone since the iPhone 5.
  • The all-screen display has the same 19.5:9 aspect ratio as the iPhone XS and XS Max. 
  • Notch in the display houses the same 7-megapixel f/2.2 front-facing camera, and the same TrueDepth FaceID setup as the XS and XS Max.
  • Same DCI-P3 wide color support, up to 625 cd/m² brightness, 120Hz touch-sensing, and True Tone as the XS and XS Max.
  • However, the XR's LCD display only has 1,400:1 contrast ratio, versus 1,000,000:1 for the OLED displays on the XS and XS Max.
  • 3D Touch is also not available on the XR, although it can still provide haptic feedback.
  • The display supports Dolby Vision and HDR10, but it is not a true HDR display. You will see some visual enhancements when playing HDR content, but they won't be as drastic as with a true HDR display like the OLED ones on the XS and XS Max.
  • Series 7000 aluminum frame and a glass rear.
  • The front and rear glass are the same extra durable glass found on the XS and XS Max.
  • IP67 rating (slightly worse than the XS and XS Max's IP68 rating).
  • Single-lens, wide-angle rear camera that is the same as the 12-megapixel, f/1.8 module on the XS and XS Max.
  • Despite the single-lens setup, the XR still has a Portrait Mode that offers depth of field control (both before and after the shot is taken).
  • Same Bionic A12 chip as the XS and XS Max, but only 3GB RAM.
  • Same stereo speakers as the XS and XS Max.
  • Same support for LTE Advanced for fast cellular download speeds as well as dual-SIM functionality (nano-SIM + eSIM). 
  • 2,942mAh battery and wireless charging.
  • Available in three storage capacities: 64GB (S$1,229), 128GB (S$1,299), and 256GB (S$1,469).
  • And six colors: Black, White, Coral, Yellow, Red, and Blue.
  • iPhone XR Telco price plan comparison.

  Apple iPhone XR (256GB)
  Apple iPhone XR (256GB)
Launch SRP
  • From S$1469
Operating system
  • iOS 12
Processor
  • Apple A12 Bionic hexa-core
Built-in Memory
  • 3GB RAM
Display
  • 6.1-inch Liquid Retina / 1,792 x 828 pixels (326ppi) / LCD
Camera
  • Rear: 12-megapixel, (f/1.8, 28mm) with phase detection autofocus, OIS, and quad LED (dual-tone) flash
  • Front: 7-megapixel, f/2.2 FaceTime HD camera
Connectivity
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 4G LTE Cat 12 (600Mbps), dual-band, hotspot, Bluetooth v5.0, A2DP, LE, GPS, GLONASS, Lightning connector
Storage Type
  • 256GB internal storage
Battery
  • 2,942mAh
Dimensions
  • 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm
Weight
  • 194g


iPhone XR or XS/XS Max?

If you're trying to decide between the iPhone XR and XS/XS Max, go for the XR. It's at least S$420 cheaper, and does about 90% of what the XS and XS Max can do. It even has a bigger display than the XS. The only thing you're really missing out on is a telephoto rear camera lens.

If you're a fan of big displays and you're trying to convince yourself to shell out S$1,799 for the iPhone XS Max, make sure you take a look at the XR first. You might be surprised by just how spacious its 6.1-inch display is. Yes, it's not as huge as the XS Max, but it's still much bigger than the 6, 7, or 8 Plus.


From iPhone X to iPhone XR

  Apple iPhone X (256GB) Apple iPhone XR (256GB)
  Apple iPhone X (256GB) Apple iPhone XR (256GB)
Launch SRP
  • From S$1888
  • From S$1469
Operating system
  • iOS 11.1
  • iOS 12
Processor
  • Apple A11 Bionic hexa-core
  • Apple A12 Bionic hexa-core
Built-in Memory
  • 3GB RAM
  • 3GB RAM
Display
  • 5.8-inch Super Retina HD / 2,436 x 1,125 pixels (458ppi) / OLED
  • 6.1-inch Liquid Retina / 1,792 x 828 pixels (326ppi) / LCD
Camera
  • Rear: Dual 12-megapixel, (f/1.8, 28mm & f/2.4, 56mm) with phase detection autofocus, OIS, and quad LED (dual-tone) flash
  • Front: 7-megapixel, f/2.2 FaceTime HD camera
  • Rear: 12-megapixel, (f/1.8, 28mm) with phase detection autofocus, OIS, and quad LED (dual-tone) flash
  • Front: 7-megapixel, f/2.2 FaceTime HD camera
Connectivity
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 4G+ LTE Cat 12 (up to 600Mbps), dual-band, hotspot, Bluetooth v5.0, A2DP, LE, GPS, GLONASS, Lightning connector
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 4G LTE Cat 12 (600Mbps), dual-band, hotspot, Bluetooth v5.0, A2DP, LE, GPS, GLONASS, Lightning connector
Storage Type
  • 256GB internal storage
  • 256GB internal storage
Battery
  • 2,716mAh
  • 2,942mAh
Dimensions
  • 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm
  • 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm
Weight
  • 174g
  • 194g

If you already own an iPhone X, the XR is not much of an upgrade as there are some considerable tradeoffs to consider. You lose the OLED display, 3D Touch, stainless steel frame, and dual rear camera setup, and the display isn't that much bigger than the iPhone X's 5.8-inch display. If you're using an iPhone X, hold onto it.

What you get for upgrading

  • Slightly larger display.
  • More powerful A12 Bionic processor.
  • Louder stereo speakers.
  • More durable front and glass rear.
  • 4G LTE Cat 16 support for up to 1024Mbps download speeds.
  • Dual Sim functionality.
  • Improved wide-angle camera.
  • Improved Portrait Mode with adjustable depth-of-field.
  • Faster and more secure Face ID.
  • 128GB storage option.
  • Black, White, Coral, Yellow, Red, and Blue color options.

 

What you lose for upgrading

  • 3D Touch.
  • OLED display.
  • Higher resolution display.
  • Stainless steel frame.
  • Secondary telephoto camera.
  • Silver and Space Gray colors.
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