The iPhone XR might sit at the bottom of the Face ID iPhone range, but that’s not to say it should be overlooked. It’s still got a powerful processor, large screen and a great camera.
There are a couple of compromises compared to the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and newer iPhone 11 series – it has an aluminium core rather than stainless steel, an LCD display rather than OLED, and just the one camera lens rather than a pair but otherwise, it offers a lot.
It sits above the iPhone SE (2020) and just underneath the standard iPhone 11. For most people, the XR is the iPhone to pick – but what’s it like to live with? Read on to find out…
Bright colour design stands out
- Six colour options: white, black, blue, yellow, coral and (Product) Red
- Dimensions: 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3mm
- All glass and aluminium design
- Single-lens camera on rear
- IP67 rated
Bright and colourful, the Apple iPhone XR is a playful device in comparison to the more serious iPhone X, XS and 11 Pro models, although the standard iPhone 11 also gives you some decent colour options.
Available in six finishes – comprising white, black, blue, yellow, coral and (Product) Red – it’s the blue and yellow ones that stand out as the most desirable. The coral is very hit and miss, as it’s neither orange or salmon.
The iPhone XR features the same design language as its more premium siblings, with an all-glass back and a notched screen dominating the front. It delivers this with an aluminium frame, making it slightly thicker than the more expensive models – although the thickness isn’t noticeable in the hand. It has a slightly lower water resistance rating at IP67 rather than IP68.
There’s a single-lens camera on the rear, while hidden beneath the rear glass cover is wireless charging. Like its predecessors, the iPhone XR is compatible with Qi wireless chargers. If you prefer the speed and convenience of wired then there’s still the Lightning port on board for at-the-plug charging – that’s the default anyway, as there’s no wireless charger included in the box.
The iPhone XR is likely to appeal most to users of older iPhones who are looking to upgrade. By comparison, the buttons and large bezel have gone, giving you more phone for the form factor.
A bigger LCD display
- 6.1-inch LCD display, 1792 x 828 resolution (326ppi ‘Liquid Retina’)
- True Tone and Haptic Touch (not 3D Touch)
The Apple iPhone XR has a ‘Liquid Retina’ display – read that as an LCD display if you step away from Apple’s language. Or look at it this way: it’s not the ‘Super Retina’ OLED display that you’ll find on the X, XS and 11 Pro models.
If you’re looking to upgrade from the iPhone 6, 7, or 8 ranges, then LCD is what you’ve been using all along. The XR’s pixel density is the same as the iPhone 6, 7 and 8 too, so clarity is one and the same.
This panel also caters for the P3 wide colour gamut, meaning strong blacks and good colour vibrancy, while True Tone technology uses sensors to change the screen colour according to the ambient light in the room (in the same way as many of Apple’s other screens) for greater eye comfort.
The iPhone XR replaces 3D Touch with Haptic Touch. This works in the same way as the trackpad on an Apple MacBook – making you think you are moving something even though you aren’t.
It doesn’t offer the same functionality as 3D Touch – you can’t press down hard on an app icon and be presented with shortcuts for example – but given 3D Touch struggled to catch on, we’re not sure many will miss it or even know it existed in the first place.
There are still some concessions to those who like long-pressing on the screen. You’ll be able to ‘fake 3D Touch’ the camera and flashlight/torch icons on the home screen and settings within Control Centre.
And for those who use the cursor on the keyboard when typing you’ll now have to long-press on the spacebar instead.
Mobile HDR is another feature absent from the iPhone XR. The iPhone XS series and 11 Pro series offer Dolby Vision and HDR10 support, hence being a step above. So while the XR will do its best to deliver an ‘HDR-like experience’, it’s not the real deal. That means you’re Smart HDR pictures aren’t going to pop as much when viewing on-screen, nor will you be able to see as much detail on a dark TV show or movie that’s available in HDR.
Performance
- A12 Bionic processor
- Same power as iPhone XS and XS Max
- 64GB, 128GB and 256GB models (no 512GB option)
The Apple iPhone XR might compromise in a couple of areas, but power and performance are most definitely not one of them. The XR runs on the same A12 Bionic processor as the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, which means it has plenty of power for running augmented reality apps, playing graphically demanding games, processing photographs or 4K video, or simply managing day-to-day tasks.
We’ve been playing Fornite and Asphalt 9 to put the iPhone XR through its paces with no issues whatsoever. Having extensively used the iPhone XS prior to the iPhone XR, there is no difference in terms of processing power or capabilities. The experience hasn’t been subdued in terms of power or performance.
Apple claims the iPhone XR will last 1.5 hours longer than the iPhone 8 Plus in terms of battery life, which should give you more than enough charge to last a day. During our use, the battery has certainly lived up to those claims. Unless you’re performing really demanding tasks, like long stints of gaming. Light use would easily see you get through the day and a good way through day two as well.
Like the XS range the XR also supports dual SIM using eSIM for the second SIM.
The single rear camera still delivers
- 12-megapixel f/1.8 aperture wide-angle lens, 1.4µm pixel size
- Smart HDR and Portrait Mode with Depth Control
- 7-megapixel front-facing Face ID camera
The iPhone XR features a single-lens camera sensor on the rear. No dual-lens offering here. But don’t let that put you off – because the iPhone XR still offers plenty in the camera department.
For starters, the wide-angle view and sensor is the same as found in the XS models, offering optical image stabilisation, wide colour capture for photos, and Live Photos. The difference compared to the XS and standard iPhone 11 is that you don’t get the extra 12-megapixel telephoto lens. So the XR is only capable of digital zoom – not optical zoom – and it is therefore slightly restricted with some of the camera features.
The iPhone XR still offers Smart HDR, Portrait Lighting (albeit with three effects rather than the five), Portrait Mode (restricted to only working with people rather than any object – without that second lens it’s not able to derive depth in the same way as the XS, hence this restriction).
Portrait Mode allows users to deliver blurred-background shots (known as the bokeh effect), but there’s even more control in the XR. The Depth Control function allows users to play around with the bokeh effect after taking a shot. The results are as good as the iPhone XS and can certainly save or ruin a picture depending on how you use it.
It’s also worth noting that because you don’t have the second telephoto lens on the iPhone XR camera you are shooting portraits with the 24mm wide-angle rather than 50mm lens. That’s less of a traditional approach for portrait photography and means you’ll have to get physically close to your subjects. We found that does put people slightly on edge and the results differ due to the lens characteristics.
In terms of the front camera, the iPhone XR has the same 7-megapixel TrueDepth front-facing camera as found on the iPhone XS models, with Face ID. You’ll also be able to apply Portrait mode, depth of field, and Smart HDR to pictures taken with the front camera, as well as use the Stage Light effects.