October 26, 2018 iPhone XR was released. Although the two versions of the iPhone XS are almost identical except for their sizes, the iPhone XR marks a major shift from the iPhone X series, indicating the start of a new era.

When Phil Schiller presented the iPhone XR, he stated that Apple intended to make the technology and experience of the iPhone XS available to a broader audience, and the iPhone XR serves as their solution to accomplish that. It aims to deliver the same design, features, and user experience as the iPhone XS while being less expensive.

To begin, the iPhone XR is offered at a price of $749, which is $250 lower than the regular iPhone XS. So, what trade-offs are accepted for this lower price? The LCD features a reduced resolution, the device is larger and heavier, and it is constructed from aluminum. Furthermore, there is just one rear camera.

The general layout of the iPhone X series remains unchanged, as does the powerful A12 Bionic processor from the XS, the TrueDepth camera with its quicker Face ID technology, and the single rear camera, which is the same main 12MP sensor as that found in the XS.

Adding to the excitement, the iPhone XR is available in six unique colors, the most options Apple has ever offered for any iPhone.

Body: aluminum frame, glass back, IP67-rated, six colors.

Display: 6. 1-inch, 1792 x 828 (326 PPI), IPS LCD, 1400:1, wide-color (P3)

12MP rear camera with f/1.8, OIS+EIS, dual pixel PDAF, quad-LED flash, 4K60 video, and wide-color capture.

Front camera: 7 MP, f2. 2, 1080p60, EIS, display flash, and wide-color

Software: iOS 12.

Chipset: Apple 12 Bionic, 2. 49GHz six-core CPU (2x Vortex + 4x Tempest), quad-core Apple GPU, and octa-core Neural Engine.

Memory: 3GB LPDDR4X SDRAM and 64/128/256GB NVMe storage.

Connectivity: Dual SIM (nano SIM + eSIM), LTE-A, Dual-band Wi-Fi 802. 11ac with 2×2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5. 0, AGPS/GLONASS/Galileo/QZSS, NFC (only for Apple Pay).

Battery: 2942mAh, USB-PD rapid charge support, Qi charging support, and 5W included charger

Miscellaneous: TrueDepth camera system with Face ID and stereo speakers.

Finding the perfect balance between pricing, features, and performance is quite difficult. It remains to be seen if Apple has succeeded, but we can only know for sure after using the smartphone for a while. Apple allowed us to have the smartphone before its official launch, and after a full week of use, we believe we have our conclusion.

One observation is certain: this is undoubtedly the most exciting iPhone released this year. The iPhone XR and iPhone XS are the same in terms of packaging. The same accessories are included with both devices, comprising the Lightning to USB cord, the EarPods with Lightning Connector, and a modest 5W charger. Although the design is quite minimalist and helps to reduce waste, we hope Apple had at least provided a higher wattage charger, such as the 12W unit that is supplied with the iPads or the 10W model that was previously offered with certain iPhones.

Design

The iPhone XR underscores its place within the iPhone X-series by adopting a similar foundational design to that of the iPhone XS. Its color options include black, white, blue, yellow, coral, and Product RED. The frames of the blue, yellow, and coral variants are misaligned, resulting in a somewhat disorganized look, in contrast to the coordinated frames of the black and white variants. Nevertheless, the Product RED model showcases Apple’s charitable contributions while also presenting a cohesive aesthetic with its brilliant red back and corresponding frame.

Although it retains a high-end design, the iPhone XR appears somewhat bulkier than the iPhone XS due to its larger, thicker, and heavier dimensions. Its aluminum frame is more resistant to scratches and offers greater durability than the stainless steel of the XS, albeit with a less refined finish. Both the front and rear are made of glass; according to Apple, the front glass is the most durable found in a smartphone, while the rear glass proves to be more resilient than that of the iPhone X but less robust than that of the XS.

In comparison to the OLED panel of the iPhone XS, the LCD display of the XR features larger bezels. Although the bezels remain noticeable, especially on the black model, Apple has made advancements in LCD technology that position the display closer to the edges than previous iterations.

Taking into account the limitations of LCD technology, the uniform bezel that encircles the display is commendable, even though it lacks the sleekness of the XS.

The iPhone XR features a polished back devoid of any regulatory markings, a quad-LED True Tone flash, and a single rear camera that extends noticeably. Although the Lightning port is slightly misaligned with the speaker and microphone grille, the buttons remain positioned identically to those on the XS. The device can be submerged at a depth of one meter for up to thirty minutes, as it possesses an IP67 water resistance rating.

In summary, the iPhone XR presents a flagship-level design available in a variety of hues. While it may not exhibit the same refinement as the XS, it nonetheless qualifies as a high-end, durable, and visually appealing device.

Display

The 6. 1-inch IPS LCD featured on the iPhone XR possesses a resolution of 1792×828 (326PPI), which is comparable to that of smaller iPhones; however, it is not as sharp as the OLED and Plus models. It accommodates DCI-P3 broad color and True Tone, achieves a brightness level of 700 nits, and exhibits commendable color accuracy (DeltaE 0. 6). Nonetheless, it depends on software to emulate HDR and lacks hardware support for 3D Touch and HDR. When compared to OLED, the LCD has more prominent bezels and reduced contrast, yet it provides exceptional viewing angles and brightness. The 120Hz touch layer ensures smooth responsiveness, while suitable touch rejection enhances usability. Although upgraders from Plus models may find the pixel density disappointing, the display remains bright and clear, thus serving as a robust performer despite its LCD limitations.

Battery Health

With a 2942mAh battery, the iPhone XR possesses the longest battery life of any of Apple’s 2018 iPhone models. It offers 20–22 hours of use and 6–7 hours of screen time, effortlessly supporting a full day with 15% remaining. It attained a 78-hour endurance rating following tests that involved 13 hours of online surfing, over 15 hours of movie playback, and 15 hours of 3G conversations. However, it requires three hours for the included 5W charger to achieve a full charge. A 12W iPad charger represents a more economical alternative, but Apple recommends a 30W USB-C converter and connection for expedited charging. Although wireless charging is also available, it performs optimally overnight. The charging process continues to be a drawback despite the battery’s commendable performance.

Performance

Apple’s 7nm A12 Bionic chipset drives the iPhone XR. It features a quad-core GPU, an octa-core Neural Engine, and a six-core CPU (comprising two robust Vortex cores and four efficient Tempest cores). In contrast to the A11, the A12 delivers 15% superior CPU performance, 50% enhanced graphics, and improved battery efficiency. It represents the fastest smartphone processor available on the market, surpassing competitors such as the Kirin 980. The iPhone XR exhibits superior performance in graphics assessments due to its lower resolution display. The upgraded Secure Enclave within the A12 facilitates quicker and more reliable Face ID functionality. While RAM may potentially become a limiting factor in the future, the iPhone XR’s 3GB RAM guarantees that it will remain future-proof for several years, demonstrating impeccable real-world performance.

Summary

The iPhone XR was launched after the iPhone XS and XS Max to offer similar functionality at a lower price of $749—$250 less than the XS. It features a 6.1-inch LCD display, a single rear camera, and the powerful A12 Bionic chip. Available in six colors, the XR has an aluminum frame, glass back, and an IP67 water and dust resistance rating. With 3GB of RAM and storage options of 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, it also offers impressive battery life. Overall, the iPhone XR balances cost, features, and performance, making it one of the year’s most exciting launches despite some compromises.