Apple iPhone X series marked a milestone in the smartphone industry last year. The third iPhone X series launched last October 2018. Given that it has been six months in the market; it is still one of the top choices among the iPhone models.
What is inside?
This is the iPhone XR. The difference of XR over iPhone X series is the battery. It gets more 90 minutes of battery life than previous iPhone handsets. Apple is overconfident with its batteries. They have proclaimed to achieve the ‘all-day battery life’ in iPhones.
The anxiety of getting your smartphone dead on the road is what Apple successfully revolutionized with its iPhone XR. The system is powered by the A12 Bionic chipset, same with the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.
The LCD screen, the Real Deal
The LCD screen of XR is the real deal with its ‘all-day battery life.’ Compared to high-end OLED display, it is more power-efficient, especially to heavy users. For almost six hours of usage for web browsing, messaging and scrolling of social media sites, the battery has not depleted entirely. However, the battery innovation compromises the high definition screen of XR.
Using iPhone XR hotspot and Bluetooth streaming at the same time, it still has 85% power. Hotspot and Bluetooth streaming really caused a buzz among smartphone users because it will drain the battery in no time. It is not the same experience with other smartphones, which drop the battery life to 50% doing the same activities with iPhone XR.
You can still get some power even you see the phone is not charging because it’s wet. The wireless charging on tap has made to be convenient because of the Lightning port which has set to lock when wet to avoid short-circuiting.
What other things go unusual with iPhone XR battery?
Apple indeed claimed to have the most powerful battery in the smartphone industry. In a favorable weird situation, the score in battery test for iPhone XR is exceptional. A 90-minute video loop at full brightness did not deplete the power of XR, but it still leaves a significant 20% amount of energy. However, the handset also started to get slightly warm during this test.
It is a good deal for heavy smartphone users. The real deal is you will get to use your handset all day without needing a charging station. Unlike other smartphone users, you are free from the anxiety of your iPhones in getting a low battery.
What else can we find in the iPhone XR?
The new iPhone OS has powered the XR model. The iOS 12 is the operating system that runs to iPhone XS and, again, backed up by the A12 Bionic chipset.
Apple unveiled the iPhone XR with the new LCD screen technology. Liquid Retina technology is an innovation for XR screen display. It is designed to make the curves of the ‘all-screen’ display. The effect of this LCD has almost the same with the high-end OLED screen, in just appearance though.
What about the all-screen design? Yes, it is empowered with the notch at the top. It is infringed into the screen and the black backdrop of which conveniently hides the slice taken out the top of the screen. The notch contains the Face ID camera, the front-facing snapper for selfies, and all the other sensors for the smooth operation of iPhone XR.
For more excitement, the Liquid Retina LCD of XR is 6.1 inches. The overall screen quality is excellent. It never fails to deliver sharp lines and punchy colors, which iPhone actually known for.
Apple iPhone XR comes with many colors like the new iPhone 5C. Choices are red, blue, white, yellow, coral and black.
What’s more thrilling with iPhone XR, you can wash it when it’s dirty. It is waterproof, unlike XS. Though it has only IP67 rated, it can outwit the XS with IP68 in reality.
Market Value
Can anyone afford the iPhone XR? Yes, it is affordable compared to other iPhone X series.
The price is about $749 / £749 / AU$1229 with the 64GB storage. XR models with 256GB storage cost about $799 / £799 / AU$1299 for 128GB and $899 / £899 / AU$1479 for the 256GB. It is far more affordable than the iPhone XS and XS max that cost about $999 (£999 / AU$1,629). It is conveniently a wise choice than XS Duo without sacrificing too many features.
Other Features
The iPhone XR features are not like the same with other iPhones. For instance, it does not have the iPhone XS quality screen. It has poorer sharpness and low resolution of some mobile applications. The iPhone XR screen density is 326 pixels, lower than iPhone XS 458 pixels. Also, this affects the lighting and colors of the image taken by XR.
The ‘edge to edge’ effect of the LCD screen in iPhone XR is an epic fail. Unlike other Samsung, iPhone has a chunky old bezel around the sides of the phone. The iPhone XR screen does not support the HDR. And that is bad news for iPhone users.
The 3D Touch technology in iPhone X series is another feature forfeited by Apple in XR models. Therefore, you have to do a long press to open menus and activate the features in applications.
Without these features, owning an iPhone XR is a bit less premium. The downgrading of the price of XR is not a wise move for Apple. Though they have considered smartphone users who are looking cheaper mobiles, iPhone XR might be at the edge of the market compared to iPhone XR and XS.
Camera
The difference between iPhone XR and XS can be hard to tell with the naked eyes. While both XS and XR offered the ‘standard’ lens, the latter lacks the telephoto second sensor. The sensor has built for lossless photography at 2x zoom. In portrait mode, it creates a bokeh effect or a blurred background.
With iPhone XR, you cannot capture snapshots of objects and animals in the same way. It is due to the fact the software can’t identify those subjects as easily from the single sensor. It needs additional hardware on the more expensive XS to be able to draw on more info.
The camera of iPhone XR is unlike the XS Duo that offers some truly stunning images, with incredible detail and brightness.
To make the parts of the image blur, the XR uses a software algorithm to discern where the human ends and the background begins.
Its camera quality is genuinely excellent. However, what truly impressive is the front-facing camera function. With only soft light, you can have a decent background blur, and the lighting effects can make a real difference. It is the iPhone suited well as selfie cameras around.
How about the casing and fell off the iPhone XR?
The back of the iPhone XR has made finished with metal back aluminum and glass which feels more premium than the previous steel material in the XS. The LCD glass is the strongest in the industry.
The famous AI of iPhone, Siri, is still in the XR. It dedicated a large button for Siri and phone lock at the spot of the power key previously. The volume buttons and silencer are on the right side.
If you prefer to things wired, you can use the Lightning connector of iPhone XR. Apple has not yet put the headphone jack on its original place. When you opt to use the speakers, the top and bottom are where the stereo sound comes out. However, it is not louder as iPhone XS.
The iPhone XR has a thicker feel in hand. With chunkier bezels around the side of the phone, it is chunkier with an XS. You can see the difference in terms of thickness, and it appeared a cheaper model naturally. The only elegant feel you can experience is the smoothness and rounded design like an iPhone 7 or iPhone 8.
Another argument about iPhone XR is the Memoji.
Memoji can be remarkably fun when you used it during facetime. With the A12 Bionic chip, it can be placed on top of your face. The chipset allows you to map a video in your face during the call time, crafting each element of the face.
Another OS Upgrade
The iPhone XR is waiting for another OS upgrade this year. It has already updated to iOS 12.1.3 since launch. The latest update includes new emoji and Group FaceTime. We cannot wait what upgrades Apple will be offering for the iPhone XR.
With OS 13, maybe the bugs we encountered with the last update can be fixed. The bugs like notifications on the home screen hanging a little too long to be just processing, and other apps taking a moment to come out of suspended animation when flipping between them.
Performance
A speed test by Geekbench performed between iPhone XR and XS. The result is shocking. The experiment proved that iPhone XR is equally as capable as the XS in terms of daily, more manageable tasks. Not bad for a downgraded iPhone. However, the storage capacity plays a significant role in their performance.
Unlike Samsung smartphones, Apple loses its track on gaming developments. It is one of the weakness that iPhone has as compared to other smartphone manufacturers who really pushes everything to the limits.
Apple has set each iPhone mobiles with distinct features. The XR is a downgrade with its other smartphones to make the sales higher. We are very familiar that the iPhone costs higher than other Android smartphones.
Comparison
For a better understanding of the difference of iPhone XR from other Apple smartphones, you need to check these out.
If you want a bigger screen than XR, you want to check the XS and XS Max. For a pretty handset, iPhone 7 has built to be suited for you, but it comes with a higher cost of course. Still not satisfied, iPhone 8 is the future-proofed with a stronger, long-lasting and more charming look than iPhone 7.
Some iPhone users opt to feel the experience of Samsung Galaxy S9. There must have been some influence in switching or reasons for iPhone users that they feel the need for a change.
Our Insights
In a nutshell, Apple takes the risk to unveil the iPhone XR. They are aware of the downgrades that they made simply to hook the smartphone users for more affordable mobiles.
Compared to other iPhones, the XR is more practical if you want to experience owning one. Though it is a bold move for Apple, they still manage to infiltrate the market and put on deck the iPhone.
The first ace of iPhone XR from other smartphones is the all-day battery life. Apple has the dice on this one. Also, they manage to retain the LCD screen with the new Liquid Retina technology. These are the aces of iPhone XR. It lacks every high-end feature of other smartphones, but it is on the top in terms of practicality and simplicity.
