iPhone XR After owning an XR for 4 months, I don’t understand why Apple made the phone so big

[senttoschool]

I upgraded from a 6S to an XR because I needed the dual sim feature as I travel a lot and at the cheaper price.

After using it for 4 months, I still don’t understand why Apple made the XR the way it is.

First, you’d think that the bigger screen means better video viewing. Nope. Videos don’t support the XR’s weird resolution so you’ll just end up with black bars on the left and right side.

The bigger screen really doesn’t add that much to the experience.

Second, the phone is thicker than all the iphones before it except for the first generation or two. This makes the phone really hard to hold - combined with its big size. Reviewers have said the same thing. Somehow the XS Max is easier to hold than the XR even though the XR is smaller.

Third, the phone is heavy. It’s heavy enough that it hurts my pinky when holding it in vertical position. I’ve never had a phone that was uncomfortable to hold until the XR.

Apple made the XR thick and heavy without a good reason. It would have been far better if they made it the same size as the iPhone 6 physically but without the home button.

 

[44267547]

It’s all subjective. Yes, the XR is a bigger phone, but I don’t think it’s _that_ big. To me, I find it amazing that complaints can generate how ‘thick and heavy’ the XR is, considering how advanced smart phones are and how much technology they include, and others don’t take into consideration how far smart phones have graduated over the years in becoming thinner/lighter compared to how they used to be *much* thicker and heavier years back.

 

[senttoschool]

It’s all subjective. Yes, the XR is a bigger phone, but I don’t think it’s _that_ big. To me, I find it amazing that complaints can generate how ‘thick and heavy’ the XR is, considering how advanced smart phones are and how much technology they include, and others don’t take into consideration how far smart phones have graduated over the years in becoming thinner/lighter compared to how they used to be *much* thicker and heavier years back.

If you think size is subjective, then I’ll say that your claim of how “advanced” and “how much technology they pack” is also subjective.

For example, my iPhone 6S perform pretty much the same as my XR in 90% of the things I cared about but it did so as a lighter, thinner, and easier to hold package.

So to me, the XR really isn’t that much more “advanced” than the 4 year old phone.

And besides, newer technology should make phones lighter and thinner, not the other way around.

Yes, I’m disappointed with the XR and I wish Apple made the XR smaller and thinner.

 

[44267547]

If you think size is subjective, then I’ll say that your claim of how “advanced” and “how much technology they pack” is also subjective.

OK? Size is subjective, what you said was an opinion. There is more technology in the XR than your 4.7 6S, starting with Face ID, wireless charging, True Tone, ect, which is inherently true, I just wanted to point that out being what you said originally.

IFor example, my iPhone 6S perform pretty much the same as my XR in 90% of the things I cared about but it did so as a lighter, thinner, and easier to hold package.

So what you’re essentially saying is that you purchased a phone it’s too big for you.

So to me, the XR really isn’t that much more “advanced” than the 4 year old phone..

Does your four-year-old phone complete the majority of tasks that the iPhone XR does? Yes. Does it include the same technology in terms of biometric security, advanced processing with the A12 versus the A9, true tone, stereo speakers, Water resistance, no. Maybe that’s not important to you, because you seem solely focused on the size of the phone versus everything else that you don’t seem to appreciate why you upgraded in the first place.

 

[senttoschool]

OK? Size is subjective, what you said was an opinion. There is more technology in the XR than your 4.7 6S, starting with Face ID, wireless charging, True Tone, ect, which is inherently true, I just wanted to point that out being what you said originally.



So what you’re essentially saying is that you purchased a phone it’s too big for you.



Does your four-year-old phone complete the majority of tasks that the iPhone XR does? Yes. Does it include the same technology in terms of biometric security, advanced processing with the A12 versus the A9, true tone, stereo speakers, Water resistance, no. Maybe that’s not important to you, because you seem solely focused on the size of the phone versus everything else that you don’t seem to appreciate why you upgraded in the first place.

Size is actually not subjective. It’s a fact that it’s bigger. Just wanted to point that out.

Not sure why you’re so worked up on my opinions.

I think it’s a common complaint that the XR is too big, and too thick, to the point that it’s uncomfortable to hold to many users.

My point was that Apple’s “budget” phone is simply too big for me and for many reviewers and users and that in my opinion, was a mistake.

With all the advancement in tech, they couldn’t make the phone as thin or thinner than predecessors. That’s a fail.

 

[pika2000]

I upgraded from a 6S to an XR because I needed the dual sim feature as I travel a lot and at the cheaper price.

After using it for 4 months, I still don’t understand why Apple made the XR the way it is.

First, you’d think that the bigger screen means better video viewing. Nope. Videos don’t support the XR’s weird resolution so you’ll just end up with black bars on the left and right side.

The bigger screen really doesn’t add that much to the experience.

Second, the phone is thicker than all the iphones before it except for the first generation or two. This makes the phone really hard to hold - combined with its big size. Reviewers have said the same thing. Somehow the XS Max is easier to hold than the XR even though the XR is smaller.

Third, the phone is heavy. It’s heavy enough that it hurts my pinky when holding it in vertical position. I’ve never had a phone that was uncomfortable to hold until the XR.

Apple made the XR thick and heavy without a good reason. It would have been far better if they made it the same size as the iPhone 6 physically but without the home button.

Not sure if it's "too big" since the XR was intended to be a direct replacement for the 8 Plus.

I have played with the XR, and I actually don't mind the weight. Sure, we've been spoiled by Apple since the super light iPhone 5, but considering the XR has one of the best battery life, ever, for an iPhone, most people probably wouldn't mind the trade off. And yes, battery is a big factor in size and weight.

As for video content, well, that's just the nature of standard aspect ratios. All new phones with tall aspect ratios will experience the same problem. Having said that, I'm seeing more and more Youtubers switching their videos to 18:9 to match the wider aspect ratio of recent phones. Plus, many movies also have wider aspect ratio than 16:9.

Unfortunately, to maintain the same size as the non-plus iPhone, you have to get the XS. And I do share your concerns. I'm on a 6S as well, and I was going to upgrade to the XR but decided not to (mainly because iOS12 gave a new life to my 6S). I'm even considering "upgrading" to the iPhone 7 or 8 now.

 

[44267547]

Size is actually not subjective.

This isn’t true, nor is it really worth debating over. Size is objective for everyone, because we all have different size hands. For someone, they might find a 6.1 perfectly comfortable for one-handed use, in your situation, it doesn’t work for you. That’s called subjectivity.

I think it’s a common complaint that the XR is too big, and too thick, to the point that it’s uncomfortable to hold to many users..

I don’t know that it’s ‘common’, but it is discussed on here at least. I have not encountered anyone complaining about the size of the XR in person, let alone the Plus model iPhones over the years or even the Max. Fact is, You know exactly what you’re purchasing before you handle it, but since you didn’t answer the previous question, did you not handle the XR _before_ you purchased it.

My point was that Apple’s “budget” phone is simply too big for me

There isn’t anything ‘budget’ about the XR, none of the Apples iPhones are budget. As matter of fact, the XR is almost just as much competitive in terms of features and capabilities as the Max is, minus the aesthetics, 3D Touch and dual camera.

 

[AustinIllini]

I get why it's large. What I don't understand is why there isn't a smaller, iPhone SE size device that looks like iPhone X

 

[everythingapplerainbow]

Because the market don’t like small screens, that’s it.

 

[puma1552]

I get why it's large. What I don't understand is why there isn't a smaller, iPhone SE size device that looks like iPhone X

On the flip side, I don't get why there isn't a 6.1" flagship. I want a flagship a little bigger than the Xs but not as big as the Max.

 

[44267547]

Because the market don’t like small screens, that’s it.

I don’t believe this is the answer. I think there is a market that does like small displays, it’s just not a very large one. In Terms of viewing content, media, photos, videos, etc. larger smart phones dominate in that area, and that’s why one of the reasons they are very popular, where smaller displays aren’t as favored when viewing that type of content.

 

[solarmon]

Yup. Apple needs to bring out an iPhone Mini, no bigger than the 5/SE series. I’m holding onto mine for as long as possible. If Apple does not do this, I may just get the smallest cheapest POS non Apple phone I can find, get the nice new iPad mini 5, and use it instead. I rarely use the SE for anything but phone calls anyway, and I don’t get many of those.

Under this scenario, I’m not sure how well my Apple Watch will work, but oh well, I just need a step counter anyway, and there’s a slew of those out there.

But, I’m not buying a monster phone, not matter what.
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I get why it's large. What I don't understand is why there isn't a smaller, iPhone SE size device that looks like iPhone X

Same here!

 

[Apple_Robert]

Why didn't you return the phone and get the XS? There are a lot of options you could have made use of, instead of keeping a phone you are obviously not happy with, and then complaining about it.

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

As has been mentioned, the thickness can largely be attributed to the battery and I don’t think OP is acknowledging that bit. Comparing to the dimensions of the 6s makes no sense as they may be similar in functionality but the XR has waaaay more screen as well as all of the FaceID technology the 6s lacks.

I get it though. I started with the XR this year and ended up returning it in favor of the XS due to its size.

 

[BenTrovato]

I think the OP makes a bunch of valid points. I took the advice of fellow MR users and went to try the XR before buying. I didn't think it was "too" thick or heavy but it was more than I wanted to deal with especially when the XS feels a lot lighter and the easier to hold. I could already see myself hating the XR in a few months so I didn't buy it. As far the comparison to the 6s goes.. I agree the speed is fine now but I would be completely shocked if it doesn't slow to a crawl in September. Apple doesn't sell lower priced items without compromises.

 

[AustinIllini]

I think the OP makes a bunch of valid points. I took the advice of fellow MR users and went to try the XR before buying. I didn't think it was "too" thick or heavy but it was more than I wanted to deal with especially when the XS feels a lot lighter and the easier to hold. I could already see myself hating the XR in a few months so I didn't buy it. As far the comparison to the 6s goes.. I agree the speed is fine now but I would be completely shocked if it doesn't slow to a crawl in September. Apple doesn't sell lower priced items without compromises.

Does it make business sense to sell lower priced items without compromises? I mean, why would you buy the XS if the XR had no compromises.

 

[BenTrovato]

Does it make business sense to sell lower priced items without compromises? I mean, why would you buy the XS if the XR had no compromises.

Of course, makes complete sense. Just saying sometimes with Apple we tend to expect great products and people are let down when the lower priced item doesn't live up to expectations.

 

[AppleHaterLover]

Wow, it took you 4 months to realize it’s bigger?

The footprint of a XR is actually a bit less than that of a 6/6S/7/8 Plus phones. And those have been around for four and half years, with great success.

The XR’s screen displays 1 zillion times more content than the 6S.

Every single female in my extended family has a Plus iPhone - my mother, my sister, my aunt, hell even my 85yo grandma is rocking a 6 Plus. So it’s not a matter of size (ooh my hands are so tiny).

It’s a matter of taste, and if you don’t like yours, there’s the iPhone 7/8 line for you - maybe the XS as well (which is quite a bit smaller)

 

[1rottenapple]

Size is actually not subjective. It’s a fact that it’s bigger. Just wanted to point that out.

Not sure why you’re so worked up on my opinions.

I think it’s a common complaint that the XR is too big, and too thick, to the point that it’s uncomfortable to hold to many users.

My point was that Apple’s “budget” phone is simply too big for me and for many reviewers and users and that in my opinion, was a mistake.

With all the advancement in tech, they couldn’t make the phone as thin or thinner than predecessors. That’s a fail.

Comfort is subjective. What you may find comfortable is uncomfortable for others. Case in point I have both xr and max. The xr is more comfortable.

How’s the battery life on your 6s vid the xr? Xr has a bigger battery is is guaranteed to last longer.

 

[puma1552]

How's the Xr from a pocketability standpoint?

 

[Adelphos33]

Seems like you bought the wrong product - the iPhone 8 may have been better for you, and it remains one of Apple’s most underrated phones

 

[44267547]

How's the Xr from a pocketability standpoint?

It’s definitely feasible, but I think what you might notice more than the size in the pocket would be the weight of the phone itself.

 

[maxjohnson2]

I don’t believe this is the answer. I think there is a market that does like small displays, it’s just not a very large one. In Terms of viewing content, media, photos, videos, etc. larger smart phones dominate in that area, and that’s why one of the reasons they are very popular, where smaller displays aren’t as favored when viewing that type of content.

Marketing is all about convincing people that they need something that they didn't before. In the case of the notch and no headphone jack, I don't think it was the consumers who made the decision.

 

[44267547]

Marketing is all about convincing people that they need something that they didn't before. In the case of no headphone jack and notch, I don't think it was the consumers who made the decision.

You’re right about the marketing, Apple never emphasized iPhone SE at all, aside from their website. And I think the reason they didn’t do that, as they didn’t want to detract from the more popular phones, and they likely don’t want to spend too much money on this phone in general, given it was their entry level phone.

I assume if the SE ever was revived, it will be very much different than it once was, and there should be some type of marketing behind it.

 

[tt061282]

I upgraded from a 6S to an XR because I needed the dual sim feature as I travel a lot and at the cheaper price.

After using it for 4 months, I still don’t understand why Apple made the XR the way it is.

First, you’d think that the bigger screen means better video viewing. Nope. Videos don’t support the XR’s weird resolution so you’ll just end up with black bars on the left and right side.

The bigger screen really doesn’t add that much to the experience.

Second, the phone is thicker than all the iphones before it except for the first generation or two. This makes the phone really hard to hold - combined with its big size. Reviewers have said the same thing. Somehow the XS Max is easier to hold than the XR even though the XR is smaller.

Third, the phone is heavy. It’s heavy enough that it hurts my pinky when holding it in vertical position. I’ve never had a phone that was uncomfortable to hold until the XR.

Apple made the XR thick and heavy without a good reason. It would have been far better if they made it the same size as the iPhone 6 physically but without the home button.

Hmm... the black bars can be took away by stretching it... in any video you watch
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Seems like you bought the wrong product - the iPhone 8 may have been better for you, and it remains one of Apple’s most underrated phones

This is the truth. The iPhone 8 was a monster and still is. It got overlooked because of its bezels.
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Comfort is subjective. What you may find comfortable is uncomfortable for others. Case in point I have both xr and max. The xr is more comfortable.

How’s the battery life on your 6s vid the xr? Xr has a bigger battery is is guaranteed to last longer.

I am so glad I’m not the only one. I own the Max and the Xʀ and I too find the Xʀ the more comfortable device. Everyone either wants my Max or doesn’t understand, but too me it’s simple..

The Xʀ and it’s 6.1” screen seems to be the sweet spot and the battery life is AMAZING. Much better than my Max or X.