iPhone XR Anyone upgraded from a 7 to a XR? Need some advice please.

[gdourado]

Hello, how are you?
I am currently using an iPhone 7.
It is the regular 4.7 inch model.
I find the size really goo and convenient.
I mainly use my phone on the go, so the size is great.
While at home I almost only use the iPad for the bigger screen, so not much trouble about the 4.7 on the iPhone.
But my battery is not so great anymore and I got the upgrade bug.

I can get an excellent deal on an iPhone XR, and I am thinking if I should take it.
The screen is not an issue for me as my current 7 is also an lcd display and has the same ppi as the xr.

My biggest two questions is the camera and the size.
The camera because I use the camera of my iPhone a lot.
So I am wondering if there is a big and noticeable upgrade in camera performance and image quality between the 7 and the Xr.
Is it a worthwhile upgrade for the camera alone?

How about the size? If you upgraded from a regular 7 or 8 to the xr, what do you think of the new size in your daily life?

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Best regards.

 

[austyn23]

It’s big, the 7/8 are just perfect for me in size and weight. The XR is big and heavy.

BUT battery is insane... and the camera too. If this is important to you, maybe you can handle the new size.

If you want a great camera and decent battery, the 8 fits great. But the battery on the XR... I charge the phone once every two days!

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-xr-is-too-big.2150297/page-7#post-27153064

 

[nordique]

On iOS 12, you won’t see much of a performance upgrade from 7 -> XR, if any. Despite the A12 being much more powerful than the A10, in actual use they are almost identical in terms of UX

However the camera and battery are both massive improvements.

The battery alone is an immediate noticeable difference just because you’ll end the day with 50% easily.

You will also get a bunch of smaller updates together that are nice like Bluetooth 5.0, an extra gb of ram, True Tone, wireless charging, better speakers, and a larger display. Depending on which iPhone 7 model you have you’ll also get double the storage.

It really depends on your reason for upgrading. If you are doing it only for performance then don’t bother.

But sounds like you care more about battery and camera

Size, well it’s a bigger phone. It’s closer in size and weight to the Plus models. It’s a heavy thick phone and you will notice that but the larger device size, larger screen, battery and sandwich glass design are the main culprits for that increase in weight.

Personally I think the XR is a great device and I highly recommend it.

If you buy it and don’t like it you can always return it.

 

[gdourado]

Thank you for your inputs.
Camera is a big concern for me.
That is because I like photography very much.
Over the years I had some great cameras.
But now, I use my iPhone as my primary camera.
With my current life, it is just not practical to carry an SLR.
My son is always demanding attention, wants me to pick him up, to run with him, to ride on my back.
A dslr is not practical when going out with him and also carry his bike or a ball or some toys... and then I just don’t find the time or will anymore to sit at the computer processing raw files.
So I came to grow big on smartphone photography.

So if the camera on the xr alone is a big and noticiable improvement, I might swallow the bigger size and also cost of upgrade, since I rely on my phone for almost all my photography needs.

Also battery is another concern since my 7 has 80% health and I can loose like 10% on a single quick phone call at times.

I am also toying in my mind with the idea of android, since the Mate 20 Pro is currently the same price as the XR and it supposedly has a killer camera.

 

[DevinNj]

I had the 7, gave it to my son. He used it until this Christmas when he got the XR. After using both I’d buy the XR without hesitation. It’s a great phone, sure it’s bigger than the 7, but not much. You’d get used to it in no time. The camera, the battery life, the screen, wireless charging, and even face unlock is cooler than I thought it’d be. Like stated above you’re not going to notice much of a difference in terms of speed, but the added features make it worth it. To me at least anyway.

 

[oVerboost]

I’d recommend at least trying an XR as well, great phone and a more noticeable upgrade.

 

[NJHitmen]

Also battery is another concern since my 7 has 80% health and I can loose like 10% on a single quick phone call at times.

Re: this point - just a thought...if you're otherwise happy with the 7, you might want to consider simply having the battery replaced. Should cost about $50, and that will buy your old phone a new lease on life. The 7 is still a competent device.

 

[Seanm87]

I was surprised by just how much better the camera on the xr was compared to the 7.

 

[KOTN91]

I did this exact upgrade from standard 7 to XR. I too was concerned about the size, I used to think the 7 size was perfect but after a few days you literally adjust. Now XR seems to perfect size and when I picked up a friends 7 the other day it felt absolutely tiny!

It’s just such a massive upgrade in every way, battery life is insane, faceid and gestures so seamless and a beautiful design with cool colours. I can’t say I’ve noticed the camera is that much of an upgrade, perhaps the pictures are a bit clearer but it was already more than good enough on the 7 IMO

 

[gdourado]

Thank you all for sharing.
Yesterday I was at the store and played with a XR a bit.
I must say I really liked the phone.
It is bigger that’s for sure.
But the screen is not bad at all.
I placed it next to a display xs and if I put my nose against the screen, I can see the difference as the icons and text on the xs is sharper.
But at normal usage, I honestly couldn’t tell the difference.

As for the camera, I take many pictures indoors with my 7. They always look great on the iPhone screen, but I view them on the computer at more zoom they are a bit noisy and smudged somewhat.
I think the XR can do better there.

I must confess I also saw a mate 20 pro at the same store, for the same price and it is supposed to have a killer camera.
But return to android at this point I just don’t know... but I got me thinking.

 

[now i see it]

If the camera is the main draw, consider a used iPhone X instead.

 

[AustinIllini]

If the camera is the main draw, consider a used iPhone X instead.

This. iPhone X is a better size in terms of adapting from iPhone 7, too. I would say XS, but it's just too expensive at this point. Get a refurb iPhone X (even from the Apple store at a nice discount) and you'll be as happy as with the XR and it will last you a long time. The A11 is just so sophisticated.

 

[gdourado]

If the camera is the main draw, consider a used iPhone X instead.

Why is that?
Because of the telephoto lens for portraits?
Because the main camera I believe it is better on the XR, as the XR uses the same larger sensor than the XS, while the X uses the sensor of the older iPhone 8.

 

[NJHitmen]

Why is that?
Because of the telephoto lens for portraits?
Because the main camera I believe it is better on the XR, as the XR uses the same larger sensor than the XS, while the X uses the sensor of the older iPhone 8.

Yep, that's correct. I suppose if you see yourself using a telephoto lens frequently, or taking a lot of portrait mode shots (on non-human faces), then the camera on the X may be better for you overall. Otherwise, the XR should take superior photos.

 

[44267547]

This. iPhone X is a better size in terms of adapting from iPhone 7, too. I would say XS, but it's just too expensive at this point. Get a refurb iPhone X (even from the Apple store at a nice discount)

A refurbished 2017 X is $769 from Apples website, realistically, their refurbished devices have always had a higher mark up, I don’t generally don’t think it’s that nice of a discount, being that the difference to have the XS is $230 more, which in most cases, someone would likely trade their older device to bring the price of the XS down even more.

 

[austyn23]

I wouldn't consider the X because the camera is inferior to the XR and OP said camera is a must on his decision.

Portrait mode (only for humans) works really really good on the XR, but, just for humans...

How is battery on the X or XS?

If battery life is a must in your life, the XR is the best by far. If you charge every day your phone or have some battery backup with you always, maybe the XS is better in size/weight terms.

 

[apolloa]

You’ll certainly notice the difference with the camera.
You’ll also certainly notice the increase in size, I went from a 6S to the XR, it is a bulky phone next to the smaller devices. You’ll get used to it but you do have to take it our of your pocket in situations you could leave the older 7 in your pocket.
I’m in two minds about keeping my XR though due to its size and also I miss 3D Touch.

 

[Cladster]

I’m in two minds about keeping my XR though due to its size and also I miss 3D Touch.

So am i but the only real choice is a 8 with a not as good camera and battery.

 

[apolloa]

So am i but the only real choice is a 8 with a not as good camera and battery.

I’ll get an XS. So I keep the good camera.

 

[Cladster]

I’ll get an XS. So I keep the good camera.

Fair enough but they are way overpriced imo, even used, have been looking at them too.
With Xs v Xr, reception call quality not as good and battery not as good
For me to got a XS would be an extra $929 more than i paid for my Xr, camera is not that much better

 

[DSTOFEL]

Hello, how are you?
I am currently using an iPhone 7.
It is the regular 4.7 inch model.
I find the size really goo and convenient.
I mainly use my phone on the go, so the size is great.
While at home I almost only use the iPad for the bigger screen, so not much trouble about the 4.7 on the iPhone.
But my battery is not so great anymore and I got the upgrade bug.

I can get an excellent deal on an iPhone XR, and I am thinking if I should take it.
The screen is not an issue for me as my current 7 is also an lcd display and has the same ppi as the xr.

My biggest two questions is the camera and the size.
The camera because I use the camera of my iPhone a lot.
So I am wondering if there is a big and noticeable upgrade in camera performance and image quality between the 7 and the Xr.
Is it a worthwhile upgrade for the camera alone?

How about the size? If you upgraded from a regular 7 or 8 to the xr, what do you think of the new size in your daily life?

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Best regards.

Just a bit of background: I just upgraded from the 7 (4.7 inch) to XR in December and prior to that had the 6 Plus!

My take:

From a “Camera only” perspective: Yes, the camera far better in the XR than the 7. “If” your phone was your primary camera then yes, it might make sense to upgrade. However, if the iPhone camera is just a camera for occasional use...maybe not! Me? I’m a photography enthusiast....and my “other” cameras are my primary cameras for any serious work. Still, I appreciate the difference between the camera on the 7 vs the XR!

From a size perspective: I have the same opinion with the XR as I had with the 6 plus. I love everything about the bigger size except for the pocket ability factor. As a guy....and I’m not going to get specific by classifying myself into one of the multiple gender identities...(iejust a guy)...I keep my phone in my pants pocket! With the iPhone 7...no issues! With the 6 plus or the XR, I do get the occasional comment from the opposite sex “Is that an iPhone XR in your pocket or are you just happy to see me”

Short answer: I’m very happy with the upgrade!

 

[newknowledge__]

Hello, how are you?
I am currently using an iPhone 7.
It is the regular 4.7 inch model.
I find the size really goo and convenient.
I mainly use my phone on the go, so the size is great.
While at home I almost only use the iPad for the bigger screen, so not much trouble about the 4.7 on the iPhone.
But my battery is not so great anymore and I got the upgrade bug.

I can get an excellent deal on an iPhone XR, and I am thinking if I should take it.
The screen is not an issue for me as my current 7 is also an lcd display and has the same ppi as the xr.

My biggest two questions is the camera and the size.
The camera because I use the camera of my iPhone a lot.
So I am wondering if there is a big and noticeable upgrade in camera performance and image quality between the 7 and the Xr.
Is it a worthwhile upgrade for the camera alone?

How about the size? If you upgraded from a regular 7 or 8 to the xr, what do you think of the new size in your daily life?

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Best regards.

Tomorrow marks one week i've upgraded from the 7 to the XR and it is one of the better decisions i've made. I'm quite happy with the device.

I was a bit overwhelmed by the size of the phone, but after a few days I got adjusted. The screen is great, love the speed and FaceID, too. Battery life is incredible.

In terms of camera, I think there's a huge difference in terms of resolution and finish quality of photos.

If I were you, i'd make the switch, all the best with your decision.

 

[apolloa]

Fair enough but they are way overpriced imo, even used, have been looking at them too.
With Xs v Xr, reception call quality not as good and battery not as good
For me to got a XS would be an extra $929 more than i paid for my Xr, camera is not that much better

It’s not expensive for me now as I have value in my XR to claim against it, but buying it without that it’s expensive! Also the battery is smaller but when they bring dark mode to the XS that’ll impeove, as for reception, in the U.K. it doesn’t seem to make a difference in our networks, my brother in law has an XS and my nephew an XR and he said their has been no difference in reception, they are on the same network. I’m still pondering the idea though.

To the OP, I should highlight the big difference in the camera quality of the XR cannot be underestimated, IMO it’s the camera to replace your normal point and shoot one.
It is a huge improvement and you’ll love it. If you don’t want to buy an XS and don’t use 3D Touch then buy the XR.

 

[Cladster]

t’s not expensive for me now as I have value in my XR to claim against it, but buying it without that it’s expensive! Also the battery is smaller but when they bring dark mode to the XS that’ll impeove, as for reception, in the U.K. it doesn’t seem to make a difference in our networks, my brother in law has an XS and my nephew an XR and he said their has been no difference in reception, they are on the same network. I’m still pondering the idea though.

I can upgrade my sim only contract with a XS 64gb over 2 years for pretty much what the Xs would cost outright, but spread over 2 years, and my data increase by 43g a month, faster business data, unlimited calls/texts and free calls to NZ where my son lives.
Plus can also sell my Xr for $800, $120 more than i paid. Can i keep a XS for 2 years though

 

[Snayton]

Didn't want to make a new thread, saw this one. I just pulled the trigger on a 128GB XR in blue. I have a 7 now, I got it barley used, he went with an Android instead. I bought it on eBay for $615 shipped, I'm going to give my mother my iPhone 7. I hope I made the right choice.