iPhone XR Dithering about XR; 'fraid it will be too big

[BigG94]

Posted a while back about looking to switch from Android after many years, was asking about feasibility of buying a new in box 7 Plus in 2018; that transaction fell through unfortunately.

Still interested in making the switch, am focused in on XR because it offers more bang for buck, likelihood of longer lifespan/updates than Pixel (Android alternative I was considering) because of A12, great camera, is about at the top range of what I'm prepared to spend on a phone and tests I've seen seem to indicate they're more durable than similarly priced used X, which is a definite concern for me.

(I'm a klutz, it's why my phones go in the strongest possible case with tempered glass screen protector before they're powered on, am looking at Pelican Shield made of Kevlar for XR. I could care 3.5 cacas about a phone's "style" and "elegance," my phone is a tool that I can't afford the headaches/financial "ouch"/down time to fix if I drop it and smash it, even with "uh-oh" insurance.)

I got to test drive a friend's XR and loved it, but the thing is, even though it's only .2 inches taller, .15 inches wider and actually is .02 inches shallower than my current phone (HTC 10), and is just 1.16 ounces heavier, the flippin' thing felt like a brick in my hand, not quite but almost uncomfortable. I know a lot of that is probably in my head, but it was my actual first impression.

I really don't want a plus-sized phone ... I know that's the trend, call me an oddball ... one reason being that I still carry my phone in a leather pouch on my belt loop (I know it's geeky but it works for me) and don't want to be wearing a boat paddle. But by the specs the XR should be do-able.

My question ... has anyone else gotten that feeling at least initially, and is it a case of just getting used/adjusted to it? Someone had a thread about going from a big to a small phone, call this "need tips for going from a small to a bigger phone," LOL!

 

[Newtons Apple]

If you do not like you can always return it. Only way to know is to use it and hold it in your hands.

 

[BigG94]

If you do not like you can always return it. Only way to know is to use it and hold it in your hands.

True ... just looking for anyone who's had similar experiences.

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

Each time I’ve tried a plus sized phone, it’s grown on me after a time but there’s always some nagging thing in the back of my mind telling me I prefer a smaller form factor. Same thing happened with the XR. It felt great for the few days that I had it but every time I had to adjust my grip that something lit up and reminded me that I only had so many days to correct my mistake.

Happy to be typing this on the perfectly sized XS.

 

[Whoakapi]

The XR is a solidly built brick. The bulky bezels add to the this impression. Still it feels great to use.

It is a big phone and adding a big case makes it even more bulky.

 

[timeconsumer]

I had to switch to a thinner case myself. It was too much of a brick with the Griffin Survivor case I was previously using. But with a thin/lightweight case it’s fine.

 

[BigG94]

Thanks for input.

Honestly, given my klutziness, I don't feel secure with anything less than a protective case, especially with a glass phone. It is what it is and I am who I am.

I'm 70 miles away from the nearest Apple Store and have zero idea when I'll have a chance to get down there, most likely not before Christmas, otherwise I'd go test drive a bunch of phones instead of asking a bunch of subjective questions on a forum. (Was looking at mail order purchase.)

8, X and XS are probably more within the size point I feel comfortable with, but XS ain't happening, X could happen (my head was just turned by the XR's better camera, which actually is a big thing for me because I use my phone in photography for work, and the A12), and 8 could happen just as a "get my foot into the Apple ecosystem door" move.

Lots to think about.

 

[eyoungren]

I'm 70 miles away from the nearest Apple Store and have zero idea when I'll have a chance to get down there, most likely not before Christmas, otherwise I'd go test drive a bunch of phones instead of asking a bunch of subjective questions on a forum. (Was looking at mail order purchase.)

You don't have to visit an Apple store just to handle the phones.

Walmart, Target, Best Buy, even a carrier store. All sell iPhones and should have at least one or two models on display.

 

[BigG94]

You don't have to visit an Apple store just to handle the phones.

Walmart, Target, Best Buy, even a carrier store. All sell iPhones and should have at least one or two models on display.

Local Walmart has an X and an XS, that's it. No XR. (Closest Best Buy is 35 miles, may be able to get over there.)

I may pop down to the Verizon store and see if they have one.

 

[eyoungren]

Local Walmart has an X and an XS, that's it. No XR. (Closest Best Buy is 35 miles, may be able to get over there.)

I may pop down to the Verizon store and see if they have one.

I get it. I lived rural from 1982 to 2000 (not by choice). 30 minutes to get anywhere of significance. Hopefully someplace will have what you're looking for.

 

[BigG94]

I get it. I lived rural from 1982 to 2000 (not by choice). 30 minutes to get anywhere of significance. Hopefully someplace will have what you're looking for.

Like I said in OP, I got to handle an XR for a good while and it was in an Otterbox. I'm sure that contributed to the brick-like feeling. Revisiting my OP ... honestly the thing felt more odd than excruciatingly heavy, if that makes sense. I think I could get used to it. I just need some more hands-on time to be sure.

At the Apple price point ... which I'm not knocking, I'm not joining that chorale, I love the free market where we have choices ... I want this phone to last me a while. I don't have a contract with anybody, I'm on a Verizon MVNO, so I don't have any payment plans, discounts, etc., when I get a new phone it comes totally out of my hide up front so I don't automatically change every two years. That's why the A12 is attractive to me, I figure it will future-proof me for a while.

I've only had current phone, HTC 10, for 18 months but battery is dying fast and HTC in its infinite wisdom made it not replaceable even for pros. (It's between the screen and the motherboard and you usually trash one or the other trying to replace it; most shops won't touch 'em.)

 

[eyoungren]

Like I said in OP, I got to handle an XR for a good while and it was in an Otterbox. I'm sure that contributed to the brick-like feeling. Revisiting my OP ... honestly the thing felt more odd than excruciatingly heavy, if that makes sense. I think I could get used to it. I just need some more hands-on time to be sure.

At the Apple price point ... which I'm not knocking, I'm not joining that chorale, I love the free market where we have choices ... I want this phone to last me a while. I don't have a contract with anybody, I'm on a Verizon MVNO, so I don't have any payment plans, discounts, etc., when I get a new phone it comes totally out of my hide up front so I don't automatically change every two years. That's why the A12 is attractive to me, I figure it will future-proof me for a while.

I've only had current phone, HTC 10, for 18 months but battery is dying fast and HTC in its infinite wisdom made it not replaceable even for pros. (It's between the screen and the motherboard and you usually trash one or the other trying to replace it; most shops won't touch 'em.)

I came to iPhone from Windows Mobile and HTC back in 2012. And I do not use cases (at all). I have yet to encounter an iPhone that feels like a brick in my hand, even the plus size models (I own a 6s+). In fact, I quite preferred the feel of the last 6+ I had over my current 6s+. It was a little heavier and felt more solid.

My wife has an Otterbox for her 6s. One of those clear, glittery plastic cases. As Otterboxes go that's pretty much glitz.

But everyone is different.

 

[qawsed]

It is a decent size but generally I find it grows to become normal. It's a super phone.

 

[tops2]

I went from an iPhone 6 Plus (I still use almost daily as an ipod touch), to the regular 8 (traded in to Apple), and now to the XR. I love the size of the screen (especially compared to the regular 8), and love how its physically smaller than the 6 Plus. Its smaller enough to make 1 handed use much easier and much more comfortable in the pants (specially when sitting down and now having the phone press into my hips). The weight increase is definitely noticeable for me..but its not too bad.

I'm currently using the Loopy Max (its the Max version of the Loopy Case) and the case is pretty light to me while feeling like it can protect the phone from reasonable drops. With the loop on the back of the case, I can hold my phone is more "creative" ways and thus don't notice the weight that much. I usually don't have my hand wrapped around the whole phone with the Loopy Max so I don't feel the size of the XR. Granted, the Loopy Case looks a bit goofy to me..but I love it.

With standard cases, I'd have to wrap my hold hand around the XR to feel secure about no dropping the phone. My other favorite case is the Caudabe Sheath, which is pretty slim but may not offer the drop protection you're looking for. With the Sheath, the size of the XR feels really good in my hands and doesn't add much width to the phone.

If you're interested in the Loopy Max, check out MobileReviewEh's youtube reviews. He has one video showing different ways to "use" the Loopy. FWIW, there's also a current green Monday discount for Loopy. (I'm not affiliated with Loopy or anything!)

 

[rjedoaks]

Having just received the XS a few days ago, coming from the 7, it feels big. I prefer the 7 for usability, but this Xs I can get used to, I think. The xr would have been my choice to save 250, but way to big. Having had the 6s+, I don’t care for large phones. I’d go w/ the xs, personally.

 

[MisterSavage]

I feel you. When I'm watching a movie or playing a game I appreciate the extra screen size but the XS is a little unwieldy for one-handed use for me. The plus sized models are a strong "hell no" from me. I've gotten used to the size but I definitely don't want it to be one millimeter bigger.

 

[nasa25]

Just got my red XR yesterday as a secondary phone to my X. Yes it does take awhile to get used to the bigger phone but for me it's fairly comfortable for one handed use. It's definitely at the size limit for one handed use though, I'd say, unless your Shaq or Kawhi Leonard.

I have fairly dainty hands and can easily accept the phone's girth.

 

[tops2]

Earlier this year, I went from the 6 Plus to the regular 8. Personally, I find with the smaller 8, I still need to do the "phone shuffle" to reach the top and the bottom of the screen as well. I just didn't need to shuffle as much on the 8 as with my 6 Plus.

Rereading your original post, seems like you may have to "test drive" an XR to see if you can live with the weight. Its sometimes hard to judge how you'll like the physical size and weight over a longer time vs the limited time at the store.

 

[BigG94]

UPDATE: I pulled the trigger on an XR 128 GB, should have it in hand on Tuesday. (Ordered it online, no way I'm getting to the nearest Apple Store anytime soon.

I should have it up and running by Friday when my case and screen protector are supposed to be here. (I don't use a phone without a protective case and TGSP; sorry Jony Ive.)

I was able to test drive my friend's XR a little more extensively today. His is in an Otterbox Defender ... he's similarly protection minded ... and it took me no time at all to adjust to the weight and size, which after I used it a while really wasn't a whole lot different in weight and feel than the HTC 10 Android I'm using now. (Which actually is thicker than the XR.)

So I decided to take the plunge.

Thanks to everyone for your input; I'll offer my impressions when I get the thing in hand and put it through its paces.
[doublepost=1545020856][/doublepost]One more followup, I really, really was tempted to get an 8, but honestly I felt it was almost too small for me.

The HTC 10 I'm using now has a 5.5-inch screen but it's 5.74 inches tall compared to the XR at 5.94 inches tall. And like I said the HTC is 2.83 inches wide and .35 inches deep compared to the XR at 2.98 inches wide and .33 inches deep. So it actually is pretty much in the wheelhouse of the HTC, which I considered to be a perfect size phone for me. And the difference in weight is 1.16 oz., which is negligible. Couldn't afford the XS and didn't want used X in same price range because of the XR having the A12.