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iPhone XR Does anyone else find the Xr in hand just feels ... off?

J

jozero

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 14, 2009
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I think I’ve now tried out the Xr in various stores about 20 times. In theory it is the perfect replacement for my aging 6s. I like everything about it as it is on paper. Price is now great on contract as well. Then I try it in hand it simple does not feel right. This doesn’t make any sense, my 6s feels great in hand, I use it without a case. And its not the size, to the me the Xs Max also feels great in hand. The Xr is built of the same materials as the 6s. But something just feels off. Is the balance off on it? The Xs on other hand feels great, but the price is looney.

Any one else have similar opions about the Xr? Anyone feel that way and then got it and ended up really liking it?
 
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I always use a case.. so my Xr with a case actually feels smaller than my 7+ with case
 
Coming from a 7 plus, it feels good to be able to finally handle the phone with one hand again. TS you're likely not used to bigger sized phones. Does the XS Max feels good or off to you?
 
Alright I think I just need to try it. Thanks for the replies. Think I’ll just get one, there is a 2 week return policy at the carrier
 
Yes! iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone Xr (aluminum edges) feel so off for me. Especially after spending a year using iPhone 7 Plus Jet Black.

In my opinion, iPhones with aluminum edges and a glass backing simply feel different from the special jet black finish and iPhones with stainless steel edges & glass backing.
 
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Like people said, it's definitely the thickness in combination with the bigger size, the glass back and the extra weight this all brings.

Come to think about it, I think the glass back in combination with the aluminium sides is what makes it feel extra weird for you. The XS' stainless steel sides give the same feeling as glass, so front, sides and back feel the same, which makes it feel seamless. Your 6S is glass on the front... the sides and back are one piece of aluminium. The XR on the other hand is glass on the front, then aluminium on the sides and then back to glass again. It's a less nice transition of materials.
 
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It’s just a combination of what you personally prefer, materials used, weight and size.

I can remember when the iPhone 6 came out. There were comments about it not feeling “good” because people found it too thin, too big, too light in weight, too slippery, uncomfortable to hold (rounded corners)...
 
I have had the 4,4s,5C,5S,6,6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus, X, XS Max and the Xʀ and the iPhone Xʀ is BY FAR my favorite iOS device. I have the Max, X and Xʀ RIGHT now in my viewing angles and the X or Max DOES NOT tempt me one bit.

The iPhone 5C I bought before the 5S because I personally did not care for the iPhone 5, but the 5C was nothing but plasticky issue after issue... so the 5s was a replacement by Apple for free. The iPhone XS Max was my favorite iOS device until the Xʀ was released and now I WILL NOT go back.

Trust me give the Xʀ a chance and time. It’s my perfect size now.
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envisionwithjustin said:
Yes! iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone Xr (aluminum edges) feel so off for me. Especially after spending a year using iPhone 7 Plus Jet Black.

In my opinion, iPhones with aluminum edges and a glass backing simply feel different from the special jet black finish and iPhones with stainless steel edges & glass backing.
Click to expand...

I can understand where you’re coming from as I ABSOLUTELY loved my Jet Black iPhone 7 Plus, but you do get used to it after time.
 
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PeteS1963 said:
It’s just a combination of what you personally prefer, materials used, weight and size.

I can remember when the iPhone 6 came out. There were comments about it not feeling “good” because people found it too thin, too big, too light in weight, too slippery, uncomfortable to hold (rounded corners)...
Click to expand...

Yea the 6 always felt like a “prototype” phone to me.
The 6S was a much more refined phone. The extra weight and thickness were just “right”.
 
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deuxani said:
Like people said, it's definitely the thickness in combination with the bigger size, the glass back and the extra weight this all brings.

Come to think about it, I think the glass back in combination with the aluminium sides is what makes it feel extra weird for you. The XS' stainless steel sides give the same feeling as glass, so front, sides and back feel the same, which makes it feel seamless. Your 6S is glass on the front... the sides and back are one piece of aluminium. The XR on the other hand is glass on the front, then aluminium on the sides and then back to glass again. It's a less nice transition of materials.
Click to expand...

Hmmm interesting.

Definitely saying this is my opinion. I do wish I remember if I felt similarly when I got my 6s.
 
My experience so far I Love how the xr feels I’m hand without a case. I’m debating going to an xr and I really don’t want to use a case with this.
 
1rottenapple said:
My experience so far I Love how the xr feels I’m hand without a case. I’m debating going to an xr and I really don’t want to use a case with this.
Click to expand...
I don’t think that’s a wise choice. One drop ad the glass on back or front will shatter. The repair’s expensive for both front and back glass.
 
I really love the extra thickness of the XR, every time I’ve tried it out at a store I’ve always liked how it felt in my hand. It’s actually one of the reasons why I’m thinking of replacing my 6S (and my LG V30) with one, not to the mention the nice colors and great battery life.
 
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ApolloBoy said:
I really love the extra thickness of the XR, every time I’ve tried it out at a store I’ve always liked how it felt in my hand. It’s actually one of the reasons why I’m thinking of replacing my 6S (and my LG V30) with one, not to the mention the nice colors and great battery life.
Click to expand...

Yeah I can attest to the great battery life. It truly is amazing.
 
It's funny. I just went to the Apple Store yesterday to take a look at the iPhone XR. I currently have an iPhone 6s Plus which feels slightly wide in the hand when holding it in "Portrait mode".

I found the XR to be considerably more comfortable in the hand. The thickness actually made the phone easier to grip, and the smaller size of the height and width of the phone made it much more comfortable in my hand. I like to use my phone a lot in "Landscape mode", and the small bezels on the phone (relative to my 6S Plus) made it much easer to reach for the screen and type using the onscreen keyboard. It also felt more "balanced" in the hand when doing these activities. I hate to sound like Ive, but the size of the phone combined with the full screen made the phone feel more like an extension of myself, where the experience became my central focus and the phone itself faded into the background. It felt more like a tool than a phone.

I was disappointed that the main screen didn't have a "Landscape mode" like my current phone has, however.
 
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