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I haven't heard this tired argument in years. Seriously, it's a phone. What exactly are you expecting to do, have 15 applications open, not full screen, and just touch on them to switch to them (basically how my workflow is on my PC)?

I am genuinely curious how this even a thing these days.
Way to win an argument by switching to the extreme.
There are uses for multitasking, usually that means two apps, not 15.
 
Well by the looks of the features of their phones and the speed of thier rise in the market place a lot goes into them probably. Apple just keep riding the wave, even though the XR is a great phone there is nothing in it that makes you think "that's innovative" where as Huawei are really pushing the boat out in features. Just saying.
So what’s innovative about the hauwei phones that’s hasn’t been done already?
 
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Where do guys keep their phone if not in front jeans pocket?
The rear pocket will surely bend the phone if sitting on it and it would be annoying to take it out of pocket to sit down?

I've always kept my iPhone in my back pocket and always take it out when sitting down. This isn't rocket science. Any phone is going to feel uncomfortable in any jeans pocket while sitting down, aside from the risk of bending it or cracking the screen.
 
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Pushing the limits of a front-pocket phone, no doubt. Even compared to the X with a slim case, the XR with no case will fit in a rear pocket but definitely will require removal when sitting down...

Has anyone purchased the XR to go in to a front jeans pocket and how does it fit?

Maybe I should go in to an Apple store and see if they fancy doing a potential bend test of an XR in my front jeans pocket.

Where do guys keep their phone if not in front jeans pocket?
The rear pocket will surely bend the phone if sitting on it and it would be annoying to take it out of pocket to sit down?
 
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I don't understand the size of this phone one bit! Why not have regular and 'max' versions as with the XS and previous iPhones. Personally I'd prefer a slightly smaller phone (ie the SE size which until they ditched it was INCREDIBLY popular). But to have 'budget' phone almost as big as the 'Max' seems ridiculous. They are going to have to release a smaller phone at some point or they WILL lose market share. There is a significant market for both a cheaper phone but also a smaller one. At the moment consumers simply aren't been given a choice as all Apple's new phones are big.
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I've always kept my iPhone in my back pocket and always take it out when sitting down. This isn't rocket science. Any phone is going to feel uncomfortable in any jeans pocket while sitting down, aside from the risk of bending it or cracking the screen.

Seriously? And you don't worry about i) sitting on it accidentally an damaging it ii) being pickpocketed?
 
Really wants to see the front of it with a cover on.
Those borders looks kinda chubby
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Pushing the limits of a front-pocket phone, no doubt. Even compared to the X with a slim case, the XR with no case will fit in a rear pocket but definitely will require removal when sitting down...
;)
 
The argument against this feature is also tired (IMO). Phones have great processors, screens, and input methods these days. They are increasingly becoming more of a pocket computer in people's lives as opposed to being strictly a communication device. While I do prefer full screen app use, I still often need 2 open at the same time, and enjoy the freedom of being able to do that.

Regarding use cases, @Delgibbons had a great example and one I run into often, including last afternoon while at the Airport. Being able to have an Email open on one half of the screen, while updating my local site calendar (datacenter in a different state) made it so I could quickly do a complex multi-day calendar change while I referenced his email in split screen. In my case, I was also watching (granted mostly listening) a Netflix show that was in PIP (Picture in picture) mode the entire time.

My main multitasking uses
  • Web Browsing + Calendar updates (Looking at a race schedule on their website and updating my calendar at the same time)
  • Web browsing / fact checking + spreadsheet or word processor application (Grabbing facts or data I want to use in my document)
  • Web browsing + Notepad application (simple note taking while fact checking on the web)
  • Photo application + Word processor or Email (browsing photos to inject into my document or articles)
  • Moderating MacRumors (Have a post report in one window, while I work on the issue in another window)
  • PIP Video + doing almost anything. (While clearly not a cinematic experience, I enjoy having a video playing in the background while I work on other things)
All of the reasons above contributed to why I purchased an iPad Pro, and I slowly discovered my Android phones could do this as well. I like the way Apple does Multitasking far better than Android, however they cripple the phones to prevent that functionality.

Apple has plenty of HP to let us do PIP video form the TV App, YouTube, Netflix, or any other video content while we do other work. This is the biggest reason I lean in the direction of using my Android phones while I travel. It is trivial, but being able to have a casual game open while I watch a show is a great feature. Apple only allows us to listen to audio from some of these sources in the background, but you will ALWAYS have to manually resume playback from control center when you switch away from these video sources.


View attachment 798714
Browsing the web while working on an invoice, and playing one of my favorite podcasts in the background. (Pixel 2)

What's wrong with having genuine multitasking ?
I want my recently used apps to resume from where I left, instantly.
My iPad 6 can't vs my humble Moto G5.

To me, iOS is a glorified feature phone OS.

Again, tiny screen. Because Apple is so memory management savvy, 4gb of RAM means that I have yet to run into an instance where I couldn't go back to where I was. I've forgotten about an Untappd post and come back to it the morning after, and my half-written review is still there waiting patiently to be completed.

Being able to swipe between apps feels pretty genuine to me.

As for playing a game while watching a video or listening to music, I still don't comprehend why you kids do that. If I'm watching a movie or listening to music or playing a game, that's all I'm doing. I don't split my attention and then wipe the raid. That applies from desktop computing to tableting to phones.
[doublepost=1540820656][/doublepost]"If Steve Jobs were alive..."

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone+XR+Teardown/114123#s218630
 
Yeah but 1mm on these devices makes a huge difference. I saw the XR at the store yesterday and it’s honestly ridiculous how thick the device is! Not very 2018
I finally found the guy who complaints about the 1mm! Went to Apple Store saw the new iPhone didn't bought one and still find ways to complain how thick it is. SMH!
 
I'll throw out my impressions as someone coming from an 8:

- I think the screen is better than "fine"....it's *very* good
- Needless to say, it's very premium feeling, as is basically everything from Apple
- While it's much weightier than my 8, it's a non-issue for me
- Gestures become second nature quickly, and I love it
- I didn't use 3D Touch often, so I didn't really miss it. Space Bar-Trackpad function is good enough.
- Very snappy
- Camera takes fantastic pics
- Battery life has been excellent
- The thicker bezels don't bother me, at all (personal preference, I know)

I tried it out in the store for a few minutes before buying, and I thought I would get used to its extra width/height with no complaints....I haven't. I'm a tall guy with fairly big hands, but one-handed use just isn't as comfortable as I'd personally like. I know it's only been three days, but I'll likely be swapping it out for a XS.

If size is a concern coming from a 6/6S/7/8/SE, I would highly recommend going to the store and trying it out for a bit before ordering, sight-unseen. The width is much closer to the Max/Plus sizes than the regular sizes.

That said, if you're on the fence because you're worried about the screen, don't be; it's really good. You're also going to get great battery life and, if in need of extra storage, can get an extra 64 gigs for fifty bucks.

I should also mention that while I got the black phone, the colors look fantastic in person; even the yellow looks good!

After using it since Friday, size aside (for me), it's an excellent phone and absolutely worthy of your consideration. The XS/XS Max phones are great, but you won't feel like you "cheaped out" by getting the XR.
 
I suspect many Android people will be switching over now if not next year. The A12 is wiping the floor with every single Android phone even the international Exynos equipped Samsungs and its not even close.
4795 single
10980 multi

No Android phone is even close. Spec whores will not be able to overlook this for long. iOS optimization already made weaker specced iPhones competitive with Android but now the gap is just ridiculous.

I gotta stop by an Apple store to check these out. I may be tempted to buy a Max right now. I was planning on keeping the 7 Plus for another year but I like shiny new things.
But the android camp will say “specs don’t matter in real world use”. Just like how they used to brag about their 8 core chips beating apples older A8 and A7 in certain benchmarks. Now the tables are flipped they have a totally different attitude. Lol.
 
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Again, tiny screen. Because Apple is so memory management savvy, 4gb of RAM means that I have yet to run into an instance where I couldn't go back to where I was. I've forgotten about an Untappd post and come back to it the morning after, and my half-written review is still there waiting patiently to be completed.

Being able to swipe between apps feels pretty genuine to me.

As for playing a game while watching a video or listening to music, I still don't comprehend why you kids do that. If I'm watching a movie or listening to music or playing a game, that's all I'm doing. I don't split my attention and then wipe the raid. That applies from desktop computing to tableting to phones.
Your use case and mine differ, and I am okay with that.

Sure, I can swipe between apps, but why should I on a phone that supports two running at the same time?

I don't see how adding the option hurts anyone, or would impact anyone that doesn't use / like the feature. I rarely use AC in my cars despite hot and humid summers. That said, I would never suggest manufacturers remove it as an option for everyone else.
 
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Just sometime back saw this in a shop along with XS and XS Max. I could find bezel in XS and XR, could not check XS Max. Display in XR besides bezel is ok... But I woul never bother since it is nowhere near S9+
 
So, I’m a little late to this party, as I wasn’t home to receive the iPhone on Friday. A tragedy, yes.

Anyway, just a couple of thoughts from someone coming from the iPhone 6. The size jump was not as significant as I was expecting. Maybe because it’s not the XS Max? Years ago, I was in the camp that didn’t understand the attraction of phablets, but larger keyboards and bigger screens are something I’ve come to appreciate. Also, the XR is no phablet by any stretch.

The LCD screen is good - definitely an improvement on my 6. Colour is richer and contrast is higher. It’s still an LCD screen, so watching a dark film/show in bed with the lights off still results in a lot of washed out tones. Blacks are greys, etc. But, with any external light source whatsoever, this becomes virtually unnoticeable. Still, something to consider if that’s important to you.

I can’t speak for the camera, as I don’t take loads of photos. It’s fine? If I’m perfectly honest, in low light situations, the quality is not terribly different to what I could achieve with my 6. Others out there will surely be able to refute this, but there’s only so much that can be done with the relatively small lens sizes in these phones. As a side note, I find the ‘Clips’ app to be highly unintuitive and will likely never use it.

The biggest advantage for me coming from a 6 - that I was generally happy with, but was really showing its age - is the amount of available RAM. When the 6 was released, it still had 1GB, the same as the 5s (and the 5, I believe?). I always felt they should have made the leap to 2GB with the 6 instead of waiting for the 6s, because that was the phone’s biggest stumbling block. Apps began loading really slowly and you couldn’t go back to, say, a website and expect it to appear exactly as you left it seconds before. You’d have to wait for it to reload and sometimes even scroll back to the place you were previously. With the 3GBs of the XR, basic UI navigation is just so much better. Of course, this is probably nothing new to those who’ve been using 8/X models, but it’s a significant step up for me.

Anyway, that’s about it. At the end of the day, it’s an iPhone. Aside from a learning curve due to the lack of the home button, the experience is what you’d expect.
 
Pushing the limits of a front-pocket phone, no doubt. Even compared to the X with a slim case, the XR with no case will fit in a rear pocket but definitely will require removal when sitting down...
You think the extra 13mm in the XR over the iPhone 6 in height stops the front pocket use... Will need to try the Apple store I guess and see if they will let me put it in my pocket and sit down...
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This isn't rocket science.
Great, that nice to hear since I am no rocket scientist.

I've always kept my iPhone in my back pocket and always take it out when sitting down.
I've always kept my iPhone in my front jeans pocket and keep it in there when sitting down.

Any phone is going to feel uncomfortable in any jeans pocket while sitting down

Not the case with my current 6 which is in a case and is not uncomfortable while sitting, hence my question about the XR.
Its a shame that Apple don't do a current iPhone that fits in your pocket and doesn't cost more than a laptop.
 
What $400 phone has an oled?
Here are a few...
Samsung Galaxy On6 ($200)
Samsung Galaxy J7 ($250)
Samsung Galaxy A7 ($349)
Huawei Honor Note 10 ($400)
Xiaomi Black Shark Helo ($400)
Samsung Galaxy A9 Star ($420)
Motorola Moto Z3 ($480)
 
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Yes... it's certainly an option. What happens when they retire bezelled phones completely. 3 year old XS is not going to be priced at 449. Perhaps Xr might be... but that is a plus sized phone
They'll have the iPhone 8 for at least another year after this and by then, you'll likely see a different form factor of the Xr. If you don't, it's because not enough people want it.

Apple builds what massive amounts of people will buy.
 
What glowing reviews.
"Feels like a toy"
"Kind of a brighter blood red"
"Too heavy"
"Screen noticeably worse watching videos"
"Colors wrong when viewed from an angle"

Please, tell me some more about how Apple thinks this phone is worth a higher price tag than the Plus lines of years past while it's more comparable to the 5C.

Which honestly, the 5C didn't deserve that knock. It was a pretty great budget iPhone. Apple did an okay job for a budget phone here with the XR it sounds like, except they forgot to give it a budget price tag.

While you're not wrong.

Apple's leadership is so out of touch with reality that they likely believe that since the X is 999, that "Budget" is $750.

forgetting that just 2 years ago, that was flagship price.

I think the XR will be a big seller, (possibly a supercycle), but it's not necessarily price related, but the first major revision to the iPhone lineup since the 6 that is in the < $1000 price point. A lot of people will be willing to spend that type of money, since they'd have been willing to spend it anyways


the only time that the XR really starts to look/feel "cheap" is compared to non iPhones at the same price p oint that offer a lot more modern hardware. such as OLED displays at higher resolutions, memory and smaller bezels around the sides.

the XR is just a weird device. it seems like the next step from the iPhone 8, and not necessary a "cheaper X". in addition the size is ... middling and not necessary what people overall were looking for in a "budget" device.

I think when rumour of a budget device was announced we were all hoping for a slightly larger SE with all front display, not a 6.1" fairly lower rez LCD that's between the Xs and Xs+
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But the android camp will say “specs don’t matter in real world use”. Just like how they used to brag about their 8 core chips beating apples older A8 and A7 in certain benchmarks. Now the tables are flipped they have a totally different attitude. Lol.


Here's the problem.

I think apple's Silicon is absolutely bar none the best mobile silicon in the business.

but in everyday usage case, that silicon is mostly unused. there are a few places where the raw horsepower is helping right now, like larger game titles or programs.

but day to day tasks and activities have hit a point of diminishing returns where the pure raw horsepower has less of an impact in our lives than other externalities of the devices, such as screen quality, in hand feel, etc.

when skype (yuck), or slack, or whatever day to day activities I use (i don't game on my phone as an example) all load in the exact same time regardless of the chipset, than that extra power is not as much a selling point anymore than it used to be.

I do not ever want Apple to stop the amazing silicon work they are doing. but taughting a benchmark score these days has less meaning to the average user.

4-5 years ago, when the difference in load times was seconds, it was a massive deal. today? ehhhhh
 
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Here are a few...
Samsung Galaxy On6 ($200)
Samsung Galaxy J7 ($250)
Samsung Galaxy A7 ($349)
Huawei Honor Note 10 ($400)
Xiaomi Black Shark Helo ($400)
Samsung Galaxy A9 Star ($420)
Motorola Moto Z3 ($480)
AMOLED and OLED are different. They are similar but different
[doublepost=1541024204][/doublepost]
There are plenty of 3rd party keyboards that offer that. I also dislike the default G-board keyboard for the pixel 2 so I changed that as well.
like what?
 
While you're not wrong.

Apple's leadership is so out of touch with reality that they likely believe that since the X is 999, that "Budget" is $750.

forgetting that just 2 years ago, that was flagship price.

I think the XR will be a big seller, (possibly a supercycle), but it's not necessarily price related, but the first major revision to the iPhone lineup since the 6 that is in the < $1000 price point. A lot of people will be willing to spend that type of money, since they'd have been willing to spend it anyways


the only time that the XR really starts to look/feel "cheap" is compared to non iPhones at the same price p oint that offer a lot more modern hardware. such as OLED displays at higher resolutions, memory and smaller bezels around the sides.

the XR is just a weird device. it seems like the next step from the iPhone 8, and not necessary a "cheaper X". in addition the size is ... middling and not necessary what people overall were looking for in a "budget" device.

I think when rumour of a budget device was announced we were all hoping for a slightly larger SE with all front display, not a 6.1" fairly lower rez LCD that's between the Xs and Xs+
[doublepost=1540998235][/doublepost]


Here's the problem.

I think apple's Silicon is absolutely bar none the best mobile silicon in the business.

but in everyday usage case, that silicon is mostly unused. there are a few places where the raw horsepower is helping right now, like larger game titles or programs.

but day to day tasks and activities have hit a point of diminishing returns where the pure raw horsepower has less of an impact in our lives than other externalities of the devices, such as screen quality, in hand feel, etc.

when skype (yuck), or slack, or whatever day to day activities I use (i don't game on my phone as an example) all load in the exact same time regardless of the chipset, than that extra power is not as much a selling point anymore than it used to be.

I do not ever want Apple to stop the amazing silicon work they are doing. but taughting a benchmark score these days has less meaning to the average user.

4-5 years ago, when the difference in load times was seconds, it was a massive deal. today? ehhhhh
I understand your point, but they can’t have it both ways. On one side you say your chip benchmarks faster, so it’s better. On the other side of the argument (now that Apple chips have far surpassed any other mobile chipsets) it’s “specs and benchmarks don’t matter”. Which is true to a point. It depends on the chip, RAM, GPU, Ram speed and obviously the OS. My point was now the tables are turned, their argument is the former from what I said above.
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So what’s innovative about the hauwei phones that’s hasn’t been done already?
Mostly gimmicky stuff that most people don’t care about anyways.
 
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I understand your point, but they can’t have it both ways. On one side you say your chip benchmarks faster, so it’s better. On the other side of the argument (now that Apple chips have far surpassed any other mobile chipsets) it’s “specs and benchmarks don’t matter”. Which is true to a point. It depends on the chip, RAM, GPU, Ram speed and obviously the OS. My point was now the tables are turned, their argument is the former from what I said above.

we're also tech nuts on a tech site and tend to read far more into these things than the average consumer.

to the average user, they care about how the phone feels. benchmarks are ultimately irrelevant when the point of diminishing returns have been reached by just about everyone.

benchmarks only matter as far as pointing out that the device reaches that point. users don't generally look at them. And yes, they didn't generally look at them even if the tables were turned.

they care about how much they hve to wait to do something. if they don't have to wait for facebook to load on the latest galaxy, than having 10x more power on the iphone is going to be an irrelevant metric.

This is where Apple does a better job usually. instead of really toughting benchmarks they tend to find usability that sells that performance. One example is slow motion capture. Apple's CPU performance allows for much better range on the slow motion capture from the camera.

However this also only goes so far as you have to want that feature for it to matter.

Another example would be face unlock. MOST users don't care if it's done via an IR Dot matrix mapping of your face or using the regular camera. as long as it unlocks fast.
 
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