First Impressions From New iPhone XR Owners

[i_AnonGuy]

Just based off that side-by-side comparison, it really is amazing to see how vibrant and colorful the XR LCD display is compared to the X. I can’t really even tell the difference with this picture alone.

I definitely can. The iPhone X display is definitely a LOT more detailed, and displays much better colors. It also has infinitely better contrast, and virtually no banding. Look at the flower petal at the top - note how the colors shift from one to another. Look at the edges of the flower petals, etc. Look at the stem of the flower, and see how the greens look and change up the stem - the XR looks terrible compared to the X. The detail on the X is significantly better. Imagine how this will effect media viewing on this display (graphics/images, pictures, video, movies, etc.) in comparison to the iPhone X, XS, or any other device with a great OLED screen (Pixel 3, S9, Note9, etc.).

It's noticeable - very. The XR display looks low cheap and fuzzy by comparison. Even the text looks fuzzy compared to the iPhone X.

I'm shocked that you can look at these phones side-by-side and not see pretty obvious differences in the display quality.

Everything is sharper on the iPhone X. The colors are better, and more accurate - with much more accurate gradients. The contrast is better.

I imagine the differences are even more stark IRL.

This is like comparing a $129 HD television to Samsung's best UHD display. There is no comparison between these displays, and people who say they look identical or either blind, or lying and depending on herd mentality to simply parrot the sentiment and ignore the obvious.

This screen is way worse than the X, and that's expected. Stop pretending that it's just as good.

Now that high PPI displays have been commonplace since 2013 (when Android devices moved to 1080p in 5" displays... around 440+ PPI), 326 does not look that good. It's hard to go back to that PPI and not notice these things; especially on such a large display, when you're become accustomed to viewing significantly more dense screens.

People with healthy vision coming from a screen with 500+ PPI ARE going to notice the drop when they look at this display. I can see the difference just from a picture.

 

[UnusedLoginID]

... I have a question about the new XR models — they now only have the A1920 (???) model number for all carriers. I have previously gone into my local Apple Store and requested the multi-band Qualcomm model that works on Verizon AND GSM networks. I use T-Mobile but prefer to be able to switch if I want. Apple Store peeps always helped and got me the “unlocked” version and helped me avoid a T-Mobile locked phone.

Now that they have the one model — if you tell them it’s for a T-Mobile account, is it locked? It will have the Intel modem that’s multi-platform (i.e. CDMA and GSM), but will it be locked until I pay for it in full?

The Apple Store peeps were giving you an "unlocked" version so that your phone would support both GSM and CDMA networks (Qualcomm chip), not to avoid you getting a T-Mobile locked phone with the Intel chip.

There is a general misconception - reinforced by Apple's incorrect terminology - that the Sim-free phone is the only unlocked phone. Actually ANY phone will be unlocked as long as you do not pay the phone with the carrier's installment option OR unless you buy the phone at a carrier store (even if you pay full price there).

Now that Qualcomm is out of the picture, and that the Intel chip supports all technologies, it does not matter which phone (ATT, T-Mobile, Verizon or Sprint) you buy at the Apple Store, it will be unlocked if you pay full price or use any of Apple's installment plans.
As a matter of fact, Apple does not need to release a "sim-free unlocked" phone because technically it already exists. Just buy full-rice any new phone, toss that Sim card that comes in the phone, et voila! Sim-free unlocked!

 

[i_AnonGuy]

The Apple Store peeps were giving you an "unlocked" version so that your phone would support both GSM and CDMA networks (Qualcomm chip), not to avoid you getting a T-Mobile locked phone with the Intel chip.

There is a general misconception - reinforced by Apple's incorrect terminology - that the Sim-free phone is the only unlocked phone. Actually ANY phone will be unlocked as long as you do not pay the phone with the carrier's installment option OR unless you buy the phone at a carrier store (even if you pay full price there).

Now that Qualcomm is out of the picture, and that the Intel chip supports all technologies, it does not matter which phone (ATT, T-Mobile, Verizon or Sprint) you buy at the Apple Store, it will be unlocked if you pay full price or use any of Apple's installment plans.
As a matter of fact, Apple does not need to release a "sim-free unlocked" phone because technically it already exists. Just buy full-rice any new phone, toss that Sim card that comes in the phone, et voila! Sim-free unlocked!

All Verizon LTE devices are unlocked, as a result of a concession they made with the FCC for some spectrum deal.

That's why Verizon LTE phones tend to sell for more on the open market than other variants. You just need to change the SIM and the phone will ask you to update the carrier data, and off you go. The only thing you have to worry about, is whether or not the model they sell supports the bands you need on another network.

This applies to Android phones, as well. This has been the case since about 2012 or 2013, at least.

Verizon devices are likely to work just fine on T-Mobile. Sprint devices seem to be most problematic. AT&T devices are more often than not locked to AT&T. I haven't been on T-Mobile in almost a decade. I can't speak for them, but they are the Un-Carrier... so maybe they sell Un-Locked, too!

A lot of people are unaware of this, but - often - if the Apple Store is out of iPhones... you can find a Verizon Store and just buy directly from them and then just take the receipt to the Apple Store to add AppleCare+. The device is not really any different from the Apple Store device except maybe it won't have a universal SIM in it (applies to iPhone 8 devices... not sure how the eSIM thing works in the XS).

But a lot fo carrier stores don't sell to people who don't have an account, otherwise they wouldn't have any stock for their own customers due to people using them as a general retailer (like they do with Best Buy, for example).

 

[himanshumodi]

they really should have a smaller "budget" phone. Having a phone the size of Max and erstwhile plus variants as the only choice in the 700 dollar range is just not done. Surely, that forms a large segment.

 

[profmjh]

If you had the choice to do over again, @profmatt — would you go with the XR? I need to get my wife on a newer phone from her iPhone 6, and our choices are:

• Hand her my iPhone 8 Plus 64GB and let her finish out the iPhone Upgrade Program loan + get a new iPhone Upgrade Program loan for a 128GB XR for me
• Get her and I both (me upgrading using the iPhone Upgrade Program) on an iPhone XR 128GB

My needs? I’ve hit that 64GB ceiling for storage — I keep a lot of photos local to the phone so I can do edits / social media posts for a non-profit. The 2X optical zoom is great, but less nags about storage would be nice.

My wife’s needs? She has an older phone and needs to be upgraded (after dealing with the iPhone 6 64GB battery replacement). She could care less about a hand-me-down, but I know she’d probably rail against the changes in UX — i.e. Face ID vs. Touch ID (which she hates), no home button, etc. I thought if we both got the XR I could help guide her as I learned.
[doublepost=1540606342][/doublepost]I have a question about the new XR models — they now only have the A1920 (???) model number for all carriers. I have previously gone into my local Apple Store and requested the multi-band Qualcomm model that works on Verizon AND GSM networks. I use T-Mobile but prefer to be able to switch if I want. Apple Store peeps always helped and got me the “unlocked” version and helped me avoid a T-Mobile locked phone.

Now that they have the one model — if you tell them it’s for a T-Mobile account, is it locked? It will have the Intel modem that’s multi-platform (i.e. CDMA and GSM), but will it be locked until I pay for it in full?

I think the decision turns on the camera.

The XR is newer and more exciting. Face ID has clearly improved since last year. Presumably almost all apps are now native for the display. (These were both things that made me send my X back last year.)

The physical size of the XR is — I think — more attractive to me.

I’m not sure if the newer processor makes much difference in practice. I don’t spend a whole lot of time yelling at my 8+ telling it to hurry up.

I don’t believe anyone who claims there is a long-term noticeable difference in screen quality. They’re both great.

The one area in which the 8+ is clearly better is in having the dual lens camera. Everything else is, to me, marginal.

If someone offered to swap my six week old 8+ for a brand new XR right now, I’d be tempted. But only because it’s newer and cooler. And I might regret losing the camera.

An unknown to me, which would be relevant, is battery life. Not sure which one wins that one.

 

[Delgibbons]

But .... But everyone keeps saying its a full screen edge to edge display? I'm sure that means it goes right to the edge right

"The bezels on the sides are noticeably big in real life, the bezels are like how a glass screen protector is on an iPhone 6, but the screen protector is the actual screen of the phone excluding the home button and the camera and including a notch (if that makes sense). I wouldn't say it's enough justification to get the Xs. I felt like it's a toy version of the Xs for some reason, it feels like an Apple Watch Sport compared to the Apple Watch Edition (Xs)."

 

[ka-spot]

omg. those colors are pretty close to not likeable...

 

[Delgibbons]

Still can’t multitask like an android device, or even apples older iPad Pro models with lesser processors.

Android has benifits outside of base benchmarks. It’s the main reason I enjoy both platforms.

I use split screen multitasking on my now ancient s7 edge all the time. Still a snappy and responsive phone. Google calendar on bottom, scheduling app or email app with dates I need to schedule on the top window. So handy for data entry on the move. Or watching a tv show in top split, surfing web on bottom. Or data transfer from one document to another. Or internet banking app on top, accounting and invoicing app on bottom.

So much easier then swapping apps, watching Safari refresh tabs AGAIN, finding the page, copying one bit of info, changing app again, and pasting.



Such a handy feature.

Benchmarks are benchmarks but if the software doesn't actually takes advantage of that wonderful power.... Whats the damn point?
[doublepost=1540629689][/doublepost]

Is the same size but because of the larger screen is hard to reach the top corners. They should have kept the screen same size and make the body smaller to fit the screen instead.
[doublepost=1540585400][/doublepost]

Is not about the specs. It’s about the stability and ecosystem

Is that the stability and ecosystem that caused my iCloud to collapse for over 24 hours this week?

 

[Marekul]

I find it funny (offensive?) that people are starving to death in the world, families being bombed in the Middle East in unimaginable hardships and yet we still complain about the width of a bezel. Seriously people.

And yet you still complain about people who complain about bezels.... the irony...

 

[joueboy]

Nobody complained about huge iPhone bezels (especially the top and bottom ones) either but time have changed. Samsung introduced people to really small bezels and they liked it. The standards changed and by modern standards XR bezels are considered not up to par.

Well give it a time besides almost all business has the same approach, you're paying less money you may not get everything you want from the one that cost more money.

 

[coachgq]

I find it funny (offensive?) that people are starving to death in the world, families being bombed in the Middle East in unimaginable hardships and yet we still complain about the width of a bezel. Seriously people.

You should move to one of those countries and be part of the solution rather than be a snowflake in this country if it really bothers you that much.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

If I just stay on this iPad mini 4 w/Skype for a few more years, you phone guys will eventually catch up.
[doublepost=1540650203][/doublepost]

I find it funny (offensive?) that people are starving to death in the world, families being bombed in the Middle East in unimaginable hardships and yet we still complain about the width of a bezel. Seriously people.

Yes, that’s all true, but since the survival of billions of humans is completely at odds with the survival of every other species, and the natural world is dying off at the greatest rate in the history of earth, the sooner our ignorant and aggressive species rush into WWIII and weaponized gene treatments eradicate most of humanity from the earth, the sooner the problem resolves itself, and any survivors can live well. So, pay no mind, consume away, good citizen, and do not concern yourself with consequences. See, you’ve just got to take the long view on this bezel issue. See also: the sun consuming the earth in fire, and the heat death of the universe.

 

[mthomas184]

Actually I’m not wrong. I’m not tempted by this phone one single bit. It’s good that you like yours but there’s no denying that there’s at least one iOS user out there that doesn’t like it...me.

So because you’re not tempted, that means no current iOS users are tempted? Good lord

And I don’t have one. I have an XS Max

 

[840quadra]

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.

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.

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

 

[Fortimir]

This won't tempt Android users.

Which is hilarious because many of these are the same people that have tried to rub meaningless RAM specs in our faces for years like it matters.
[doublepost=1540652536][/doublepost]

omg. those colors are pretty close to not likeable...

All the colors look WAY better in person. I was surprised how much I actually even liked the blue and coral actually in my hands.

 

[johnnyg173]

I created an account after reading a lot of the comments on this thread. I just upgraded from an iPhone 6 and love the phone. Comments like "too big", "too thick", "too heavy", "cheap looking" should be taken lightly. To say this phone is "too thick" and "heavy" are like saying the remote control to my tv is too heavy. This phone has the premium design of an iPhone in terms of dimensions and in no way do I consider it to look like "a toy".

The one thing I will say is the screen resolution is disappointing, especially during videos. If the screen was 1080p resolution it would probably be the best iPhone out right now in terms of overall price and package imo.

 

[shotokaizer]

I created an account after reading a lot of the comments on this thread. I just upgraded from an iPhone 6 and love the phone. Comments like "too big", "too thick", "too heavy", "cheap looking" should be taken lightly. To say this phone is "too thick" and "heavy" are like saying the remote control to my tv is too heavy. This phone has the premium design of an iPhone in terms of dimensions and in no way do I consider it to look like "a toy".

The one thing I will say is the screen resolution is disappointing, especially during videos. If the screen was 1080p resolution it would probably be the best iPhone out right now in terms of overall price and package imo.

Agree. Are you keeping it, despite the screen resolution disappointment you pointed out? Got the Xs Max (still under the 14 days) and yesterday I bought the Xr. Still debating which one to keep.

 

[Starship67]

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.

I hardly think 5 people’s opinions from this forum is basis enough to not purchase.

 

[Fortimir]

If the screen was 1080p resolution it would probably be the best iPhone out right now in terms of overall price and package imo.

The difference between 1080p and 828p is not *that* much and I bet back to back very few could tell the difference without being told to look for it. It’s also not like you have to play 720p content and upscale it. It will downscale 1080p content.

And 1080p is an artificial benchmark that comes from the world of TVs. Resolution and pixel density have always depended on viewing conditions.

Pixel density is not absolute, it is diminishing returns. As density increases, the difference is less and less until you are powering unresolvable pixels (which is exactly what you’re doing with PPIs well into the 400s).

 

[SteveNoJobs]

Perhaps but that can be overlooked by how well iOS and macOS work together. While Windows is starting to integrate Android more and more, it still cannot compared to continuity, handoff, airdrop, iCloud, etc. This is the beauty of what Apple has done and it will only get better in future macOS releases.

There are many other cloud based services you don't need icloud and most iPhone users don't even own a Mac, just look at the MacOS market share.
iOS + MacOS?
-iTunes is a mess
-I can use my android device like a flash storage
-handoff? most modern browsers sync up your browser history/tabs via cloud

You don't really need a iphone anymore, but i keep reading comments like "but the A12 Bionic is a monster and will leave all android devices behind" it's just ******** all modern phones have enought processing power for any task you don't need more processing power, what for? whatsapp? apple imessages? poo emoji? mail? safari? phone calls?

 

[johnnyg173]

Agree. Are you keeping it, despite the screen resolution disappointment you pointed out? Got the Xs Max (still under the 14 days) and yesterday I bought the Xr. Still debating which one to keep.

For sure I am keeping it. I cannot justify paying $250 more for an X, let alone the extra for a Max (in your case). I am no expert but I believe XR has the greatest value. If you enjoy taking hundreds of photos and watching hours of videos on your phone then I can see sticking with the Max. My everyday use does not depend on video quality however I do think it is noticeable.

The difference between 1080p and 828p is not *that* much and I bet back to back very few could tell the difference without being told to look for it. It’s also not like you have to play 720p content and upscale it. It will downscale 1080p content.

And 1080p is an artificial benchmark that comes from the world of TVs. Resolution and pixel density have always depended on viewing conditions.

Pixel density is not absolute, it is diminishing returns. As density increases, the difference is less and less until you are powering unresolvable pixels (which is exactly what you’re doing with PPIs well into the 400s).

I'm not a very picky person and what you say seems pretty accurate. I can't argue your points but coming from watching video on my MacBook and 4k tv (1080p cable service), I can definitely notice a difference. This is no dealbreaker by any means and I am very happy with the phone. However I think if people had to have a single gripe with the phone compared to other cellphones right now, the screen resolution is a pretty valid argument (Not things like bezel size).

 

[aylk]

Oled has been in use on Android phone for years including low cost phones in the $400-$700 range. Why is Apple forced to use LCD to make a $700 phone? It seems a little ridiculous. By the way, for anyone coming from a smaller phone and complaining about the size, give it a few days or so. It will start to feel much smaller pretty quickly, unless you giant case it.

Because of greed.

 

[Baymowe335]

they really should have a smaller "budget" phone. Having a phone the size of Max and erstwhile plus variants as the only choice in the 700 dollar range is just not done. Surely, that forms a large segment.

They do. It's called the iPhone 7 and it starts at $449.

 

[archvile]

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)

Now show us a picture like that with the keyboard up.

 

[djcgeez2189]

The XR is probably the best phone Apple has made in a long time. The A12 wipes the floor with the Snap 845 and it's not even close. The loss of 1gb of ram doesn't mean much on software that is built and optimized for the hardware. So the only downgrade is on paper in usability it will be more than enough. If you're a power user than you are going to go for the XS Max anyway.

That being said people want to go to the price and try to make a case there but people have to realize apples competition realistically. You think they don't know about the Huawei, onePlus, Oppo, Pocofone. They do but they are ants. Samsung and Google are more of the competition and the Pixel 3 is a joke and even with discounts the s9+ and Note 9 may be better options for different people still don't beat the XR in "value"