iPhone XR Reviews Roundup: Best LCD Display Yet, Decent Single-Lens Camera, Excellent Performance and Battery Life

[dontwalkhand]

My iPhone for years has had all day battery life. What are you guys seriously doing on your phones all day? Are you stuck in a narcissistic loop of taking selfies and posting them on social media? Do you need me to send help??

I use it as a Bus pass (Phoenix’s bus and train system insists on showing an animated voice activated image which drains as it also uses GPS), pay for things with Apple Pay, garage door opener, and those geolocation apps really put a drain.

I have absolutely zero social media apps on my phone unless you count Safari. I still want a larger battery.

 

[EugW]

As long as you haven't already been using an OLED screen, you won't miss what's not there.
For anyone who is coming from an iPhone 6s, 7, or even 8 this phone is a massive upgrade.

Of course, for anyone using a 6 Plus, 6s Plus, 7 Plus, or an 8 Plus, the screen pixel density is a big downgrade.

Seriously, we need a smaller hand-friendly version of this design.

As I've said before in other threads, Apple could build a 5.2" LCD XR little brother which would have the exact same screen real estate as the 5.5" OLED XS, but in a smaller footprint, using that same 326 ppi LCD screen.

This is the the same scenario as the 6.1" XR vs 6.5" XS Max. These two units show the same screen real estate, but in a smaller footprint with the XR.

 

[GuruZac]

Seems like a great device. I was very seriously considering the XR in Product Red to replace my 7 Plus, but the lack of 3D Touch (which I use all the time!) and Portrait Mode only on people is enough to make me wait til next year for the XS replacement. Still have great life left in the 7 Plus, especially running iOS 12.

 

[macduke]

I use it as a Bus pass (Phoenix’s bus and train system insists on showing an animated voice activated image which drains as it also uses GPS), pay for things with Apple Pay, garage door opener, and those geolocation apps really put a drain.

I have absolutely zero social media apps on my phone unless you count Safari. I still want a larger battery.

Is it not possible to scan the pass, and yet have the GPS turned off for the app in the privacy settings? I also don't get what you mean by animated voice activated image—can't you just close out of the app on the bus?

 

[recoil80]

Are there any comparisons out yet between the XR and XS camera? Currently using a iPhone 7 but I'm stunned aboutl the depth control options. Wouldn't require always the big camera... I just wonder how much difference the software (xr) does make compared to the hardware (xs with additional telephoto lens). However overall XR looks like the better choice but I would prefer a smaller display.

Portrait mode only works with people on the Xr, as they use machine learning and trained it with people.
I saw some pictures and I have to tell you it looks pretty good, even without the second camera. One problem with the Xs is that you take portrait pictures with the telephoto lens, you can't use the wide camera to take the picture and the telephoto to provide additional information for the bokeh effect.

I take a lot of pics with the 2x lens, sometimes I'm too far from the subject and the optical 2x allows me to have a good image. If I want to take a portrait without the artificial blur I sometimes get close to the person and use the wide camera, but usually is more convenient to shot at 2x and reduce the blur. That feature is really great, in the past you only had the option to remove the effect or keep it, now you can tune it and many of the shots I'd just throw away I now keep after selecting a value close to 16.

 

[tromboneaholic]

Of course, for anyone using a 6 Plus, 6s Plus, 7 Plus, or an 8 Plus, the screen pixel density is a big downgrade.

What about the increase in screen brightness, battery life, and overall performance? I think most people in the market for this phone aren't looking at stats to be honest.

 

[neuropsychguy]

Apple is out of the game

That's partially true. Most other smartphone manufacturers are playing a different game (low-end market). The only other players in Apple's game are Samsung and Google (maybe LG) and while they make great phones, only Apple has huge profits (Samsung does well too but their smartphone profits are dwarfed by Apple's). So yes, Apple is out of the game because right now, no other company can really compete.

 

[cardfan]

From the Verge: "Personally, I would pay the extra money for a better OLED screen in a heartbeat, because I am extremely picky about displays. But I think most people can find way better ways to spend $250 than on things like infinite black levels and 60 percent wider dynamic range when viewing photos. And in that case, the iPhone XR is a no-brainer upgrade."

Yep, that's basically me. I'm too much of a nerd about screens to be happy with an XR KNOWING there's an XS out there with the industry's leading OLED screen. Throw in an XS extra camera and functions, XS's premium looks including not having XR's black bezel, XS a bit louder, XS faster networking, XS extra RAM, and actual 3D touch. That's easily worth an extra 250 especially when you're already spending hundreds.

I have a problem saying the XR is the best iphone for "most people" when I'm not one of them (and neither are most of these reviewers..kudos to the Verge for admitting it). I don't like speaking for "most people." Heck, I'd recommend "most people" get the XS and simply plan on keeping it for awhile.

 

[recoil80]

Seems like a great device. I was very seriously considering the XR in Product Red to replace my 7 Plus, but the lack of 3D Touch (which I use all the time!) and Portrait Mode only on people is enough to make me wait til next year for the XS replacement. Still have great life left in the 7 Plus, especially running iOS 12.

I bought the Xs but was willing to sacrifice 3D touch. I use it 80% of the time for moving the cursor while typing and now you can long press on the space bar. I used it to switch between apps but now I can swipe, much more convenient. I still use 3D touch on the camera app to quickly turn on video, but it only saves a second.
Do you use peek and pop? I never do.
Besides, I heard in a review they'll add more long press gestures with haptic on the Xr in the future.

As for portrait mode, do you like it? I do, but I think it works best on people and pets. I usually delete all the portrait pictures I take to flowers as they're really bad. And even with people I often reduce the blur effect so you can see it on the background but it doesn't mess with a person's profile
[doublepost=1540308497][/doublepost]

From the Verge: "Personally, I would pay the extra money for a better OLED screen in a heartbeat, because I am extremely picky about displays. But I think most people can find way better ways to spend $250 than on things like infinite black levels and 60 percent wider dynamic range when viewing photos. And in that case, the iPhone XR is a no-brainer upgrade."

I think most of the people coming from a 7 or a 6s will love the new display and find nothing wrong with it.
My wife has an iPhone 8, I don't claim I constantly see the pixels on her phone but even when I had the 8+ I could tell the difference. That's why I went for the OLED, and I was tired of the 8+ size so I bought the Xs but the Xr would have been a step backwards to me

 

[bluecoast]

Seriously, we need a smaller hand-friendly version of this design.

Absolutely.

When you see an XR next to a Plus - it's got a smaller body than the Plus, yet a bigger screen.

I'm hoping next March that we'll see a... you guessed it:

A new '8/SE' that has a smaller body than the iPhone 8, yet a bigger screen.

I suspect that the only reasons that we haven't seen this is:

• Apple chose to target Plus users to upgrade with the XR (and hoped to tempt regular 4.7 inch users too)
• And they wanted to produce a phone in the Plus price range to tempt these users (which presumably preserves their profit per unit from the Plus phones, too - which I suspect will be bigger than the 4.7 inch phone profit)

Looking at the XR reviews, there seems to be no particular reason why this design couldn't be scaled down.

Finally, to those that are crowing 'the age of the small phone is over, get used to it'...

• There's no shortage of people on the street with 4.7 inch iPhones (and since when was the iPhone 6-8 ever seen as 'small'?)
• Presumably a lot of these simply like the size of those phones.
• So why not give them a path to upgrade?

 

[NT1440]

My only hang up is the lack of 3D Touch, which I use frequently.

Great phone, but I’ll be going Xs when I feel it’s time to move on from my 6s.

 

[EugW]

What about the increase in screen brightness, battery life, and overall performance? I think most people in the market for this phone aren't looking at stats to be honest.

Battery life seems great for the XR.

Screen brightness is spec'd by Apple to be exactly the same as the ALL the currently sold iPhone models, at 625. That's what the 7, 8, 7 Plus, 8 Plus, XS, and XS Max are spec'd for. Sure, there are probably some small real world differences, but I personally almost never run at max brightness anyway (unless I'm outside in bright sunlight).

That leaves pixel density, and as many who prefer the 8 Plus over the 8 will tell you, the difference can be a big deal, particularly with small fonts.

 

[GuruZac]

I bought the Xs but was willing to sacrifice 3D touch. I use it 80% of the time for moving the cursor while typing and now you can long press on the space bar. I used it to switch between apps but now I can swipe, much more convenient. I still use 3D touch on the camera app to quickly turn on video, but it only saves a second.
Do you use peek and pop? I never do.
Besides, I heard in a review they'll add more long press gestures with haptic on the Xr in the future.

As for portrait mode, do you like it? I do, but I think it works best on people and pets. I usually delete all the portrait pictures I take to flowers as they're really bad. And even with people I often reduce the blur effect so you can see it on the background but it doesn't mess with a person's profile
[doublepost=1540308497][/doublepost]

Yeah I use 3D Touch for many gestures, like checking unread email, peeking and popping, especially in email and websites, setting timers, and of course, the scroller is super convenient. It's just a well developed feature when used properly. Unfortunately it's not one of those types of features that could ever be really obvious.

Portrait Mode with proper lighting is amazing, but I'm with you the more I think about it. I only really use it on my wife and daughters. Very occasionally on an inanimate object.

 

[Dicx]

Shipped. Wife going from an iPhone 6s Plus to this.

 

[EugW]

I'm glad to see 3D Touch gone. I hope they remove it completely in 2019 from all the new models.

Absolutely.

When you see an XR next to a Plus - it's got a smaller body than the Plus, yet a bigger screen.

I'm hoping next March that we'll see a... you guessed it:

A new '8/SE' that has a smaller body than the iPhone 8, yet a bigger screen.

I suspect that the only reasons that we haven't seen this is:

• Apple chose to target Plus users to upgrade with the XR (and hoped to tempt regular 4.7 inch users too)
• And they wanted to produce a phone in the Plus price range to tempt these users (which presumably preserves their profit per unit from the Plus phones, too - which I suspect will be bigger than the 4.7 inch phone profit)

Looking at the XR reviews, there seems to be no particular reason why this design couldn't be scaled down.

Finally, to those that are crowing 'the age of the small phone is over, get used to it'...

• There's no shortage of people on the street with 4.7 inch iPhones (and since when was the iPhone 6-8 ever seen as 'small'?)
• Presumably a lot of these simply like the size of those phones.
• So why not give them a path to upgrade?

As I mentioned before, it's very unlikely Apple will release a SE2. However, 326 ppi 5.2" LCD XR-lite would have the same screen real estate as the 5.5" XS, but in roughly the same footprint as the 4.7" 8.

 

[bluecoast]

Nilay Patel’s comments on the XR display are everything that’s wrong with tech. It’s like tech writers strain themselves to find something to criticize rather than writing reviews for the majority of people who will own the device they’re reviewing. I’ll bet 99% of XR owners are going to think the display looks amazing. They’re going to think it’s a lot more than just “fine”.

That's the Verge's USP! Read Nilay's Patel's review on the iPhone 7, where he spent about a 1/3 of it on the removal of the headphone jack.

Although to be fair to him, I guess he had to have an angle as the 7 was the third year in a row with essentially the same design.

 

[dontwalkhand]

Is it not possible to scan the pass, and yet have the GPS turned off for the app in the privacy settings? I also don't get what you mean by animated voice activated image—can't you just close out of the app on the bus?

Thanks to apple not allowing NFC access for proprietary transit cards, the solution they crafted is this, it uses GPS & Bluetooth to “validate the fare” with the systems on the bus, and the voice activated image will move (that thing in the middle) when you talk so the driver or train inspection people knows it isn’t just a screenshot on a quick glance.

It also uses GPS to auto locate you at bus stops to let you know how far away the bus or train is.

Among other things, navigation apps, and my geo fencing enabled apps also drain the battery of this thing.

 

[sundog925]

My only hang up is the lack of 3D Touch, which I use frequently.

Great phone, but I’ll be going Xs when I feel it’s time to move on from my 6s.

I know! I use 3D touch often for sure. Sad to see it go.

 

[EatinPonies]

Every review of the XS/Max cameras: "Incredible!" and "Best ever!" and "ZOMG"...

Every review of the same camera in the XR: "...is a very good one" and "...still produces some lovely photos" and "surprisingly handy"...

Perception begets reality. Everybody is gaga over the XS/Max, so naturally the cameras are astounding. Everybody's expectations are tempered for the XR, so naturally the same wide-angle lens is now "just good enough."

 

[neoelectronaut]

Love everything about this phone except the size.

 

[Adelphos33]

I think the XR is a great product. But honestly the reviews may be too glowing in this respect - the XR would be an awesome phone if the reviewers would willingly use it personally over the XS. I don't get the sense a lot of them would.

 

[dazz87]

iPhone 7 at $449 is the entry level Apple currently sells.

2 year old phone that cost $449.........

 

[macduke]

Thanks to apple not allowing NFC access for proprietary transit cards, the solution they crafted is this, it uses GPS & Bluetooth to “validate the fare” with the systems on the bus, and the voice activated image will move (that thing in the middle) when you talk so the driver or train inspection people knows it isn’t just a screenshot on a quick glance.

It also uses GPS to auto locate you at bus stops to let you know how far away the bus or train is.

Among other things, navigation apps, and my geo fencing enabled apps also drain the battery of this thing.

Well, good news, iOS 12 supports NFC access for third parties, so it's only a matter of time: https://www.techradar.com/news/apples-iphone-xs-has-a-game-changing-nfc-feature-even-when-turned-off

 

[nurban1992]

Still laughing at the pricing - $749 for the basic version of an "entry level" phone? Talk about about taking the piss!

But lots of people will buy it . . .

It’s not an “entry level phone.” It’s a flagship iPhone XS/Max with a few concessions, the likes of which most typical consumers won’t notice. They won’t care about the lack of 3D Touch or the fact that the screen is LCD instead of OLED. It still takes incredible photos and has the same A12 processor as the XS. Plus, better battery life!

In all the ways that matter, this is the iPhone XS/Max for $300 less. That makes it vastly more affordable and approachable than the XS/Max to those who are looking to upgrade to a new iPhone. Hell, my current iPhone X is subsidized through Sprint, but I’m considering trading it in and upgrading to an XR because the monthly cost of it may be cheaper!

 

[tromboneaholic]

Screen brightness is spec'd by Apple to be exactly the same as the ALL the currently sold iPhone models, at 625. That's what the 7, 8, 7 Plus, 8 Plus, XS, and XS Max are spec'd for.

My bad. I wasn't aware they were all specked at 625. I guess I was comparing screen brightness to the 6s, which was the last legacy style iPhone I had before the X.