iPhone XR vs. iPhone 11 Buyer's Guide

[MacRumors]

While the iPhone XR and iPhone 11 have now been discontinued, some customers may be wondering which of these two older iPhones may be better. The two devices have several similarities, but the iPhone 11 takes a step forward with regards to camera technology, battery life, and more.

Design Very Similar

The iPhone 11 has a very similar glass-and-aluminum design as the iPhone XR, with one major visual difference being its dual-lens rear camera system housed in a large, square camera bump. On the back of the iPhone 11, the Apple logo is centered, and the "iPhone" brand name is no longer shown.

Otherwise, much is the same, including the display, bezels, notch, antenna bands, volume and side buttons, mute switch, speaker grilles, and microphones. The iPhone 11 also sticks with the Lightning connector.

The iPhone 11 comes in six colors, including green, purple, white, black, yellow, and (PRODUCT)RED.

Both devices weigh in at just under half a pound and have identical dimensions.

Displays Same

The iPhone 11 has the same 6.1-inch LCD display as the iPhone XR, including a resolution of 1792 by 828 pixels for 326 pixels per inch, 625 nits max brightness, and True Tone and P3 wide color gamut support. The LCD panel keeps costs down compared to the OLED displays used for the iPhone 12 lineup.

Like the iPhone XR, the iPhone 11 relies on software-based Haptic Touch for contextual menus and shortcuts. Unlike older iPhones, there is no pressure-sensitive 3D Touch layer built into the iPhone 11's display.

Performance Differences

The iPhone 11 is powered by Apple's A13 Bionic chip, behind only Apple's A14 Bionic chip in the iPhone 12 models.

Based on 7-nanometer architecture, the A13 Bionic features four high-efficiency cores that are up to 20 percent faster and consume 40 percent less power than the A12 Bionic chip in the iPhone XR. The A13 chip also has two high-performance cores that are up to 20 percent faster and 30 percent more efficient than the A12 chip.

Battery Life

Apple says the iPhone 11 has up to one hour longer battery life than the iPhone XR overall. Based on Apple's internal testing, the iPhone 11 is rated for up to 17 hours of offline video playback, up to 10 hours of streaming video over Wi-Fi, and up to 65 hours of audio playback per charge.

Like the iPhone XR, the iPhone 11 supports Qi-based wireless charging, as well as fast charging for up to a 50 percent charge in 30 minutes with an 18W or higher USB-C charger.

Cameras, the Biggest Difference

The rear camera system is easily the iPhone 11's biggest upgrade over the iPhone XR. Unlike the XR, the wide-angle ƒ/1.8 lens is accompanied by an ultra-wide-angle ƒ/2.4 lens for a 120° field of view. The ultra-wide-angle lens allows users to "zoom out" to "0.5x" and capture four times more scene, according to Apple.

The iPhone 11's wide-angle lens also has an updated sensor that enables Night Mode for markedly improved low-light photos that are brighter and have less noise. This feature is similar to Night Sight on Google's newer Pixel smartphones.

The iPhone 11's third-generation Neural Engine enables next-generation Smart HDR for more natural-looking photos. The Neural Engine also enables Deep Fusion, which uses advanced machine learning for pixel-by-pixel processing of photos, including texture, details, and noise.

Portrait Mode on the iPhone 11 works with not only human faces, but also objects and pets.

There are also six Portrait Lighting effects available on the iPhone 11, including Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, and High‑Key Mono. This is up from three on the iPhone XR: Natural, Studio, and Contour.

iPhone 11 also features front-facing slo-mo video recording at 120 FPS.

Connectivity Compared

With both 802.11ax Wi-Fi and Gigabit-class LTE, the iPhone 11 theoretically has faster download speeds than the iPhone XR, but real-world performance is typically limited by multiple factors such as location and network congestion.

The iPhone 11 also features an Apple-designed U1 chip that enables ultra-wideband support for improved spatial awareness. The chip enables the iPhone 11 to precisely locate other U1‑equipped Apple devices, such as other iPhones and Apple's AirTags.

Storage and Pricing Differences

iPhone 11 is available in 64GB and 128GB for $499 and $549 respectively, while the iPhone XR will be available in similar storage configurations for prices around $100 lower than this.

Tech Specs Compared

Below you'll find tec... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: iPhone XR vs. iPhone 11 Buyer's Guide

 

[tridley68]

I'm going to say the I phone 11 better processor and better camera.

 

[ChrisMoBro]

I'm tempted to finally upgrade my 8 Plus and I'm tempted by the iPhone 11 but will I notice the difference with the lower resolution screen?

 

[Sasparilla]

Have to add for advantages for the Xr is the blue color. Was planning on getting a blue 11.

Would not be surprised if the spatial awareness stuff and the wide angle 2nd camera gets used for AR stuff in the future (was really surprised they didn't do something with it during the keynote - cause otherwise a zoom camera would be a no brainer choice for a 2nd camera).

I'm tempted to finally upgrade my 8 Plus and I'm tempted by the iPhone 11 but will I notice the difference with the lower resolution screen?

It's still retina resolution (the same resolution (dots per inch) as the base 8). I had a 8 Plus and didn't notice the difference with the Xr.

 

[ChrisMoBro]

It's still retina resolution (the same resolution (dots per inch) as the base 8). I had a 8 Plus and didn't notice the difference with the Xr.

Thanks looks like I’ll be preordering one on Friday

 

[chumps52]

Front camera can also now record at 4K 60fps.

 

[dmk1974]

Is the Face ID actually going to be better on the 11 vs the XR? I wish it would pickup my face at an extra 6-12" further from the phone than it does on my XR.

 

[BF1M]

No blue seems like a mistake. If they had a 512GB option this might be this years iPhone for me and the wife...

 

[JLD94]

Question about Night mode.... is this a 11 and 11 pro exclusive or is it going to be a software update for the Xr?

 

[ryecoke]

Question about Night mode.... is this a 11 and 11 pro exclusive or is it going to be a software update for the Xr?

Exclusive to 11. Requires the better cameras.

 

[Black.Infinity]

Question about Night mode.... is this a 11 and 11 pro exclusive or is it going to be a software update for the Xr?

It’s exclusive to newer iPhones only

 

[Sasparilla]

No blue seems like a mistake. If they had a 512GB option this might be this years iPhone for me and the wife...

I'm with you. Nearly all the Xr's I see in the wild are Blue, how could they be dropping that color? Trying to decide if I can swallow the green. Will wait till I see it in a store I think, with a fallback to white.

What colors you looking at as fallbacks?

 

[NickName99]

I’m looking forward to LTE signal strength and speed testing between the two. The iPhone XR didn’t have the best antenna setup.

Between the improved battery life, better photo/video capabilities and improved LTE performance, the 11 looks well worth the extra $100.

 

[GeoStructural]

I need a Product(RED) iPhone Pro. It would be beautiful.

 

[TracesOfArsenic]

Exclusive to 11. Requires the better cameras.

Does it though, or is that what Apple want you to believe? They were pushing how important AI was for many (if not all) of these "pro" features and if the competitors' night modes are anything to go by they're done through computation rather than "the latest lens that our old camera didn't have".

 

[cliffster82]

I have an XR. The only thing I want on the 11 is night mode. Not enough to upgrade. Feels good for once to skip, actually.

 

[jonnysods]

I'm not sure what to do at this point. The Pro is too pricey. For me it's a toss up between the XS and the 11. Waiting to what carrier deals come out for our corporate plan...

 

[GeoStructural]

Does it though, or is that what Apple want you to believe? They were pushing how important AI was for many (if not all) of these "pro" features and if the competitors' night modes are anything to go by they're done through computation rather than "the latest lens that our old camera didn't have".

It is most probably they want you to believe that and push it for commercial differentiation and selling points.

In reality the sensors are the same, it is most probably a software improvement of the low light digital photo, the hardware is mostly the same, they just want you to buy the new phone.

 

[BF1M]

I'm with you. Nearly all the Xr's I see in the wild are Blue, how could they be dropping that color? Trying to decide if I can swallow the green. Will wait till I see it in a store I think, with a fallback to white.

What colors you looking at as fallbacks?

More than likely will be sticking with the XS Max we have now. The Green 11 would be my choice given that there is no blue. The XR yellow would have been second choice over this yellow used for 11. But without 512gb option it’s a no go.

 

[NickName99]

I have an XR. The only thing I want on the 11 is night mode. Not enough to upgrade. Feels good for once to skip, actually.

*edit* just like with Google Night Sight, this isn’t for moving subjects, you have to hold still a few seconds using this app!

Here’s a good Night Mode solution for $2.99, I bought it for my iPhone X and it works really well:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/neuralcam-night-mode-camera/id1474856599

Quick test I did last night, standard Camera app vs NeuralCam:

 

[2010mini]

How does this compare to the Xs?

 

[gridlocked]

Unmentioned an extra GB of ram - 4 vs 3 and support for unlicensed band 48 (cbrs) which I understand is in use in some areas by Verizon at the least.

 

[Unity451]

Just what I needed. Thanks.
Looks like I'll probably stick with the XR.

 

[Glideslope]

I'm tempted to finally upgrade my 8 Plus and I'm tempted by the iPhone 11 but will I notice the difference with the lower resolution screen?

Yes. This is why I still have my 8+. I really wanted to go with the 11, but they did not bump the dpi to 401 like the 8+. To my eyes my 8+ at 401 dpi has a superior image. So, I'll most likely keep my 8+ until it dies. I'm one of those minority users who's eyes don't like OLED. So I'll be in a bind next year.

 

[Sasparilla]

How does this compare to the Xs?

The 11 (or Xr) have alot more battery life, but do not have the 2x zoom. The 11 also has the AR stuff built in if Apple uses it. The 11 has another year of revisions for the voice / data radio's compared to the X (which had trouble for some folks). And of course no risk of display burn in with the display on the Xr / 11, ever. Color choices and save yourself some money (a good chunk of an Apple Watch). JMHO...

Here’s a good Night Mode solution for $2.99, I bought it for my iPhone X and it works really well:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/neuralcam-night-mode-camera/id1474856599

Quick tests I did last night, standard Camera app vs NeuralCam:
View attachment 857465

NickName99 this is awesome, just what I wanted, thanks for sharing. (I was saying to myself there's no need to just have this on the newest phones, Google rolled it out to all Pixel generations at once) Performance is great!