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Hieveryone

macrumors 603
Original poster
Apr 11, 2014
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I see the XR as somewhat of a budget version of the iPhone X or XS.

Similar form factor but less premium parts such as camera and screen.

That being said, is it really worth the $250 savings?

I personally think my iPhone X is better than the XR and wouldn’t consider it an upgrade.

In fact, I think Best Buy still sells the X and last time I checked I believe it was actually MORE than the XR.

Thoughts?
 
Btw, I saw the XR at the Apple store. Honestly wasn’t too impressed OR unimpressed. It’s fine, but my impression was it was a budget version of the X or XS. Like it’s similar, but just seems less premium overall.
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No, it is a budget version of the XS Max, as it displays the same amount of screen information as the XS Max, and 22% more than the X and XS.

Camera is the same one as the wide angle on the XS/XS Max, and superior to the one in the X.


Ahhh I see. Gotcha. So the discount is more like $350 then?
 
It's a differently priced iPhone with different features. You call it a budget phone. Others don't. Some seem to think it's well worth the price. Others don't. This has been beaten to death in other threads. People disagreeing with other people for no good reason. It is what it is and it's worth it to you or it isn't. Others have different opinions.

Those are my thoughts.
 
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I find the OP’s s thread title to be worded incorrectly, there’s nothing ‘budget’ about the XR. It’s a _$750 iPhone_ MSRP, and has almost some of the same specific technical specifications as the XS. Again, nothing budget about a phone of that caliber.
 
I saw the XR in-store today and I felt that although the build and colours are great, the screen felt like a major step backwards because technically speaking it is - if you can’t spot this it’s no doubt because you’re not used to the X. The bezels are clumsy looking too; Apple no doubt used this to further distinguish the XR from the more premium XS under the guise that LCD necessitated it.

I don’t think you can call the XR a cheaper XS Max per se as size has little to do with anything other than preference and the XS and XS Max are only seperated by size. The actual screen real estate is probably closer to the XS given bezel size anyway - anyone have the stats?

Personally, I’d save until I could afford the XS as the XR already feels redundant.
 
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In my case, the XR is effectively $450 cheaper than the XS Max, since I want more than 64 GB but don't need 256 GB.

XR 128 GB is US$799.
XS Max 256 GB is $1249.

I am only asking myself where does the word budget fits to 799 :)
Seriously people, 799 should be a price for a budget phone.....hilarious :)
 
I saw the XR in-store today and I felt that although the build and colours are great, the screen felt like a major step backwards because technically speaking it is - if you can’t spot this it’s no doubt because you’re not used to the X. The bezels are clumsy looking too; Apple no doubt used this to further distinguish the XR from the more premium XS under the guise that LCD necessitated it.

I don’t think you can call the XR a cheaper XS Max per se as size has little to do with anything other than preference and the XS and XS Max are only seperated by size. The actual screen real estate is probably closer to the XS given bezel size anyway - anyone have the stats?

Personally, I’d save until I could afford the XS as the XR already feels redundant.

Most people wont be able to tell a major difference unless they KNOW that it's a LCD. Ofcourse the OLED display is superior and it is apparent once you start using both together but it's kinda like one of those blind wine/vodka tests. Anyone who knows the cost of the wins will always prefer the expensive ones, something similar applies here, not exactly the best analogy but yea.
 
I saw the XR in-store today and I felt that although the build and colours are great, the screen felt like a major step backwards because technically speaking it is - if you can’t spot this it’s no doubt because you’re not used to the X. The bezels are clumsy looking too; Apple no doubt used this to further distinguish the XR from the more premium XS under the guise that LCD necessitated it.

I don’t think you can call the XR a cheaper XS Max per se as size has little to do with anything other than preference and the XS and XS Max are only seperated by size. The actual screen real estate is probably closer to the XS given bezel size anyway - anyone have the stats?

Personally, I’d save until I could afford the XS as the XR already feels redundant.

Side by side is really the only time you notice those things. Once you are using it as your regular phone, you don’t even notice the bezels. And the screen is just fine. For those who don’t want to spend as much or don’t need those extra features, or who can’t look at an OLED screen, the XR is perfect. I went from an 8 plus to a Max, then the XS, now the XR. I don’t even notice the bezels or “lower quality” screen. I like it better than my 8+. The only thing I miss is the telephoto camera and the ability to use portrait mode on any subject.
 
Most people wont be able to tell a major difference unless they KNOW that it's a LCD. Ofcourse the OLED display is superior and it is apparent once you start using both together but it's kinda like one of those blind wine/vodka tests. Anyone who knows the cost of the wins will always prefer the expensive ones, something similar applies here, not exactly the best analogy but yea.

I don’t think it’s about knowledge - it’s about comparison. Putting my XS next to the XR made the XR screen seem washed out whereas on its own it looked fine. I just think there’s something depressing about settling for old tech and dressing it up as ‘sufficient’ or ‘as good as’. You pay your money you take your choice etc.
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Side by side is really the only time you notice those things. Once you are using it as your regular phone, you don’t even notice the bezels. And the screen is just fine. For those who don’t want to spend as much or don’t need those extra features, or who can’t look at an OLED screen, the XR is perfect. I went from an 8 plus to a Max, then the XS, now the XR. I don’t even notice the bezels or “lower quality” screen. I like it better than my 8+. The only thing I miss is the telephoto camera and the ability to use portrait mode on any subject.

Agreed.
 
I originally was gonna do the 6.1 Inch when it was reported/leaked, but when it didn't have 512GB option, the Max was the choice, and I don't regret it, just wish they did Product red, hate that they wait till half way through the phones life cycle to do them. Cool though for the XR.
 
Sorry but I don’t care what the spec sheet says. You can’t call a phone costing £750 the budget option.

I don’t say that because I went for the Xr over the Xs I say it because whatever way you look at it £750 for a phone in anyone’s money is not ‘budget’.
 
In my case, the XR is effectively $450 cheaper than the XS Max, since I want more than 64 GB but don't need 256 GB.

XR 128 GB is US$799.
XS Max 256 GB is $1249.
My exact thinking as well. Xr is an awesome phone for the $$ (given phone prices nowadays) if 128gn is your sweet spot
 
Sorry but I don’t care what the spec sheet says. You can’t call a phone costing £750 the budget option.

I don’t say that because I went for the Xr over the Xs I say it because whatever way you look at it £750 for a phone in anyone’s money is not ‘budget’.

OP asked whether it’s a budget version of the X/XS, not simply budget. It is a budget version of the latter - fact.
 
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Personally, I’d save until I could afford the XS as the XR already feels redundant.

Here's the thing : many people, such as myself, don't buy an XS because they cannot afford it. If they'd want it, they'd buy it. The funds are readily available. They are not buying the XS because they believe the device's features don't warrant the price.

It's not that they can't afford it - they surely can. They just think: 'dear Mr. Cook, I love iPhones, but I'm not stupid.'
 
Here's the thing : many people, such as myself, don't buy an XS because they can't afford it. If they'd want it, they'd buy it. The funds are readily available. They are not buying the XS because they believe the device's features don't warrant the price.

It's not that they can't afford it - they surely can. They just think: 'dear Mr. Cook, I love iPhones, but I'm not an idiot.

That’s the thing is it? Funds readily available? According to what data?

I find it rich that XR enthusiasts like you can call those buying XS phones idiots when they bought older tech glossed over by Cook and Co with fancy terms like liquid LCD.

Why not just accept the XR is a different phone for less?
 
Those that can afford the latest greatest iPhone will get the XS or XS Max.

Those that want an iPhone experience on a budget can get a 7 for less than $500 bucks. They all run the same iOS. Not everyone cares about camera specs.

I don't understand people in-between who are willing spend so much on an XR.... but yet, the XS is "too much".
 
I would say its more of a successor to the iPhone 8/8 plus then a cut down version of the x/xs.
 
I dont see Iphone Xr as budget version but as a successor to Iphone 8.

The old Iphones had seriously fallen behind in design compared to the competition and it was a time that Apple introduced a successor for Iphone 8. If anything Iphone 8 should have been a ”s year” as people like to say.

I cant really understand how some people aplaud how it has a new cpu, camera and larger screen while those are just natural evolution of technology. Anything less at this pricepoint would have fallen long short from the competition.
 
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