Next-Generation iPhone XR Said to Feature 4x4 MIMO Antenna Design Enabling Faster Data Speeds

[MacRumors]

The next-generation iPhone XR will feature a 4x4 MIMO antenna design, according to a Barclays research note obtained by MacRumors.

4x4 MIMO, short for multiple-input, multiple-output, has the potential to significantly improve LTE transmission by increasing the number of data paths between cellular towers and a mobile device to four. Simply put, the next iPhone XR would feature four antennas, allowing for faster data speeds.

iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models feature Gigabit-class LTE with a 4x4 MIMO antenna design, while the current iPhone XR supports 2x2 MIMO.

A few months ago, PC Magazine reported that the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max have "significantly better" LTE performance than the iPhone XR based on testing conducted by Cellular Insights and Rohde & Schwarz. The difference was especially noticeable in weak signal conditions, the results indicated.

Of course, regardless of how many antennas an iPhone has, data speeds can be affected by factors such as network congestion, distance from the tower, physical obstructions, environmental conditions, and interference.

Article Link: Next-Generation iPhone XR Said to Feature 4x4 MIMO Antenna Design Enabling Faster Data Speeds

 

[max.ine]

Sounds nice and all, but I’d rather they keep improving Liquid Retina over anything else. As an epileptic, the OLED screens (especially with all the flickering) simply aren’t an option for me.

I’m thinking of replacing my 7 Plus this year, but I’m torn between getting the 8 Plus or the XR...

 

[jmpstar]

Here's hoping! This was actually the thing that had me considering the Max, though I ended up going with the XR in the end.

 

[dan9700]

Works great on the xs max Notttttt the lte and wifi is shocking so I wouldn't want that

 

[Stuey3D]

Let’s hope it doesn’t bring a weaker signal like the XS/Max users are complaining about with the same antenna configuration.

The XR for me so far has been fantastic for signal even outperforming my X.

 

[imran5720]

Are you sure they will launch another iPhone XR?

 

[Aston441]

Sounds nice and all, but I’d rather they keep improving Liquid Retina over anything else. As an epileptic, the OLED screens (especially with all the flickering) simply aren’t an option for me.

I’m thinking of replacing my 7 Plus this year, but I’m torn between getting the 8 Plus or the XR...

Liquid Retina is marketing babble for rounded corners.

Apple could have easily specified the high PPI they've used in the plus series of phones for the last four years.

They cheaped out and jacked the price. You got ripped off.

 

[CrzyP]

I would buy the XR if it had this. I would miss 3D touch though.

 

[jayducharme]

Maybe that's to make up for the fact they won't support 5G for at least another year.

 

[Rychiar]

id love to meet someone who finds the 4x4mimi in this xm to be an improvement. Its no better than my 7 was at getting a signal​

 

[citysnaps]

Sounds nice and all, but I’d rather they keep improving Liquid Retina over anything else. As an epileptic, the OLED screens (especially with all the flickering) simply aren’t an option for me.

I’m thinking of replacing my 7 Plus this year, but I’m torn between getting the 8 Plus or the XR...

I don't like OLED screens, either, for a different reason. Am thinking of trading my X in for an XR for the superior camera and LCD screen. The Xr also has longer battery life on a charge as well - though I'm not complaining about X's.

 

[NinjaHERO]

Will it also improve the call quality and signal? I still drop several calls a week. I know a lot of that is the cell tower placement, but I'm sure the iphone antenna plays a part too.

 

[citysnaps]

id love to meet someone who finds the 4x4mimi in this xm to be an improvement. Its no better than my 7 was at getting a signal​

The improvements will be subtle. Especially if you're in a strong signal and low multipath environment already.

Where MIMO will shine is when you are in a high multipath environment (lots of obstructions, tall buildings, and other RF signal reflective surfaces - each causing different time-delayed versions of your signal at different signal strengths hitting your phone simultaneously, causing destructive interference - NYC, for example) with marginal signal strength. It can make all the difference in the world.

 

[xpxp2002]

Sounds nice and all, but I’d rather they keep improving Liquid Retina over anything else. As an epileptic, the OLED screens (especially with all the flickering) simply aren’t an option for me.

I’m thinking of replacing my 7 Plus this year, but I’m torn between getting the 8 Plus or the XR...

Agree about the OLED. Wish there were an XS with an LCD like the XR.

If I were you, I’d go with the 8. It’s one generation older CPU, but 3D Touch and Touch ID outweigh the performance improvement you’ll never notice between the A11 and A12 IMO.

 

[simonmet]

Give it 1080p and Force Touch and I might be interested.

 

[Sasparilla]

While I haven't run into issues with network performance, its good to see Apple looking at improving things wherever they can. Its a great phone for the money ($50 cheaper than the smaller 8 Plus was last year).

Sounds nice and all, but I’d rather they keep improving Liquid Retina over anything else. As an epileptic, the OLED screens (especially with all the flickering) simply aren’t an option for me.

I’m thinking of replacing my 7 Plus this year, but I’m torn between getting the 8 Plus or the XR...

Went from a 8 Plus to the Xr. Better camera performance (other than the high light level zoom on the Plus), better battery performance and bigger screen is really nice - and its just a hair narrower so it fits in your hand better (plus $50 cheaper than the Plus was last year). FaceID becomes second nature. Downsides to me (for all X phones) are that the UI consistency takes a hit without the home button (stuff that just worked before is different...Press and hold power button to turn it on, but now press and hold power button to turn off brings up Siri - which you can disable but still won't turn off the phone, requires a double button hold to do that, but if you do that double button and not hold long enough it takes a screenshot...there's a good bit of that, might be the way of the future but doesn't make these kinds of things less annoying).

 

[TheFluffyDuck]

I for one hope Apple get crushed in their next few quarterly reports with their price gouging.

-Budget iPhones more expensive than flagships a couple of years ago.
-"Entry level" Mac minis that cost as much as VR gaming rig or just a couple of hundred shy of an iMac.
-$500 Price hikes on MBP for no reason.
-99 Cent "Free trial" for Apple music.

 

[rmoliv]

They keep insisting on this mediocre phone... unbelievable!

 

[avanpelt]

I just don't see much of a need for 4x4 MIMO in the U.S. right now. The few speed tests I've read about didn't seem all that compelling. The 4x4 handsets basically provided close to the same throughput that LTE networks used to have back when the early adopters were the only people using LTE and everyone else was still using 3G handsets. I have yet to see a single speed test in the U.S. that comes anywhere close to the theoretical 'gigabit class' marketing Apple is claiming.

 

[ilikewhey]

Sounds nice and all, but I’d rather they keep improving Liquid Retina over anything else. As an epileptic, the OLED screens (especially with all the flickering) simply aren’t an option for me.

I’m thinking of replacing my 7 Plus this year, but I’m torn between getting the 8 Plus or the XR...

get the 8 plus at least you get a qualcomm chip

 

[sunapple]

Sounds nice and all, but I’d rather they keep improving Liquid Retina over anything else. As an epileptic, the OLED screens (especially with all the flickering) simply aren’t an option for me.

I’m thinking of replacing my 7 Plus this year, but I’m torn between getting the 8 Plus or the XR...

Definitely XR, I made the same move and it’s awesome.

 

[Zelda Chestnut]

So, if the next XR gets this, and also a dual lens like reported in another report, then seriously, what will be the difference of this and the new flagships? Will the new flagship X have 5G, maybe?

 

[iGeek2014]

So, if the next XR gets this, and also a dual lens like reported in another report, then seriously, what will be the difference of this and the new flagships? Will the new flagship X have 5G, maybe?

I imagine they’ll probably put a 5G modem in the next generation XS/XS Max and the ‘cheaper’ Gigabit LTE modem in the next generation XR.

I know a fair few people have experienced issues with reception and data on their phones but, touchwood, I’ve been OK with my carrier so far.

 

[Rogifan]

The tech in the next gen XR is going to be better than the tech in the current XR. Woah I’m blown away!

 

[citysnaps]

I just don't see much of a need for 4x4 MIMO in the U.S. right now. The few speed tests I've read about didn't seem all that compelling. The 4x4 handsets basically provided close to the same throughput that LTE networks used to have back when the early adopters were the only people using LTE and everyone else was still using 3G handsets. I have yet to see a single speed test in the U.S. that comes anywhere close to the theoretical 'gigabit class' marketing Apple is claiming.

MIMO’s strength is in high multipath, low signal strength environments. With respect to the few speed tests you’ve read about, where were the tests conducted, and under what conditions? And which phones were used? A link would be helpful.