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iPhone XR Takes on buying an iPhone XR now

V

Vero-D

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 12, 2010
12
1
Chicago
My mom's iPhone SE (2016) died... RIP to the best iPhone she has had. Now, she is looking to get an iPhone under $300. Is it worth buying an iPhone XR?
Take into account she uses it lightly. Mostly WhatsApp, calls, and some Instagram.
Would it last her 5-6 years? ios wise, App updates, etc.

Opinions?

Thanks in advance for your help!
 
The XR may not be receiving security updates in the next 5-6 years, otherwise it is a solid choice since price (under $300) is your chief concern. Keep in mind the XR has a slightly bigger screen than the 2016 SE, so you would need to see if that fits your Mom's criteria.
 
Vero-D said:
My mom's iPhone SE (2016) died... RIP to the best iPhone she has had. Now, she is looking to get an iPhone under $300. Is it worth buying an iPhone XR?
Take into account she uses it lightly. Mostly WhatsApp, calls, and some Instagram.
Would it last her 5-6 years? ios wise, App updates, etc.

Opinions?

Thanks in advance for your help!
Click to expand...
You never know.

The iPhone 6s was released in 2015 and is still supported. The iPhone 6, released in 2014, is no longer supported.

The iPhone XR was released in 2018. If Apple keeps a similar timeline, it should have at least 3 more years of support. I would say that 5-6 years would be more unlikely.
 
I'm still using an iPhone XR. Does great. Only downside is the camera isn't as good as the current models or even my wife's XS Max. If that's not a concern it will fit the need very well.
 
The screen on the XR makes it an instant nope for me. However, I doubt your mom would care too much about the display type and resolution so it would probably be a safe bet.
 
I had a XR from launch until I upgraded to the 12 Pro at launch. The XR was and still is a great phone especially for the price it goes for now. However the camera isn't great compared to newer models and if you want to get the longest possible use out of it I would personally go for a used 11. It should get a year or two longer on updates, it has a better dual camera and you can get them used for not much more than a XR.
If your looking for a phone to last 5-6 years with updates you'd be best buying a 13 or 13 Mini.
 
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iPhone XR has the same pixel density as the SE that she's coming from so I don't think she will have any issues with the screen, I agree if an 11 can be sourced for a similar price it's a slightly better phone but I still use my launch day XR and love it :)
 
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Both my parents have been using the XR for several years now and its been a fantastic device for them.
 
Get her a Iphone 12 or better you don’t want your moms using that inferior intel modem XR oh no
 
I had the XR and it was awesome, having said that if you can splurge a little, go for the 11 it will probably have much greater longevity, mainly due to the increase to 4gb of ram from 3gb on the XR, the same as the latest iPhone and mini.
 
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Vero-D said:
My mom's iPhone SE (2016) died... RIP to the best iPhone she has had. Now, she is looking to get an iPhone under $300. Is it worth buying an iPhone XR?
Take into account she uses it lightly. Mostly WhatsApp, calls, and some Instagram.
Would it last her 5-6 years? ios wise, App updates, etc.

Opinions?

Thanks in advance for your help!
Click to expand...
Try finding better deals on the 2020 SE. Longevity wise, the 2020 SE will outlast the XR, if you're aiming for 5-6 years of support from now. And if the 2016SE is fine for your mom, then the 2020 SE would be fine as well (battery life wise).

App updates will tend to last longer than iOS updates. Some apps like TikTok still supports iOS9. Whatsapp still supports devices on iOS10. So I wouldn't worry about app support in the future.

Why the 2020 SE? If you are coming from a 2016 SE, the XR is a very different phone, as it's much larger and heavier as well. The 2020 SE is still bigger than the 2016 SE, but at least not as big of a jump like the XR.
 
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Hombre53 said:
slightly bigger screen than the 2016 SE
Click to expand...
ahem.

"slightly"?


1655167673033.jpeg


IMHO, the difference between a 4" and a 6.1" screen is certainly not "slight".
 
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My mother has had the XR since it was the current model, I use it now and then to do stuff for her and it honestly runs as if it's a current iPhone.

Obviously the screen and camera are a bit meh but that doesn't bother her.
 
It’s still a good phone by today’s standards. I have an iPad Mini 5 with the same A12 chip inside and everything runs as well as it does on my 12 Mini with the A14.
 
Vero-D said:
My mom's iPhone SE (2016) died... RIP to the best iPhone she has had. Now, she is looking to get an iPhone under $300. Is it worth buying an iPhone XR?
Take into account she uses it lightly. Mostly WhatsApp, calls, and some Instagram.
Would it last her 5-6 years? ios wise, App updates, etc.

Opinions?

Thanks in advance for your help!
Click to expand...
 
Yes, it would be worth buying the iPhone XR because it has a longer lifespan than the other models. Apple typically releases a new phone model every year, and while the new models offer better features and performance, they also come with shorter lifespans. However, the iPhone XR is expected to last for 5-6 years, so that it would be a wise investment.

Moreover, I would recommend Phone Daddy if you want a cheap iPhone with a longer lifespan. They sell used and refurbished iPhones at affordable prices with one year warranty. I bought a refurbished iPhone from them, and it's still in good condition. you would love their services as they inspect each phone before handing it to their customer
 
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Great phone, one of my favourite iPhones I’ve had especially in the coral. Totally fine to use and will be for years yet. And now they are getting cheap I may even pick up one again to use as a backup phone, seeing as my backup 7’s days are drawing to a close and becoming borderline unusable (battery) even as a backup phone to my 13
 
Vero-D said:
My mom's iPhone SE (2016) died... RIP to the best iPhone she has had. Now, she is looking to get an iPhone under $300. Is it worth buying an iPhone XR?
Take into account she uses it lightly. Mostly WhatsApp, calls, and some Instagram.
Would it last her 5-6 years? ios wise, App updates, etc.

Opinions?

Thanks in advance for your help!
Click to expand...
Look at either an iPhone 11 or iPhone 12. Don't look at an XR.
 
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MacLappy said:
I had the XR and it was awesome, having said that if you can splurge a little, go for the 11 it will probably have much greater longevity, mainly due to the increase to 4gb of ram from 3gb on the XR, the same as the latest iPhone and mini.
Click to expand...
Wanted to suggest the exact same, rather try get an iPhone 11, maybe get one that’s refurbished if possible. The iPhone 11 is looking poised to be the next 6S.

iPhone 11 is a nice well rounded device, excellent battery life and A13 chip.
 
jav6454 said:
Look at either an iPhone 11 or iPhone 12. Don't look at an XR.
Click to expand...
Nonsense. There’s no value in getting an 11 over an XR since there is no difference. If they want something economical then best go for the XR

If they want something better, then might as well pony up for the 13 and forget about the 11 or 12
 
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Tsepz said:
Wanted to suggest the exact same, rather try get an iPhone 11, maybe get one that’s refurbished if possible. The iPhone 11 is looking poised to be the next 6S.

iPhone 11 is a nice well rounded device, excellent battery life and A13 chip.
Click to expand...
Yes it certainly is, the way that people on this site seem to hero worship it despite it being one of the most boring and insignificant upgrades there has ever been on iPhone following extremely innovative and popular iPhones (ie: the 6 and XR respectively for 6S and 11)
 
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about to pick up an XR soon as my backup phone and also the phone I plan to use when I sell my 13 pro max ready for the 14 pro max to get max value.
 
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