iPhone XR The problem with the iPhone XR

[roland.g]

Last year was the new X or the 8 / 8 Plus.

But this year Apple made a mistake. The iPhone XS and XS Max are the “premium” iPhones and the XR is the more affordable new phone, EXCEPT that the XR is the size sweet spot. The X / XS are a bit small. The Max is a bit big. The R is really the best size but doesn’t offer the best features.

Apple should have swapped the XS and XR sizing, making the XS closer in size to the Max and bringing in the XR as the smallest of the 3 as well as the most economical. That would have been reason for me to upgrade from my X as I miss the size (mostly width) from my 6 and 7 Plus models. The X is a bit narrow. However, the Max is the physical size of the old Plus models with even more screen because of the lack of bezels and chin, but with the reach factor is a bit too big. I didn’t care for the Plus physical size as they were a bit large. An XS with the premium feel and better cameras in the XR 6.1” size would be the best size offering a slightly wide screen without the overall size of the Max. The “budget” XR should have been relegated to the smallest of the 3 screens.

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

There is such little difference in size between the X and Xr. I think it's a rare niceness to Apple customers, you would expect Apple to do what you suggest however for once they've given the budget range a very decent set of specs, the Xr is essentially the same phone as the Xs - lacking in a few features but it's also $250 cheaper. So for those who want a bigger and better experience, it's nice they they don't have to fork out the extra just to get that.

I think the Xr is going to be a great phone and a very popular model. I can live with a minuscule smaller Xs for the other benefits, but I'd be just as happy with an Xr. The Max is a little too ergonomically large for my use but a lot of people use these things two handed most of the time so it's great. Basically, there's now a fantastic device at different sizes and price points, a huge rarity for Apple...

 

[aakshey]

If you have small hands XR is much bigger than X. And X is much bigger than 8. That is if you have small hands like me. For me 8 is the ideal size. XR is out of the question regardless of price.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I know a lot of people who will be put off by the size of the XR and will likely buy the iPhone 8 as a result. It’s a strange size to release to the mainstream consumer I feel as it offers little choice but to own a huge iPhone if you want the latest release.

 

[OTACORB]

Since we are just giving opinions I think Apple actually got this right! Sure we all wish they could do certain things, like allow for my options or customizations. Many wish they would still make a 4" screen, but that is now very unlikely to happen. I think the design team actually hit the right sweet spot with this years offering. Many are so upset by the lower resolution, but I don't think that is even going to be an issue for the average person and that is what this phone is for the average person that don't care about specs. Given the lower cost phone with the bigger screen is going to be the right formula for major sales and at the end of the day that is what Apple is all about... sales and profit.

 

[CLS727]

I just thought the XR is kind of in no-mans land..... people that want the 'best' will want the XS Max.... and for those that don't want to spend that much money need an even cheaper option.... $250 isn't enough of a discount..... Apple should have just kept making a simpler phone like the 7 and sold it for $500 or less.

 

[Sugadaddy]

I just thought the XR is kind of in no-mans land..... people that want the 'best' will want the XS Max.... and for those that don't want to spend that much money need an even cheaper option.... $250 isn't enough of a discount..... Apple should have just kept making a simpler phone like the 7 and sold it for $500 or less.

They still sell the 7, and it costs 449$.

https://www.macrumors.com/2018/09/13/tim-cook-on-iphone-prices/

 

[jimmy_uk]

I just thought the XR is kind of in no-mans land..... people that want the 'best' will want the XS Max.... and for those that don't want to spend that much money need an even cheaper option.... $250 isn't enough of a discount..... Apple should have just kept making a simpler phone like the 7 and sold it for $500 or less.

I need more than 64GB so my options would be:

XS Max - 256GB = £1250
XR - 128GB = £800

Difference = £450 ($586)

That's a big difference in the UK.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

I think the XR is a cracking phone and will be a massive seller for Apple. I found the screen on the X a little too small for me and so i got the Xs Max which is perfect but if Apple hadn't released the Max, I would have gone for the XR over the Xs

 

[PeteS1963]

I need more than 64GB so my options would be:

XS Max - 256GB = £1250
XR - 128GB = £800

Difference = £450 ($586)

That's a big difference in the UK.

I’m in the same boat. £450 is a big difference and I’d rather spend that on, for example, Christmas for my daughter.

 

[NeilHD]

I need more than 64GB so my options would be:

XS Max - 256GB = £1250
XR - 128GB = £800

Difference = £450 ($586)

That's a big difference in the UK.

This is EXACTLY it. Nail on head.

If there were a 128GB XS Max I'd be really tempted by it. But there isn't, and 64GB isn't enough. 256 is overkill for me and the price is hard to justify.

So I will go and play with both, but I fully expect to walk out with an XR. I do the Apple upgrade program (didn't upgrade my 7+ though), and that difference between XR 128 and XS Max is about £22.50 per month, which doesn't sound like too much extra, but the total then works out at well over £65p/m which is just a bit mad.

 

[tromboneaholic]

If you have small hands XR is much bigger than X. And X is much bigger than 8. That is if you have small hands like me. For me 8 is the ideal size. XR is out of the question regardless of price.

I'm not sure what you mean about X being much bigger than 8.

The iPhone X measures 143.6mm by 70.9mm.
The iPhone 8 is 138.4mm by 67.3mm.

So the X is ~ 5mm taller and 3mm wider.

 

[aakshey]

I'm not sure what you mean about X being much bigger than 8.

The iPhone X measures 143.6mm by 70.9mm.
The iPhone 8 is 138.4mm by 67.3mm.

So the X is ~ 5mm taller and 3mm wider.

Yes. That’s a crucial difference for somebody with small hands. 5% addition to the width can be a deal breaker once you’re already on the edge.

 

[CrazyForCashews]

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: Apple should’ve released a smaller iPhone XR. Why didn’t they make a smaller XR and release it simultaneously with the current one?

The XR is too big and too heavy to satisfy the people who like smaller phones (SE, 6, 7, 8).

 

[OTACORB]

The only problem with the XR is that we have to wait until next Friday to play around with it! LOL

 

[tromboneaholic]

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: Apple should’ve released a smaller iPhone XR. Why didn’t they make a smaller XR and release it simultaneously with the current one?

The XR is too big and too heavy to satisfy the people who like smaller phones (SE, 6, 7, 8).

SE didn't come out until March, so it could still happen.

 

[Jetcat3]

Just don’t see the XR being a very big jump in display size. Remember it’s a 6.06” 19.5:9 aspect ratio. Not a big jump width wise.

 

[nutmac]

But this year Apple made a mistake. The iPhone XS and XS Max are the “premium” iPhones and the XR is the more affordable new phone, EXCEPT that the XR is the size sweet spot. The X / XS are a bit small. The Max is a bit big. The R is really the best size but doesn’t offer the best features.

I disagree with making XS bigger.

Screen sizes on XS and XS Max are entirely intentional -- XS shows the same amount horizontal information as 8 and XS Max the same as 8 Plus. Screen sizes are a bit larger to maintain same pixel density for blue and red pixels as 8.

XR also shows the same horizontal information as 8 Plus, but the screen size is a bit smaller, as to maintain same pixel density as 8.

If you argue for smaller XR, one that is carved out of iPhone XS, I might agree with you. But I am guessing Apple looked at the sales number and saw greater potential for larger XR.

Dimensions (width by length):

• 67.3 mm by 138.4 mm - iPhone 8
• 69.6 mm by 138.8 mm - hypothetical iPhone XR based on XS
• 70.9 mm by 143.6 mm - iPhone XS
• 75.7 mm by 150.9 mm - iPhone XR
• 77.4 mm by 157.5 mm - iPhone XS Max
  
• 78.1 mm by 158.38 mm - iPhone 8 Plus

 

[DaveyVigs]

The only problem with the XR is that we have to wait until next Friday to play around with it! LOL

Truth!

 

[dazz87]

Biggest problem is the price.........It shouldve started off at $550-$650 with the specs that they are offering.

 

[tromboneaholic]

Biggest problem is the price.........It shouldve started off at $550-$650 with the specs that they are offering.

This is a silly comment.

 

[dark_thor]

I have very small hands and i went for the XS Max. At the beginning it looked huge, as I was coming from an iPhone 7, but now I am accustomed with it.

 

[dazz87]

This is a silly comment.

so how much should apple charge for a 720p lcd display with 3gb of ram?

 

[tromboneaholic]

so how much should apple charge for a 720p lcd display with 3gb of ram?

$749, it's about $200 better than iPhone 8, so this is a bargain.

 

[44267547]

I don’t see a problem with the XR, it seems like it’s a nice phone for what is offering, I think it’s priced appropriately, but could have started at $700 for it to be a little cheaper. Altogether, the only thing I think the XR is missing is more marketing, which really didn’t have that much before the pre-order started yesterday, but I expect as the holidays approach, it will gain in more notoriety.