iPhone X What am I missing here? iPhone Xr 720p

[Tapiture]

So I was frankly really impressed by the new iPhone lineup at first glance — two higher end phones with no compromises and a cheaper option without some of the finer things like the stainless steel and OLED. Finally, a bezel-free, affordable 2018 smart phone from Apple. But then I found out that the resolution on the Xr screen is just over 720p. This, to me, just seems idiotic. So if I were to upgrade my 6s after three years of progress of innovation, I’m actually getting a step DOWN in screen resolution? I can watch YouTube videos (or any video, for that matter) in 1080p on my 6s but now if I upgrade I’ll be limited to 720p? This seems totally backwards.

 

[danilko1]

It's the same pixel density as the iPhone 5/5s/SE... So you will not notice the difference.

The iPhone X/Xs, when you calculate the RgBg pixel density based on 1.5 sub pixels per color group pixel, you end up with the same resolution and density as the Xr...

Seriously no need to worry about this, LCD pixel is three sub pixels (RGB) vs OLEDs 2 sub pixels.

 

[bodonnell202]

The resolution of the 6s is 1334 × 750, the resolution of the Xr is 1792 × 828. I fail to see how it is a step down? It's the same pixel density as the iPhone 6/6s/7/8 (326 ppi) but a larger screen.

 

[Tapiture]

It's the same pixel density as the iPhone 5/5s/SE... So you will not notice the difference.

The iPhone X/Xs, when you calculate the RgBg pixel density based on 1.5 sub pixels per color group pixel, you end up with the same resolution and density as the Xr...

Seriously no need to worry about this, LCD pixel is three sub pixels (RGB) vs OLEDs 2 sub pixels.

The resolution of the 6s is 1334 × 750, the resolution of the Xr is 1792 × 828. I fail to see how it is a step down? It's the same pixel density as the iPhone 6/6s/7/8 (326 ppi) but a larger screen.

Ah okay, I got resolution mixed up with pixel density. I assumed it couldn't be the case, that's what I was "missing." That's good to know, thanks.

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

Deleted. Others answered as I was typing

 

[Zune55]

It's the same pixel density as the iPhone 5/5s/SE... So you will not notice the difference.

The iPhone X/Xs, when you calculate the RgBg pixel density based on 1.5 sub pixels per color group pixel, you end up with the same resolution and density as the Xr...

Seriously no need to worry about this, LCD pixel is three sub pixels (RGB) vs OLEDs 2 sub pixels.

It would have been so much better in terms of pricing if Apple has used same LCD technology with 720P for Xs & Xs Max since you have calculated it and found not much of a difference.

 

[Tapiture]

If you have a 6S, your phone has a 1334 x 750 display at 4.7” for 326 ppi. The XR has a 1792 x 828 display at 6.1” for the same 326 ppi. You are staying at the same pixels per inch, but neither the 6S or XR are 1080p.

So by that token, I should still be able to view "1080p" quality video on YouTube or other on the Xr?

 

[bodonnell202]

So by that token, I should still be able to view "1080p" quality video on YouTube or other on the Xr?

Yes, youtube videos are scaled to fill the screen on the 6s and the same will happen on the Xr. Worst case it will look about the same (but a bit larger).

 

[rdy0329]

So by that token, I should still be able to view "1080p" quality video on YouTube or other on the Xr?

Technically, yes. But just opt for 720p to save data if you have that option. It's nearer the actual resolution while also easy on the chip (doesn't need to downscale 1080p content).

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

So by that token, I should still be able to view "1080p" quality video on YouTube or other on the Xr?

I’m sorry. First I tried responding but took too long and others answered your question. So I deleted my reply but I see now not before you were able to quote it and ask this follow up question. And then this one got answered before I could reply to you LOL!! My timing is way off tonight. But as others have said, you should be just fine with the XR screen. If anything, the screen and viewing experience will not be a step backwards from your 6S and for the price, Apple really gave it a lot of features. It’s not a ‘last year’s model’ like the 5C was.

 

[EugW]

Technically, yes. But just opt for 720p to save data if you have that option. It's nearer the actual resolution while also easy on the chip (doesn't need to downscale 1080p content).

These phones have dedicated DSPs for decoding video. So, playing back 1080p is no problem at all.

That said, most people get too hung up on 720p vs 1080p for video on these phones. As long as the encode is good quality, it will look good on these tiny screens.

 

[rdy0329]

These phones have dedicated DSPs for decoding video. So, playing back 1080p is no problem at all.

That said, most people get too hung up on 720p vs 1080p for video on these phones. As long as the encode is good quality, it will look good on these tiny screens.

True. I forgot about that. Data use is still something to consider though.

Xs and Xs Max = 1080p
Xr = 720p

 

[Supermallet]

It's the same pixel density as the iPhone 5/5s/SE... So you will not notice the difference.

The iPhone X/Xs, when you calculate the RgBg pixel density based on 1.5 sub pixels per color group pixel, you end up with the same resolution and density as the Xr...

Seriously no need to worry about this, LCD pixel is three sub pixels (RGB) vs OLEDs 2 sub pixels.

I’m confused by this. Are you saying that the X line has the same pixel density as a 6/7/8 because the pixels are calculated differently? Would that mean the pixel density on the 6/7/8 Plus are actually higher than on the X?

 

[nordique]

So by that token, I should still be able to view "1080p" quality video on YouTube or other on the Xr?

Yes, but it should look ike 1080p content does on the 6s or 8

There are more pixels than the 6s or 8, but it is only a bit higher in resolution than the 720p standard

MKBHD had a brief mention about that with his hands on, and said while it's an impressive display tech wise, he was able to tell it is lower resolution (lower than 1080p iirc) on a 6.1 inch display

I don't have any issues with the pixel density of the 6s/7/8 myself, but I can understand why it's receiving criticism. I suppose it's one thing to critique but we should wait until we see the device in person before we lament it
[doublepost=1536900916][/doublepost]

I’m confused by this. Are you saying that the X line has the same pixel density as a 6/7/8 because the pixels are calculated differently? Would that mean the pixel density on the 6/7/8 Plus are actually higher than on the X?

No, it's pixels per inch. Meaning the way an icon would appear is the same resolution per inch

The XR is actually the same PPI as the iPhone 4

But the iPhone 4 display is noticeably worse than the iPhone 8 display for instance because of all the changes to the display viewing angles and the colour gamut

Likewise the XR will look at least as nice as the 7 or 8 does, but the resolution per inch will be the same, which is a fine resolution

And yes, the 6 plus all the way to 8 plus have higher PPI than the new XR lol
They are full HD 1080p resolution displays.

The XR might have more pixels but it has less pixels per inch

 

[Supermallet]

Yes, but it should look ike 1080p content does on the 6s or 8

There are more pixels than the 6s or 8, but it is only a bit higher in resolution than the 720p standard

MKBHD had a brief mention about that with his hands on, and said while it's an impressive display tech wise, he was able to tell it is lower resolution (lower than 1080p iirc) on a 6.1 inch display

I don't have any issues with the pixel density of the 6s/7/8 myself, but I can understand why it's receiving criticism. I suppose it's one thing to critique but we should wait until we see the device in person before we lament it
[doublepost=1536900916][/doublepost]

No, it's pixels per inch. Meaning the way an icon would appear is the same resolution per inch

The XR is actually the same PPI as the iPhone 4

But the iPhone 4 display is noticeably worse than the iPhone 8 display for instance because of all the changes to the display viewing angles and the colour gamut

Likewise the XR will look at least as nice as the 7 or 8 does, but the resolution per inch will be the same, which is a fine resolution

And yes, the 6 plus all the way to 8 plus have higher PPI than the new XR lol
They are full HD 1080p resolution displays.

The XR might have more pixels but it has less pixels per inch

Sorry, I wasn’t clear in what I was asking. It sounded like you were saying that the Xs and the Xr has similar pixel density because of how LCD pixels are calculated versus OLED. Am I misunderstanding that? I was wondering if the 6/7/8 Plus have greater pixel density than the Xs/Max if that’s true.

 

[EugW]

326 ppi: iPhone 4/4S
326 ppi: iPhone 5/5C/5S
326 ppi: iPhone 6/6s/7/8
401 ppi: iPhone 6 Plus/6s Plus/7 Plus/8 Plus
326 ppi: iPhone XR
458 ppi: iPhone X/XS
458 ppi: iPhone XS Max

At 326 ppi, you can't discern the individual pixels beyond a viewing distance of about 11" or so, and most people hold their phones at around 12-16".

At 400 ppi, you can't discern the individual pixels at 9", but you might at say 6".

IOW, at say 6", 400 ppi would look much nicer than 326 ppi, but at 12" they would look about the same. That's why I've said before, people are getting far too hung up on the resolution. If you're someone who is nearsighted and takes off his/her glasses and reads the phone at 6", yeah, it would make a difference. However, if you have regular eyesight or wear your glasses all the time and use a normal viewing distance at 12", the difference in pixel density becomes irrelevant.

Sorry, I wasn’t clear in what I was asking. It sounded like you were saying that the Xs and the Xr has similar pixel density because of how LCD pixels are calculated versus OLED. Am I misunderstanding that? I was wondering if the 6/7/8 Plus have greater pixel density than the Xs/Max if that’s true.