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iPhone XR Would it be worth upgrading to the iPhone XR if I have a 8+ ?
- Thread starter Yogosans14
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The Xr is a minimal upgrade over the 8 Plus as most people know and I don't see the value in that.
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I just went from 8+ to XS because I wanted a smaller phone.
I tested the XR out today at Apple Store. VERY impressive phone.
However, unless you are looking to go smaller I would not upgrade to the XR.
IMO, the 8+ feels more solid in-hand and has the zoom lens for 2X optical. The processing ‘juice’ of the 8+ is still more than enough for a few years.
If you really want FaceID that would be another consideration. Also, I don’t know the specs but the XR felt WAY lighter than I expected. If you are wanting smaller/lighter it’s worth checking out in-person.
I can say the text (didn’t do video) on the XR looks as good as the 8+. I did NOT expect this. The text, at the second smallest setting looked very good to me.. more than ‘good enough’.
I tested the XR out today at Apple Store. VERY impressive phone.
However, unless you are looking to go smaller I would not upgrade to the XR.
IMO, the 8+ feels more solid in-hand and has the zoom lens for 2X optical. The processing ‘juice’ of the 8+ is still more than enough for a few years.
If you really want FaceID that would be another consideration. Also, I don’t know the specs but the XR felt WAY lighter than I expected. If you are wanting smaller/lighter it’s worth checking out in-person.
I can say the text (didn’t do video) on the XR looks as good as the 8+. I did NOT expect this. The text, at the second smallest setting looked very good to me.. more than ‘good enough’.
Next to the 8 Plus the XR screen actually looks smaller. And when playing videos, it actually is smaller. Much smaller because to compensate for the notch and the aspect ratio, Apple puts large black pillars on either side of the video in landscape mode. You can zoom the video to use the entire screen, but then you're actually losing large chunks of the video you're watching.
Only the MAX truly has a bigger screen than the 8+ among the current iPhones. The XR screen is significantly bigger than the 8 and XS but smaller than the X+ in terms of effective viewing area.
Can anyone that has listened to both the 8+ and XR speakers comment on how close or far apart they are in quality? My XR speakers are awesome. Was wondering how the 8+ speakers compare.
Another reason why going from the 8 Plus to the Xr isn't something I'd recommend.
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Can't say. I use the AirPods or another bluetooth headset. People actually listen via speakers?
Yes, when I'm playing videos for my kids or nephews and nieces,I use the speakers. Lots of people do.
I had been using an 8 Plus since launch last year and I purchased an XR and I don't regret it one bit. I really like the phone overall after almost 3 days of use. Only thing I haven't had the chance to really test out has been the camera but will do so in the coming days.
The biggest gripe I have with the 7 Plus (and 8 Plus) is how stupidly big they are. I contemplated moving to the 8+ from the XR due to the notch and aspect ratio, but I just don't want to deal with that phone, which is bigger and heavier than the XR. Also Face ID blows touch ID away.
... and I kept the 8 Plus because when you look at the hardware compared to this year's phones the upgrades are minimal. Nobody is going to notice the 2 milliseconds the Xs or Xr loads an app faster... and the notch is just as hideous as it was last year.
I haven't compared the size of the Plus to the Xr but weight differences are in grams right? Minor. As for the whole Face ID vs Touch ID... I'm fine with Touch ID because it was never broken. Apple made Touch ID out to be the greatest thing since sliced bread when it came out... then last year they pitch Face ID claiming it's 50,000 times more foolproof than Touch ID or whatever that nonsense was at the keynote.
Whatever. Bottom line is this year's phones are minimal upgrades over the 8 Plus (which shares the same hardware as the X) and I don't see the value in upgrading... or should I say sidegrading.
Knock yourself out though! It's nice to have choices!
It’s entirely up to you. I just chose the 8+ over the XR for my upgrade but it all depends what you value on the spec sheet. For me the 8+ won but everyone is different.
I have an 8+ and don't see any compelling reason to upgrade it. I looked at the new models and couldn't honestly see any feature I was just dying to have.
I'm not so sure Face ID is an upgrade for large swaths of the world. In the Middle East, don't lots of people wear scarves and head coverings? So that would make faceID a no go for hundreds of millions of people. Also many people wear masks and such who walk around polluted cities, which actually numbers into the hundreds of millions worldwide, and that is Apple's market. I think the best solution will be to use an in-screen fingerprint sensor and Face ID. I don't think Apple will do this, but it should b/c they have tripled down on security and privacy as their primary differentiator from all other brands. Now that several android competitors offer both fingerprint and Face ID, Apple should just go ahead and offer the option. While the android competitors implementation isn't quite as good, it will be more than serviceable in the next 1-2 years.
The best reason to upgrade to the XR other than the price, is because of the camera. I think portrait single lens mode is more than good enough and better since the lens is the f1.8 lens. It's sharper in real world situations since we are all indoor people, and indoors is a low light situation for smartphone cameras. The increased details due to more light being let through is far better than the telephoto lens f2.4 aperture. The camera overall is so much better in my opinion.
The best reason to upgrade to the XR other than the price, is because of the camera. I think portrait single lens mode is more than good enough and better since the lens is the f1.8 lens. It's sharper in real world situations since we are all indoor people, and indoors is a low light situation for smartphone cameras. The increased details due to more light being let through is far better than the telephoto lens f2.4 aperture. The camera overall is so much better in my opinion.
“As most people know”? You think that’s how the average consumer views the XR? I don’t. I think the average consumer see’s an entirely new form factor with Face ID, when they see an iPhone 8, they seen older, exhausted-design that Apple used for years, and the XR is the refresh that was much needed. Granted the iPhone 8 is a good phone, but that doesn’t take away that the XR was the change with additional colors the Apple executed. That’s fine that you don’t see value in the XR, but I don’t know I agree with you on the part where you said ‘Most people know’.
Eh..I don't see it as a huge upgrade from my 8+.
The XR still has that stupid notch. And no TouchID. I still think it's faster using TouchID for Apple Pay than FaceID. But to each their own.
I for one will not "upgrade" to an iPhone with that BUN (Bigly Ugly Notch). And it would be great too if they would incorporate TouchID into the screen like the new One Plus phone does. The 8+ that I have should be viable for at least the next couple of years or so. I got 4 out of my iPhone 6 and probably could have gotten more. But I wanted to get the last iPhone with that Touch ID/Notchless screen combo.
I will be quite content waiting awhile longer before moving on from my 8 Plus.
The XR still has that stupid notch. And no TouchID. I still think it's faster using TouchID for Apple Pay than FaceID. But to each their own.
I for one will not "upgrade" to an iPhone with that BUN (Bigly Ugly Notch). And it would be great too if they would incorporate TouchID into the screen like the new One Plus phone does. The 8+ that I have should be viable for at least the next couple of years or so. I got 4 out of my iPhone 6 and probably could have gotten more. But I wanted to get the last iPhone with that Touch ID/Notchless screen combo.
I will be quite content waiting awhile longer before moving on from my 8 Plus.
One of the biggest complaints about the One Plus is how poorly it handles TouchID. Hopefully Apple gets it right before they add something like that. I agree that it would be nice to have the choice of fingerprint unlocks.
LCD vs LCD (doesn't the 8 Plus win in this category anyway?)
Touch ID vs Face ID
minimal hardware improvement
I mean sure... if you want a yellow phone... knock yourself out. "Most people know" meaning anyone who does research before a purchase that owns the 8 Plus should realize that the XR is exactly what I said it was... a minimal upgrade.
Regarding the form factor what's your definition of "years?" An older exhausted design that Apple used for years? Meaning from Sept 2014 when the 6 launched thru Sept 2017 when the 8 launched? 3 whole years? Now 4 years? I personally haven't tired of the design... but to each their own.
As for Touch ID... it was never broken. Apple made it out to be the greatest thing since sliced bread... then comes out with Face ID and claims it's 50,000 times more secure than Touch ID. LOL the day someone breaks into my phone will be the day I buy that one. Either security feature works.
So yeah... I don't see the value. I guess we can agree to disagree. I chose the 8 Plus last year because I'm a fan of the Plus phones and it has the same hardware as the X that had the unproven Face ID. This year is was for reasons I've just said in this post. I used to be one of those every year upgrade guys... but not anymore. Phone hardware... much like PC hardware... is just too good nowadays and has a better lifespan. Anyway, I am looking forward to the keynote in Sept. I may very well upgrade next year... but not because I think the 8 Plus is suddenly obsolete. 2 years between upgrades makes a lot more sense to me. The money isn't a factor... but I'm still saving a decent amount over those that don't buy their phone outright but have to have the newest phone every year... and I can sell my 8 Plus for an additional discount on the 2019 iPhone.
None of this is written in stone though. I still don't like the notch... and I am fine with Touch ID and the 8 Plus screen. I've never taken a phone to 3 years... but I might with this one.
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