Other XR or XS?

[hancuriang]

EDIT 3: i have the XR now. Coral one.

Original: i’m gonna buy a new iphone.
From what I’ve read XR is a better value, cheaper, bigger screen, bigger battery, 128 gb option and in ios13, long press menu will be available software wide.

But i’m planning to buy the battery case/power bank and get the 64gb version either way so battery and storage size is not a problem, not too mention external drives support isn’t limited to ipad only. and I don’t think the screen size is substantial. I personally think camera tech has reach plateau so I don’t really care about camera.

i like the colors of XS better in real life, and the tinier bezel will look nicer. I also like the fact that it’s supposed to be de facto iphone this gen. But im gonna put a case so shrugs.... here’s the thing that will affect my purchase decision the most. How is the OLED screen? Does it substantially look nicer? if you have xs, does it feel nicer overall or is there a time where you feel ripped off because you didn’t get the xr instead?

Edit:

Also thanks for those who’ve replied. Looks like XR is fine but now, my question does 64 gig storage fill up fast? I play 1-2 games, I don’t put movies in my phone and I mostly stream songs, I do take screenshots a ton after setting up assitive button as a screenshot button, it’s faster than saving images. If 64gb fills up fast I’ll take the XR.

Edit2:
verdict - i bought the XS but gonna return it for the XR, should have listened to people who recommended the XR over XS

 

[Breezygirl]

Wait till new phones are released in less than four months. Imo. But if you can’t wait, my opinion is get the XR, screen different imo is minuscule, the battery life, screen size and the price make the XR way better value. Unless I suppose the extra camera of the XS is important.

 

[hancuriang]

Wait till new phones are released in less than four months. Imo. But if you can’t wait, my opinion is get the XR, screen different imo is minuscule, the battery life, screen size and the price make the XR way better value. Unless I suppose the extra camera of the XS is important.

You are right but i desperately need a new phone since my current phone’s power button is broken, it’s a struggle to unlock and turn it on. I don’t wanna buy a cheap android just to wait for the next iphone...
Yeah i know XR is logically better value but part of me simply wants XS bc it looks more premium.

 

[Breezygirl]

Is

You are right but i desperately need a new phone since my current phone’s power button is broken, it’s a struggle to unlock and turn it on. I don’t wanna buy a cheap android just to wait for the next iphone...
Yeah i know XR is logically better value but part of me simply wants XS bc it looks more premium.

Is it going in a case?

 

[Shirasaki]

Yes, XS looks more premium, but at the same time we are dangerously close to the next iPhone release. Given that your power button is broken, if possible, you can enable raise to wake and set a low auto lock timer to compensate that weak power button, until the new phone is out.
There are a few legit reason you get XS instead of the new iPhone:
1. Force touch. Next iPhone is expected to not have force touch, leaving XS the very last premium iPhone that has force touch.
2. Older iTunes support. It is still possible to sync XS using iTunes 12.6.5. Newer iPhone will load iOS 13 and iTunes 12.6.5 may no longer support it.
3. Not a fan of newly designed camera. That black square leak rendering has sparked many people’s interest and generated debates on both sides. If you don’t like that design, maybe new iPhone is not what you want.

 

[hancuriang]

Is

Is it going in a case?

yes.... but i’ll opt for a clear one

Yes, XS looks more premium, but at the same time we are dangerously close to the next iPhone release. Given that your power button is broken, if possible, you can enable raise to wake and set a low auto lock timer to compensate that weak power button, until the new phone is out.
There are a few legit reason you get XS instead of the new iPhone:
1. Force touch. Next iPhone is expected to not have force touch, leaving XS the very last premium iPhone that has force touch.
2. Older iTunes support. It is still possible to sync XS using iTunes 12.6.5. Newer iPhone will load iOS 13 and iTunes 12.6.5 may no longer support it.
3. Not a fan of newly designed camera. That black square leak rendering has sparked many people’s interest and generated debates on both sides. If you don’t like that design, maybe new iPhone is not what you want.

My current phone is a cheap chinese android phone... half of the screen is cracked, i just want to be done with it tbh.
Yeah i looked at the leaked news and think the camera bump is ugly im sure i can overcome it. but like i said i think technology overall has reached plateau i don’t think the next iphone will be a big change that’s worth waiting for... i have never opened itunes since 2015 i think so it’s not an issue

Im also worried about the burn in but i guess ill just buy the gold xs and trade it if i want to change my mind... xr is definitely better value wise theres no denying it but there’s a reason why xs exists and apple can pat itself on the back

 

[DevinNj]

Im also worried about the burn in

Burn-in is not an issue on iPhones. Search the forums and see for yourself. Also Apple makes a fantastic LCD screen, so don't let the screen be the deciding factor, especially coming from a "cheap Chinese android" phone as you put it. The biggest factor to me in buying my Max over the XR was the zoom lens on the Max. Otherwise, I'd have the XR which my son has and it is in fact an excellent phone.

 

[AustinIllini]

How long are you planning to keep the device, OP? if your current phone's power button is broken, I assume it's fairly old.

I would strongly consider the XS if you need it now. If not, wait until the phone winds up in the refurb store and buy it there.

 

[hancuriang]

Burn-in is not an issue on iPhones. Search the forums and see for yourself. Also Apple makes a fantastic LCD screen, so don't let the screen be the deciding factor, especially coming from a "cheap Chinese android" phone as you put it. The biggest factor to me in buying my Max over the XR was the zoom lens on the Max. Otherwise, I'd have the XR which my son has and it is in fact an excellent phone.

iphone x was just released on 2017, how do you know it won’t get burn in like 4 years later?

How long are you planning to keep the device, OP? if your current phone's power button is broken, I assume it's fairly old.

I would strongly consider the XS if you need it now. If not, wait until the phone winds up in the refurb store and buy it there.

It’s not old but since it’s really cheap I just didn’t really take care of it... Yeah right now I’m leaning on the XS

 

[DevinNj]

No OLED screen is exempt form the effects of burn-in, screen retention, ghosting whatever you choose to call it. Especially after 4 years of use. Other manufacturers have been known to exhibit this effect after just months of usage, whereas Apple's phones as you've stated have been out since 2017 without issue, so yep, I'd say their as good as if not better than other options out there.

 

[MacLappy]

iPhone XS Max starts having some Image retention (and statusbar burn in) - Will Apple replace it?
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sh...-Will-Apple-replace-it?.2181833/&share_type=t

Actually there is at least 1 fellow MacRumors forum member that has an iPhone XS Max with burn in issue.

From Apple own website:

If you look at an OLED display off-angle, you might notice slight shifts in color and hue. This is a characteristic of OLED and is normal behavior. With extended long-term use, OLED displays can also show slight visual changes. This is also expected behavior and can include “image persistence” or “burn-in,” where the display shows a faint remnant of an image even after a new image appears on the screen. This can occur in more extreme cases such as when the same high contrast image is continuously displayed for prolonged periods of time. We’ve engineered the Super Retina display to be the best in the industry in reducing the effects of OLED "burn-in."

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208191

 

[BeatCrazy]

Why no poll option for “one of each”?

 

[AustinIllini]

iPhone XS Max starts having some Image retention (and statusbar burn in) - Will Apple replace it?
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?share_fid=13661&share_tid=2181833&url=https://forums.macrumors.com/index.php?threads/iPhone-XS-Max-starts-having-some-Image-retention-(and-statusbar-burn-in)---Will-Apple-replace-it?.2181833/&share_type=t

Actually there is at least 1 fellow MacRumors forum member that has an iPhone XS Max with burn in issue.

From Apple own website:

If you look at an OLED display off-angle, you might notice slight shifts in color and hue. This is a characteristic of OLED and is normal behavior. With extended long-term use, OLED displays can also show slight visual changes. This is also expected behavior and can include “image persistence” or “burn-in,” where the display shows a faint remnant of an image even after a new image appears on the screen. This can occur in more extreme cases such as when the same high contrast image is continuously displayed for prolonged periods of time. We’ve engineered the Super Retina display to be the best in the industry in reducing the effects of OLED "burn-in."

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208191

So...the fact that this board only has one or two people with image retention issues leads me to believe it's not really an issue at all.

By comparison, the Pixel 2 XL image retention issues were crazy. Like, some crazy percentage of the population had it (I was one of them)

 

[MacLappy]

So...the fact that this board only has one or two people with image retention issues leads me to believe it's not really an issue at all.

By comparison, the Pixel 2 XL image retention issues were crazy. Like, some crazy percentage of the population had it (I was one of them)

I think the bigger issue is that it can happen. In this case to a newish device no less.

Also Apple states in extended long term use, visual changes can happen which includes burn in and image persistence.

Hopefully if it does happen they will replace/repair it for affected users but the language leaves me in doubt.

By comparison, the iPhone XR does not have to deal with this particular issue.

 

[AustinIllini]

I think the bigger issue is that it can happen. In this case to a newish device no less.

Also Apple states in extended long term use, visual changes can happen which includes burn in and image persistence.

Hopefully if it does happen they will replace/repair it for affected users but the language leaves me in doubt.

By comparison, the iPhone XR does not have to deal with this particular issue.

You can live that way if you want. A meteor could fall out of the sky and crush you tomorrow.

I know it's not likely, but the bigger issue is it can happen.

 

[T5BRICK]

I upgraded from a 7 plus to the Xs max. I really liked the screen over the Xr.

 

[MacLappy]

You can live that way if you want. A meteor could fall out of the sky and crush you tomorrow.

I know it's not likely, but the bigger issue is it can happen.

You are absolutely right, if I am aware that a meteor is heading in my direction, I would attempt to the best of my ability to get the people that I love out of the strike zone(assuming it is going to make contact rather than the more common pass by).

Personally my preference of the iPhone XR has to do more with the choice of colour(Yay for Dinoco blue!) than anything else. Yes I know it’s not a pragmatic reason but it’s me.

Here are some of the other advantages that I have grown accustomed to on the iPhone XR.

1. better battery life
2. Fits my hand perfectly for one handed use
3. Amazing sustained gaming performance
4. More versatile portrait mode

This is on top of the fact that the XR is notably cheaper. Really it’s a no-brainer choice.

There are others on this forum who have the X,XS Max and still prefer the iPhone XR as a daily driver. While I don’t have the luxury of owning multiple phones, I can say the XR is my favourite apple product by far.

Having no possible burn in or screen retention is just icing on the cake. Especially since I am intending to pass my phone on when I upgrade.

While I have little control over meteors, I do have control over what I buy. The iPhone XR is a better option unless you absolutely need a telephoto lens or it’s size is just not a right fit for you.

 

[hancuriang]

Thanks for everyone who replied, i’ve read em all and i’m indeed cautious about the burn in so i decided to do more research. from what ive seen the worst burn-in happened in display phones where the phones are in homescreen all day. Actual phones in use get a faint burn In the lower screen, where the bar is. But most of people reporting this have an XS max, im not sure it’s bc most non-XR iphones are XS max’s or it’s more prevalent on XS max’s. Edit: sorry it’s Xs...

Now my question is, so in iphones, the bar is always there? In ipad, the bar is not always there. It’s gone in the homescreen and when i go to multitasking screen.... i thought as long as there is a change in the display the screen will be safe? Also i wonder if the cause leading to burn in has to be cumulative or not.... people aren’t gonna view the same screen for hours. For example if i open twitter, i won’t be on that app for too long. But what if I open twitter often? Will the screen has a burn in for the navigation bar? Despite not staying in the app too long but open the app often

 

[Wide opeN]

Xs

OLED
4x4 MIMO 256 QAM
Dual lens
Stainless Steel
512GB option
Thinner Bezels
Darker Blacks
4GB RAM

if you don't "need" any of these then the Xr is for you. For me it is not, but I have 3 Xr that my family members are more than happy with.

YMMV

 

[5105973]

What is all this talk of meteors. You all know something I don’t? I am going to keep moving around frenetically just in case.

I have had an iPhone X, Xs Max and now an Xr. I like the viewing size on the Xr much better than on the more cramped feeling X.

The Max was pure viewing luxury of course. But it was wicked expensive and I had serious connectivity issues on both WiFi and cellular during my brief week with it. Sometimes when my husband and I are out and about, he still won’t get messages on his Max that I get just fine on my Xr. His phone just has wonky connectivity and will lose signal in buildings that my Xr with its theoretically lesser modem manages to retain. I don’t know if that was quietly fixed on later production runs though.

The Xr does feel like a wonderful value for the money. I don’t currently miss the zoom too badly, but I am looking forward to getting it back on the 11r if the rumors are true.

If I didn’t have migraine problems with Apple’s OLED, I would probably go back to the Max just because the Max is most generous in viewing size and battery life and that’s what I value these days.

I don’t really know what to say about the smallest iPhone. I felt cramped typing on it. I felt cramped consuming content on it. And the battery life was disappointing. But it was easy to carry and aesthetically speaking it was the most nicely proportioned. I can’t guarantee I would never choose that form factor again. It all depends on whether portability becomes the priority for me again someday.

An argument can be made in favor of any of them and the most appealing is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[jay968]

I tried both and ended up the Xr. Slightly better reception and much better battery life. I prefer the size of the Xs but couldn't justify the higher price considering the above mentioned advantages of the Xr. Better Xs speeds don't matter to me.

 

[ssledoux]

I’ve been very pleased with my XR, having had to return the Max due to eye strain from the OLED. This may be my first year to not upgrade a phone since the first iPhone.

 

[inkahauts]

yes.... but i’ll opt for a clear one


My current phone is a cheap chinese android phone... half of the screen is cracked, i just want to be done with it tbh.
Yeah i looked at the leaked news and think the camera bump is ugly im sure i can overcome it. but like i said i think technology overall has reached plateau i don’t think the next iphone will be a big change that’s worth waiting for... i have never opened itunes since 2015 i think so it’s not an issue

Im also worried about the burn in but i guess ill just buy the gold xs and trade it if i want to change my mind... xr is definitely better value wise theres no denying it but there’s a reason why xs exists and apple can pat itself on the back

You’d be wrong to think the xs isn’t a better camera than the xr. There’s an additional camera in the xs. It makes a huge difference. With that said if you don’t care about pictures... Plus I’d never by a single lenses camera again. I hate digital zoom with a passion.

No sense on complaint about the next three lenses camera till we see it in action. It’s really immaterial imho the size of the square because cases go around it and stick out slight beyond the camera and all is well with the bump.

What do you do with your phone. Personally, illl never go back to a lcd based screen. Oled is orderes better for my eyes. But some people won’t care. Play with them in store and see how you like it. There’s a big difference to me.

 

[hancuriang]

So guys I have tried both phones at the authorized sellers. I’ll summarize it

Xs

OLED = difference doesn’t matter in real world application, it does look more natural though... besides, burn in. There were reports of burn in around the home bar, it’s very faint though...
4x4 MIMO 256 QAM = ????
Dual lens = didn’t try it but I don’t take pictures often but I think the camera bump looks prettier... because of symmetry and the dark frame.
Stainless Steel = doesn’t need it
512GB option = doesn’t need it
Thinner Bezels = this is the one that drives me crazy, XR with a case on will look like the original iphone.. IN 2019!!
Darker Blacks = doesn’t need it, actually think LCD is brighter thus, prettier... but I bet the dark mode will be rad though...
4GB RAM = both felt fast to me, I do remember one was faster when loading an app, I don’t remember which one but it was very negligible and doesn’t matter at all
3d touch = awkward to do, long press is more natural. I can’t believe they couldn’t just make it software...

if you don't "need" any of these then the Xr is for you. For me it is not, but I have 3 Xr that my family members are more than happy with.

YMMV

I am still mad about the bezels and I’m worried about XR being bigger it will have easier time slipping off my hand when I’m busy carrying stuff... it’s bigger than my current phone. And I’m really worried the bigger screen makes it easy for people to snoop over my shoulder. I still like the more premium look of XS but I guess at least XR doesn’t look as cheap as 5c...

Also thanks for those who’ve replied. Looks like XR is fine but now, my question does 64 gig storage fill up fast? I play 1-2 games, I don’t put movies in my phone and I mostly stream songs, I do take screenshots a ton after setting up assitive button as a screenshot button, it’s faster than saving images. If 64gb fills up fast I’ll take the XR.

You’d be wrong to think the xs isn’t a better camera than the xr. There’s an additional camera in the xs. It makes a huge difference. With that said if you don’t care about pictures... Plus I’d never by a single lenses camera again. I hate digital zoom with a passion.

I do want a better camera just simply because I think it’s better, but yeah I think I just don’t care about the pic quality... but remind you my current $150 phone doesn’t really have the best camera, so anything above it is really an upgrade.

The Xr does feel like a wonderful value for the money. I don’t currently miss the zoom too badly, but I am looking forward to getting it back on the 11r if the rumors are true.

If I didn’t have migraine problems with Apple’s OLED, I would probably go back to the Max just because the Max is most generous in viewing size and battery life and that’s what I value these days.

I’ve been very pleased with my XR, having had to return the Max due to eye strain from the OLED. This may be my first year to not upgrade a phone since the first iPhone.

Say if the XS max were the same size as XR, would you think its a downgrade or would it be the same more or less?

 

[5105973]

So guys I have tried both phones at the authorized sellers. I’ll summarize it



I am still mad about the bezels and I’m worried about XR being bigger it will have easier time slipping off my hand when I’m busy carrying stuff... it’s bigger than my current phone. And I’m really worried the bigger screen makes it easy for people to snoop over my shoulder. I still like the more premium look of XS but I guess at least XR doesn’t look as cheap as 5c...

Also thanks for those who’ve replied. Looks like XR is fine but now, my question does 64 gig storage fill up fast? I play 1-2 games, I don’t put movies in my phone and I mostly stream songs, I do take screenshots a ton after setting up assitive button as a screenshot button, it’s faster than saving images. If 64gb fills up fast I’ll take the XR.


I do want a better camera just simply because I think it’s better, but yeah I think I just don’t care about the pic quality... but remind you my current $150 phone doesn’t really have the best camera, so anything above it is really an upgrade.



Say if the XS max were the same size as XR, would you think its a downgrade or would it be the same more or less?

If the XS Max were the same size as the XR it wouldn’t be a downgrade because they’re both offering generous screen dimensions and you would still be getting an additional lens for your camera. Plus OLED, if you’re into OLED, and some people are and wouldn’t want anything else. With dark mode soon to be part of iOS there are also potential power savings to OLED.