Apple iPhone XR review

23 October 2018
Now updated with full test findings. The iPhone XR is the third iPhone to be launched this year, after the iPhone XS and the iPhone XS Max. While the two iPhone XS models are nearly identical save for the size, the iPhone XR is a significant departure for the iPhone X series and possibly a new chapter going forward.

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AnonD-632062, 23 Oct 2018Where is the proper review of the iPhone XR with all the la... more I don't care if the review is as long as 'War And Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. However, I recall when "Gsm Arena' would release two phone review editions for flagships and other models: full length, and time saver versions. Good point on your part.

    radhiv1993, 06 Nov 2018She is joking, guys!Ah, it wasn't immediately apparent

      Anonymous, 07 Nov 2018LOL, tell that to Jon and his 20 friends who chose the iPho... moreUh, Poco has an LCD. As for the XR screen, I guess the biggest problem would be if you were used to 1080. I've seen the screen, and it's not half bad, but I do see a little softness, but just a little

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • v3F
        • 07 Nov 2018

        BTW, the latest screen tech everyone is touting these days are HDR support & DCI-P3 colour support; better contrast ratios & more colours!

        Nothing to do with pixelation or how many PPIs.

        iPhone XR has one of the best colour accurate LCDs (almost as good as, if not better than some OLEDs), extremely bright (600 nits, meaning whites are very good).

        Only thing it's not good at is the black levels (can't go as dark/dim/black as OLEDs)

        I'd take a perfectly calibrated "lower" PPI LCD screen over a higher PPI but badly calibrated OLED anytime.

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • v3F
          • 07 Nov 2018

          Kandang, 07 Nov 2018Human (including you) will see a different when you put thi... moreLOL, tell that to Jon and his 20 friends who chose the iPhone XR LCD over Poco OLED screen, not me.

          Notice they didn't say anything about sharpness/pixels. They were all talking about colour accuracy, viewing angles and contrast ratios.

          This is why OnePlus hasn't included a 2k screen ever, because you really cannot tell a difference in sharpness at all between 1080p/2k. Heck, even Samsung s9/Note with their 2k screens on default are set at 1080p.

          Phone screen technology has already advanced to the point we cannot see pixels anymore, since the first Retina screen in iPhone 4 years ago.
          You can refute all you want, but thats the basic biology and threshold of our human eyes.

            • ?
            • Anonymous
            • v3F
            • 07 Nov 2018

            patoka, 06 Nov 2018It's not about whether one can see pixelation but rather th... moreWell as much as I agree with you on TV resolution, you can't really compare TVs screens to Phone screens. When comparing to TVs (assume all are about 50" inch screens):

            1080p TV - Less than 200ppi
            4k UHD/QHD TV - about 200ppi

            Both screens are still below the threshold of 330ppi i.e. they are still pixelated/not sharp enough until our eyes cannot see the jagged edges on text/photos.

            Phone screens however, have reached well above the threshold. You really cannot tell a difference in sharpness. The difference between iPhone XR against most Android 1080p/2k screens will come down to screen technology (OLED vs LCD), colour accuracy & contrast ratios.

              • M
              • Miki
              • 04T
              • 07 Nov 2018

              This phone should be priced 199$.

                • i
                • iphonearena
                • S9u
                • 07 Nov 2018

                this phone should cost around 250euros

                  • K
                  • Kandang
                  • tDP
                  • 07 Nov 2018

                  Anonymous, 06 Nov 2018PPI and resolution are 2 different things and yes, humans (... moreHuman (including you) will see a different when you put this phone compare again same price range phone.

                  FYI Pocophone is cost $300, please dont compare with that phone and tell the world XR display beat 1080p LCD phone.

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                    • AnonD-794217
                    • 61N
                    • 07 Nov 2018

                    This review seems rushed, but why iPhone XR didn't really have good sale?

                    Hint: 5C

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                      • Dannie
                      • Dk9
                      • 06 Nov 2018

                      The only way I'm gonna have any of the iPhones is if they give it for free. People should see other options that are on the market. Apple's just using it's fanbase to increase price and make fool of their customers
                      I mean just look at other companies and what all things they are giving and just look at Apple they don't even provide a fast charger even phone's costing 1/4 of its price offer fast charger
                      No dual camera at over 700 bucks Apple just stole the show in innovating new scheme
                      Lcd displays use more battery
                      In real life I won't consider buying any of these costly phones instead i would buy 2 phones in the same budget
                      But it doesn't matter unless iPhone fans do something about it if they want to spend money on this piece of crap it's their wish just watch out for the next price bump if you don't wanna come to your senses

                        Anonymous, 06 Nov 2018PPI and resolution are 2 different things and yes, humans (... moreIt's not about whether one can see pixelation but rather that higher resolution screens are more detailed and crisp looking. It's fine when you're coming from a similar display but once you put it next to something with higher resolution the difference is quite apparent. It's the same with TVs, people can't see any pixels looking at a 1080p TV from from few meters away, but put a 4k TV next to it and you'll see the difference

                          AnonD-762416, 06 Nov 2018Considering Apple allegedly already stopped production of t... moreThey haven't stopped production, I believe they've just reduced the number XR to make due to lesser demand. Tbh they have a whole year to sell through so will have to wait and see. The phone has allot of positives but I just do not like the screen having tried it a few times in store. Should of been amoled aswell

                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • v3F
                            • 06 Nov 2018

                            radhiv1993, 06 Nov 2018What a review! "Where the display is lacking is in pixel... morePPI and resolution are 2 different things and yes, humans (including you) cannot see pixelation once it goes above 330ppi, especially at normal viewing distance.

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                              • 123
                              • 0BE
                              • 06 Nov 2018

                              lol for that money huawei is much better

                                • D
                                • AnonD-762416
                                • JbS
                                • 06 Nov 2018

                                Considering Apple allegedly already stopped production of the phone due to lacklustre early sales it does seem like the reality distortion field is failing. This phone is not a 4.5 star phone, not a 4 star phone. It's over-priced hype and consumers seems to have woken up.

                                  • G
                                  • Geevv users
                                  • tDP
                                  • 06 Nov 2018

                                  But where is my 360° view req.?

                                    • d
                                    • dexterous
                                    • 3DR
                                    • 06 Nov 2018

                                    #RANT#
                                    Nothing new in this phone at all. It is bulky as hell, with the age of better designed phones this phone is a dud. I HAVNT EVEN MENTIONED THE BLACK UGLY BEZELS YET...lol..I have owned many iphone's and they make great phones but they missed the trick with this one..The verdict mentions NOTHING but the fact that Is cheaper by apple standards. GSMARENA!! UP YOUR GAME!

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                                      • radhiv1993
                                      • 616
                                      • 06 Nov 2018

                                      What a review!

                                      "Where the display is lacking is in pixel density. A user upgrading from a small size iPhone won't notice a difference but a Plus-sized iPhone user will notice the slight drop in sharpness. For the record, 326PPI is adequately sharp for most users as it's already pushing past most people's visual acuity. Text, in particular, looks perfectly sharp on the iPhone XR display. Where we noticed the most difference was in images and videos, which were slightly softer. Again, for iPhone 6s, 7 or 8 users, this wouldn't be any different than what they are used". >>>> Sad for iPun 6s, 7, 8 user, they are using bad quality display phone which is no different (notice) than with 326PPI display phone.

                                      2942mAh battery and no fast charging. >>> They dont even know that 4000mAh exist and also fast charging exist in this world.

                                      "The Vortex cores are said to be 15% faster and consume 40% less power than the Monsoon cores from A11 Bionic, and the Tempest cores are said to consume 50% less power than the Mistral cores from last year". Still 74h battery rating, nice marketing Apple! Good JOB!

                                      Last, no comparison with other phone in last page of review, verdict? Why?

                                        • r
                                        • radhiv1993
                                        • 616
                                        • 06 Nov 2018

                                        Walter C. Dornez, 05 Nov 2018Display Mate is a jokeShe is joking, guys!