Apple iPhone XR

Apple iPhone XR Review

Design

The iPhone XR, released in 2018, features a glass front and back, encased in an aluminum frame. It measures 150.9 mm in height, 75.7 mm in width, and 8.3 mm in depth, weighing 194 grams. The device is available in a range of colors: Black, Red, Yellow, Blue, Coral, and White. The design includes a wide notch at the top of the display to house the front-facing camera and sensors. It does not have a headphone jack.

Display

The phone sports a 6.1-inch "Liquid Retina" IPS LCD display with a resolution of 828 x 1792 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 326 ppi. The screen has a 19.5:9 aspect ratio and a typical brightness of 625 nits. The display is an IPS LCD panel, with a contrast ratio of 100000:1, and includes a scratch-resistant, Ion-strengthened glass and an Oleophobic coating. It supports HDR10 but does not feature HDR10+ or Dolby Vision. The display also includes features like a wide color gamut, Retina HD display, LED notifications, and a Bluelight Filter. There is no mention of a high refresh rate.

Performance

The iPhone XR is powered by the Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm) chipset, featuring a Hexa-core CPU (2x2.5 GHz Vortex + 4x1.6 GHz Tempest) and an Apple GPU (4-core graphics). It has 3GB of LPDDR4 RAM. AnTuTu benchmark scores show approximately 751,765 (v10). The phone is available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage options. It lacks an SD card slot for expandable storage.

Camera

The device features a single 12.2MP rear camera with an f/1.8 aperture, 1.40µm pixel size, and a 1/2.5" sensor, utilizing an Apple iSight X CMOS sensor. This camera is capable of 4K video recording at 24, 30, and 60fps, all with HDR and stereo sound. It also supports 1080p video recording up to 240fps. The rear camera has optical image stabilization (OIS). The front-facing camera is a 7.2MP shooter with an f/2.2 aperture, capable of 4K video at 60FPS and 720p at 240fps. Features include a 6-element lens, Sapphire crystal lens cover, Quad LED True Tone flash, Smartcam scene recognition mode, and RAW capture.

Battery Life

The phone is equipped with a 2942 mAh Li-Ion battery that is non-removable. Fast charging is supported, but the wattage is not specified. Wireless charging capabilities are also available, though the wattage is unspecified as well.

Software

The iPhone XR launched with iOS 12 and is upgradable to iOS 18. It includes features like Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, and barometer sensors.

Pricing

The iPhone XR falls into the medium price range. The 3GB/128GB variant has been seen priced between $160 to $214.56, while the 3GB/256GB variant has been priced from $175.64 to $215.64. Prices will vary based on retailer and location.

Overall Verdict

The Apple iPhone XR offers a solid performance with the A12 Bionic chip and a capable camera system. The LCD display, while not as advanced as OLED panels, provides good color accuracy and brightness. The device's battery life is adequate, and it includes fast charging capabilities. However, the lack of a headphone jack and SD card slot may be a drawback for some users. Its continued software support by Apple offers longevity.