Whenever I see an iPhone X, I gave to ask if it’s and XR or and XS. I can’t tell the difference without seeing the back of the phone. I was actually surprised about how good the LCD looks. I’ve been recommending the XR to everyone I know, the cost increase for the higher end models just isn’t worth it.
Just because an OLED is amazing doesn't mean that the TFT isn't fine for most people. The lack of 3d touch, which has been on iPhones for YEARS, is complete BS.
I am an XR user, who upgraded from iPhone 7. I found the difference in the first minute. The text is slightly smoother, everything simply is little smooth. But, i am not even a display enthusiast, so i cringed a little and moved on. But, 'perfectly fine' is far from want i think about XR's display. far from!
So you immediately found "difference" in smoothness of displaying text. Great, now, tell me again how much difference is there between 326ppi and 326ppi?
The same new phone now newer. Waiting will cost you. Cook really has no new ideas but that's not what the church of apple is all about. Tithe one tenth of your income for the promise of salvation.
@shabby you summed it up. Its a psychiatrical condition.
Typical Android user. Just admit that Apple has the faster CPU and GPU on a smartphone and move on. Just don't lecture us about how superior you are because 5 or 6 hundred of you "customize" your phones.
The huge advantage of keeping this phone with an LCD (particularly one lacking 3D Touch) is the repair/replacement cost is a fraction of the OLED screens. There are no decent 3rd party OLED screens from any phone vendors in my experience so your either stuck with new OEM screens (which Apple doesn’t sell to end users) or harvested screens from used phones.
At last glance Apple charges $300 for an Xs and $350 for an Xs Max screen. That’s double that of the 8 series and nearly double that of the Xr.
And that’s from Apple. Considering the simplicity in manufacturing and repairing LCD screens, especially those without 3D Touch, you can find quality screens from 3rd parties for under $100 and do it yourself in 30 minutes with a screwdriver and a hair dryer.
Since 50% of smartphone users have reported breaking their phone screens AT LEAST ONCE at some point, this is a huge boon to the Xr’s long term investment cost.
I have trouble seeing why a ”TRUE 1080p” display is so important on such a small device as an Iphone XR. I think the resolution is just fine. Black levels are more of a concern to me since the backlight of the LCD makes black slightly greyish compared to an OLED display.
Wow, just wow. I find this comment to ironic because the only gripe I have with the XR is not the display not how ridiculously big bezels it has..as if it has a bumper case. That some people can't see this is beyond me..
Hi Ian, do you have a number for the display's contrast ratio? Interested to know how it compares to previous iPhone LCDs. Also, what happened to the charts comparing contrast, color accuracy to the competing smartphones? Really miss those.
As for the the accuracy charts, I think it lead to a lot of readers to too quickly jump to conclusions and misunderstand what the figures actually meant, and for example in the past we had some cases of phone A having a dE of say 2 vs a dE of 1 - in both cases the actual differences in this case are extremely small and in isolated conditions probably imperceptible. However because they had just looked up the chart they determined that phone B was that much better because the bar graphs were that much shorter. I think this was quite counter-productive to the analysis of some devices and something I wasn't that big of a fan of.
Hi Andrei, thanks for your answer. I liked those because it was easy to know what other devices scored without having to go to their respective review, but I understand that it may be misleading.
I get what you mean regarding the dE comparison charts, however removing them all together seems like the nuclear option.
Having review sites such as anandtech calling out poor accuracy again and again is part of the reason we’re seeing manufacturers finally care about this metric. Shaming them on a public comparison chart is a much more effective means towards that end then burying the numbers in each individual review.
A suggestion would be to include a cutoff line in the chart, declaring anything below this to be imperceptible to the human eye. That, and the Anandtech readerships ability to parse objective data (why we visit this site), should be enough to assuage any fears of misinterpretation.
@Andrei: Thanks for this review. I largely agree with your analysis, but have an addition to your interpretation of Apple going below Full HD for the XR's display. Yes, build costs may well have been a little bit lower, but my suspicion is that, had the XR had even just an FHD display (otherwise identical in specs to the current one), the value proposition for the XS and XS Max would have been even more doubtful than it already is. Not that the XR is, by any means, a cheap phone - $ 749 for the 64GB entry-level model is a lot of money. But, I believe that Apple's decision to go with a below-FHD display for the XR was mainly to make it just that little less attractive so enough people still go for the premium models.
I think the answer is much simpler. They determined years ago that 326ppi is sufficient as far as clarity goes. They have approaching a decade of software optimized for this 2X pixel count. Going slightly denser would have resulted in negligible image quality improvements and the need to downscale the image, like the Plus phones. That came with its own disadvantages. I think they made the right call.
I think that you're perfectly right and In my opinion, something often overlooked is that the X and XS OLED displays are higher resolution mostly to compensate for the PenTile subpixels arrangement : the 458ppi figure is only true for green subpixels. Red and blue subpixels have a 324 sppi definition. So basically Apple have determined years ago that ~320ppi is good enough and the X (XS) screen resolution was chosen to ensure that all subpixels achieve this number. Of course I have no insight knowledge and I may be completely wrong but it would be a weird coincidence if by pure luck, the red and blue sppi of its latest phones is almost exactly the same that the one chosen in 2010 for the first retina iPhone.
Interesting point. I don't know enough about the details of Apple's OLED displays on the XS and the Max, but, if you're right, it also means that Apple's claimed pixel density is slightly dishonest, or at least in need of a footnote. Now, regardless of density, the XS and Max have a very good looking and crisp display, as they should at those prices.
That's a good assessment. I find I like the pentile arrangement more, but only if it's got the same base density as an rgb stripe. The crops of the XS and XR show how similar they are except for the subpixel layout.
When I compare my iPhone8 display to my Galaxy 8 or 9 displays - the difference is huge. iPhone XR has the same 720p display. It is not bad, but definitely less sharp and less colorful then Samsungs, and definitely not worth $750. The XR would've been a perfect buy around $400, or free-$100 per line after contract, but indeed I agree with the previous comment - Apple created it just to have something that doesn't jeopardize its XS sales. Apple simply wants average sale price to be above the $1000 mark, and that's it. Simple. We all saw how it worked for them on Wall Street though :) :)
Absolutely, yes. Apple could have used a higher resolution display and made the battery a bit smaller to arrive at the same or even less thickness as the XS (-0.6 mm), but then fewer people would buy the more expensive iPhones with a better margin for Apple. They're fully in the zero-sum mindset now, which is a natural consequence of trying to maximize profits instead of market share.
Maximizing profits can sometime start to bite you. Apple phones are so expensive. I understand that Samsung phones are expensive too. But often you can get a note 9 for $750-799. When can you say that about iPhone Xs or Xs max?
I got my note 9 on contract from my carrier for half the price that I would had given for iphone xs max from the carrier too. I literally could had taken 2 note 9 phones instead of one iphone. No carrier sub for iphones and this creates insane price differences, then I would have to buy a new charger as the one in the box is insanely slow and headphone adapter. Even if we agree that the xs max is a better phone (tho this can be debated as some things that the note 9 can do, the iphone can't) - it's not that much better to spend twice the money on it, but each on it's own for that one.
"I think the main issue I have with the iPhone XR’s display is that it’s actually somewhat of a downgrade from the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus in terms of resolution – while I understand that Apple wanted to use a more affordable panel, I do think it would have prudent to at least match the 401ppi pixel density of an iPhone 8 Plus."
It's only a downgrade when compared to the 8 Plus. The XR and the 8 have the same PPI so this wording is a little misleading.
Also, when comparing the 100% crop of the XS and XR, the main noticeable difference as you say was the clock icon numbers. This text is at a point size that no-one would realistically be reading in practice. I'd be more interested in 100% crops of the the icon label text, the text in a message/email, etc. I'm curious how the sharpness holds up on larger system fonts at a point size you'd realistically be reading.
After owning an XR and returning it to get a year old X I have to agree with your assessment of the design of the phone: It's just to thick.
The thickness of the phone is immediately noticeable and i hadn't even put a case on it yet. The X/XS/XS Max are infinitely more comfortable to hold for extended periods of time. Why I haven't seen this mentioned in other reviews is mind boggling but for me the phone was very uncomfortable to hold.
I could live with the low res screen and thick bezels, loved the battery life and I enjoy the 'fun' colors...but that thickness was just a deal-breaker.
As I mention in the review, it's not about absolute mm's, it's about the % difference. Take into account that what actually matters for in-hand feel is the edge thickness as well as the distance from edge to edge over the back. There is a very big difference in feel from the X/XS/XSM to the XR.
While this is beyond the review of the phone itself, somebody else here pointed out that many buyers of such expensive phones will add a case to protect their investment. I certainly have a slim case around my (Android) phone. In that regard: Andrei, could you comment on drop resistance and likely damage? To be clear, I wouldn't expect you to actually try it out - not at those prices.
I still think that your initial guess - that the XR would be the best-selling model - will turn out to be true. Although launch dates/quarters of iPhones certainly bring a sales bump, the VAST majority of users out there just walk into a store when they've paid off their old phone, or it's starting to die, or they just feel like it's time, not caring whether the model launched a day ago or 6 months ago.
Those people will buy the phone that looks like an iPhone and suits their budget - and that's going to be the XR. Moreover, by putting the XR in the MIDDLE size-wise, people who prefer bigger phones (which, based on people I've seen, includes a lot of older people with so-so vision, who wouldn't care about resolution), customers who walk in with say, an iPhone 7 Plus will look at the XR and not feel that it's a "step down" in terms of size, meaning that the XR is likely going to be an upgrade path for both budget-conscious owners of 4.7" iPhones AND the larger 5.5" Plus models.
My wife has my XS Max as I prefer the XR. Couldn't care less about bezels, benchmarks and the like. This phone does everything very smoothly and has fantastic battery life. You can hammer it mercilessly for an 18 hour day and you won't get anywhere near to draining it. The camera is close to Pixel 3 standards. Great phone.
I'm still using a 5S (go ahead, laugh, but it works perfectly fine, battery still lasts me all day, nothing wrong with it). All this talk of display and bezels - really? Panning a slight bezel is the whole reason we're in these stupid crazy phone wars in the first place. I'm an engineer, not a designer - I don't give a hoot as long as it works. In fact, the wider bezels just makes it easier to hold the phone without accidentally touching the screen and making pages flip or something else happen that you don't want. The screen density on the XR is exactly the same as my 5S. Close up - without magnification, I can't see the pixels. It's PLENTY sharp enough. A special zoom camera? My 5S already gets better photos at concerts than my GF's Samsung, which is also a WAY too huge a phone to hold to boot. The XR is probably still too big but there's not a lot of options these days. I have a tablet for reading, I don;t need my phone to be tablet size to make a damn phone call and occasionally web browse or read emails while on the go. The real question is, why WOULDN'T I get the XR as an upgrade, over the others. The others don't really do anything better for the extra money, and frankly I've never been a big fan of OLED displays. 4 year life span? See my first sentence. I keep using things until they break beyond economical repair. I'd still be on my old iPad if I hadn;t fallen asleep while reading on the patio last Summer and dropped it, it was the first one that had a lightning connector, still worked fine and did what I need a tablet to do, no reason for an upgrade just for the sake up upgrading. XR seems to be my best choice to upgrade if I bother - really can;t see a compelling reason to stop using the 5S yet though.
I agree. I was in the market for a new phone, and picked up an XR for US$375. It is one of the best decisions I have made. I get 3 to 4 days out of a single battery charge, the screen is fantastic, and it is comfortable to hold. For someone that had nothing but disdain for iPhone, the changes that they made for the X series were just right for me to embrace the device. Android was always a sad comparison to my Windows Phone devices, but now I am firmly entrenched in the iOS and iPhone camp. If the XR still had a home button and didn't have the notch, I am not sure that the experience would have been as wonderful as it has been.
Given a 4 year lifespan (which at this point is very likely as new iphones bring basically nothing to the table) the XR costs $7/month less than the XS max ($23/month). So unless you have an EXEPTIONALLY cheap monthly plan or have to get the newest cheapest iphone every year, it's just not worth saving to get the XR. I'd rather get a cheaper plan (currently $25 all unlimited)....
When pointing out sales, several things have to be taken into account. The first is that sales of smartphones has fallen overall. That affects Apple too. Second are the problems related to the arrest of the Huawei executive. Unlike hitting a Chinese company, this targeting a Chinese official from a major Chinese company, is considered to be a major breach, even if she, and the company are guilty of the accusations, resulting in a lack of “face”. As a result, major corporations in China have been directed to discourage employee purchasing of iPhones in favore of Huawei products, which iPhones purchasers being fined for that purchase.
Then, China is in a massive economic slowdown the latter part of 2018, which is continuing into 2019.
All of this results in a slowdown in iPhone sales there. China has been 27% of Apple’s sales overall, so a slowdown there hurts. However, in almost every other area, Apple’s sales were up.
So this issue is more complex that just a matter of pricing.
The Table mentions XR of Cat 12, and 1Gbps. which doesn't go together. The XR max out at 600Mbps. The same as last year iPhone X, and it doesn't support LAA.
You should add to the title: "and a back to the past travel to 2010 experience". How stupid can a person be to buy a phone with 750$ and have a worse display than most 100$ Chinese phones? Heck, 70$ phones have 720p display. Damn!
Apple is getting the third best battery life behind only the Huawei Mate 9 and 20 which both have very large batteries and are only Full HD. Personally I would take the battery life over the nicer screen and I think a lot of people are in my camp. The price just needs to come down $150-200 on all the iPhones models, if Apple would like to start selling more of them.
How stupid can a person be to sincerely think that resolution is the one and only factor that determines display quality. According to the article your commenting on (if you even bothered to read it), the XR has a phenomenal display in every measure except resolution.
How clueless are you to think resolution is the only determining factor of display quality. Additionally, life is too short for a slow smartphone, hence no Android for me.
I bought a new iPhone recently, and I went with an 8+. I just don’t see the need to spend $1k on a phone nor replacing it as often as when they were subsidized. I chose the 8 because I wanted the fingerprint scanner and not a face scan and it provided all the extras (screen size, telephoto) in a format that is still excellent IMO. I replaced a 7+ that I would have kept but was shuffling phones around so I could give my parents one so they can FT my kid. Performance was just fine for my usage too so there wasn’t a tech reason for a new one. This is a large part of why sales are down across the board for phones. Just like with PCs.
The technology matured and true - nowdays no matter how much you bump the specs - from years enough power is there to run smoothly the OS + open the apps fast and run the games smooth. Cameras are good from a few generations too... really, nothing to ditch your old phone and spend 1000+ euro on a new one that will do basically the same just a little bit better.
With Apple's limited number of models it's hard for very many people to find an iOS device to suit personal preferences (and wallets!). This round Apple clearly prioritised CPU performance over low cost, better screen technology, dual cameras etc. Personally I don't think I would mind the screen, but I would have preferred dual cameras, lower price and smaller size. I think an SE 2 would be perfect for me! Ended up buying a used 6S to replace my 5S.
I switched to the XR from the S9, and like the review said the battery life is just freaking amazing. It's the first smartphone I've had where I never have to worry about my phone dying. I don't know why Apple doesn't push this aspect of the phone more, instead all their stupid ads focus on all the color choices.
Screen PPI is a bit of a bummer, but I got used to it within a couple of days. But one thing that still kind of bugs me is the weight of this phone. It feels significantly heavier than any phone I've held, and I still haven't gotten used to the weight despite it being months since I've bought it. It's a minor complaint though. But overall, this is the best phone experience I've had in a long, long time. Runs smoother than any Android phone, gesture navigation is great, no mysterious battery drains, and my god upgrades direct from Apple. Don't get me wrong, iPhones still have plenty of issues and limitations, but it's kind of refreshing to see what the other side has to offer.
The weight is indeed noticable, especially with any case that offers a decent amount of protection. My fingers and wrists ache sometimes from holding it (the width plays a role in that as well).
I don't think that's the case. LCD is more efficient than OLED unless you're looking at a largely-black screen. There have been reviews looking specifically at power usage and they show a significant increase for OLED screens.
don't think thats true.... OLED only light up pixels that needs to be lite up.. while LCD requires the whole backlight to be lite up... unless you really dim the LCD, OLED typically is more efficient.
Wrong, even the current gen LCDs are draining more power than a OLED current gen screen. The only exclusion would be a maxed out brightness, but most people don't use the phone in max brightness most of the time. Then again, I don't know what the power consumption of the XS OLED is (can't recall the Andrei tests, you can check them out in the review).
The lower screen resolution is the reason for the long battery life, not only because the UI is using a lot less GPU to draw, but this goes to every app too - like youtube, that will run most videos at 720p while my note 9 will run them at 1440p if available. The workload for 720p and 1440p is a lot different and leads to different battery usage.Then we have games... for xs they will be it's native resolution in a lot of cases, but for the xr they will be 720p. And so on and so on... the resolution is playing a lot bigger role than: "oh, the UI is using so low on the CPU/GPU that the resolution doesn't matter." yeah, for the UI itself the difference would not be that great, but on the most consumed apps like videos/games/modern web pages - it will.
I always look forward to your in depth reviews and architecture deep dives Andrei. I love your sustained performance tests..something only found at Anandtech currently. I honestly think you are the best writer Anandtech or any other tech site has had period...with that out of the way, I have one question and a potential request. Spec2006 shows the A12 having substantially better efficiency than it's competitors, finishing the finite tests faster with less total energy used by virtue of higher performance, but having higher average power draw. How would this correlate to an infinite test such as a high end 3d game like Shadowgun Legends or Asphalt 9? Would the higher average power draw remain at the same performance level of say a Snapdragon 835/845/Kirin 980? Also a request if you ever have time with your busy schedule, Could we get a sequel article to your 2015 article "The Mobile CPU core count debate" with more modern games and apps, comparisons of OpenGLES vs Vulkan on CPUs, etc.. I know I don't ask for much!
Performance reminds me of my AMD Vega 56 on reasonably low graphic settings at 4k/UHD resolution, it uses only 60 to 80 watts while gaming. Changing just one or two graphics settings shoots to its default power limit which is 180 watts.
Anyways, I hope Apple release an iPod touch this year based from this SoC. It is terribly impressive which is good for gaming.
I have been using the XR for the last few weeks. My previous phone was the Xperia XZ, and the one before that a 5s.
I cannot stress enough how good the battery life is. I used to carry a 10000 mAh power brick around for a full day out just in case - that simply is not the case anymore. I can’t run this thing down below 20% (I do sometimes get close, meaning I probably will run down the XS on some days, especially taking into consideration battery degradation after some months). This has simplified my life quite a bit.
As for the display, I was worried about it, but I honestly do not notice the lower resolution compared to the XZ in day-to-day usage. In fact, all things considered (color accuracy and True Tone), this has a better display imo. The lower resolution certainly helps battery life as well.
The thicker bezels - this I do still notice, but the XR costs 330 USD less than the XS where I live, and a slightly worse display, the lack of a second lens and 3D Touch, and thicker bezels are acceptable compromises given the savings. And that amazing battery life, did I mention that? ;)
The weight is noticeable, and the width of the phone does not aid in getting a comfortable grip. My fingers cannot wrap over the edge when I need to reach the top half of the screen. If you have large hands, you’ll be better off, I think.
The stereo speakers are also much improved and genuinely useful. I find them to be sufficient for watching YouTube, which is pretty much all I need from phone speakers.
I don’t think 3dmark slingshot extreme is a good benchmark for iOS platform. First the cpu usage is too high even in the graphics test. Second the gpu vertex usage is nearly the half in the graphic test. However there is no issue in the slingshot OpenGL es 3.0 edition. It is too old and need to update. By the way, there are new GPU benchmark suits building on metal 2 in iOS and Vulkan in android named snow forest benchmark and orbital flight benchmark.
Agree. 3Dmark has always been very odd on iOS, especially the physics test, and hasn't matched real world performance comparisons I've seen between Android and iOS games.
Is the black value when at the the min brightness correct? If so, and assuming the spectrometer is the same a usual, then is this the first time we've seen an LCD that has an imperceptible off pixel while the backlight is still on?
I come from an iphone 8 and now I have iphone xs max 256 gb, I find completely false the duration table with the common use that lasts twice as compared to the iPhone 8 (both have the health of the beater to 100%)
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I’ve had my iPhone XR for quite a while now and still like it very much. I upgraded from a 6S and am amazed by the battery life! I've had iPhones since the first model and no other iPhone has come close to the XR in battery life!
The LCD vs OLED issue doesn't bother me. The lower resolution is still a retina resolution, and with fewer pixels to push, it makes for more efficient use of the processor and is one of the reasons it gets better battery life.
I miss 3D Touch but not as much as I expected. I used it mainly for turning the keyboard into a trackpad but a long press on the space bar performs the same function, and does that more accurately.
The camera may not be nice as the dual unit found on the XS/XS Max but it is an OIS camera which, coming from a 6S, is a nice upgrade.
Its audio output is in stereo (which was a nice surprise) and is quite a bit louder. I’m not thrilled about the lack of a standard phono jack but as a long time Apple user I’m used (though still not happy with) the way they change ports.
It may cost less than the XS/XS Max, but it's a serious upgrade for me. To add to the deal, one of the colors the phone comes in is (PRODUCT)RED which is a rich shade of red and a nice break from the black, white and silver I’ve had in the past.
While it's missing a bell here and a whistle there compared to the XS/XS Max, it works great and is a nice upgrade from the 6S.
And just in case nobody noticed, Apple made a slightly thicker and heavier iPhone with a bigger battery and Hell didn’t freeze over!
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LeftSide - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
Whenever I see an iPhone X, I gave to ask if it’s and XR or and XS. I can’t tell the difference without seeing the back of the phone. I was actually surprised about how good the LCD looks. I’ve been recommending the XR to everyone I know, the cost increase for the higher end models just isn’t worth it.krazyfrog - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
The lack of a telephoto camera and 3D Touch are the real omissions in my opinion. The display is perfectly fine for most people.jakoh - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
How can you not tell the difference in display?Do you use a oled on a daily basis? The oled display on the iPhone is amazing.
krazyfrog - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
I was speaking more in terms of pixel density than panel technology.Stuka87 - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - link
Just because an OLED is amazing doesn't mean that the TFT isn't fine for most people. The lack of 3d touch, which has been on iPhones for YEARS, is complete BS.mcbhargav - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
I am an XR user, who upgraded from iPhone 7. I found the difference in the first minute. The text is slightly smoother, everything simply is little smooth. But, i am not even a display enthusiast, so i cringed a little and moved on. But, 'perfectly fine' is far from want i think about XR's display. far from!casperes1996 - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
Uhmmm. Your iPhone 7 and the XR had the same pixel densite; @2x. The iPhone 7Plus ran @3x with non-linear scaling.hMunster - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - link
Non-integer-factor scaling, it was still linear!casperes1996 - Thursday, February 7, 2019 - link
Sorry, yes. That's what I meant of course... Now, finally, I get to join all the people who have said "Where's the edit button please?"levizx - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - link
So you immediately found "difference" in smoothness of displaying text. Great, now, tell me again how much difference is there between 326ppi and 326ppi?shabby - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - link
Typical iPhone user, you give them an identical phone but in a different color and they'll say it's faster, smoother and lighter.Byte - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - link
My friend finally upgraded from his original 6 to an XR after his camera died. He says the 6 feels faster. Go figure.808Hilo - Thursday, February 7, 2019 - link
The same new phone now newer. Waiting will cost you.Cook really has no new ideas but that's not what the church of apple is all about. Tithe one tenth of your income for the promise of salvation.
@shabby you summed it up. Its a psychiatrical condition.
Azethoth - Tuesday, February 12, 2019 - link
Typical Android user. Just admit that Apple has the faster CPU and GPU on a smartphone and move on. Just don't lecture us about how superior you are because 5 or 6 hundred of you "customize" your phones.cha0z_ - Monday, February 11, 2019 - link
More likely it has to do with the screen itself (the panels are different after all, albeit both designed around the same tech and pixels density).Samus - Saturday, February 9, 2019 - link
The huge advantage of keeping this phone with an LCD (particularly one lacking 3D Touch) is the repair/replacement cost is a fraction of the OLED screens. There are no decent 3rd party OLED screens from any phone vendors in my experience so your either stuck with new OEM screens (which Apple doesn’t sell to end users) or harvested screens from used phones.At last glance Apple charges $300 for an Xs and $350 for an Xs Max screen. That’s double that of the 8 series and nearly double that of the Xr.
And that’s from Apple. Considering the simplicity in manufacturing and repairing LCD screens, especially those without 3D Touch, you can find quality screens from 3rd parties for under $100 and do it yourself in 30 minutes with a screwdriver and a hair dryer.
Since 50% of smartphone users have reported breaking their phone screens AT LEAST ONCE at some point, this is a huge boon to the Xr’s long term investment cost.
zodiacfml - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
But plenty people like to show off that they have an expensive phone, hence, the value of the iPhone X despite the existence of the new XR.shouterreview - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - link
I am XR user too, I love iPhone 7. But I have some display issue. How to solve it?Lolimaster - Thursday, February 7, 2019 - link
The resolution is just craptastic vs a 5.8" S9 where you can have TRUE 1080p RGB AMOLED when going 1080p in the options down from 1440 pentile mode.star-affinity - Thursday, February 7, 2019 - link
I have trouble seeing why a ”TRUE 1080p” display is so important on such a small device as an Iphone XR. I think the resolution is just fine. Black levels are more of a concern to me since the backlight of the LCD makes black slightly greyish compared to an OLED display.Lolimaster - Thursday, February 7, 2019 - link
The resolution is just craptastic vs a 5.8" S9 where you can have TRUE 1080p RGB AMOLED when going 1080p in the options down from 1440 pentile mode.darkich - Thursday, February 7, 2019 - link
Wow, just wow.I find this comment to ironic because the only gripe I have with the XR is not the display not how ridiculously big bezels it has..as if it has a bumper case.
That some people can't see this is beyond me..
ss96 - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
Hi Ian, do you have a number for the display's contrast ratio? Interested to know how it compares to previous iPhone LCDs.Also, what happened to the charts comparing contrast, color accuracy to the competing smartphones? Really miss those.
Andrei Frumusanu - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
https://images.anandtech.com/doci/13912/XR-greysca...1450 to 1550:1 to depending on brightness.
As for the the accuracy charts, I think it lead to a lot of readers to too quickly jump to conclusions and misunderstand what the figures actually meant, and for example in the past we had some cases of phone A having a dE of say 2 vs a dE of 1 - in both cases the actual differences in this case are extremely small and in isolated conditions probably imperceptible. However because they had just looked up the chart they determined that phone B was that much better because the bar graphs were that much shorter. I think this was quite counter-productive to the analysis of some devices and something I wasn't that big of a fan of.
ss96 - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
Hi Andrei, thanks for your answer. I liked those because it was easy to know what other devices scored without having to go to their respective review, but I understand that it may be misleading.MarcusMo - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - link
I get what you mean regarding the dE comparison charts, however removing them all together seems like the nuclear option.Having review sites such as anandtech calling out poor accuracy again and again is part of the reason we’re seeing manufacturers finally care about this metric. Shaming them on a public comparison chart is a much more effective means towards that end then burying the numbers in each individual review.
A suggestion would be to include a cutoff line in the chart, declaring anything below this to be imperceptible to the human eye. That, and the Anandtech readerships ability to parse objective data (why we visit this site), should be enough to assuage any fears of misinterpretation.
mkozakewich - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - link
You should turn those charts into some kind of logarithmic efficiency thing, where a dE of <=1 is 100% and a dE of 3 is 90%, or something like that.eastcoast_pete - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
@Andrei: Thanks for this review. I largely agree with your analysis, but have an addition to your interpretation of Apple going below Full HD for the XR's display. Yes, build costs may well have been a little bit lower, but my suspicion is that, had the XR had even just an FHD display (otherwise identical in specs to the current one), the value proposition for the XS and XS Max would have been even more doubtful than it already is. Not that the XR is, by any means, a cheap phone - $ 749 for the 64GB entry-level model is a lot of money. But, I believe that Apple's decision to go with a below-FHD display for the XR was mainly to make it just that little less attractive so enough people still go for the premium models.fasterquieter - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
I think the answer is much simpler. They determined years ago that 326ppi is sufficient as far as clarity goes. They have approaching a decade of software optimized for this 2X pixel count. Going slightly denser would have resulted in negligible image quality improvements and the need to downscale the image, like the Plus phones. That came with its own disadvantages. I think they made the right call.Zeross - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
I think that you're perfectly right and In my opinion, something often overlooked is that the X and XS OLED displays are higher resolution mostly to compensate for the PenTile subpixels arrangement : the 458ppi figure is only true for green subpixels. Red and blue subpixels have a 324 sppi definition. So basically Apple have determined years ago that ~320ppi is good enough and the X (XS) screen resolution was chosen to ensure that all subpixels achieve this number. Of course I have no insight knowledge and I may be completely wrong but it would be a weird coincidence if by pure luck, the red and blue sppi of its latest phones is almost exactly the same that the one chosen in 2010 for the first retina iPhone.eastcoast_pete - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - link
Interesting point. I don't know enough about the details of Apple's OLED displays on the XS and the Max, but, if you're right, it also means that Apple's claimed pixel density is slightly dishonest, or at least in need of a footnote. Now, regardless of density, the XS and Max have a very good looking and crisp display, as they should at those prices.mkozakewich - Thursday, February 7, 2019 - link
That's a good assessment. I find I like the pentile arrangement more, but only if it's got the same base density as an rgb stripe. The crops of the XS and XR show how similar they are except for the subpixel layout.Ananke - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
When I compare my iPhone8 display to my Galaxy 8 or 9 displays - the difference is huge. iPhone XR has the same 720p display. It is not bad, but definitely less sharp and less colorful then Samsungs, and definitely not worth $750. The XR would've been a perfect buy around $400, or free-$100 per line after contract, but indeed I agree with the previous comment - Apple created it just to have something that doesn't jeopardize its XS sales. Apple simply wants average sale price to be above the $1000 mark, and that's it. Simple. We all saw how it worked for them on Wall Street though :) :)uhuznaa - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
Absolutely, yes. Apple could have used a higher resolution display and made the battery a bit smaller to arrive at the same or even less thickness as the XS (-0.6 mm), but then fewer people would buy the more expensive iPhones with a better margin for Apple. They're fully in the zero-sum mindset now, which is a natural consequence of trying to maximize profits instead of market share.jakoh - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
Maximizing profits can sometime start to bite you.Apple phones are so expensive.
I understand that Samsung phones are expensive too. But often you can get a note 9 for $750-799. When can you say that about iPhone Xs or Xs max?
mrochester - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
Probably in a couple of years time.cha0z_ - Monday, February 11, 2019 - link
I got my note 9 on contract from my carrier for half the price that I would had given for iphone xs max from the carrier too. I literally could had taken 2 note 9 phones instead of one iphone. No carrier sub for iphones and this creates insane price differences, then I would have to buy a new charger as the one in the box is insanely slow and headphone adapter. Even if we agree that the xs max is a better phone (tho this can be debated as some things that the note 9 can do, the iphone can't) - it's not that much better to spend twice the money on it, but each on it's own for that one.lightsout565 - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
"I think the main issue I have with the iPhone XR’s display is that it’s actually somewhat of a downgrade from the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus in terms of resolution – while I understand that Apple wanted to use a more affordable panel, I do think it would have prudent to at least match the 401ppi pixel density of an iPhone 8 Plus."It's only a downgrade when compared to the 8 Plus. The XR and the 8 have the same PPI so this wording is a little misleading.
Also, when comparing the 100% crop of the XS and XR, the main noticeable difference as you say was the clock icon numbers. This text is at a point size that no-one would realistically be reading in practice. I'd be more interested in 100% crops of the the icon label text, the text in a message/email, etc. I'm curious how the sharpness holds up on larger system fonts at a point size you'd realistically be reading.
tipoo - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
I have a 7 at the same 326PPI and I easily see some graininess around text at any size fwiw. Same with the curves on icons and notification dots.jell0king - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
After owning an XR and returning it to get a year old X I have to agree with your assessment of the design of the phone: It's just to thick.The thickness of the phone is immediately noticeable and i hadn't even put a case on it yet. The X/XS/XS Max are infinitely more comfortable to hold for extended periods of time. Why I haven't seen this mentioned in other reviews is mind boggling but for me the phone was very uncomfortable to hold.
I could live with the low res screen and thick bezels, loved the battery life and I enjoy the 'fun' colors...but that thickness was just a deal-breaker.
soliloquist - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
From the charts, you are talking about 0.6 mm. Seems hard for me to believe that translates to "infinitely" more comfortable.Andrei Frumusanu - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
As I mention in the review, it's not about absolute mm's, it's about the % difference. Take into account that what actually matters for in-hand feel is the edge thickness as well as the distance from edge to edge over the back. There is a very big difference in feel from the X/XS/XSM to the XR.eastcoast_pete - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - link
While this is beyond the review of the phone itself, somebody else here pointed out that many buyers of such expensive phones will add a case to protect their investment. I certainly have a slim case around my (Android) phone. In that regard: Andrei, could you comment on drop resistance and likely damage? To be clear, I wouldn't expect you to actually try it out - not at those prices.peterfares - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
0.6mm of extra thickness makes it too thick? I'm not sure I'd even be able to notice that.colinstu - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
Man if I could get the XS Max with the XR's screen & price tag I'd be happy.sing_electric - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
I still think that your initial guess - that the XR would be the best-selling model - will turn out to be true. Although launch dates/quarters of iPhones certainly bring a sales bump, the VAST majority of users out there just walk into a store when they've paid off their old phone, or it's starting to die, or they just feel like it's time, not caring whether the model launched a day ago or 6 months ago.Those people will buy the phone that looks like an iPhone and suits their budget - and that's going to be the XR. Moreover, by putting the XR in the MIDDLE size-wise, people who prefer bigger phones (which, based on people I've seen, includes a lot of older people with so-so vision, who wouldn't care about resolution), customers who walk in with say, an iPhone 7 Plus will look at the XR and not feel that it's a "step down" in terms of size, meaning that the XR is likely going to be an upgrade path for both budget-conscious owners of 4.7" iPhones AND the larger 5.5" Plus models.
howieb2001 - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
My wife has my XS Max as I prefer the XR. Couldn't care less about bezels, benchmarks and the like. This phone does everything very smoothly and has fantastic battery life. You can hammer it mercilessly for an 18 hour day and you won't get anywhere near to draining it. The camera is close to Pixel 3 standards. Great phone.rrinker - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
I'm still using a 5S (go ahead, laugh, but it works perfectly fine, battery still lasts me all day, nothing wrong with it). All this talk of display and bezels - really? Panning a slight bezel is the whole reason we're in these stupid crazy phone wars in the first place. I'm an engineer, not a designer - I don't give a hoot as long as it works. In fact, the wider bezels just makes it easier to hold the phone without accidentally touching the screen and making pages flip or something else happen that you don't want. The screen density on the XR is exactly the same as my 5S. Close up - without magnification, I can't see the pixels. It's PLENTY sharp enough. A special zoom camera? My 5S already gets better photos at concerts than my GF's Samsung, which is also a WAY too huge a phone to hold to boot. The XR is probably still too big but there's not a lot of options these days. I have a tablet for reading, I don;t need my phone to be tablet size to make a damn phone call and occasionally web browse or read emails while on the go. The real question is, why WOULDN'T I get the XR as an upgrade, over the others. The others don't really do anything better for the extra money, and frankly I've never been a big fan of OLED displays. 4 year life span? See my first sentence. I keep using things until they break beyond economical repair. I'd still be on my old iPad if I hadn;t fallen asleep while reading on the patio last Summer and dropped it, it was the first one that had a lightning connector, still worked fine and did what I need a tablet to do, no reason for an upgrade just for the sake up upgrading. XR seems to be my best choice to upgrade if I bother - really can;t see a compelling reason to stop using the 5S yet though.ZeroPointEF - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
I agree. I was in the market for a new phone, and picked up an XR for US$375. It is one of the best decisions I have made. I get 3 to 4 days out of a single battery charge, the screen is fantastic, and it is comfortable to hold. For someone that had nothing but disdain for iPhone, the changes that they made for the X series were just right for me to embrace the device. Android was always a sad comparison to my Windows Phone devices, but now I am firmly entrenched in the iOS and iPhone camp. If the XR still had a home button and didn't have the notch, I am not sure that the experience would have been as wonderful as it has been.cha0z_ - Monday, February 11, 2019 - link
375$ for that phone is more than a great price.bernstein - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
Given a 4 year lifespan (which at this point is very likely as new iphones bring basically nothing to the table) the XR costs $7/month less than the XS max ($23/month). So unless you have an EXEPTIONALLY cheap monthly plan or have to get the newest cheapest iphone every year, it's just not worth saving to get the XR.I'd rather get a cheaper plan (currently $25 all unlimited)....
melgross - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
When pointing out sales, several things have to be taken into account. The first is that sales of smartphones has fallen overall. That affects Apple too. Second are the problems related to the arrest of the Huawei executive. Unlike hitting a Chinese company, this targeting a Chinese official from a major Chinese company, is considered to be a major breach, even if she, and the company are guilty of the accusations, resulting in a lack of “face”. As a result, major corporations in China have been directed to discourage employee purchasing of iPhones in favore of Huawei products, which iPhones purchasers being fined for that purchase.Then, China is in a massive economic slowdown the latter part of 2018, which is continuing into 2019.
All of this results in a slowdown in iPhone sales there. China has been 27% of Apple’s sales overall, so a slowdown there hurts. However, in almost every other area, Apple’s sales were up.
So this issue is more complex that just a matter of pricing.
ksec - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
The Table mentions XR of Cat 12, and 1Gbps. which doesn't go together. The XR max out at 600Mbps. The same as last year iPhone X, and it doesn't support LAA.jakeuten - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
Cat 12 is 600 Mbps. The XS/XS Max are the Cat 16 which is 1 Gbps, which the chart accurately reflects.ksec - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - link
The Chart has been corrected since I posted.Ryan Smith - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
Thanks!yeeeeman - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
You should add to the title: "and a back to the past travel to 2010 experience". How stupid can a person be to buy a phone with 750$ and have a worse display than most 100$ Chinese phones? Heck, 70$ phones have 720p display. Damn!FreckledTrout - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
Apple is getting the third best battery life behind only the Huawei Mate 9 and 20 which both have very large batteries and are only Full HD. Personally I would take the battery life over the nicer screen and I think a lot of people are in my camp. The price just needs to come down $150-200 on all the iPhones models, if Apple would like to start selling more of them.jakeuten - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
The resolution on the panel is greater than 720p, and the iPhone 8 also had the same pixel density.Maxpower2727 - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
How stupid can a person be to sincerely think that resolution is the one and only factor that determines display quality. According to the article your commenting on (if you even bothered to read it), the XR has a phenomenal display in every measure except resolution.Maxpower2727 - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
*you're* commenting on. Damn autocorrect.FreckledTrout - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - link
LOL you had to grammar natzi yourself due to no edit. For some reason this made me laugh.AceMcLoud - Thursday, February 7, 2019 - link
How clueless are you to think resolution is the only determining factor of display quality. Additionally, life is too short for a slow smartphone, hence no Android for me.Icehawk - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
I bought a new iPhone recently, and I went with an 8+. I just don’t see the need to spend $1k on a phone nor replacing it as often as when they were subsidized. I chose the 8 because I wanted the fingerprint scanner and not a face scan and it provided all the extras (screen size, telephoto) in a format that is still excellent IMO. I replaced a 7+ that I would have kept but was shuffling phones around so I could give my parents one so they can FT my kid. Performance was just fine for my usage too so there wasn’t a tech reason for a new one. This is a large part of why sales are down across the board for phones. Just like with PCs.cha0z_ - Monday, February 11, 2019 - link
The technology matured and true - nowdays no matter how much you bump the specs - from years enough power is there to run smoothly the OS + open the apps fast and run the games smooth. Cameras are good from a few generations too... really, nothing to ditch your old phone and spend 1000+ euro on a new one that will do basically the same just a little bit better.AdditionalPylons - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
With Apple's limited number of models it's hard for very many people to find an iOS device to suit personal preferences (and wallets!). This round Apple clearly prioritised CPU performance over low cost, better screen technology, dual cameras etc.Personally I don't think I would mind the screen, but I would have preferred dual cameras, lower price and smaller size. I think an SE 2 would be perfect for me! Ended up buying a used 6S to replace my 5S.
Losttek - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
I switched to the XR from the S9, and like the review said the battery life is just freaking amazing. It's the first smartphone I've had where I never have to worry about my phone dying. I don't know why Apple doesn't push this aspect of the phone more, instead all their stupid ads focus on all the color choices.Screen PPI is a bit of a bummer, but I got used to it within a couple of days. But one thing that still kind of bugs me is the weight of this phone. It feels significantly heavier than any phone I've held, and I still haven't gotten used to the weight despite it being months since I've bought it. It's a minor complaint though. But overall, this is the best phone experience I've had in a long, long time. Runs smoother than any Android phone, gesture navigation is great, no mysterious battery drains, and my god upgrades direct from Apple. Don't get me wrong, iPhones still have plenty of issues and limitations, but it's kind of refreshing to see what the other side has to offer.
CHJ - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - link
The weight is indeed noticable, especially with any case that offers a decent amount of protection. My fingers and wrists ache sometimes from holding it (the width plays a role in that as well).cha0z_ - Monday, February 11, 2019 - link
They don't advertise it that much as this will put the *a lot* more expensive iphone xs and xs max in a bad spot light.[email protected] - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
umm... battery life isn't improved because of screen technology... its because its displaying at a much lower resolution...GreenReaper - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
I don't think that's the case. LCD is more efficient than OLED unless you're looking at a largely-black screen. There have been reviews looking specifically at power usage and they show a significant increase for OLED screens.FreckledTrout - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - link
Its both the resolution and the use of LCD since LCD has lower standby draw.[email protected] - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - link
don't think thats true.... OLED only light up pixels that needs to be lite up.. while LCD requires the whole backlight to be lite up... unless you really dim the LCD, OLED typically is more efficient.[email protected] - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - link
Proof OLED is more effecient than LCD ... from macworldhttps://www.macworld.com/article/3223143/displays/...
cha0z_ - Monday, February 11, 2019 - link
Wrong, even the current gen LCDs are draining more power than a OLED current gen screen. The only exclusion would be a maxed out brightness, but most people don't use the phone in max brightness most of the time. Then again, I don't know what the power consumption of the XS OLED is (can't recall the Andrei tests, you can check them out in the review).The lower screen resolution is the reason for the long battery life, not only because the UI is using a lot less GPU to draw, but this goes to every app too - like youtube, that will run most videos at 720p while my note 9 will run them at 1440p if available. The workload for 720p and 1440p is a lot different and leads to different battery usage.Then we have games... for xs they will be it's native resolution in a lot of cases, but for the xr they will be 720p. And so on and so on... the resolution is playing a lot bigger role than: "oh, the UI is using so low on the CPU/GPU that the resolution doesn't matter." yeah, for the UI itself the difference would not be that great, but on the most consumed apps like videos/games/modern web pages - it will.
Wardrive86 - Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - link
I always look forward to your in depth reviews and architecture deep dives Andrei. I love your sustained performance tests..something only found at Anandtech currently. I honestly think you are the best writer Anandtech or any other tech site has had period...with that out of the way, I have one question and a potential request. Spec2006 shows the A12 having substantially better efficiency than it's competitors, finishing the finite tests faster with less total energy used by virtue of higher performance, but having higher average power draw. How would this correlate to an infinite test such as a high end 3d game like Shadowgun Legends or Asphalt 9? Would the higher average power draw remain at the same performance level of say a Snapdragon 835/845/Kirin 980? Also a request if you ever have time with your busy schedule, Could we get a sequel article to your 2015 article "The Mobile CPU core count debate" with more modern games and apps, comparisons of OpenGLES vs Vulkan on CPUs, etc.. I know I don't ask for much!Andrei Frumusanu - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - link
> How would this correlate to an infinite test such as a high end 3d game like Shadowgun Legends or Asphalt 9?For infinite workloads you just use the perf/W metric:
https://www.anandtech.com/show/13392/the-iphone-xs...
https://www.anandtech.com/show/13503/the-mate-20-m...
Consequently if you're fps capped you can use Joules/frame but that's not a popular metric.
> Could we get a sequel article to your 2015 article "The Mobile CPU core count debate" with more modern games and apps
At some point.
zodiacfml - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - link
Performance reminds me of my AMD Vega 56 on reasonably low graphic settings at 4k/UHD resolution, it uses only 60 to 80 watts while gaming. Changing just one or two graphics settings shoots to its default power limit which is 180 watts.Anyways, I hope Apple release an iPod touch this year based from this SoC. It is terribly impressive which is good for gaming.
CHJ - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - link
I have been using the XR for the last few weeks. My previous phone was the Xperia XZ, and the one before that a 5s.I cannot stress enough how good the battery life is. I used to carry a 10000 mAh power brick around for a full day out just in case - that simply is not the case anymore. I can’t run this thing down below 20% (I do sometimes get close, meaning I probably will run down the XS on some days, especially taking into consideration battery degradation after some months). This has simplified my life quite a bit.
As for the display, I was worried about it, but I honestly do not notice the lower resolution compared to the XZ in day-to-day usage. In fact, all things considered (color accuracy and True Tone), this has a better display imo. The lower resolution certainly helps battery life as well.
The thicker bezels - this I do still notice, but the XR costs 330 USD less than the XS where I live, and a slightly worse display, the lack of a second lens and 3D Touch, and thicker bezels are acceptable compromises given the savings. And that amazing battery life, did I mention that? ;)
All in all, I am very satisfied with my purchase.
CHJ - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - link
Some other observations:The weight is noticeable, and the width of the phone does not aid in getting a comfortable grip. My fingers cannot wrap over the edge when I need to reach the top half of the screen. If you have large hands, you’ll be better off, I think.
The stereo speakers are also much improved and genuinely useful. I find them to be sufficient for watching YouTube, which is pretty much all I need from phone speakers.
Amosliu - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - link
I don’t think 3dmark slingshot extreme is a good benchmark for iOS platform. First the cpu usage is too high even in the graphics test. Second the gpu vertex usage is nearly the half in the graphic test. However there is no issue in the slingshot OpenGL es 3.0 edition. It is too old and need to update. By the way, there are new GPU benchmark suits building on metal 2 in iOS and Vulkan in android named snow forest benchmark and orbital flight benchmark.darwiniandude - Wednesday, February 13, 2019 - link
Agree. 3Dmark has always been very odd on iOS, especially the physics test, and hasn't matched real world performance comparisons I've seen between Android and iOS games.tuxRoller - Thursday, February 7, 2019 - link
Is the black value when at the the min brightness correct?If so, and assuming the spectrometer is the same a usual, then is this the first time we've seen an LCD that has an imperceptible off pixel while the backlight is still on?
samerakhras - Saturday, February 9, 2019 - link
The better battery life comes from the lower resolution.The less pixels you use , the less power you need.
Jackdaniel - Monday, February 11, 2019 - link
I come from an iphone 8 and now I have iphone xs max 256 gb, I find completely false the duration table with the common use that lasts twice as compared to the iPhone 8 (both have the health of the beater to 100%)hasseb64 - Monday, February 11, 2019 - link
No button* = no buy*front
zeeBomb - Wednesday, February 20, 2019 - link
More battery, More life.Great to see Andrei taking over for the smartphone reviews, this was a good read man!
Jhonson - Friday, May 3, 2019 - link
I believe that is one of such a lot significant information for me. I’m happy studying your article. I read much about iPhone mobile tablets and batteries. I have read on some other website you should see that is also great information there.<a href=http://www.iphonenotification.com/2019/04/17/iphon... iPhone 6 battery Recall </a>
mark3785 - Sunday, August 4, 2019 - link
I’ve had my iPhone XR for quite a while now and still like it very much. I upgraded from a 6S and am amazed by the battery life! I've had iPhones since the first model and no other iPhone has come close to the XR in battery life!The LCD vs OLED issue doesn't bother me. The lower resolution is still a retina resolution, and with fewer pixels to push, it makes for more efficient use of the processor and is one of the reasons it gets better battery life.
I miss 3D Touch but not as much as I expected. I used it mainly for turning the keyboard into a trackpad but a long press on the space bar performs the same function, and does that more accurately.
The camera may not be nice as the dual unit found on the XS/XS Max but it is an OIS camera which, coming from a 6S, is a nice upgrade.
Its audio output is in stereo (which was a nice surprise) and is quite a bit louder. I’m not thrilled about the lack of a standard phono jack but as a long time Apple user I’m used (though still not happy with) the way they change ports.
It may cost less than the XS/XS Max, but it's a serious upgrade for me. To add to the deal, one of the colors the phone comes in is (PRODUCT)RED which is a rich shade of red and a nice break from the black, white and silver I’ve had in the past.
While it's missing a bell here and a whistle there compared to the XS/XS Max, it works great and is a nice upgrade from the 6S.
And just in case nobody noticed, Apple made a slightly thicker and heavier iPhone with a bigger battery and Hell didn’t freeze over!