When the iPhone XR first launched in 2018, it quickly gained attention for its unique blend of premium features, lots of color options, and affordability. Evaluating the iPhone XR pros and cons will make it clear that Apple successfully created a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing too many vital features. Now, several years later, with newer iPhone models like the iPhone 15 and 16 stealing the spotlight, the question is: Does the iPhone XR still hold its ground? Is it still worth buying in 2024?
Today, we'll see in detail the iPhone XR pros and cons while helping you determine if it's still a smart purchase today in 2024. Also, we will be checking out some common iPhone XR issues, how you can sort them, and other frequently asked questions. Let's get into it.
Pros of iPhone XR
The iPhone XR remains a popular choice because it offers great features at an affordable price. Let's get into the key pros of the iPhone XR you should look out for.
1. Design and Build Quality
One of the iPhone XR's standout features has always been its design. Apple did an excellent job with the iPhone XR by offering it in a dynamic range of bold, eye-catching colors, like red, coral, blue, yellow, white, and black. This is refreshing from the more serious, monotone color typically seen in other models. If you want a phone that reflects your personality, you can choose from the iPhone XR range of color options.
Despite being a more budget-friendly iPhone option, Apple didn't compromise its quality. The iPhone XR's build is surprisingly robust, featuring a nice aluminum frame and a glass back that looks good and handy. Thanks to the glass back, the phone supports wireless charging, making it suitable for users who want wire-free charging.
2. Mobile Display
The iPhone XR has a 6.1-inch screen Liquid Retina display, and if we are being honest, it is a pretty large screen size, which is enough for everyday use compared to some Android phones. Watching videos, scrolling through social media, and playing games on the XR's LCD screen is a smooth and visually pleasing experience. The vibrant colors and bright images are sharp enough for casual use. While it doesn't have the highest resolution, Apple's calibration ensures the display still looks great.
3. Performance
We cannot but applaud Apple for always excelling at future-proofing its devices; the iPhone XR is no exception. Powered by the A12 Bionic chip, the XR is still a powerful phone when it comes to performance. It easily handles everyday tasks like browsing, texting, and watching videos. Even more demanding applications like gaming or multitasking aren't an issue for this powerful phone. The A12 chip might be a few generations old, but it still performs excellently.
Apple's excellent software support makes the iPhone XR compatible with the latest iOS updates. Currently, it can run iOS 17, and Apple is known for supporting its devices for at least 5 to 6 years. This means you can continue using the XR for a few more years without worrying about missing out on new features, security updates, or app compatibility.
4. RAM Capacity
The iPhone XR comes with 3GB of RAM, which is quite modest. When compared to more recent models with higher RAM, it still offers sufficient performance for most users' daily tasks. The A12 Bionic chip paired with this RAM allows the phone to run smoothly, handling apps, games, and multitasking without significant lag.
The 3GB of RAM of the iPhone XR is well-optimized for iOS, ensuring that the phone runs efficiently and can handle typical app usage, such as social media, browsing, and video streaming. iOS is known for its efficiency in resource management, and the XR’s combination of RAM and processing power ensures that even though it has less RAM than newer models, it doesn’t lag or feel sluggish.
5. Camera
From the outlook, the iPhone XR has just one rear camera lens, an excellent 12-megapixel camera sufficient for capturing great images. Thanks to Apple's Smart HDR technology, it captures vibrant photos with good detail and color accuracy. The XR's Portrait mode is also surprisingly good despite lacking a second lens. You can still get those nice bokeh effects, even if they are limited compared to newer iPhones' dual-camera systems or triple-lens cameras.
The iPhone XR has a pixel density of about 326 pixels per inch. Although its pixel density is lower than that of newer models, it still provides bright images. If you're not a professional photographer but still want to take good photos for Instagram or personal use, the iPhone XR won't disappoint because it has pretty good image editing. Its strong video capabilities support 4K video recording at 60 frames per second. Whether you're capturing beautiful moments or filming a vlog, the XR does a solid job.
6. Incredible Battery Life
One of the most vital points of the iPhone XR is its battery life. Its battery holds up well, easily lasting a full day with moderate use. Whether you're browsing, streaming, or using GPS, the XR's battery will get you through most of your day without needing to reach for a charger. For many, this is one of the most essential factors in choosing a phone, and the XR doesn't disappoint.
7. Face ID and Security
When you want a phone, security is probably the first thing on your mind. Face ID is one of the defining features of modern iPhones, and the XR is no exception. Facial recognition is quick, secure, and reliable, making it easy to unlock your phone, make payments, and access apps securely. Since the introduction of Face ID, it has become one of the most trusted and widely used biometric security methods.
8. Price and Value
There's no opposing the iPhone XR regarding value. This powerful phone is hands-down a value for your money. There's no doubt that iPhones are expensive phones; even though the iPhone XR is a few years old, it offers many core features that makes iPhone XR great at a much lower price than the latest models. The XR is a great place to start for anyone looking to get into the Apple ecosystem or upgrade from a previous iPhone version without breaking the bank.
Cons of iPhone XR
While the iPhone XR has plenty of strengths, just like any gadget, the iPhone XR has its downsides as well, and we'll see some of them here:
1. Thicker Bezel
While the iPhone XR looks great for the most part, the bezel seems to play down on its physical features. XR has a noticeably thicker bezel compared to newer iPhones like the iPhone 12 upward and might feel like you're holding onto older tech if you love the slimmer frame displays of modern phones.
Also, the XR's aluminum frame is not as luxurious as the stainless steel you get with the iPhone XS, iPhone 13 Pro, and newer iPhone models. If you value a premium feel, you might find the XR a little lacking compared to the latest models. It's durable and well-made but doesn't have that high-end, polished finish.
2. LCD Mobile Display
Here's a major downside to the XR. The iPhone XR display uses an LCD, unlike the OLED panels found in the iPhone XS and many recent iPhone models. OLED screens offer better contrast, deeper blacks, and overall richer visuals. If you've never used an OLED display, you might not notice, but the difference can be noticeable if you're coming from a phone with one. The XR's display isn't bad, but it's not as vibrant as in more expensive models.
3. A12 Bionic Chip
Despite not being slow, the A12 Bionic chip might not be the most powerful option out there anymore. Unlike the XR and previous models, newer iPhones, like the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14, come with the A15 Bionic chip, which has a swift performance, and even better, the iPhone 15 and 16 come with A16 and A18 bionic chips, respectively. If you're someone who always wants the latest and the best in terms of performance, the iPhone XR may feel slightly dated compared to more recent models.
4. 3GB RAM Capacity
When compared to newer iPhone models, iPhone XR's 3GB RAM may feel limited compared to newer models which often feature 4GB or more RAM. For instance, running heavy multitasking or graphic-intensive apps may show signs of strain compared to newer iPhones with more RAM, especially in tasks such as high-end mobile gaming or heavy resource apps like video editing software. Additionally, as newer iOS versions continue to evolve, apps may become more demanding, which could expose the limitations of its RAM in the long run.
5. One-Lensed Camera
Even though the XR has good camera quality despite being one-lensed, it's not the best out there. The iPhone XR doesn't have a telephoto lens and you might miss out on optical digital zoom and additional flexibility in framing shots. It also lacks Apple's Night Mode, which was introduced with the iPhone 11. In low-light conditions, the XR's camera struggles more than recent models, and you might end up with poorly lit shots. While the XR's single camera is capable, it doesn't offer the versatility of dual or triple-camera setups. The XR might feel limiting if you like to experiment with wide-angle or telephoto shots.
6. Average Battery Capacity and Slow Charger
When it comes to battery capacity, the iPhone XR's 2942 mAH might not cut it anymore as compared to newer models. Also, the iPhone XR doesn't come with fast charging out of the box. While it is compatible with fast chargers, you'll have to buy one separately, as the charger included in the box is a standard 5W brick.
7. Decrease in Price-to-Feature Ratio
As newer models are released, the XR's price-to-feature ratio becomes less attractive. If you always want the latest tech, the XR might be missing more advanced features in newer models, like 5G support, dual or triple-lens cameras, or improved mobile displays.
Common Issues with the iPhone XR and How to Fix Them
While the iPhone XR is still a solid phone, it also has some of its issues. Let’s look into some of the common problems iPhone XR users run into and how you can easily sort them out.
1. Battery Life Drain
First up, let’s talk about battery life. If you notice that your iPhone XR is draining faster than expected, especially after the last iOS update, here are a few solutions;
- Do a quick battery check, go to your battery settings, and check the battery's health. If it is looking low, then it might be time to get a battery replacement.
- Another thing you can do is to adjust your Settings to enable Low Power Mode (you can find it in Settings or swipe into the Control Center). Also, try lowering your screen brightness and turning off the background app for apps you don’t use frequently.
2. Slow Performance
If your iPhone XR feels like it’s lagging sometimes, then you should note the following solutions.
- Close Background Apps: you can do that by double-tapping the home button or swiping up from the bottom. Also, close unused apps, as they might be slowing your phone down.
- Clearing out your storage will really help with your XR's performance. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. If you still have a bunch of unused apps or old photos, you can delete them.
- Sometimes, all it takes is to restart your phone; you can do that by turning your phone off and turning it on after some time.
3. Camera Issues
The camera is one of the best parts of the iPhone XR, but it can sometimes be a bit blurry. Here’s what you should do:
- Clean the Lens with a soft cloth and make it nice and clean. It will go a long way in giving you a nice shot.
- Update your iOS, as keeping your software up to date can help with performance, including camera functions.
4. Connectivity Problems
Having trouble with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth can be really frustrating. With some of these hacks, you can have better connectivity on your iPhone XR.
- Reset your network settings by Navigating to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. However, you should have your Wi-Fi password in handy as you’ll need to re-enter it during the resetting process.
- For Wi-Fi, tap on the network, hit Forget This Network, and then reconnect.
- Update iOS to the latest version to get new updates, which often fix connectivity bugs.
5. Face ID Not Working
Face ID is cool, but sometimes it just doesn’t want to cooperate. What should you do?
- Check Your Setup: Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode to make sure it’s set up properly.
- Look for Obstructions: Make sure your case or screen protector is not blocking your phone’s camera.
- If your Face ID is still acting up, then you should reset it and set it up again.
6. Overheating
If your phone feels like it’s running a temperature, you’ve got an overheating issue right there. You should do the following to cut down on the overheating episodes:
- Remove the case of your iPhone XR when you’re gaming or video streaming.
- Keep your iPhone XR out of direct sunlight and hot places.
- Limit intensive tasks such as using heavy apps if your phone is getting hot too often.
7. Storage Space Issues
If you use your phone a lot, running low on storage can be a real issue, especially if you opt for an iPhone XR with lower storage capacity. You can do the following to enjoy your phone better.
- Optimize Your Storage by regularly deleting apps and media you don’t use. If you’ve got a ton of photos, consider backing them up to iCloud.
- Enable Optimize iPhone Storage: For photos, go to Settings > Photos and turn on Optimize iPhone Storage. This will help you save space.
Is the iPhone XR Still Worth Buying in 2024?
Yes, the iPhone XR is still worth considering for users looking for a solid, reliable phone without needing the latest features. Just like any gadget, the iPhone XR has its pros and cons. It offers excellent performance, solid battery life, and a good camera for everyday use, all at a lower price than newer iPhones.
Powered by the A12 Bionic chip, it delivers strong performance for browsing, gaming, and running iOS 17. Its 12MP rear camera and 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display offer good quality for casual users, even though it lacks newer features like 5G and OLED. The battery life is solid, with support for wireless and fast charging.
Overall, the iPhone XR provides excellent value for those who don't need the latest features but want a dependable device with long-term software support.
Conclusion
The iPhone XR is a reliable and affordable option for everyone, especially those new to Apple. While it lacks advanced features like an OLED display, 5G, and Night Mode, it's a solid choice for those looking for a reliable device at an affordable price. We hope our iPhone XR Pros and Cons will help you decide.
