The iPhone XR, released on October 26, 2018, was Apple’s more affordable flagship smartphone, priced at $749 for the base model. Positioned as a cost-effective alternative to the iPhone XS and XS Max, it offered a balance of premium features, vibrant design, and strong performance. With a 6.1-inch LCD display and a single rear camera, it aimed to appeal to a broader audience while maintaining Apple’s ecosystem advantages. This review provides a detailed analysis of the iPhone XR’s hardware and software specifications, evaluates its performance, and compares it with other 2018 smartphones in a similar price range to assess its market position.
Hardware Specifications
Physical Design and Build
The iPhone XR features an aluminum frame with glass panels on the front and back, enabling wireless charging. Measuring 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm and weighing 194 grams, it’s slightly larger and heavier than the iPhone XS (177g) but lighter than the XS Max (208g). The glass is durable but prone to scratches and cracks without a case, as Consumer Reports’ drop tests showed fair performance after 50 drops and poor after 100, with a cracked screen and camera damage. Repairs are costly (e.g., $399 for screen replacement without AppleCare).
Available in six colors—Black, White, Blue, Yellow, Coral, and (Product)RED—the iPhone XR’s vibrant aesthetic stood out compared to the muted tones of the XS series. It has an IP67 rating (1 meter for 30 minutes), less robust than the XS’s IP68 (2 meters), but sufficient for everyday water and dust resistance.
Display
The iPhone XR sports a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD display (1792 x 828 resolution, 326 ppi), dubbed “Liquid Retina” for its edge-to-edge design with rounded corners. Unlike the OLED displays of the XS and XS Max, it lacks HDR10 and Dolby Vision support and has a lower contrast ratio (1,400:1). True Tone adjusts white balance to ambient lighting, and it covers the DCI-P3 color gamut for vibrant colors. Brightness reaches 625 nits, suitable for outdoor use, but the lower resolution and thicker bezels (83.3% screen-to-body ratio) were criticized compared to OLED-equipped competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S9. The notch houses the TrueDepth camera and Face ID sensors.
Processor and Performance
Powered by the A12 Bionic chip (7nm process), identical to the XS series, the iPhone XR features a 6-core CPU (2x Vortex performance cores, 4x Tempest efficiency cores), a 4-core GPU, and an 8-core Neural Engine capable of 5 trillion operations per second. With 3GB of LPDDR4X RAM (1GB less than the XS), it delivers near-identical performance for gaming, multitasking, and AI tasks like Face ID and Smart HDR. Benchmarks like AnTuTu (~680,000) and Geekbench (Single-core: ~4,700, Multi-core: ~11,300) show it slightly behind the XS due to less RAM but ahead of most 2018 Android flagships with Snapdragon 845 or Kirin 970 chips.
Storage
Available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB variants, the iPhone XR offers reasonable storage options. The 64GB base model was adequate for most users, though heavy media users preferred the 128GB or 256GB versions, especially at the $749 price point.
Battery
The 2,942mAh battery is larger than the iPhone XS (2,658mAh) and slightly smaller than the XS Max (3,174mAh). It supports up to 16 hours of video playback or 65 hours of audio, with real-world tests showing 7–8 hours of screen-on time, often outperforming the XS due to the LCD’s lower power consumption. It supports 15W fast charging (50% in 30 minutes with an 18W charger, sold separately) and 7.5W wireless charging. Battery life is competitive but trails Android devices like the Huawei P20 Pro (4,000mAh).
Cameras
The iPhone XR features a single 12MP rear camera (f/1.8, 1.4μm pixels, OIS), identical to the XS’s wide-angle lens, but lacks the telephoto lens for 2x optical zoom. Smart HDR enhances dynamic range, and Portrait Mode uses software-based depth mapping, supporting post-shot bokeh adjustment (Depth Control). It records 4K video at 60fps with stereo audio and extended dynamic range up to 30fps. The 7MP TrueDepth front camera (f/2.2) supports Smart HDR, Portrait Mode, and 1080p video at 60fps, enabling Face ID, Animoji, and Memoji.
The camera performs well, matching the XS in most scenarios, with natural colors and sharp details. Portrait Mode is less accurate without the telephoto lens, and low-light performance trails the Google Pixel 2 and Huawei P20 Pro due to their computational photography advantages. The “Beautygate” issue, where Smart HDR smoothed selfie skin tones, was resolved in iOS 12.0.1.
Connectivity
The iPhone XR supports dual SIM (nano-SIM + eSIM, or dual nano-SIM in China), LTE Cat.12 (up to 600 Mbps), Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2×2 MIMO), Bluetooth 5.0, and NFC (read-only). It uses Intel modems, but early users reported LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity issues, partially fixed in iOS 12.0.1. GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS ensure accurate navigation.
Sensors
Includes Face ID (faster than iPhone X), accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, ambient light, and barometer. Face ID is secure but lacks Touch ID, and performance dips in extreme angles or low light.
Audio
Stereo speakers deliver clear, loud audio, though slightly less immersive than the XS Max due to the smaller chassis. No 3.5mm headphone jack, but EarPods with Lightning connector are included.
Software Specifications
Operating System
The iPhone XR shipped with iOS 12, optimized for performance and stability. Key features included:
- Siri Shortcuts: Custom voice commands for app actions.
- Screen Time: Usage tracking for digital wellness.
- Grouped Notifications: Improved notification management.
- ARKit 2: Enhanced augmented reality with shared experiences.
- Photos: Smarter search and sharing suggestions.
As of 2025, the iPhone XR supports iOS 18, its final major update, offering customizable home screens, RCS messaging, and limited Apple Intelligence features. It will not receive iOS 26, but seven years of updates (2018–2025) is exceptional, surpassing most Android devices, though Samsung’s 2025 flagships now offer similar longevity.
Software Issues
iOS 12 had initial bugs, including “Chargegate” (failure to charge via Lightning when locked) and Bluetooth issues, fixed in iOS 12.0.1. Some iOS 18.5 users reported Wi-Fi instability, indicating occasional connectivity challenges.
Performance and User Experience
The iPhone XR delivers a fluid experience, with fast app launches, smooth animations, and robust multitasking despite 3GB RAM. The A12 Bionic chip handles demanding games like Fortnite and PUBG at max settings without thermal issues. The 6.1-inch LCD is vibrant and sharp for an LCD, though its lower resolution and lack of HDR are noticeable next to OLED competitors. Face ID is reliable, though it struggles in some edge cases.
Battery life is a standout, often lasting longer than the iPhone XS due to the efficient LCD and A12 chip. The single camera performs admirably, matching the XS in most conditions, though the lack of optical zoom and less precise Portrait Mode are limitations. iOS 12 (and later updates) ensures a polished experience, but Android devices offer more customization.
Comparison with Smartphones in the Same Range
The iPhone XR launched at $749 (64GB), positioning it in the upper-midrange to lower-flagship segment. Below is a comparison with 2018 competitors in a similar price range: Samsung Galaxy S9 ($719), Google Pixel 3 ($799), Huawei P20 Pro (~$900, included for context), and OnePlus 6T ($549). Prices reflect 2018 MSRP for base models.
| Feature | iPhone XR | Samsung Galaxy S9 | Google Pixel 3 | Huawei P20 Pro | OnePlus 6T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (Base) | $749 (64GB) | $719 (64GB) | $799 (64GB) | ~$900 (128GB) | $549 (128GB) |
| Display | 6.1″ LCD, 1792×828, 326 ppi | 5.8″ AMOLED, 2960×1440, 570 ppi, HDR10 | 5.5″ OLED, 2160×1080, 443 ppi, HDR | 6.1″ OLED, 2240×1080, 408 ppi, HDR | 6.41″ AMOLED, 2340×1080, 402 ppi, HDR |
| Processor | A12 Bionic (7nm, 6-core) | Snapdragon 845 (10nm, 8-core) | Snapdragon 845 (10nm, 8-core) | Kirin 970 (10nm, 8-core) | Snapdragon 845 (10nm, 8-core) |
| RAM | 3GB | 4GB | 4GB | 6GB | 6GB/8GB |
| Storage | 64/128/256GB | 64/128/256GB + microSD | 64/128GB | 128/256GB | 128/256GB |
| Battery | 2,942mAh, 15W fast, 7.5W wireless | 3,000mAh, 15W fast, 9W wireless | 2,915mAh, 18W fast, 10W wireless | 4,000mAh, 22.5W fast, no wireless | 3,700mAh, 20W fast, no wireless |
| Rear Camera | Single 12MP (f/1.8 wide, OIS) | Single 12MP (f/1.5-2.4 wide, OIS) | Single 12.2MP (f/1.8 wide) | Triple 40MP (f/1.8) + 20MP + 8MP (3x zoom) | Dual 16MP (f/1.7 wide) + 20MP (f/1.7) |
| Front Camera | 7MP (f/2.2) | 8MP (f/1.7) | Dual 8MP (f/1.8 wide, f/2.2 ultra-wide) | 24MP (f/2.0) | 16MP (f/2.0) |
| OS | iOS 12 (up to iOS 18) | Android 8.0 (up to Android 10) | Android 9.0 (up to Android 12) | Android 8.1 (up to Android 10) | Android 9.0 (up to Android 11) |
| Water Resistance | IP67 (1m, 30 min) | IP68 (1.5m, 30 min) | IP68 (1.5m, 30 min) | IP67 (1m, 30 min) | None |
| Connectivity | Dual SIM (eSIM), LTE Cat.12, Wi-Fi ac, BT 5.0 | Dual SIM, LTE Cat.18, Wi-Fi ac, BT 5.0 | Single SIM, LTE Cat.16, Wi-Fi ac, BT 5.0 | Dual SIM, LTE Cat.18, Wi-Fi ac, BT 4.2 | Dual SIM, LTE Cat.16, Wi-Fi ac, BT 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3mm, 194g | 147.7 x 68.7 x 8.5mm, 163g | 145.6 x 68.2 x 7.9mm, 148g | 155 x 73.9 x 7.8mm, 180g | 157.5 x 74.8 x 8.2mm, 185g |
| Additional Features | Face ID, stereo speakers, no 3.5mm jack | Fingerprint, iris scanner, 3.5mm jack | Squeeze for Assistant, stereo speakers | Fingerprint, IR blaster, no 3.5mm jack | In-display fingerprint, no 3.5mm jack |
Analysis
- iPhone XR: Offers A12 Bionic performance, excellent battery life, and seven-year software support at a lower price than the XS. The LCD display and single camera are compromises, but its colorful design and ecosystem appeal to iOS users.
- Galaxy S9: Features a sharper AMOLED display, expandable storage, and a 3.5mm jack. Battery life is similar, but updates stop at Android 10, and the Snapdragon 845 is less efficient than the A12.
- Pixel 3: Excels in computational photography, especially low-light shots, but its smaller battery and 4GB RAM limit performance. Software support (up to Android 12) is shorter than the iPhone XR.
- Huawei P20 Pro: Boasts a triple camera with 3x zoom and a 4,000mAh battery. The Kirin 970 is less powerful, and US availability was limited. Updates capped at Android 10.
- OnePlus 6T: Delivers flagship specs, a larger battery, and faster charging at a lower price. Its cameras and lack of IP rating are drawbacks, and software support (up to Android 11) is shorter.
The iPhone XR’s price-to-performance ratio, longevity, and ecosystem made it a strong contender, though Android alternatives offered superior displays or cameras for similar or lower prices.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Powerful A12 Bionic chip with excellent performance.
- Vibrant 6.1-inch LCD display with True Tone.
- Strong battery life for a day’s use.
- Reliable single camera with Smart HDR and Portrait Mode.
- IP67 water resistance and colorful design.
- Seven years of iOS updates (up to iOS 18).
- Fast and secure Face ID.
Cons
- LCD display lacks HDR and has lower resolution than OLED competitors.
- No telephoto lens or 2x optical zoom.
- No fast charger included.
- Early connectivity issues (LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth).
- No 3.5mm headphone jack or microSD slot.
- Low-light camera performance trails Pixel 3 and Huawei P20 Pro.
Conclusion
The iPhone XR was a compelling option in 2018, offering flagship performance, excellent battery life, and a vibrant design at a more accessible price than the iPhone XS and XS Max. Its A12 Bionic chip, seven-year software support, and capable camera made it a standout for iOS users, though the LCD display, single camera, and lack of included fast charger were notable trade-offs. Compared to the Galaxy S9, Pixel 3, Huawei P20 Pro, and OnePlus 6T, it balanced performance and longevity but faced competition from Android’s sharper displays, versatile cameras, and lower prices.