So, the time has come to purchase an iPhone for your child. Which one should you buy? Our top pick is the iPhone 13, which is slightly cheaper than Apple's current flagship device, the iPhone 14. It's a highly-rated smartphone that comes in unique colors and is also packed with the excellent features your 21st-century kiddo expects and wants. We've gathered other noteworthy models to help you choose the best one that fits your needs.

Best overall: iPhone 13

The iPhone 13 was introduced alongside the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max in 2021. Available in Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, PRODUCT(RED), and Green, the model has 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage. Like the other 2021 iPhones, this model is compatible with MagSafe accessories and wireless chargers. It also features 5G wireless, where available, for super-fast downloads and high‑quality streaming. The iPhone 13's battery allows up to 19 hours of video-playing between charges, 15 hours when that video is streamed, and up to 75 hours of audio playback. You can get up to a 50% charge with fast-charge in just 30 minutes.

Phones and kids sometimes mean unexpected falls, which is why we highly recommend this model over the newer (more expensive) iPhone 14 or Pro versions of the iPhone 13. It offers a ceramic shield front that provides excellent protection. However, you should still consider one of the best iPhone 13 cases to add further protection. The phone's body is made from aerospace-grade aluminum, and it provides water resistance to a depth of six meters for up to 30 minutes.

Last year's flagship iPhone is still quite a relevant smartphone, with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, an A15 Bionic chip (which is the same as the pricier iPhone 14 or iPhone 13 Pro.) On the back, you'll find a dual 12MP camera system (Ultra Wide and Wide); on the front, there's a 12MP TrueDepth camera. New to this model is Cinematic mode in 1080p at 30 fps.

There are four main areas where the iPhone 13 compares unfavorably with the much higher-priced iPhone 13 Pro (and iPhone 13 Pro Max). First, only the Pro models feature a Telephoto camera and a LiDAR Scanner for Night mode portraits, faster autofocus in low light, and next-level AR experiences. The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are the only two 2021 models to include surgical-grade stainless steel. 

The iPhone 14 does have some new features such as Crash Detection, camera improvements like action mode, and other small tweaks. Note that only the Pro models come with up to 1TB of storage. Most kids won't need these additional features.

If you love the look of the iPhone 13 but think it's too big for your child, keep reading and consider the iPhone 13 mini. If you prefer to buy your child the latest and greatest, of course the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro are great picks. 

Cheaper than the iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, and the entire iPhone 14 lineup with nearly the same goodies.

Best alternative: iPhone 12

The iPhone 12 was released in the fall of 2020. Available in Blue, Green, PRODUCT (RED), White, and Black, the model has 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of storage. As our iPhone 13 vs. iPhone 12 comparison shows, this model is nearly the same as the newer one, but for $100 less. Similar features include the same 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, MagSafe compatibility, and 5G. The iPhone 12's battery offers up to 17 hours of video-playing between charges, 11 hours when that video is streamed, and 65 hours of audio playback.

Last year's flagship iPhone comes with an A14 Bionic chip. On the back, you'll find a dual 12MP camera system (Ultra Wide and Wide); on the front, there's a 12MP TrueDepth camera. Together, kids have all the tools to take high-quality photos and videos. They can also take advantage of Animoji and Memoji, which they can send to their friends.

Cheaper than the iPhone 13, but with many of the same features.

Best small display: iPhone 13 mini

There's very little to distinguish the iPhone 13 mini from its larger brother, the iPhone 13, except its size, which is perfect for smaller hands. Excluding the iPhone 13 mini's smaller display (5.4-inches vs. 6.1-inches), the two handsets share the same internals, camera systems, and materials.

Beyond size, the smaller one provides less battery life; up to 17 hours of video-playing, 13 hours when the video is streamed, and up to 55 hours of audio playback. Pixel resolution is also ever-so-slightly less.

The bottom line: You should purchase this model for your child if they like everything about the iPhone 13 but want a smaller device. Plus, it's $100 less than the iPhone 13. It's the same price as the iPhone 12 with newer internals and features.

It's the iPhone 13, except in a smaller package. Inside are the same great internals.

Best budget: iPhone SE (2022)

Not everyone wants to buy a new iPhone every year with the latest bells and whistles. For those folks, there's the iPhone SE (2022). The third iPhone SE to date, it's the least expensive iPhone on the market.

Featuring Touch ID, not Face ID, the 4.7-inch iPhone SE (2022) is still packed with plenty of features worth considering. These include a 12MP camera and 7 MP FaceTime HD camera, A15 Bionic chip with a 16-core Neural Engine, wireless charging, Haptic Touch, etc. The iPhone SE (2022) is available for hundreds less than other handsets on this list.

A perfect choice for anyone who wants to get an iPhone but not spend a lot.

Best premium: iPhone 14 Pro

The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are identical except for their sizes, 6.1-inches vs. 6.7-inches. The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are a big jump from the iPhone 13, price-wise, but if you're shopping for an older teen and aren't too fussed about price, these are the top of the line right now. In addition to everything the iPhone 13 has, the iPhone 14 Pro adds the Dynamic Island, Crash Detection, ProMotion Technology with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz, Always-On Display, 48MP camera, Photonic Engine, video action mode, more optical zoom options, 23 hours of video playback, A16 Bionic chip, and other improvements.

Beyond this, the Pro models have a stronger body (ceramic front shield and surgical-grade stainless steel), one more camera (Telephoto), a LIDAR Scanner, and more storage options. They also come in different colors: Deep Purple, Gold, Silver, and Space Black.  

The biggest negative here shouldn't come as much of a surprise. The iPhone 14 Pro is expensive at every storage level.

Does your child deserve the best iPhone around? If they do, this is the one to get.

Best large display: iPhone 14 Plus

The least expensive large display you can get on an iPhone right now is the iPhone 14 Plus. Price-wise, it sits above the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 but below the iPhone 14 Pro. The feature set is identical to the iPhone 14, only it's a larger phone and costs $100 more. 

For an older child or teen that needs that big screen, I'd go with this one over the iPhone 14 Pro Max just because of price. 

Go large or go home!

The best iPhone for kids

If you're looking for an Apple handset for your kiddo, you'll quickly notice there's a wide selection from which to choose. Our advice is to go with the iPhone 13, which provides most of the top features of the pricier handsets, but for less. It also comes in more vibrant colors, which might be important to your son or daughter.

Among the features packed into this beast is Apple's A15 Bionic chip with the 16-core Neural Engine. You'll also find 5G support, Dolby Vision HDR video, Cinematic mode for recording videos, MagSafe compatibility, etc.

If you have butterfingers like I do, or you work in an environment that can be hazardous to your phone, you might be looking for a heavy-duty case for your iPhone XR. I prefer not to take on the bulk of a heavy-duty case, but once I burn through my two AppleCare+ incidents, you can bet I'll be slapping on one of these babies daily.

Which one should you buy?

Regardless of your case budget, there is a protective case on this list for everyone. When I'm going to be in a situation where I know a drop might be more possible, I'm most likely to put a Speck Presidio Grip on my iPhone. I personally prefer a slimmer design, and this one is relatively slim while still offering some serious protection. It doesn't hurt that it comes in such attractive colours. For me, this is a step up in protection from my usual slim cases.

If protection matters above all else, I'd go for the OtterBox Defender. It's almost like putting two cases on your phone, a hard inner shell for reliable protection and a softer outer shell for a bit of give in case of drops. The holster is removable so you can use it or not. Thank goodness this model doesn't come with the built-in screen protector; those interfere with touch screens in my experience. Since this case is screenless, you can use any screen protector you like, one that doesn't decrease the functionality of your phone. Price-wise it sits about in the middle, but what you're paying for isn't style or looks, it's heavy-duty protection.

The iPhone XR was the first iPhone in years to be released with fantastic colour options. Sure, you can get classic black or white, but you can also choose blue, yellow, coral, and (PRODUCT) RED. Why would you want to obscure that beauty with an opaque case? Here are some of the best options for protecting it without hiding the colour.

Rugged: UAG Plasma Series

This tough case meets military drop-test standards and has a robust, masculine feel. Despite the solid appearance, the case is surprisingly light-weight.

£25 at Amazon

Rigid: Caudabe Synthesis

Caudabe's Synthesis is thin but powerful. The bumper is flexible and textured so your iPhone won't slip out of your hands, but the back is smooth and rigid.

£19 at Amazon

Eye-Catching: Ciel by Cyrill Case

Here is a fun, inexpensive clear case with a pattern printed on it. Cover your iPhone with cacti, pineapples, roses, and more.

From £12 at Amazon

Protective

Which is best for you?

Whether you're choosing an iPhone XR in a fun colour like red or yellow, or a classic colour like silver or space grey, you're going to want to show it off. Clear cases allow you to do that while still offering some protection. My personal favourite is the Spigen Ultra Hybrid because it looks excellent and offers solid protection against scratches and scuffs.

If you want to have a little fun with colour and pattern but still want the iPhone XR to show through, the Ciel by Cyrill Case is an excellent option. If you find yourself needed to prop up your iPhone, the ESR Kickstand Case will undoubtedly come in handy.

You've laid out a lot of cash for that gorgeous new iPhone XR. You want to keep it safe and looking pristine, but you don't want to spend a lot of money to do so (you've already spent so much money as it is!). Or maybe you like having several different cases to swap out for different looks, and you don't want to break the bank. Either way, here are some of our favourite cheap cases for the iPhone XR.

Cheap doesn't mean second-rate

Just because your case is cheap, it doesn't have to be simple. Well, it can be if that's what you like. But there are lots of options here without spending lots of money. I'd go for the Sonix Case. It doesn't skimp on quality or protection.

When you are excited about all of these cool designs, it'd be easy to see this and do a mad dash to find your wallet. If you had the Rssviss Leather Wallet, you wouldn't have to look any further than the back of your phone. This may be the most useful case for people who are on-the-go or just forgetful. Hey, don't look at me... I just know my weak points.

A case is always a good idea to protect your new iPhone from those occasional unintentional spills. There are so many different kinds of cases out there; some are more protective, while others are less bulky. Some phones hold your cards and cash, so you don't have to carry your wallet everywhere. Some people like the case to make a statement, while other people want the case to fade away while the phone takes centre stage.

Thinnest: Totallee Thin Case

Totallee's cases are just about as thin as a case can be and still be a case. They're meant to give you a fraction of protection without bulking up your phone or getting in your way. At only .02 inches to get any thinner, you'd need to put a decal on your phone. Totallee offers up a pretty significant variety of cases as well with eight different colour options running the gamut from completely clear to jet black.

All of the cases are the same super-thin construction. However, some differences are depending on the colour option you choose. Some of them offer up an extra grippy case to ensure it doesn't slip out of your hand at an inopportune time, while others have raised protection around your camera lens.

This is the perfect case for people who hate cases. They don't get any thinner than this.

Best Medium Weight Protection: Lifeproof SLAM

Lifeproof dubs the SLAM case as one that is "dedicated to the drop." This case isn't nearly as bulky as some other options but still manages to keep your phone protected when it inevitably gets dropped. The construction gives you two tiers of protection so that drops don't have to be terrifying as you check your phone to ensure it hasn't been irreparably damaged.

The cases themselves are mostly clear and designed to complement the fabulous new iPhone XR colours. However, they do have a thin strip of colour to differentiate the case from your actual phone. The Lifeproof SLAM also doesn't cover any of your ports or buttons, ensuring that usability doesn't suffer for protection.

Protect your phone while letting its glorious colour show through with this heavy-duty but clear case.

Best Lightweight Protection: UAG Pathfinder Series

The UAG Pathfinder series of cases deliver a case that looks like it can withstand just about anything that life throws at you and your phone. It features an ultra-light composite shell that protects your phone without weighing it down and includes a soft impact resistant core.

It isn't all about looks either. The UAG Pathfinder is Apple Pay and wireless charging compatible, which means you'll never need to rip your case off at an inopportune time. While this case does cover your buttons, they're still usable, and a rubber lip also protects your screen during falls. Best of all, this case is rated for severe falls making it all-around protection you can trust.

You don't have to carry a heavy case to get heavy-duty protection. This is my husband's absolute favourite case.

Coolest: Mous Limitless 2.0

Not all phone cases are created equal, but it seems like many of them share a certain aesthetic. If you want to stand out from the crowd, the Mous Limitless 2.0 might be just the ticket. These cases are made from natural materials like bamboo or walnut that give them a unique look.

Mous cases are crafted from a high impact material, AiroShock™, which "contains tiny air pockets and cross-linking polymer chains that work like springs." They also include screen protectors and are compatible with wireless charging.

Go beyond the ordinary case with this smart design. Choose from leather, walnut, bamboo, and shell.

Best Value Wallet Folio: Snakehive Leather Wallet Case

Having a gorgeous leather case for your phone doesn't need to be an expensive accessory. The Snakehive Leather Wallet Case delivers a great leather folio that won't break the bank. Hand-crafted from European nubuck leather, the Snakehive Leather Wallet case has a nice velvety feel to it. It holds up to three cards plus cash and the folio portion can be used to prop up the phone for video watching.

You're able to choose from eleven different colour options, including black, brown, plum, and even moss green. Since the cases are made from real leather, they'll gain a patina as they age, making them an excellent investment. There is also a case stand so you can set your phone on its side to watch videos.

If you're looking for a good-quality wallet folio-style case but don't want to spend a lot, this is your best bet.

Best Value: Spigen Neo Hybrid

Spigen is a longtime favourite brand; its mix of price and quality can't be beaten. You can't go wrong with any of its cases, but the Neo Hybrid has an unusual and masculine look. The case has a slim profile, and it's also lightweight, so your phone will be protected without feeling heavy or bulky. It uses a combination shock-absorbing TPU case and polycarbonate bumper to ensure your phone doesn't take damage when it's dropped.

The Spigen Neo Hybrid is available in four colours: jet black, gunmetal, red, and satin silver. Instead of covering your buttons and ports, there are cutouts to ensure that you never have issues pressing buttons. It's even reinforced at the cutouts to provide a snug fit over the frame of your phone.

We love Spigen cases here at iMore; they are consistently well-priced and high-quality.

Bottom line

Finding the right case for you isn't always an easy call, and with so many options available, it can become even more difficult. Every option that we've suggested here will protect your phone from accidental mishaps. We like the Totallee Thin Case for its almost invisible look, but we don't recommend it if you are a dropper. This is for protection from scratches, not drops.

For those of us who drop their phones all the time, the Urban Armor Gear is more our speed. It can take a beating and still keep your phone safe and secure.

A leather case brings style and class to your iPhone. Leather is warm and classic, in lively contrast with the iPhone's cool modern glass and metal form. Leather can also lend a sort of gravitas to the whimsical colours in the iPhone XR line. Leather can vary widely in price — and quality — but on this list, you'll find something for every budget.

Bottom Line

As a general rule, when it comes to leather, you get what you pay for. If you want your case to last you for years and develop that famous patina, you'll want to invest in one of the pricier options. A case made of PU leather isn't going to have the same longevity or luxurious feel, but that may not matter for some.

For the best mix of style, quality, function, and price, I'd go with the Snakehive Leather Wallet Case. It looks and feels fantastic, with a medium price point. The wallet portion holds both cards and cash, the TPU lining protects the phone, and the case doubles as a stand for your device! This leather case does have it all.

If you're looking for a mix of luxury and cool factor, the Bellroy leather case should be right up your alley, with convenient secret compartments and a slim, modern design. On the other hand, the Fly Hawk Wallet Case and KelaSip Card Holder Case are both great affordable options if you're shopping on a budget.

Offering the same cutting edge internals as the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, the iPhone XR is noted for its colorful selection and less expensive price. Featuring a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display, the iPhone XR comes in six gorgeous colors, each slightly more unique than the last. Need some help deciding which hue to get your iPhone XR in? Let's take a look at everything being offered.

Traditionally, Apple has released a (PRODUCT)RED iPhone version mid-year. However, when it came time to release the iPhone XR, it didn't wait. Like the other five colors, the (PRODUCT)RED iPhone XR was released on Day 1. Bold and powerful, this is the iPhone XR you should get if you want to make a statement and also feel awesome about your purchase. Proceeds benefit the Global Fund, which fights AIDS.

Sleek is a great word to describe the iPhone XR in white. Perhaps the least flashy of the iPhone XR models, the white version still packs a punch even without drawing too much attention to itself. Other colors will come and go as styles change. White, however, is a timeless choice.

The iPhone XR in black is the most subdued iPhone XR version you can purchase. Like the white model, this color is always a popular choice for mobile devices for many precisely because it isn't flashy. When you can't make an iPhone XR choice based on color, this is the model you should get.

The blue iPhone XR will remind many of springtime when the colors of the world are starting to pop for another year. More powder blue than traditional blue, the iPhone XR in blue is a terrific choice if you want a handset that stands out, but not as much as perhaps the yellow and coral versions.

Understated is not a word to describe the iPhone XR in yellow. It's bold, brash, and ready to make an entrance wherever it's carried. Too bold for your tastes? There are five other choices from which to decide!

If you really want to stand out, you can't go wrong with the iPhone XR in coral. Not as iconic as the (PRODUCT)RED model or as flashy as the one in yellow, the coral model is breathtakingly beautiful in a fun way that's new for Apple.

What you need to know

• Apple is upgrading the loaner phone for its repair service.
• Apple and its authorized service providers will now offer customers an iPhone XR as a loaner device.
• The company currently offers an iPhone 8.

If your iPhone needs a repair and you end up with a loaner, it's about to get better.

As reported by MacRumors, Apple is changing its loaner device from an iPhone 8 to the newer and nicer iPhone XR. According to a memo obtained by the outlet, Apple Stores and Apple's Authorized Service Providers will start offering the newer iPhone as a loaner later this week.

According to the report, the change will occur on Thursday, November 4:

Starting on that day, if a customer has an iPhone repair that turns out to be lengthier, Apple or an Authorized Service Provider can offer the customer an iPhone XR as a loaner device.

That will be good news to anyone who has rocked Apple's newer design and had to go back to using an iPhone 8 as a loaner.

Getting your hands on an iPhone doesn't have to come at such a high price. If you want to save some cash on the purchase, buying refurbished is usually a great way to spend less on your next device.

Thanks to a sale at Woot, the price on refurbished iPhone XR devices is dropping even lower. Right now you can pick up the refurbished iPhone XR on sale for $329.99. The models on sale at Woot are 'Grade A' refurbs meaning they'll show only minimal cosmetic wear and have been tested to ensure they work like new.

$899.99 $1299.00 Save $399 1623157769

Having now been replaced by the 24-inch M1 iMac, Apple's 21.5-inch iMac has been discontinued. That means big savings at third-party retailers including at Amazon where it's discounted by $399.

Prices Vary 1622214797

This sale includes iPhone models, the Apple Watch, iMac and iPad devices, Beats headphones, Apple services, and more. The deals vary by product, so be sure to check them all out now.

$103.99 $129.99 Save $26 1621604395

Change how you use your iPad with the Apple Pencil. This stylus lets you use your iPad as a notepad, a canvas, or a drawing board for all of your ideas. Today's deal saves you 20% instantly at Verizon.

$599.99 $699.00 Save $99 1621519150

Updated in late 2020, the Mac Mini has Apple's M1 chip that combines CPU, GPU, and machine learning for faster performance, better graphics, and an all around streamlined device. This version has 8GB RAM and a 256GB solid state drive.

From $329 1621244196

Apple Watch Series 6 models are available for some of their best prices ever right now. The lowest price is on the red 40mm version which is $70 off with 44mm and cellular models seeing discounts of up to $91.

Though the iPhone XR originally debuted as a more affordable iPhone at a regular price of $750, it has since dropped in price to $499 when purchased brand new. Today's deal saves you an additional $170 off that cost, making this one of the best iPhone deals around right now. BackMarket has similarly priced refurbished iPhone XR models in 'very good' condition there.

The refurbished models of the iPhone XR on sale today at Woot feature a 6.1-inch display and Apple's A12 Bionic 2.49 GHz 8-core processor, along with 3GB RAM and 64GB storage. You also get Apple's Face ID security tech, wireless charging, and a water-resistant design.

Today's low price of $330 is part of a one-day sale at Woot, so you'll want to place your order soon. Shipping at Woot is generally $6 per order, though you can score free shipping by logging in with an Amazon Prime account before checking out. If you're not a Prime member already, consider starting a free 30-day trial to score free shipping at Woot and Amazon, exclusive members-only discounts, and more.

Getting your hands on an iPhone doesn't have to come at such a high price. If you want to save some cash on the purchase, buying refurbished is usually a great way to spend less on your next device. Thanks to a one-day sale at Woot, the price on refurbished iPhone XR and iPhone XS devices is dropping even lower.

Right now you can pick up the refurbished iPhone models on sale for as little as $379.99. The phones are offered unlocked and though they may show some cosmetic imperfections, they have been tested to ensure they work like new and come with a 90-day warranty.

$899.99 $1299.00 Save $399 1623157769

Having now been replaced by the 24-inch M1 iMac, Apple's 21.5-inch iMac has been discontinued. That means big savings at third-party retailers including at Amazon where it's discounted by $399.

Prices Vary 1622214797

This sale includes iPhone models, the Apple Watch, iMac and iPad devices, Beats headphones, Apple services, and more. The deals vary by product, so be sure to check them all out now.

$103.99 $129.99 Save $26 1621604395

Change how you use your iPad with the Apple Pencil. This stylus lets you use your iPad as a notepad, a canvas, or a drawing board for all of your ideas. Today's deal saves you 20% instantly at Verizon.

$599.99 $699.00 Save $99 1621519150

Updated in late 2020, the Mac Mini has Apple's M1 chip that combines CPU, GPU, and machine learning for faster performance, better graphics, and an all around streamlined device. This version has 8GB RAM and a 256GB solid state drive.

From $329 1621244196

Apple Watch Series 6 models are available for some of their best prices ever right now. The lowest price is on the red 40mm version which is $70 off with 44mm and cellular models seeing discounts of up to $91.

Though the iPhone XR originally debuted in 2018 as a more affordable iPhone at a regular price of $750, it has since dropped in price to $499 when purchased brand new. It features a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display, Face ID, and Apple's A12 Bionic processor.

Today's deal is for the larger capacity 128GB and 256GB models so you're saving even more compared to their higher retail prices. Amazon currently has the equivalent refurbished iPhone XR devices from $400 via third-party sellers and you'd pay similar prices for potentially worse condition devices at other places like Back Market.

If you want the top-spec phone in the sale, opt for the iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max from $379.99. Also introduced in 2018, the iPhone XS features an OLED edge-to-edge display with Face ID, stainless steel and glass construction, and A12 Bionic processor. It has a dual rear camera set up for Portrait Mode photography and TrueDepth front-facing camera and sensor array for Portrait selfies and Animoji, too.

Shipping at Woot is generally $6 per order, though you can score free shipping by logging in with an Amazon Prime account before checking out. If you're not a Prime member already, consider starting a free 30-day trial to score free shipping at Woot and Amazon, exclusive members-only discounts, and more.

At the end of every iPhone event Apple ever holds, they usually throw up a quick graphic showing the entire iPhone lineup they currently sell. When they announced the iPhone 12 models and the iPhone 12 Pro models this fall, and it came time to throw up the graphic, I was surprised to see one iPhone in particular on the list — the iPhone XR.

With an impressive seven models of iPhone currently available, there's never been a better time to shop for any iPhone if you have a certain budget in mind. The options for best cheap iPhone are looking pretty good these days, and even though the iPhone XR only starts at $499, I'm not sure it's really worth the money anymore.

The iPhone SE is cheaper and faster

The iPhone XR came out in 2018, and by no means is it a bad phone. We reviewed the iPhone XR and loved it — however, the iPhone SE changed the game.

The second-generation iPhone SE came out earlier this year, and it delivered on everything it promised it would. It's small, powerful, and in the context of iPhones, cheap. It starts at $399 and is the cheapest brand new iPhone you can buy, but more importantly, it delivers incredible value.

At its core, Apple's A13 Bionic chip powers the small yet mighty iPhone SE, which was Apple's best mobile processor at its launch. It's more powerful and faster than the A12 Bionic chip that sits at the heart of the iPhone XR, which means you're going to get more out of it. If you pitted the iPhone XR against the iPhone SE right now to a speed test, the average person might not see much of a difference, but the iPhone SE will age better over time.

Many budget-conscious iPhone users don't buy a new iPhone every year — like the tech-obsessed people might — but would rather wait perhaps 3-5 years before replacing their phone. If that sounds like you, the iPhone SE should be right up your alley. If you look long term, the iPhone SE will receive updates longer and perform better with age.

It's not just the chip that makes the iPhone SE a better buy; there are some improvements the iPhone SE has over the iPhone XR that may not be apparent right away. Take a closer look, and you'll see a few small ways that the iPhone SE beats out the iPhone XR.

If storage space is ever a concern for you, the iPhone SE offers more of it. The iPhone XR only comes with either 64GB or 128GB, there's no other option. However, the iPhone SE goes up to 256GB of storage. Here's the kicker, the 128GB iPhone XR and 256GB iPhone SE are the same price! Both come in at $549, which seems insane when the iPhone SE doubles the iPhone XR storage.

What about photos? The iPhone XR and iPhone SE do have the same single 12MP wide camera with a ƒ/1.8 aperture. It's the standard camera that comes on all iPhones currently, and it's nothing fancy. To most people, the same photo taken by the iPhone XR will likely look almost the same as one taken on the iPhone SE. But thanks to the A13 Bionic, the iPhone SE handles HDR a little better. It might not be the biggest or most noticeable difference, but if you really want the cheapest iPhone with the best camera, the iPhone SE wins this round again.

The iPhone XR must have something going for it, right?

Face ID. The biggest thing that iPhone XR has going for it is that it has a newer design. This means much thinner bezels, a larger screen, no Home button, and of course, the notch that houses the TrueDepth camera at the top of the screen.

Face ID is great, and obviously, Apple thinks so too since it's stuck around since its inception. However, Touch ID is still as useful and convenient as it ever was. Plus, if you're looking at buying a new budget iPhone right now, chances are you are upgrading from an older generation or are brand new to the iPhone, which means you already don't have Face ID. If you've been living without Face ID up until now, you can certainly live without it going forward.

The other improvement that the iPhone XR can boast about is that it has a bigger battery than the smaller iPhone SE. Apple states that the iPhone XR should get about 16 hours of video playback, while the iPhone SE is only said to get about 13 hours. Your mileage will vary on this based on your usage, what version of iOS you're running, and a few other factors. However, on average, it's likely that the iPhone XR will hold out a little longer between charges.

Between the iPhone SE and iPhone 11, the iPhone XR is rendered obsolete

When it comes to buying an iPhone on a budget, it's been a while since we had so many great options, but it's hard to justify getting an iPhone XR based on where it sits in the lineup. Nestled between the iPhone SE and the iPhone 11, the iPhone XR offers less power and fewer storage options than both of the other models.

At the end of the day, the iPhone XR is the cheapest way to get an iPhone with Face ID and the newer form factor. If spending the least amount of money and having Face ID is important to you, then that's still your best bet.

It all comes down to what $100 means to you. You can save yourself $100 by going with the cheaper iPhone SE, and you're still going to get an iPhone that packs more power even though it bears the older design. Alternatively, you can choose to spend $100 more to get the iPhone 11, which on top of more power, offers everything the iPhone XR does and then some.

What you need to know

• Apple's iPhone XR is now available refurbished.
• It comes "like-new" with a one-year warranty.
• You can save up to $120 on the current price of the iPhone XR.

Apple's iPhone XR is now available from Apple's refurbished store, with prices starting at $499 for the 64GB model.

As reported by MacRumors:

Colors and storage are not comprehensive, you can only buy the 64GB in black or yellow currently, the 128GB is available in white, yellow, coral, or black, and the 256GB model is only available in black. All refurbished iPhones come "like-new" with a limited one-year warranty. According to Apple's refurbished website:

Savings range between $100 and $120 on the current price of the XR depending on which iPhone you buy, and around $250 saving on the launch price of each respective model. This is the only way to buy a 256GB model of the iPhone XR, Apple currently only sells 64GB and the 128GB version as new. Sadly, neither the blue or the (PRODUCT)RED version of the XR are currently available refurbished.

The large-capacity version of the iPhone XR offers 128GB of storage, which is nice and roomy for most folks. This is more than enough space to take hundreds, thousands even, of high-quality photos and videos. If you like to download tons of music or movies, these will also require a lot of storage capacity. For example, I like to keep a couple of movies downloaded to my phone in case I need a quick way to distract my kids, even in low signal situations.

Granted, storing these items on the cloud and streaming all your media is a great way to free up phone storage, but if you're ever in a situation where you have bad signal or limited data, you may find yourself wishing for more storage space. 128 GB will definitely be necessary if you need to take 4K videos and store them for any amount of time on your phone. At the end of the day, ample storage capacity on your iPhone is just more convenient. You never know when you might need it.

Now, for those of you that live in the cloud, a tidy 64GB just might do the trick. If your photos and videos are immediately uploaded and offloaded from your phone, and you prefer streaming to downloading, then you might not need so much space.

Keep in mind, streaming may be challenging in low-signal or low-data situations; but if you rarely venture outside of cell reception and have lots of data to play with, then streaming all of your music and movies might not be a problem. The same goes for taking videos and photos. If you're not very shutter-happy and prefer to offload heavy videos and photos as soon as you take them, then you shouldn't have a problem. There are plenty of people who can maintain low storage usage, and if you are one of those, go for the 64GB iPhone XR.

What you need to know

• The iPhone XR was the number one smartphone in 2019.
• That's according to research from Omdia, which says it shipped 46.3M units in 2019.
• Apple also took the number two spot thanks to the iPhone 11.

A report from Omdia claims that the iPhone XR was the number one smartphone in 2019, shipping over 46.3 million units.

As reported by 9to5Mac, Omdia's Smartphone Model Market Tracker report suggests that Apple shipped 46.3 million iPhone XR units in 2019, making it the most popular smartphone in the world. In second place was Apple's iPhone 11, which shipped 37.3 million units. Samsung's Galaxy A10 was the closest competitor with 30.3 million shipments.

Of course, shipments and sales are not the same things, however, shipment figures are still a good indicator of general market trends.

In a press release Omdia stated:

The iPhone XR was actually more popular in 2019 than it was in its release year, this, of course, can be explained in part due to the fact that it was only released late in 2018, and in part due to its price drop following the release of Apple's iPhone 11 range last year.

Apple is pegged to release a new budget iPhone early this year. The so-called iPhone SE 2 which looks more like an iPhone 8 (inside and out), is tipped to have a $399 starting price.

There are a lot of different types of smartphone buyers out there. You got Person A who spends as much money as possible on the most recent generation and biggest version. Then you've got Person B who does the exact opposite, spending as little as possible and settling for stuff they get for free. Then there's the normal person, the You person, the person who's willing to spend some money but wants the best value possible. I fall in that category, and if you're like me, then you should look at Sprint right now. You can get the iPhone XR 64GB smartphone for just $15 a month for 18 months.

If you want an even more budget option, you can get the iPhone 6s for $99.99 on a Sprint unlimited plan.

The Flex Lease is an 18-month lease. After that time is up, you can return the phone and upgrade to a new model or buy the rest of the price of the phone. If you choose to buy out the phone instead of upgrading to whatever new iPhone is out at the time, you can either pay off the rest in one lump sum or choose a six-month payment plan. Sprint also has the iPhone Forever plan where you can upgrade to the newest iPhone any time after 12 lease payments.

Once you're signed up, you will get a $10 promo credit applied to every monthly bill, knocking the price down from $25 to $15. The default starts you with the 64GB version. It looks like you can upgrade to the 256GB version for the same price if you want, but if you go with the 128GB version you'll have to pay $50 upfront. You have all six color options to choose from, but those options vary at the larger sizes, with the 128GB version only available in Black and the 256GB only available in Yellow or Coral.

Check out our review of the iPhone XR where we gave it 4.5 stars out of 5. Rene Ritchie said "It has almost everything you'd want in a flagship phone for 2018, minus the price tag that's typically coming with them these days." Thank goodness you don't have to worry about that. He added, "thanks to Apple's top-of-the-line hardware engineering and the headroom afforded by A12 Bionic, it'll last you or anyone you sell or hand it down to a good long while to come, maybe as long as a couple of phones that are half the price."

What you need to know

• Some iPhone XR users can't get a signal on UK carrier O2.
• The issue appears to have been created by a software update.
• Apple says a fix is incoming.

Apple and UK carrier O2 have confirmed that some iPhone XR users are currently unable to get a signal. But interestingly, the issue only appears to impact those with iPhone XR.

The issue prevents users from making or receiving calls, while 4G data connectivity is also impacted according to the BBC.

Apple has also said that there is a known issue and that a fix is being worked on. Unfortunately, the company isn't saying when that fix will arrive.

The suspicion is that the issue was introduced via a recent software update – presumably iOS 13.3. O2 is also reportedly saying the same to customers, although it is yet to throw Apple under the bus publicly.

Apple currently has iOS 13.3.1 available in beta form but it's unclear whether that update will be rushed through to provide the fix O2 customers are so desperate for.

The festive season is in full swing in India, and retailers are getting in on the action. Amazon's Great Indian Festival is now live, offering enticing discounts on hundreds of thousands of products. One of the standout deals on the first day of the sale is the iPhone XR, which is available for just ₹39,999 ($560).

That is the lowest price we've seen for the phone so far, making it a fantastic deal if you're in the market for a new phone. What makes it that much more exciting is that the discount is valid on all color options, including the red model.

The iPhone 11 is now on sale in India, with the phone retailing at ₹64,990 ($915). The phone offers interesting new cameras, but it is nearly twice as costly as the iPhone XR deal.

Let's get into what eSIM is and what it does.

So, we all know for your phone to connect to a carrier's network, it needs a SIM card (in most cases a Nano SIM). That tiny card that pushes into the side or bottom of your phone enables you to make calls, send text, and access mobile data. That area where the SIM card is held is a small tray – to open it, it usually needs a special SIM tray removal tool.

eSIM eliminates all the hassle by carrying the same core functionality without the need for a physical SIM card. The true benefit of having this tech-enabled is that you can easily hop back and forth between carriers using one eSIM. There's no need for different traditional SIM cards every time you switch. This will not only save you time but potentially money as well. It's a huge convenience to have.

Unfortunately, Visible doesn't support eSIM whatsoever.

Whether you buy a phone directly from Visible or bring your own device to the network, you'll be stuck using a traditional SIM card to connect to Visible's service.

We aren't sure as to if or when this limitation will change in the future. Visible up until this point has been relatively silent about supporting eSIM. However, considering they use Verizon's network for their service (because Verizon supports eSIM), it's not inconceivable to believe they'll back the new technology soon.

Visible is a prepaid service offered through Verizon. Its main target is millennials and folks who don't want to deal with a postpaid experience through carriers. Visible doesn't charge taxes and fees; instead it offers an all in one price at $40/month, which includes unlimited talk, text, and data (capped at 5Mbps).

What makes Visible special is it doesn't have physical stores, and it relies heavily on its mobile app. Like other carriers, the app handles billing and customer service, while also giving you the option to pay your bill using a credit or debit card. What's even cooler about Visible when it comes to payments is it gives you the choice to use either PayPal or Venmo. Both options are better to use for security purposes.

Absolutely! If you don't want to buy an iPhone through Visible, then you can bring your own. The carrier supports Apple's most recent iPhones on its network. Surely the prepaid carrier will more than likely carry and support the upcoming generation of iPhone sometime after Apple's September 10th event.

After you sign up, a SIM card will be shipped to your address as soon as the next business day. Unfortunately, for those of you who'd rather not use a physical SIM, Visible does not support eSIM for the iPhone now.

A battery case is a simple, effective way to make sure that your phone is always charged. Today, Amazon is offering 50% off the Allea Battery Case for iPhone XR or iPhone XS Max, dropping the price from $33 to $16 with coupon code BCJDP50F. You can get free shipping by signing up for a free trial of Amazon Prime, which will also get you access to Prime Day next month.

This case is like a portable power bank that's attached to your phone. The case is lightweight and protective, and it'll be able to charge your phone at least once if not one and a half times. There are handy lights on the back that indicate how charged the case itself is, too. When your phone is in need of a charge, simply flip a switch and your new case will get to work. Your purchase includes a two-year warranty for added peace of mind.

Both Verizon and Sprint have deals right now where if you buy one of the iPhone X smartphones (including the XR, X, XS, or XS Max), you can get a second new iPhone XR for free. It's a great deal but each one varies slightly, which might help you choose which carrier to go with.

The Sprint deal requires either two new lines or one new and one upgraded line. You will sign up for an 18-month lease, and you will need approved credit. If you don't need two smartphones, Sprint has an ongoing deal we reported back in April where you can get just the iPhone XR on the Flex Lease for $15 a month instead of its regular $31.25 a month. Unfortunately, you probably won't be able to stack the two deals.

Verizon's sale actually includes a $750 promo credit that's applied to your account over a 24-month period. That means for this one it doesn't necessarily have to be an iPhone XR for your second phone. You'll just save as much as $750 even if you choose to go with the $1,100 XS Max. Just add the second phone to a new line of service on the Unlimited plan. Of course, this lease is six months longer than Sprint's, and Sprint has the iPhone Forever program that lets you upgrade to the newest iPhone anytime after 12 lease payments.

The iPhone XR is available at this price in several colors including Black, White, Yellow, Coral, Blue, and Apple's (Product)Red. Some of the colors are limited in stock at different storage capacities.

Check out our review of the iPhone XR where we gave it 4.5 stars out of 5 and said "It has almost everything you'd want in a flagship phone for 2018, minus the price tag that's typically coming with them these days." Our reviewer even used the phone for a month and wrote a followup afterward where he said "iPhone XR is legit a great product and it's going to be a great phone choice for a lot of people."

While the iPhone XR does have a great battery, it also supports wireless charging. Check out our roundup of the best accessories, and don't forget to protect your new phone with a great looking case.

We also took a look at the iPhone XS seven months after its release. Renee Ritchie said "...if you need it or would benefit from getting it now, absolutely get an iPhone XS — or XR if you don't care about the OLED display or dual camera system and want to save some cash — now and have zero regrets." The review adds the "iPhone X was all new. iPhone XS is just all better. Better camera, better battery, better Face ID, better performance, and a new gold option. More than just being a great user experience, 7-months later something else is clear as well: It's a phone you can rely on."

• See at Sprint
• See at Verizon

Getting the SIM-free variant of the iPhone XR lets you buy your phone with the least hassle while offering maximum flexibility. When buying SIM-free, you won't have any carrier information that you need to enter, nor will Apple perform a credit check as it does with its iPhone Upgrade Program. You just pay for the phone and you're good to go. And your new iPhone XR can be used with any carrier, so just pop in the nano SIM of your preferred carrier and you'll be good to go. And because it's unlocked, switching carriers is as "simple" as cancelling service at one carrier and moving over to another.

The downside, of course, is that you'll be paying for the whole thing up front. That means you'll pay $749 for the 64GB model, $799 for 128GB, and $899 for the 256GB model.

If you don't want to pay that much up front, there's always the iPhone Upgrade Program.

With Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program, you'll get an unlocked iPhone that you can use with any U.S. carrier, much like you do with the SIM-free option, along with some added benefits. You'll also avoid the full up-front cost of the iPhone XR, as you'll only need to pay sales tax initially when you get your phone through the Upgrade Program

After getting your iPhone through the Upgrade Program, you pay in monthly installments and are eligible for one iPhone upgrade per year after 12 payments. The program also includes the AppleCare+ protection program in its cost, with a $4.17 per month add-on available for AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss protection. iPhone Upgrade Program payments for the iPhone XR start at $37.41 per month for the 64GB model, climbing up to $43.66 per month for the 256GB version.

Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint customers can enroll in the program online and in the Apple Store app. Approval should only take a couple of minutes at most.

Note that because this is a financing plan based on installment payments, Apple and its partner, Citizens One, will need to perform a credit check in order to determine your eligibility for the program.

If you buy your iPhone XR through Verizon, that device should be SIM unlocked at the time of purchase. The carrier says that it's policy is not to lock their LTE-enabled phones, with a couple of statements on the subject:

So whether you buy your iPhone on a Verizon installment plan or pay for it all up front, you can just pull the Verizon SIM card out of the phone and insert another one.

Just remember that if you bought your iPhone from Verizon on an installment plan, then later want to switch to another carrier, you'll need to pay off the remaining cost of your phone before you do so.

Mint Mobile, an mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that utilizes T-Mobile's cellular network to provide low-cost service, allows you to get your iPhone completely unlocked on a financing plan, much like Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program. Financing goes as low as 0%, meaning that you'll pay no interest on your phone when you sign up for Mint Mobile to take advantage of this plan, instead just paying off the price of the iPhone over time.

The iPhone XR is avaialble through this financing plan starting at $32 per month. This will be in additon to your Mint Mobile service plan, which starts at $15 per month for unlimited talk and text, as well as 3GB of LTE data.

While we're primarily focusing on buying an unlocked iPhone, I wanted to mention the unlocking situation with other U.S. carriers.

First, a note on these carriers: While each one does allow you to unlock your iPhone, you should be aware that you'll need to wait a bit before doing so. AT&T requires you to wait 14 days before unlocking your device if you've just upgraded your iPhone. T-Mobile will let you unlock your phone after 40 days, and Sprint after 50.

At the start of last month, Apple did something uncharacteristic: it slashed the prices of the iPhone XR in India, a market where it has struggled to find momentum. Android devices dominate the country, with Apple accounting for less than 1% of the overall market share.

But it looks like the ₹17,000 ($250) price cut worked out for Apple, as Tim Cook mentioned during the Q2 earnings call that the price correction delivered "better results." Furthermore, it looks like Apple will learn from this "pricing action" for future launches:

Calling India a "very important market in the long term," Cook said that there's a lot of potential for growth:

The reduction in iPhone XR prices led to a buying frenzy, with the phone getting sold out at major retailers. The premium segment is still a fraction of the overall market in India, but Apple is finally moving in the right direction in the country.

Ah, the holiday season: the only time of year where it's acceptable to openly cry in a mall because you forgot to get the iPhone XR user on your list a gift. Never fear: iMore is here with 10 convenient, spectacular, and stress-reducing holiday accessories and gifts for the iPhone XR (you're welcome!)

Finding the perfect gift this holiday season can be challenging, but with so many awesome options out there for your iPhone XR, it's hard not to pick a couple on our list. Personally we love a super fun and unique gift like the Prynt Pocket Prunter, but maybe you prefer to give a more practical and affordable gift like the Spigen Ultra Crystal Clear Hybrid. Regardless if you're doing this shopping for you or a friend, we hope our little holiday list has been helpful. Happy holidays, and good luck shopping!

Why I Chose the iPhone XR over the iPhone XS Max.

I've always had an affinity for the iPhone 5C. When it debuted in 2013, I was enamored by the device for how it looked and how it felt. The bright colors were cool, and to this day, the 5C remains the best-feeling iPhone ever made in my opinion. And yet, I didn't buy one; I opted for the nerdier, pricier iPhone 5S. While I greatly enjoyed the 5S, particularly for the advent of Touch ID, I had a lingering sense of buyer's remorse. The 5S clearly was the better device, but the 5C was more fun despite being stuffed internally with year-old guts. I missed the "fun" factor of the latter, which was all about style. And colorful iPhones are absolutely fun.

Aesthetically speaking, the new iPhone XR is very much the spiritual successor to the 5C: it's brightly colored and fun. Where the XR trumps the 5C is that the former is an all-new phone. Apple SVP of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller made a concerted effort at September's press event to tout the XR containing the same A12 Bionic chip in the XS line, the same Face ID system, and the same gesture-based user experience of the X-class iPhones (Tap to Wake, no Home button, etc). All these features wrapped in a beautiful industrial design that's a cross between the iPhone X and iPhone 8. In other words, the XR is no chump; it is a splendid device.

Unlike the 5C, I jumped at the iPhone XR. I used the iPhone XS Max for a few weeks and reviewed it, but was so excited for my blue iPhone that I pre-ordered one instead of going with the XS Max. In truth, the color was the deciding factor for me. I readily acknowledge the trade-offs I'm making by choosing the "lesser" iPhone, but I don't regret it one iota. The iPhone XR is a terrific device, spec-wise, but the fact I have a blue iPhone delights me to no end. For the first time, I don't have the "best" iPhone available, and I don't care. The XR simply is more fun, and I love it.

Testing the Tweener

At 6.1 inches, the iPhone XR sits in between the iPhone XS (5.8") and the iPhone XS Max (6.5"). It is not a small phone, but in my usage, it is much smaller than the XS Max. In fact, the XR feels more akin to the XS in my hand; surprisingly, I can comfortably hold it one-handed to scroll through emails or read my Twitter timeline.

In terms of accessibility, this is a win for me. In my hand and in my pocket, the XR is more comfortable than the XS Max. The longer I have it, the more convinced I am that the XR is the "Goldilocks iPhone." Which is to say, it hits the sweet spot of screen size and ergonomics that is really appealing. For many disabled people, these attributes aren't insignificant—if you're someone who wants a "balanced" phone, the XR is a smart choice. Your mileage may vary, but as a physical object, I believe the XR makes the right compromises that neatly align with the functional trade-offs regarding the camera and so on. It's an all-around winner in my book.

Liking Liquid Retina

The nerdy side of me loves geeking out over the XS line's OLED display and pixel density. The XR display is what Apple calls "Liquid Retina," the same technology in the new iPad Pros. It is LCD instead of OLED, which means it isn't as bright nor does it have deep blacks. And the LCD's backlight requires a thicker bezel bordering the screen. By all objective measures, the XR's screen is not as good as that of the XS.

And yet, the nitty-gritty technical details mean little in practice. As a person with low vision, I literally cannot discern any meaningful difference between the XR and XS displays. I still have my XS review units, however, and I can tell a difference in a side by side comparison. In isolation, though, it doesn't matter. Apple calls the Liquid Retina display "the most advanced LCD in the industry," and it is indeed great. Text is razor-sharp, colors pop, and the screen is plenty bright (maximum brightness is a must for me) for my needs. I don't feel as if I'm lacking anything.

Whither 3D Touch?

When I tweeted my first impressions of the XR, I said I didn't miss 3D Touch terribly much. That's still mostly true, but there are a few places across the system where I miss it dearly. I'm reminded of how accessible 3D Touch makes iOS, despite how maligned it is by many in the Apple community of writers and developers.

There are two instances where the XR's "Haptic Touch" feature isn't as useful as 3D Touch. One is when I see text messages on the lock screen, I can't press firmly on the notification to expand it so I can read and reply. I have to swipe left and tap View first. This is not an enormous amount of work for me, but 3D Touch made it less so all the while expediting the process. On the XR, I have to work a little bit harder.

Another example is the lack of Quick Actions on app icons. On every iPhone I've used since 3D Touch debuted with the iPhone 6S, I've been able to press on Messages to access my most recent iMessage threads or my favorite contacts on the Phone app. On the XR, pressing firmly on an icon does nothing but invoke "jiggle mode" for deleting or moving apps. As with the lock screen, 3D Touch makes these actions more easily accessible. Again, I have to work a bit harder on my XR.

In a nutshell, the bull case for 3D Touch and accessibility—and the MacBook Pro's Touch Bar, for that matter—is similar to that of Shortcuts and accessibility. What this means is both technologies consolidate multi-step tasks into a single step. For example, instead of tapping Messages, finding the thread, tapping it, then tapping down by the keyboard to compose a message, 3D Touch allows you to jump right in with a single tap. This is important for many disabled people, myself included, as it alleviates common points of friction related to visual and motor energy.

In his review, The Verge's Nilay Patel says Apple told him Haptic Touch will be enhanced over time to incorporate more of 3D Touch's functionality, which is good. In the meantime, I can absolutely survive without 3D Touch. While I miss Quick Actions and using Peek & Pop in Mail, the XR user experience is not made demonstrably worse without 3D Touch. It's fine, but it goes to show how much of a fan I am. Like the Touch Bar, 3D Touch is far from useless or gimmicky to me.

The Bottom Line

The fact I chose the iPhone XR over the XS Max is, I think, a telling endorsement of the product. My job is writing about these things, and I chose the XR primarily for the color. I knew the sacrifices I'd be making, but I did it anyway and I don't regret my decision. Save for 3D Touch, the iPhone XR is as accessible as any other iPhone I've ever used. I love my blue phone, and cannot wait for next year's revision.

I've spent over a month shooting with the iPhone XR, and let me tell you that I really don't know what I expected (cue Arrested Development theme song and chicken dances).

At first, I was hesitant about going back to a single lens camera: I've been shooting with the iPhone 7 Plus for the last two years without any issues whatsoever.

I'm not even being hyperbolic when I say the iPhone 7 Plus never once had me wanting a better iPhone camera, even when my boyfriend got his iPhone 8 Plus. I was super excited to see what the 8 Plus camera was like, but then I was all "Meh. Yeah. Mine does the same and if the quality isn't as hot, I can always use my favorite photo editing apps. Thank u, next".

Fast-forward to two years later and I was able to get my hands on a neon yellow iPhone XR. Not going to lie, when I saw the lineup for the new iPhones, my eyes instantly bugged out at the camera on the XS Max, but I'd be lying if I said the XR didn't pique my interest the most.

"So, wait…"

I began to process what I was seeing as the September iPhone event rolled on.

"It's a single lens camera… But I can shoot Portrait Mode? Is… is this the real life? Or is this just fantasy?"

I was elated. Maybe I didn't have to lust after the iPhone XS Max (and thus it's massive price-tag…) and could pick up an iPhone that shot just as well! Maybe I didn't have to worry about Portrait mode limitations anymore! Maybe I could get similar quality photos to my DSLR!

Oh, was I wrong. Dead wrong.

… I mean, I was also a bit right, but let me be dramatic, please?

You'll understand what I mean if you read on.

First Impressions

After getting my iPhone XR, the first thing I did after setting up was to pull open the camera and turn on Portrait mode on the front-facing camera. While I loved my iPhone 7 Plus, one feature that drove me insane was the inability to take Portrait mode selfies. If I had a dollar for every single time I tried to set up my iPhone on a timer and take a Portrait mode selfie with the rear-facing camera, I'd be a millionaire.

I instantly fell in love with the selfie Portrait mode and played with all the settings. When I was done, I explored the camera a little bit more and snapped photos and videos in every mode. Turning on the grid helped even more than usual with a new little trick (I'll set into that in a sec!) and even video features like slo-mo and timelapse seemed more crisp and even.

Finally, I got to one of the camera modes I had been most excited for, which was Portrait Mode on the back. I quickly approached my boyfriend and snapped a few pictures of him through my ring light. I was thrilled! The photo quality was stunning. The control I had with the image settings before, during, and after my shot blew my mind.

The Good

While it looks like I'm about to lose my mind on the iPhone XR, please know that there are plenty of things I love about this phone when it comes to taking pictures.

The crisp, clear camera makes seeing your images on screen a total treat and allows you to adjust and tweak accordingly. When in Portrait mode, you can play with depth using a simple slider. This is super helpful if you're trying to grab a particular angle or blur a background into oblivion.

Portrait mode also allows you to play with things like natural, studio, and contour light. You can even set up a timer in Portrait mode if you want to run into frame for whatever reason. I particularly like layering filters over Portrait mode shots before snapping my photo, and after shooting, editing images overall feels the exact same as it was before, and this isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Overall, if you're someone who likes to take pictures of friends and family with their iPhone effortlessly and edit them in a snap, whether it be with an app or the straightforward editing features Apple provides you, then the iPhone XR is perfect for you.

The Bad, and the Ugly

For a minute, I thought my iPhone was broken.

The day I got it, I had gone out to a restaurant to shoot some food for my Instagram account (OoOoOo I'm 25! OoOoOo a millennial! OoOoOo I rent a house! OoOOOO FEAR MY MEDIOCRE LIFESTYLE AND PESSIMISTIC PERSONALITY OoOoOoOOOooo!!!!! Ps you can follow my Instagram account right here you are welcome) and was super excited to shoot with my new iPhone XR.

When I got my plate of food and set up my shot, Portrait mode wasn't working. The background wasn't blurred as I aimed the camera at my falafel balls. It was just a regular picture. The hell?

It was when I saw the 'No Person Detected' note at the top of my screen that I remembered that iPhone XR doesn't support Portrait mode on anything but human faces. Stupid human faces. Not even my falafel ... or my cat ... or a plant. Not even my niece's stuffed dragon.

So yeah. -1,000 points from Apple because the iPhone XR's Portrait mode does not work with anything besides faces. Talk about a major, major bummer-and-a-half. Oh, and did I mention that the Google Pixel 2 — a phone that also has only one lens — can pull off Portrait mode on a variety of normal subjects and items?

My hope is that Apple is working on some fantastic computational software that will make it possible in the future for me to use Portrait Mode with my iPhone XR.

Another thing that I found super disappointing about the iPhone XR camera when it came to Portrait mode was its inability to shoot in burst mode. While it's not the biggest drawback, it would be nice to rapid-fire your shots of a subject and pick through the best ones possible for further editing.

Speaking of editing, I really wish that Apple would get on the same bandwagon as apps like VSCO that allow users more modern and aesthetically pleasing filters and edits. Even if Apple incorporated something like FaceTune into their editing format so people can tweak and manipulate their selfies hardcore because apparently that's all we can do with Portrait mode.

The Verdict

As much as I love the look of the iPhone XR's camera, the crispness of the photo quality, the effortless editing features and the ability to snap a front-facing selfie, I cannot get over the fact that I can only shoot faces in Portrait mode.

Luckily for me, I know how to edit and tweak my photos in Photoshop so they look like they have a depth of field, but for other people, Portrait mode may be a feature they rely on when it comes to shooting DSLR-quality images of pets, food, objects, and much, much more.

Would I recommend the iPhone XR to people who love iPhoneography? Probably not. While the camera quality is excellent, the limitations with Portrait mode have seriously sunk my ship when it comes to this little yellow phone.

One silver lining, though? I get to research and find new apps and ways to turn my non-Portrait mode images into Portrait mode worthy snapshots directly on my iPhone, so that'll be a fun new adventure.

What do you think?

Are you a big fan of the single-lens iPhone XR? Do you prefer something with a double lens when it comes to iPhoneography? Maybe you don't even really care at all about Portrait mode?

Let me know what your thoughts are in the comments down below, which iPhone is your favorite for shooting, and which editing apps topped your list this year. Good luck, and may the Portrait mode be ever in your favor!

iPhone XR has been out for just over a month. After doing my initial iPhone XR review, I've still been using it alongside and alternating with an iPhone XS. For the last few days , though, I've instead been using it alongside and alternating with an iPhone 6s. Why a 6s? Because I wanted to get a sense not just of how cool the new colors are, though they are, or whether the display and camera system were dealbreakers compared to the iPhone XS, which really depends on the individual, but how much of a difference the upgrade will make to a real person in the real world.

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A lot of people considering the XR, people who don't get a new phone to review every couple days, weeks, or months, have been using the same phone for a couple or few years already. That's the 6s. Maybe the 6, SE, or 7. But mostly the 6s. And, if that's you or someone you're close to, I want to take my head out of the tech bubble for a minute and put myself in your shoes.

Maybe you're ready to upgrade and you're considering giving up the familiarity of the Home button — you know, the one only tech hot takers ever thought that was boring — and try out the full screen future. But you're wondering if the $750 up front or the few bucks extra on your carrier plan is worth it for the iPhone XR. Whether it will provide value to you or yours beyond the price.

Just over a month later, that's what we're going to answer.

See at Apple

iPhone XR in Brief

• Edge-to-edge design with gesture navigation.
• Optically stabilized ƒ/1.8 single camera system.
• Depth-aware front-facing camera.
• Face ID biometrics.
• A 6.1-inch display.
• Colors!

• Classic iPhone design with Home button.
• Optically stabilized ƒ/1.8 and ƒ/2.4 dual-camera system.
• No notch.
• Fingerprint identity biometrics.
• An OLED display.
• Android

So much of iPhone XR is based on iPhone X or identical to iPhone XS that, rather than recapitulating all here, I'm going to link back to those previous reviews.

• iPhone X (2017) Review
• iPhone XS (2018) Review
• iPhone XR (2018) Review

iPhone XR Battery Life

One of the biggest things going for iPhone XR is battery life. Out of the box, it gets 25 hours of talk time, 15 hours of web browsing, 16 hours of video playback, and 65 hours of audio. That compares to 14 hours, 10 hours, 11 hours, and 50 hours respectively for an iPhone 6s.

That's about one and a half times as much battery life, on its best day, or if you've already gotten battery replacement. (Mine was at 88% before I got the swap, now back at 100.)

Either way, it makes a real difference. Not just because of the capacity but because of the workload.

Back when I first got my iPhone 6s at launch in 2015, my typical usage was just starting to get more demanding. Snapchat and Facebook have come and gone for me already, but they were huge battery hits when I was using them. Instagram and even Twitter still are. Thanks to video and stories with rendered and geo-based filters, they're always downloading and displaying media, pulling GPS, and otherwise hitting the battery. Hard.

I watch a lot more YouTube now than I did back then, not coincidentally, and my single biggest battery blaster remains Pokemon Go, which didn't exist when iPhone 6s launched but debuted the following summer and its combination of screen-on time, data, rendering, and GPS just brought most phones to their knees. Or, rather, red zones.

Just for fun, I took both phones out for Pokémon Go's community day this past weekend and even with both batteries near full health, the iPhone 6s was almost dead at the end of four hours but the iPhone XR could have easily gone 4 more. I quit before it did.

I said in previous years that Apple had to start testing not for the light web browsing and email checking of the past but the social, photo and video, and gaming realities of the present. And with iPhone XR, even more than iPhone XS, they have.

One month later and I want this battery path to be Apple's new normal.

iPhone XR Performance

You can play Fortnite at 60 frames-per-second. I mean that literally. Emphasis on the * you * can. Me, personally, I can die at 60 fps and I can die well, but if you can actually play and win, you can do it pretty damn gloriously on the iPhone XR.

Same goes for pretty much any high-end game that supports it, but also heavy-duty computational photography filters, video effects, machine learning models, and more. AR quick view, by the way, where you tap a web link and suddenly you're in augmented reality is one of those features that make you think you're living in the future.

We knew from the start that Apple's A12 Bionic was going to be a beast of a processor, but that's really born itself out. Rendering short video feels like saving images and saving images feels like… like closing them without saving. Instant. I don't know. Because there aren't that many pixels to push around, even the interface moves like it's on a hair trigger.

Literally nothing outside the terrible, freeze-prone coding of the Instagram app — can we please go back to Objective C or Swift? — slows it down. It feels like you're only ever constrained by the speed it takes to pull data off the storage — which is also silly fast — or off the internet, which is about the only time anything ever really spins or makes you wait.

Two years ago, Portrait Mode could peg an iPhone 7. Last year, AR an iPhone X. This year, some of that kind of stuff can still come close, but there's just so much headroom that I think it's going to take a year or two before we see anything really put A12 through its paces. And, since one of the reasons Apple puts so much power into its chipsets is so that they'll be able to handle updates for the next 4 or 5 years to come, if you're planning on keeping an iPhone XR anywhere nearly that long, even as a hand-me-down, it should legit more than last.

iPhone XR Navigation + Face ID

For most people, the biggest change moving from an iPhone 6s, or any traditional iPhone, to the XR will be the loss of the Home button. Again, tech hot takers can bemoan Apple's quote-un-quote boring design all day long, but for everyone consistency was a tangible user benefit and the Home button was a tactile escape hatch that could reorient us whenever anything got the least bit dodgy or confusing.

That's probably why, more than a year into the age of iPhone X, we hear anecdotes about how well last year's iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are still selling. Not just because of their discounted price but because of their consistency with previous generations. Their familiarity.

iPhone XR, though, brings that next-generation, almost full-screen iPhone experience to the table, and for considerably less than the more expensive than ever flagships. In fact, the XR screen is pretty much as big as an entire iPhone 6s or 7 or 8, case and all.

In place of the home button is an upward swipe and gesture-based navigation system that took me about a day to get used to. Now, a year later, it's not just tough to go back, it's slow.

In place of Touch ID is Face ID. There are a couple edge cases where it doesn't work as well, like if you want to reach over and unlock the phone or if you want to have multiple people registered. But in every other case, it's also not just faster but so fast it feels almost transparent.

Since the iPhone XR has the same, improved True Depth camera and faster A12 Secure Enclave as the XS, you're not giving anything up for the difference in price. Same with the navigation.

It's just best in class now.

iPhone XR Display

I feel like the iPhone XR display has been beaten to undeath now and all we have are zombie lich arguments left. While some people who's knowledge of display tech seems to go only spec sheet deep raised a lot of fuss about the resolution and pixel density before launch, which is kinda like complaining about a Ferrari just because it has fewer tires that a Mack Truck, anyone who knew anything about quality vs. quantity and, you know, context, took a wait and see attitude and, generally, liked what they saw.

The truth is, Apple's display team has gotten so good at everything from color calibration to color management that you can put an LCD iPhone XR next to an OLED iPhone XS and, unless you're looking for deep, deep black and can discern high contrast ratios, scarcely tell the difference. Which is insane, given how different the two display technologies are.

Since filming my initial review, I've also heard from a lot of people who suffer varying degrees of vertigo from the variable refresh rates on OLED but who don't have that problem with LCD, and so are super happy Apple is offering both in the new design.

The bezels remain a bit thicker, not than the top and bottom on an iPhone 6s or similar, but on the sides, and then there's the notch. The black faceplate helps minimize it and while you can never not see it, you do stop noticing it, especially because the screen, by comparison, feels so much more expansive and opened up.

It's the same density at the 6s, 7, and 8, just with more pixels to fill out the edge-to-rounded edge display, and with all the DCI P3 wider color gamut, TrueTone dynamic color temperature matching, and other advances Apple has made since. You can even put it into Display Zoom mode, like Plus and Max-sized iPhones, so everything looks bigger and, if you had been squinting to see things before, you won't have to any more.

About the only step back you'll notice is 3D Touch, if you use it a lot. The XR doesn't have it. It has Haptic Touch instead, which, while ok in the few areas it's implemented, just isn't a real replacement yet. If all you did was adjust levels in Control Center, you may not notice. If you peaked and popped all over the place, like I do, you'll miss it, or at least find the XS much more attractive.

There are going to be people who want to upgrade to higher density and to OLED on the XS, and fair enough, but for everyone who doesn't give a damn about the display technology, and who doesn't look at the their iPhone from less than a foot away, you won't notice a difference.

I do care, deeply, and a lot of the time I forget which one I'm looking at.

iPhone XR Camera

I also care about the cameras a lot, and this has been the biggest sticking point for me. I've lived on a dual system and 2x since iPhone 7 Plus and it's been a challenge to go back to shooting with just one and just wide. And, you know, it's been really interesting. The sneaker zoom. The framing. All of it.

It's like shooting with a 6s again but, though both cameras are 12 megapixel, the better aperture, higher quality sensor, and all the power in the A12X image signal processor makes them feel worlds apart. Especially in more challenging settings like lower light or higher movement.

Apple's purely computational portrait mode on the XR ends up being a very different beast from the fusion version I've been using since iPhone 7 Plus and still use on XS. I still prefer the latter but being able to shoot with far greater flexibility in lighting and range has been liberating. Yes, it's still limited to humans and their faces, which is a drag, but since Apple built a unique virtual lens model just for the wide angle, different from the telephoto, you get shots that the the previous portrait modes could simply never deliver.

I still wish the XS offered both, but with the Depth Control now offered even in preview — when other vendors still can't even do the basic depth effect in preview — the XR has proven more than solid all on its own.

That's especially true for shooting video, where the XR, like the XS, can shoot in extended dynamic range up to 4K 30fps, and regular dynamic range up to 4K 60fps, and in stereo, which works better than it has any right to given you're just using a tiny camera phone. It really makes iPhone XR competitive not with other phones but with other cameras.

Stereo playback is also great. I've watched a ton of shows and films with the new wide stereo speakers and it's the first time I've felt I didn't need to where headphones to actually enjoy what I'm listening to, and I've never been particularly fussy about audio.

Portrait Selfies, Animoji, Memoji, and all the AR on the front is exactly the same as the XS as well, and lightyears ahead of the selfie cams on older, traditional iPhones. Yeah, some of it is a gimmick, but when it's approaching the holidays and you can just Santa or elf-yourself, especially in the new group FaceTime feature, a few gimmicks aren't such a bad thing.

iPhone XR One Month Later

This is the part of the re-review where I'm supposed to make up a bunch of stuff I hate about the iPhone XR just so that people in the comments won't call me biased, or just of being a fanboy, because the internet loves to mistake cynicism for intelligence and being negative, even to the point of incredulity, with being cool. Well, screw that. iPhone XR is legit a great product and it's going to be a great phone choice for a lot of people.

For me, personally, even though I like the colors and size of the iPhone XR the best, the OLED-enabled HDR video and the dual camera system will keep me on the iPhone XS. But my job isn't just to review technology for me or people like me. It's to review it for everyone.

Some people will want the deeper, brighter display, others the ability to shoot at 2x, and still others the sheer size of the Max. But for everyone else, I think the XR isn't just the colorful spot in the next-generation iPhone lineup, it's the sweet spot.

See at Apple

Tyler Stalman, YouTuber, podcaster, and professional photographer has taken a look at both the iPhone XS and iPhone XR cameras and shares his thoughts.

Well worth your watch and sub.

iPhone XR — never mind what the R means, it's just a new letter for Apple, one before S, "racing" if you're into cars, "reflex" if you're into cameras, cool-sounding either way. It's everything you need in a next-as-in-X-generation iPhone, minus some bells and whistles... and the higher price tag.

LCD instead of OLED display. Single instead of dual camera system. Haptic touch instead of 3D Touch. LTE Advanced and 2x2 MIMO instead of Gigabit and 4x4. Aluminum instead of steel bands. Back glass that's stronger than iPhone X but not quite as strong as iPhone XS.

It does come in a range of fancy new finishes though: black, white, blue, yellow, coral orange, and Product (RED). And at that lower price — $250 lower — starting at $749.

It does have the new edge-to-curved-edge design language, Face ID and the True Depth camera up front, the latest 12 megapixel, Smart HDR camera on the back, the industry-leading A12 Bionic chipset inside, wide stereo speakers on both ends, and dual SIM card support if one carrier and one number just isn't enough.

That Apple is testing the upper elasticity of iPhone pricing with the XS and XS Max while at the same time making some of their most compelling, could-easily-have-been-exclusive features available to lower-priced XR is fascinating.

Apple says it's doing it to make those technologies more accessible to more people in more places, which is kinda cool… if really odd for a company Wall Street seems to judge solely based on the year-over-year rise of ASP — average selling price.

So, what are you getting with iPhone XR and what are you giving up? I've spent the last week with a black iPhone XR, and here's what I've found.

See at Apple

iPhone XR in Brief

• Edge-to-edge design with gesture navigation.
• Optically stabilized ƒ/1.8 single camera system.
• Depth-aware front-facing camera.
• Face ID biometrics.
• A 6.1-inch display.
• Colors!

• Classic iPhone design with Home button.
• Optically stabilized ƒ/1.8 and ƒ/2.4 dual-camera system.
• No notch.
• Fingerprint identity biometrics.
• An OLED display.
• Android

So much of iPhone XR is based on iPhone X or identical to iPhone XS that, rather than recapitulating all here, I'm going to link back to those previous reviews.

• iPhone X (2017) Review
• iPhone XS (2018) Review

iPhone XR Design

iPhone XR looks like… an iPhone X. It's got the same glass and metal modern design that curves around every corner, and the same notch that cuts it out the top. You know, the one Apple debuted last year as a way to kick-start its next 10 years of iPhone.

There are some differences, though. The bezels, for example, are a little thicker around the display. It reduces the screen-to-casing ratio and the full-screen effect, but it's really only something you notice when you're an XR next to an X or XS. Compared to an iPhone 8 or previous, again, it's like the entire device got a shave and a haircut.

Just with a number 3 clippers instead of number 2.

The notch is the notch. Until Apple can engineer all the TrueDepth sensors under the display, it's the compromise the company has made in order to avoid an even bigger, uglier forehead along the entire top of the phone, which would cost some screen or cause some additional casing. Neither, Apple believes, are better solutions.

That there's no "chin", even on iPhone XR, is remarkable.

Other phone makers can't or simply don't want to spend the money and engineering resources to do that regardless of the display technology they're using. And Apple's just repeated it right out of the gate with LCD.

Given how great the new wide stereo audio effect is, which XR shares with the XSes, it also makes me wonder if front-facing speakers on the Pixels were less about causing a chin and more about covering it up. I guess we'll find out next year.

To handle the curves around the corners and the notch, which we've now seen replicated across the industry with varying degrees of quality, consistency, and artistry, Apple is using sub-pixel anti-aliasing and what the company calls "advanced" masking, which results in a crisper, cleaner look than the resolution itself has any right to.

In other words, Apple flowed the display into every rounded nook and super-elliptical cranny in a way that manages to look super smooth even when I take off my glasses, slap on a macro lens, and peer into the parallax wallpaper effect.

Impressive. (Most impressive.)

The structural band around the sides is Apple's custom 7000 series aircraft or spacecraft or shift-ship craft or whatever quality aluminum alloy the company has been working on since iPhone 6s.

For iPhone XR, Apple offers them au natural to complement the white version, or in black, blue, yellow, coral — which is just off orange — and (PRODUCT) RED, which supports the charity of the same name.

My understanding is that gold remains the easiest color to anodize and it gets harder through the blues, greens, and black. There's no green this year or, much to my and Samual L. Jackson's lightsaber or Thanos' Power Stone sadness, purple. Also, no multi-colors like Huawei has been doing recently.

But, for the colors that are, Apple has nailed them. Even the ones I'm usually less fond of, like yellow, or the mixes, like coral. They all look great IRL.

And they carry through the glass backs as well, which have one of those overly complex Apple Industrial Design Studios 7-layers treatments that give them amazing visual depth, richness, and range, depending on the light source.

I liked the unabashedly pop-art plastic of the 5c colors and loved the Apple-chromatic aluminum of the iPod touch and RED iPhone 7.

The glass is somewhere in-between for me, but giving up the metal for inductive charging, which now has the new, improved off-axis support of iPhone XS, is a huge win. Especially since, while back glass might not be quite as strong as this year's XS, it's still stronger than on either last year's 8 or the X.

So, yeah, add that to your bill-of-materials savings, but the true test will come over time to see how well Apple and Corning have figured out the age-old challenge of balancing scratch, scuff, chip, and crack resistance all in one chemistry.

(The front glass is the same extra-strong Apple and Corning collab as on the iPhone XS and XS Max if you were wondering, which they call the most durable on a phone, ever.)

It's all microscopically sealed, so iPhone XR enjoys the same water and dust resistance as iPhone X — IP67 for up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. And that includes splashes of soft drinks, hot beverages, and even dunks in salt water, though you'll want to wash it off and leave it to dry for half-an-hour before plugging it into anything afterward.

iPhone XR still has Lightning instead of USB-C, because Lightning came out years before USB-C, is still slimmer, and Apple can do whatever it wants with it without waiting for a standards body to rubber stamp or reject it

That's irksome to geeks like me who have otherwise gone almost all-in on USB-C. Not quite as irksome as the lack of an adapter or better than 5-watt charger in the box, but probably still fine for the mass market that's been amassing Lightning accessories going back to iPhone 5.

Less fine is the sudden loss of z-axis asymmetry thanks to the shoved down Lightning port on iPhone XR. Again, yes, this is only something I.D. nerds like myself care about, but after iPhone XS broke x-axis symmetry to fit a 4x4 MiMo antenna on the bottom, iPhone XR has gone and broken the Z by top aligning instead of middle aligning Lightning to the screws and grills, probably to make room for the not-as-thin-as-self-illuminating-OLED edge-to-edge LCD.

I still haven't gotten used to the steel screws and ports not always being vapor coated to match the aluminum anodization, now this?

I know it bugs the designers and engineers even more than it does me. And while it's still not as rando as some other companies seem to be by tossing elements into the casing like drunken darts at a board, and as nit-picky (and I'm sure eye-rolling) as I'm sure it is for some of you, I've given Samsung shit about it for years, so I'm not going to stop just because, this time, my eyes are bleeding courtesy of Apple.

iPhone XR Liquid Retina Display

iPhone XR eschews the new OLED of X and XS for the LCD of iPhones past. But in a way that's decidedly futuristic. It goes corner to rounded corner, like the OLEDs, using all those masking and sub-pixel anti-aliasing skills I mentioned before, and an all-new LED back-light that's probably not only responsible for the Lightning depression but for the loss of 3D Touch for Haptic Touch, which I'll cover in a few minutes.

It's 6.1 inches on the projected diagonal, which is larger than the 5.8-inch iPhone X and iPhone XS, but not quite as large as the 6.5-inch iPhone XS Max. And, like Goldilocks, I find this middle size to be just right. I'd get an XS in this size in a hot second.

I know some people still equate less expensive with smaller, like with iPhone SE, but the reality is iPhone has grown so much that it's not safe making any assumptions anymore, not about what size most people prefer, or which sizes might be appropriate for which genders or cultures.

Big phones have eaten tiny tablets and bigger, more independent watches may one day eat the need for smaller, after-work and weekend phone.

For now, as phones have increasingly become primary computing devices for an increasingly large number of people of all sizes, in all areas, the trend has been towards bigger screens for greater productivity and creativity.

That's why iPhone XR offers many of the advantages of the Max, including the terrifically accessible Display Zoom option that makes everything on screen bigger and easier to see, touch, and interact with, and the iPad-like split view controllers in landscape mode that let you see lists next to details so you can navigate faster. Though like the Max, they're still less consistent than the old Plus versions, and there's still no side-by-side or picture-in-picture options to be found. In 2018. Yeah…

Reachability, which lets you get to the top of the screen from the middle of the screen, is in full effect, as is the X-style gesture navigation system, which, once you get used to it, will make Home buttons feel like the dark ages of interface.

Where iPhone XR does take a theoretical hit is on resolution and density.

It's 1792x828 at 326 ppi compared to XS and XS Max, which are 2436x1125 and 2688x1942 at 458 ppi respectively.

Comparing LCD to OLED is problematic, though, since they're fundamentally different technologies. While I believe Apple uses RBG stripe OLED on the Watch, it's using diamond-configuration PenTile on iPhone, and that means the subpixel math is a bit of a brain-boggler.

So are the relative advantages and disadvantages of LCD vs. OLED. Apple has done a ton of work to mitigate the worst OLED attributes, including off-axis color shift and burn-in, but some things, like black smearing, just aren't as possible to mitigate.

LCD doesn't suffer from any of that. But it also doesn't have some of the characteristics that make OLED so desirable, including the deep blacks and high contrast range.

But Apple has once again done a great job making LCD all it can be. It's not high dynamic range — HDR — but the color calibration is ridiculous. Individual, at the factory, like all iPhones have been since Apple moved to the wider DCI-P3 color space, side by side with the XS, it still matches almost perfectly.

Given all the differences I just outlined, that's a staggering achievement.

Regarding the "it's not 1080p" criticism that's been floating around since Apple posted the spec sheet, that's fair. I mean, 1080p is a 16:9 aspect ratio standard and this display is not 16:9, but if you play 1080p content on it, it'll be scaled down to fit 828p. Which is absolutely less P, and absolutely different than the previous plus-sized iPhones that could fit 1080p at native resolution, though it downscaled an @3x — 9 pixels square per point instead of @2x or 4 pixels per square — like XR. And, while it never bothered me, some people found the single pixel flicker it caused apparent and annoying.

I did a whole explainer on @2x vs. @3x interfaces and HiDPI displays before and I'll be updating it with a lot more on the XR now, so keep an eye out for it.

Suffice it to say, unless you're doing VR, where you want 4K if not 8K per eye, Apple's 326 ppi — the same density as every non-plus iPhone from 4 to 8, is fine at normal viewing distances for the vast majority of people not wearing a loupe or worrying about arc-light-minutes.

For everything else and everyone else, you probably won't notice a difference. It looks terrific and is yet another example of the overall experience being far more important than any one spec read off any one sheet.

iPhone XR Haptic Touch

Apple has deployed several different types of pressure sensitivity over the years. There are the electrodes circling the display of Apple Watch, the quad corner sensors of the MacBooks, the Pencil tip that transmits to iPad Pro, and the deformation of the glass as measured by the LED backlight on older LCD iPhones. (OLED iPhones use an entirely new touch layer for that.)

Though iPhone XR is LCD, like iPhones 6s through 8, Apple hasn't brought over their 3D Touch implementation at all.

My best guess is that spreading out the LCD corner-to-corner, and the new backlight Apple had to use to make it possible, precluded the traditional 3D touch.

So, instead of that or a potentially more expensive touch layer, Apple has come up with something new, if much less pervasive: Haptic Touch.

When and where it works, it feels enough like 3D Touch that I sometimes find myself forgetting it's not 3D Touch. Until I try to use 3D Touch in other places — which I've gotten used to using fairly often over the last few years. Yeah, I'm the one. You're welcome.

It uses a system closer to the MacBook Trackpad, but with the Taptic Engine that still makes most competing haptics seem totally crude by comparison, but it only works on the Lock screen icons for Flashlight and Camera, the Control Center icons that spring up additional options, and the keyboard when you long-press the space bar to switch to trackpad mode.

Everything else, from Live Photos on the Lock screen to shortcuts on the Home screen to peek and pop… are simply not there. Like you might as well be using an iPhone 6 or iPhone SE or, yeah, iPad, not there.

It's probably fine for most people but, for anyone like me who uses 3D Touch a lot, Haptic Touch will end up being more of a Taptic tease.

iPhone XR Face ID

I don't typically cover features that debuted in previous models because, well, I covered those features when they debuted in those previous models. But, since iPhone XR may be many people's first experience with Face ID, here's the TL;DR.

Touch ID was never an end to a means. It was a means to an end: A way to make security more convenient. Face ID, Apple believes, makes even better security even more convenient. One day, I hope it too is replaced by an even more transparent, passive, ambient set of biometric sensors.

Face ID, like Touch ID, has some limitations you should know about: Just like Touch ID didn't work if your finger was moist or wet, Face ID doesn't work if the camera is being blinded by direct sunlight. Just like Touch ID didn't work with gloves, Face ID doesn't work with infrared-blocking sunglasses — though all other types, including polarized, are just fine.

It doesn't work in landscape mode or for multiple people, though you can now train an alternate appearance if you regularly make yourself look more significantly different, for personal or professional reasons.

You also lose the ability to unlock your phone by just reaching out and touching it, but you gain the ability to unlock it when you're wearing gloves or it's connected to a mount or dock you can see but less easily touch.

Protip: If you regularly wear glasses, hold it a little further away when you're not wearing them — for example, when you're in bed — since the camera needs normal, not short-sighted range to see you.

In many cases though, Face ID is so fast you forget it's even there. That's especially true with the new password autofill feature in iOS 12.

iPhone XR enjoys the newer, speedier Face ID system as well. The same one as iPhone XS. It leverages faster algorithms and a faster secure enclave. But it's only a part of the improved TrueDepth camera system.

iPhone XR TrueDepth Camera System

Crammed into the notch, around the speaker and ambient light sensor, are the infrared and RGB cameras, flood illuminator, and dot projector that make up the True Depth camera system.

You can use TrueDepth for Animoji and Memoji in Messages and FaceTime and augmented reality apps whenever and wherever the mood strikes you. You can also use it for Portrait Mode and Portrait Lighting selfies.

All of it exactly the same way, and with exactly the same quality, as iPhone XS.

That includes the new Smart HDR that interleaves brightness detail and adds long exposure for shadow detail to produce the best dynamic range possible, and the new depth control feature that lets you adjust the computational bokeh from f/1.2 to f16 after you've taken the shot. (Apple will add the ability to do it in the live view as well in a soon-to-be-released update.)

I covered all of that, front camera and back, in my iPhone XS review, and I'll be posting a more detailed iPhone XR camera review soon.

But there is something new that's more than worth covering here and now.

Single-Camera system

The biggest difference with iPhone XR, at least for me and for how I use my iPhone, is the new single camera system. Apple's been doing single cameras since the original iPhone, and kept doing them on iPhone 6, 6s, 7, and 8 even as it moved to dual camera systems on all the Pluses and the original X.

But the Plusses were so much better I never really bothered with the single cameras. And to be honest, I still won't now. As much as I love the colors and the size, and don't have any problem with the LCD, I went dual camera years ago and I'll never go back. Not for a Pixel and not even for an iPhone XR. If anything, I look forward to a three camera system with an even wider angle in the future.

If you don't care about the depth data that can be pulled from a dual camera system for everything beyond just photography, or the 2x optical zoom, — which no digital zoom, no matter how much you shake and fuse, can really match — then the single XR camera might be more than just good enough for you. It may be great for you for stills and especially for video.

iPhone XR video, 2x optical aside, has exactly the same improved image stabilization and extended dynamic range as iPhone XS. That's in video modes up to 4K 30 fps, and everything but the extended dynamic range up to 4K 60fps.

You often hear about which phone camera is best only in the context of stills, not videos, but it's amazing just how much Apple does with video on iPhone XR and XS. Including now, stereo audio recording through a quad microphone system. Because a lot of it is driven by dedicated encoders and decoders that are part of Apple's custom A12 Bionic chipset, these are frame rates and audio capabilities some competing camera systems simply don't offer. (Trying really hard not to look at the Pixel 3 I have on order…)

While there's no telephoto camera, the wide-angle camera on iPhone XR is the same as the iPhone XS. It's got bigger pixels and deeper pixels, to take in more light with less cross-talk.

That means better low light, again, and with Smart HDR, even better detail in light and shadows. And, yeah, if you don't like it, you can turn it off or keep both the Smart HDR and the original photo, in Settings.

Because there's no dual camera system or True Depth on the back, Apple is going all-in on computational photography to deliver Portrait Mode on iPhone XR.

It's a similar approach to what Google did last year with the Pixel 2, using the parallax from the phase detect autofocus system — what Apple calls Focus Pixels — and machine learning to create a segmentation mask between the subject and the background.

Last year, I had some issues with Google's version. The colors were a bit cool, the segmentation mask looked more like a paper cut-out, and biggest issue of all, it wasn't actual portrait mode — at least in the live view. You had to take the photo then wait a few seconds for the depth effect to be applied afterward ... in post ... like a filter.

(If you're surprised by that, you're not alone: Almost no reviews or reviewers bothered to mention it.)

Some will say it's the end results that matter. And that's fine. Personally, I love and care about taking photos as much as I do having the want and need to frame based on what I see. Anything less is a deal-breaker for me. As great as my Pixel 2 XL was for photography in general, I basically stopped using it for Portraits.

Pixel 3 fixes the coolness and the cut-out effect but not the live view, not really. I don't know if that's Google's problem or Qualcomm's, but ultimate, as a user, it ends up being my problem. And, when Apple first announced what it was doing something similar with the single-camera iPhone XR, I imagined it would be my problem there as well.

Turns out, I was terribly happily wrong. Apple is pushing the depth effect into the live view on iPhone XR as well so what you see, again, is what you shoot.

And I'm super glad it is because framing Portrait Mode on the iPhone XR wide-angle camera is completely different than framing it on previous Plus and X telephotos fusion cameras.

You're much further away, for starters, so if all you want is the face, you'll have to sneaker zoom in instead of out. And the kind of shots you get end up being different because of it. It's also much faster, so you can get brighter, better shots in lower light than you can the f/2.4 of the telephoto.

But it comes at a cost, which might also be a deal-breaker for some: Instead of going shallow and broad for this, the first iteration, Apple has gone narrow and deep. iPhone XR portrait mode only works when it detects human faces.

And, unlike iPhone 7 Plus when it first shipped, where Portrait mode was optimized for human faces but would do its best with everything else — and now with iOS 12 does amazingly well on an incredibly diverse set of subjects and objects — iPhone XR literally won't engage Portrait Mode if it can't detect a human face.

Now, it's pretty good at engaging when it does. It uses a Face ID-like neural network to not only identify human faces but identify them even if they're partially obscured by glasses, hats, scarves, and other forms of clothing. Apple trained and tested it on an incredibly diverse and varied pool of people and things that people usually have on their heads and faces.

But that does mean no coffee or cocktail cups with a deep blur, and not even pets get the depth effect. So, if that's what you want and need to take, it's something you can only get past by moving up to an iPhone XS or Max or down to an iPhone 8 or iPhone 7 Plus.

If you're fine with just faces, Apple has done something remarkable here: Just like with iPhone XS, the camera team spent time studying a number of high-end cameras and lenses and came up with a unique, specific computational model for iPhone XR depth effect. One very different than iPhone XS.

Instead of just slapping on a custom gaussian or disc blur over the background and calling it a day, Apple has created a model based on the virtual lens, which renders everything, including lights, overlapping lights, and even the typical distortions you get with real camera glass, to fit that model.

And, when you slide the new Depth Control back and forth between f/1.4 and f.16, it re-models and re-renders the virtual lens model.

The difference between iPhone XS and its effective 52mm telephoto Portrait Mode and iPhone XR and its effective 26mm wide-angle Portrait mode is significant. It's like swapping lenses on a DSLR. You get an entirely different look. So much so, I wish Apple had enabled both on iPhone XS so I could switch between them on one phone instead of, fun as it may be right now, switching between phones.

We've known for a while now that computational photography was the future but XS and XR show that we don't have to fully abandon the past to get there.

Theoretically, computer cameras have no limits. They can do anything and everything. Perfectly. All the time. Which would be all scientific and sterile in the worst possible ways. Like, stop-motion before motion blur. By imposing some of the constraints of real-world physics and lenses, you get the real world character and creativity that go with them.

iPhone XR A12 Bionic

It's so interesting to see what Apple chose to bring to the less expensive iPhone XR and what it chose to keep for the more expensive iPhone XS. No dual cameras, but the same True Depth camera. No OLED, but A12 Bionic.

I think it boils down to this: Apple wanted everything in iPhone XR that made for an iPhone X-series experience. OLED is nice but Face ID is a must. 2x optical zoom is cool but Portrait Mode is table stakes.

For A12 Bionic, though, I think it's less about being able to run the most demanding AR and computational photo filters in the here and now, and more about being able to run iOS for many, many years to come.

Just like iPhone 5s and iPhone SE can run iOS 12 today, Apple wants anyone who buys an iPhone XR to know they'll be able to run iOS 16 or whatever well into the next decade.

I covered A12 Bionic in my iPhone XS review, but iPhone XR on A12 feels almost lighter, like super lighter, and faster. It's not dissimilar to how iPhone SE felt on top of that iPhone 6s Engine. There is one difference, though: Where iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max have 4 GB of memory, iPhone XR has 3. That it "only" has to push around @2x instead of @3x pixels and content makes a direct comparison more difficult than it seems. In my week with the XR so far, I didn't nothing any slowdown or any apps or tabs being jettisoned any faster than they would be on any iPhone, including XS and XS Max.

Time, though will be the only way to tell.

That might also be why it gets slightly better battery life and why, yeah, reading specs off of sheets and complaining about pixels or milliamps is effectively meaningless these days.

It's not just about the quantity any more — it's about the quality and how much you can get out of how little. That's how and why everything from miniaturization to computation works.

I stress-tested iPhone XR alongside iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max during Pokémon GO's Community Day event this weekend. That's three plus hours of a nearly constant-on screen, GPS, GPU, and data. And it held up aces.

• iPhone XS: 79% to 4%
• iPhone XS Max: 84% to 12%
• iPhone XR: 85% to 15%

As always, though, it'll take me a few more weeks of regular use to come to a real opinion, and likely a full year to see how well it deals with charge cycles and aging over time.

iPhone XR ships with iOS 12, Apple latest-generation mobile operating system. (My review unit specifically came with iOS 12.0.1 which included bug-fixes for Lightning charging, among other things.)

It also contains foundational performance enhancements designed to make iOS software age as well as iPhone and iPad hardware; a giant leap forward in persistent, multi-person AR; proactive suggestions and voice-trigger-able workflows not just for core features but for any action in any app; much-needed improvements to notifications and the do-not-disturb system; full-on self and parental controls; fun new features for Messages like Memoji, which put you not just into the emoji but into a new AR world.

• Read the iOS 12 review: Smarter, better, faster, bolder

iPhone XR Pricing and Availability

iPhone XR starts at $749 for the 64GB version in black, white, yellow, blue, coral, or Product (RED). That should be enough for anyone who streams media and uses a lot of cloud services. If you want to store more locally, you'll want to check out the 128GB or 256GB option. Unlike XS, there's no 512GB option.

That can still be a lot of money, especially up-front, but upgrade programs, including Apple's and those of U.S. carriers, break it up into monthly payments that make it, essentially, zero percent financing with a new phone trade-in every year.

Many places, Apple Retail, and AppleCare offer in-store, online, and over-the-phone support. Apple Retail also offers an ever-expanding lineup of free educational courses, workshops, and events.

It's part of the overall value of the Apple ecosystem I mentioned before, and absolutely should be considered part of the value of the purchase.

Standard Apple Care covers you against the usual issues for a year. Apple Care+, which costs $129 for iPhone XR, covers you for two years, including up to two $29 screen or $99 water/other repairs/replacements.

New this year are monthly payment options for AppleCare+ and new Theft and Loss Protection. Thanks to Find my iPhone, which you have to turn on at time of purchase, Apple can digitally verify a stolen and wiped iPhone and so doesn't need to make you jump through hoops, including filling out police reports, to get a replacement. There is, however, a $229 deductible.

If like me, you're not always as careful with your technology as you should be, then you, like me, might extract significant value from AppleCare+ over the course of a couple years.

Since I'm both clumsy and paranoid, I always get AppleCare+ and I've made use of it.

iPhone XR Conclusion

Most years, Apple price-drops the previous iPhone by $100 and offers it up as a less-expensive option to the latest, greatest flagship iPhone. Once before, though, Apple dropped an expensive-to-produce previous iPhone completely and, instead, offered up a second completely new iPhone at a lower price point, and in a variety of new colors.

But iPhone XR is no iPhone 5c. It's got colors, yeah, but it's also a full $250 cheaper, and it isn't packaged up like an iPod — it's being given the full iPhone treatment.

I think Apple learned from the 5c and applied those lessons to the XR. It tested, tasted, seasoned, and stirred.

Will the second time be the charm? It comes down to what I said at the beginning: Give people the option to get what they need, especially popular features like the new design, even bigger display, Face ID, and dual-SIM support, even if it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the full-on flagship.

At $750. iPhone XR certainly isn't a budget or even a midrange phone. It's just on the lower end of high. But, thanks to Apple's top-of-the-line hardware engineering and the headroom afforded by A12 Bionic, it'll last you or anyone you sell or hand it down to a good long while to come, maybe as long as a couple of phones that are half the price.

Personally, I'm going to be sticking with the XS. Because I have no life and literally nothing else to save up for, plus the whole "it's my job" excuse, I have the luxury of going all out every year.

It's not the OLED or the Gigabit or the steel, and I like the size and colors, maybe more than the other XS options.

For me, it's the camera. I just use the 2x optical zoom so always, and find the depth data so cool, that I don't want to give it up. If anything, I want more.

For a lot of people, though, I think the combination of flagship features, colored casings, and the lower price point will make iPhone XR compelling. Maybe even more compelling than iPhone XS.

I don't know what that'll mean for Apple's revenue numbers but I know what it will mean for its customers, and I think it's exactly what Apple is hoping for: All the new, more modern technology, all now available to a wider range of people in a wider range of places than ever before.

If you have any iPhone up to and including iPhone 7, iPhone XR is a terrific update. If you have an iPhone 8, you have to want a next-as-in-X-generation iPhone, but not want the XS price that would otherwise come with it. If you have an iPhone 7 Plus or 8 Plus, you have to be willing to give up that second, telephoto lens, to do it. If not, check out the XS.

If you're switching to iPhone, and OLED isn't a must-have for you, also check out the XR, it has almost everything you'd want in a flagship phone for 2018, minus the price tag that's typically coming with them these days.

See at Apple

With the announcement of the new iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max you may be wondering if you can use your old iPhone case with one of the new models. After all, a phone case that you just absolutely love can be hard to come by, and if you're looking to upgrade your phone, it's certainly a plus to not have to spend money on a case.

Well, I'm here to break it all down for you, I'll take you through each model and let you know which (if any) older cases may work.

iPhone XR

The iPhone XR is a totally new type of iPhone that we haven't seen before. Not only is it fairly large, measuring 5.94 x 2.98 x 0.30 inches, it also only has one camera cutout on the back, unlike the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.

Due to the size and design of the iPhone XR being different than any previous iPhone, old cases will not fit on the iPhone XR. Of course, there are plenty of case manufacturers who haven't got their new line up in place yet, but if you want to see a few iPhone XR cases you can buy right now for launch day, check out the link below!

Read: Best Cases for iPhone XR

iPhone XS

The iPhone XS is a refresh of last year's iPhone X, and appears to have the exact same design and dimensions. This means that you should be able to use your old iPhone X case with your iPhone XS. So all those great cases already available for the iPhone X are ripe for the picking!

That being said, the microphone layout on the bottom of the iPhone XS is slightly different than the iPhone X, which means cases that have precise cutouts for those microphone holes in the iPhone X, may be slightly misaligned on an iPhone XS.

It's also worth noting that the iPhone XS is a tad heavier than the iPhone X. While this shouldn't affect the ability to use an older case with the new phone, there's a slight possibility cases with kickstands or clips may not be tested for the added weight of the iPhone XS. It's only a difference of three grams, but it's always better to know all the facts.

While you it looks like you can use older cases with the iPhone XS, that hasn't stopped companies — including Apple itself — from releasing new cases for the iPhone XS anyways. Peruse the cases we found so far with the link below!

Read: Best Cases for iPhone XS

iPhone XS Max

The biggest phone of the bunch, the iPhone XS Max is just a hair smaller than the footprint of last year's iPhone 8 Plus. However, it's massive 6.5-inch OLED display will make it appear much larger than the iPhone 8 Plus did.

Just like the iPhone XS, the iPhone XS Max has a dual camera system on the back of the phone in a vertical stack. It also uses the same super-thin bezel front display with the True Depth front-facing camera and all those fancy sensors, just like the iPhone XS, but the iPhone XS Max is much larger.

Due to its size, no older cases will fit the iPhone XS Max, meaning you'll need to buy a new one if you don't like walking around with your phone naked. Check out the link below for a couple of companies who already have iPhone XS Max cases for sale!

Read: Best Cases for iPhone XS Max

Any other questions?

Let us know in the comments down below!

Updated September 13, 2018: Added some new information about the iPhone XS.

Apple has just announced the iPhone XR, which offers much of the same user experience of the iPhone X, but with some notable departures. The phone is larger than the iPhone X, with a 6.1-inch LCD display. It retains the TrueDepth camera that first launched on the 2017 iPhone X, and says goodbye to the Home button.

Here's what you need to know about the iPhone XR.

What is the iPhone XR?

The iPhone XR is one of Apple's new iPhones for late 2018 and into 2019. While the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are certainly the flagship products, the iPhone XR offers a similar user experience with some scaled-down specs. The iPhone XR uses the same processor as the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, as well as Face ID and the TrueDepth camera, but uses different display technology and a single rear camera. Its sides are also made out of aluminum, rather than stainless steel.

When will the iPhone XR be available?

The iPhone XR goes up for pre-order on Friday, October 19, and will be available in stores on October 26.

What colors will it come in?

Apple has some new color options for its mainstream iPhone. While past models have been available in up to three colors, this year, Apple is offering the iPhone XR in six: Black, White, Product(Red), Yellow, Coral, and Blue.

What storage capacities will the iPhone XR come in?

The iPhone XR will have three storage options: 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB.

What will the iPhone XR cost?

iPhone XR pricing breaks down like so:

• 64GB: $749
• 128GB: $799
• 256GB: $899

Will the iPhone XR run iOS 12?

Indeed it will. iOS 12 will launch to the public before the iPhone XR reaches customers, so there might even be a small update ready by the time you get yours.

• iOS 12 preview

So is there no Home button on the iPhone XR?

The iPhone XR has ditched the Home button and Touch ID in favor of Face ID and the TrueDepth camera.

Does the iPhone XR have a new display?

Yes and no. It's still an LCD panel, unlike the iPhone XS, which uses and OLED screen. LCD is still the standard display technology in the mainstream iPhone lineup. But for the first time, Apple has made an LCD display that covers the entire front of the device, and Apple calls it the Liquid Retina display. That means saying goodbye to the iPhone's "chin and forehead" look that had become associated with it.

It's also the second-largest iPhone that Apple has produced by screen size. Sitting in between the iPhone XS (5.8 inches) and iPhone XS Max (6.5 inches), the iPhone XR features a 6.1-inch display with a resolution of 1792x828, with a pixel density of 326ppi.

So there's no more Home button?

Apple has ditched the Home button in favor of Face ID. And just like on the iPhone X last year, you'll now swipe up from the bottom of the display in order to return to your Home screen.

Is there anything new with Face ID or the TrueDepth camera?

The iPhone XR uses the same TrueDepth camera as the iPhone XS.

What should I know about the new A12 Bionic processor?

The A12 Bionic is Apple's latest and greatest in-house system-on-a-chip (SoC). Like its predecessor, it uses a combination of multiple high-energy processing cores for more intensive tasks, as well as multiple high-efficiency cores for light work like checking email and browsing the web. It's a six-core CPU, and uses a new, eight-core Neural Engine to power the machine learning systems on the iPhone XR that can process up to five trillion (yep) operations per second.

The processor allows for more powerful graphics performance, better photo processing, and real-time machine learning.

What's new with the camera?

If you were hoping the dual-camera system on the iPhone X would make its way over the the iPhone XR, I've got some bad news: the iPhone XR only uses a single rear camera like the iPhone 8. That being said, it still shoots up to 4K at 60 frames per second and is optically stabilized.

The camera also benefits from the new power of the A12 Bionic processor, improved sensors, and improved image signal processor. The camera is able to capture even more detail, despite keeping the 12 megapixels that have been present in the iPhone cameras for years now. It features Smart HDR, which automatically makes improvements to photos using machine learning.

The iPhone XR is also able to take Portrait Mode photos, despite the fact that it has only a single camera.

What about battery life?

Apple's official battery specs for the iPhone XR read as follows:

• Talk time (wireless): Up to 25 hours
• Internet use: Up to 15 hours
• Video playback (wireless): Up to 16 hours
• Audio playback (wireless): Up to 65 hours

You should see around 90 minutes of additional battery life compared to the iPhone 8 Plus.

Does it still have wireless charging?

The iPhone XR does indeed support wireless charging.