iPhone XS vs. iPhone XR: What’s the difference between the two?

The iPhone XS and the iPhone XR came out together, alongside the eye-watering and expensive iPhone XS Max. Few believed that the iPhone XR even features the best specs at a much lower price point, even in the world of renewed iPhone handsets. But is that so? In this post, we’ll pit the iPhone XR against the iPhone XS and find out whether you should go for the iPhone XR or choose the iPhone XS. So, here’s everything you should know about the two handsets.

The iPhone XS and the iPhone XR came out together, alongside the eye-watering and expensive iPhone XS Max. Few believed that the iPhone XR even features the best specs at a much lower price point, even in the world of renewed iPhone handsets. But is that so? In this post, we’ll pit the iPhone XR against the iPhone XS and find out whether you should go for the iPhone XR or choose the iPhone XS. So, here’s everything you should know about the two handsets.

Quick comparison between the iPhone XR and the iPhone XS

• Display: Perhaps the most noticeable difference between the iPhone XR and the iPhone XS is that the former comes with a bigger display, but everything else about its screen is inferior! While the iPhone XS features a 5.8-inch OLED display featuring 2436 x 1125 pixels, the XR comes with a 6.1-inch LCD display putting out 1792 x 828 pixels. So, the iPhone XR makes some big compromises like a downgraded display and a substantially lower native resolution.

• Design: At first glance, both the handsets may seem identical, but that is not the case. While the iPhone XR has a little larger display, it is also noticeably heavier and thicker than the iPhone XS. Also, the iPhone XR comes with larger bezels than the iPhone XS. In fact, when you buy a refurbished iPhone XS used, you’d notice that the handset feels a lot more premium owing to its stainless steel chassis, than the 7000 Series aluminium chassis of the iPhone XR.

• Performance: Both the iPhone XR and the iPhone XS handsets feature the same Apple’s A12 Bionic cutting-edge chipset. However, while the iPhone XR packs a 3GB RAM, the iPhone XS comes with a more powerful 4GB RAM. So, when it comes to multitasking, the latter device would do you more good. That said, there’s one more reason why the 4GB RAM in the XS is more helpful, but we’d discuss that in the following section.

• Camera: Aside from the displays, perhaps the most recognisable factor between the iPhone XR and the iPhone XS is that while the former has a single camera, the latter has two. While both the devices have a 12MP rear camera with OIS and a True Tone flash, the iPhone XS comes with a secondary 12MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom. That said, both the handsets have the same 7MP front camera.

• Battery: While it’s true that the iPhone XR has an inferior display than the iPhone XS, the same LCD display and lower resolution are far less demanding than the XS’ OLED display. Moreover, the larger screen size of the XR also allows the Cupertino-biggie to pack a bigger battery. So, the iPhone XS packs a 2,658 mAh battery, while the cheaper iPhone XR handset comes with a more powerful 2,942 mAh battery. In fact, a few tests revealed that the iPhone XR could outlast the iPhone XS by as much as 25% in some cases.

• Storage: In terms of storage space, the renewed iPhone XS once again trumps the iPhone XR. While the latter comes in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage options, the iPhone XS comes in 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options. So, if you plan on wielding a single device or plan on using the device for a few years down the line, it would be better if you opt for one that has bigger storage space.

So, it’s literally hard to call one device better than the other, although Apple has carved out bits and pieces from the XS to come up with the XR handset. While choosing an iPhone model has sure become hard these days, depending on your budget and needs, you can still find a reliable Apple device within your budget.

Key takeaway

iPhones have long been outperforming every other brand, and so it’s quite understandable for you to look for an iPhone XS used – one that would not only meet your needs, but would also satiate your desire to own an Apple device. That said, hopefully, our brief but informative blog on the differences between iPhone XR and iPhone XS would be of help to you in making an informed decision.

In short, while the iPhone XR seems like a more practical choice due to its impressive battery life and the wide array of colour options, the iPhone XS comes across as a more productive device, especially for those who rely on their smartphones a lot.

For more such informative posts, feel free to connect with us through the comments section below, and we’d be happy to help you out.