What's under the hood? The most important specs at a glance

What inspires us and what is missing

👍 price-performance ratio: The iPhone XR is unbeatably cheap, especially as a refurbished model.

👍 design: Classic and robust design with IP67 protection.

👍 iOS 18 support: Stay updated with the latest features.

👎 No 5G: A clear disadvantage in an increasingly interconnected world.

👎 LCD display: Outdated compared to OLED.

👎 single camera: Limited without ultra wide angle and night mode.

IS THE IPHONE XR STILL FUTURE-PROOF?

The iPhone XR currently supports iOS 18 and thus still receives new features and security updates. However, unlikely that iOS 19 will be released for the device.
➡ That means: The iPhone will then no longer receive any new software updates. However, if there are serious security vulnerabilities, Apple will still provide important security updates.
➡ Conclusion: Anyone who wants to the latest features needs, should consider considering a newer model.

HOW LONG WILL THE BATTERY LAST?

According to tests by Dynamic Tech has an iPhone XR with 82% battery health in a real usage test about 4.5 hours of screen time reached.
➡ Comparison:

• iPhone XR lasts longer than iPhone X.
• But almost an hour less than the iPhone XS.

➡ everyday experience:

• For For infrequent users, the battery usually lasts for a whole day.
• However, power users have to reload in between.

➡ Recommendation: Before buying a used iPhone XR, be sure to Check battery health. If it is under 80% changing the battery may be a good idea.

WHAT DO THE EXPERTS SAY?

🔎 The Verge: Strong performance, but compromises on display and camera

The Verge praised the iPhone XR for its good value for money and the excellent battery life, which was even the best among the current iPhones in 2018. The performance is almost identical to the more expensive iPhone XS, as both use the A12 Bionic chip.

However, there were also points of criticism:

• The LCD display Compared to the OLED displays of iPhone XS or later models less sharp and contrasty.
• The missing telephoto camera limit the possibilities in portrait mode.

➡ Conclusion from The Verge: A very good iPhone with solid performance and long battery life, but with noticeable compromises in the display and camera.

🔗 source: The Verge review

📱 MKBHD: "No Need to Panic!" – A strong iPhone with small weaknesses

tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) described the iPhone XR shortly after its release as one of the best options for most users, because it offers the same performance as the more expensive iPhone XSHe particularly highlighted the strong battery life that better than most other iPhones was at that time.

Nevertheless, he had some criticisms:

• The LCD display is good, but with its lower resolution and thicker borders not at the level of an OLED.
• The missing telephoto camera is a disadvantage for those who would like to take photos with more zoom or better portrait functions.

➡ Conclusion from MKBHD: The iPhone XR is a great choice for many users – solid performance, strong battery life and a fair priceas long as you can live with an LCD display and only one camera.

🔗 source: MKBHD review

Colorful and robust: The design of the iPhone XR

With its aluminum frame and glass back, it's a real eye-catcher. The color palette remains modern, but the wide edges and the notch now look old-fashioned.

Powercheck: How powerful is the A12 Bionic chip today?

These values ​​are based on Geekbench 6, a popular benchmark tool that measures processor performance in various tests. Geekbench scores are a good first indicationto compare the raw performance of a chip, but they reflect does not always reflect the actual performance in everyday lifeFactors such as software optimization, battery health and background processes also play a role.

📌 You can find out more about what the Geekbench scores mean here: Our blog article above benchmarkscores.

What else can the camera do?

Solid results in daylight, good portrait mode quality, but without a dedicated night mode, clear weaknesses in low light.

Conclusion: For whom is the iPhone XR really worth it?

• infrequent users: Perfect for basics like telephony, messaging and social media.
• second device: Rugged backup phone with solid performance.
• budget buyers: One of the cheapest ways to own a reliable iPhone.
• teenager: Ideal for school, games and social media.

Our verdict: If you are looking for an affordable, reliable iPhone that will last at least 1-2 years, the iPhone XR is a good choice.