Our full review of the iPhone XR is here. How does it compare to the iPhone XS and Pixel 3? We answer that and much more in our exhaustive review.
The iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR phones are updates to last year's iPhone X, 8 and 8 Plus. The iPhone XS retains the familiar design of the iPhone X, including a 5.8-inch OLED display and stainless-steel sides. Apple also offers a larger version of the XS with a 6.5-inch OLED display called the iPhone XS Max. With a footprint about the same size as the iPhone 8 Plus (the 8 Plus however has a 5.5-inch LCD display), the iPhone XS Max has the largest display found on any iPhone.
The iPhone XS and XS Max come in silver, space gray and gold. Apple opted for more of a straw-colored gold this time than for previous more goldy gold iPhone models.
Then, there's the iPhone XR, which has a 6.1-inch LCD display and an aluminum and glass body instead of the stainless steel and glass of the XS and XS Max. The iPhone XR comes in white, black, coral, yellow, blue and red (Product Red) and cost $749, £749 or AU$1,229. Preorders are open now. That's $50, £50 or AU$150 more than the iPhone 8 cost when it launched last year. The XR's colors are a callback to the iPhone 5C.
The iPhone XS, like last year's iPhone X, starts at $999, £999 or AU$1,629 for a 64GB model, while the iPhone XS Max costs $1,099, £1,099 or AU$1,799 for 64GB.
All three new phones have a new A12 Bionic processor that Apple claims is 15 percent faster than last year's A11 chip in the iPhone X.
The iPhone XR has a single rear camera, and the XS and XS Max both have dual rear cameras like the iPhone X.
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The iPhone XS and XS Max are both available now. The iPhone XR can be preordered now.
To put it all in perspective, check out the chart below, which compares the iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and last year's X. And for everything Apple announced at its recent event, check out CNET's full coverage here.
iPhone X specs compared with iPhone XS, XS Max and XR
iPhone X | iPhone XR | iPhone XS | iPhone XS Max | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Display size, resolution | 5.8-inch; 2,436×1,125 pixels | 6.1-inch LCD Retina Display; 1,792×828 pixels | 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED; 2,436×1,125 pixels | 6.5-inch Super Retina OLED; 2,688×1,242 pixels |
Pixel density | 458 ppi | 326 ppi | 458 ppi | 458 ppi |
Dimensions (inches) | 5.7×2.79×0.3 in | 5.9x3x0.33 in | 5.7×2.8×0.3 in | 6.2x3x.3 in |
Dimensions (millimeters) | 143.6×70.9×7.7 mm | 150.9×75.7×8.3 mm | 143.6×70.9×7.7 mm | 157.5×77.4×7.7 mm |
Weight (ounces, grams) | 6.14 oz; 174 g | 6.8 oz; 194 g | 6.24 oz; 177 g | 7.3 oz; 208 g |
Mobile software | iOS 11 | iOS 12 | iOS 12 | iOS 12 |
Camera | Dual 12-megapixel | Single 12-megapixel | Dual 12-megapixel | Dual 12-megapixel |
Front-facing camera | 7-megapixel | 7-megapixel with Face ID | 7-megapixel with Face ID | 7-megapixel with Face ID |
Video capture | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K |
Processor | Apple A11 Bionic | Apple A12 Bionic | Apple A12 Bionic | Apple A12 Bionic |
Storage | 64GB, 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 256GB, 512GB | 64GB, 256GB, 512GB |
RAM | 3GB | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Expandable storage | None | None | None | None |
Battery | N/A, but lasted 11.45 hours in CNET's looped video playback test | N/A, but Apple claims it will last 90 minutes longer than iPhone 8 Plus | N/A, but Apple claims it will last 30 minutes longer than iPhone X | N/A, but Apple claims it will last 90 minutes longer than iPhone X |
Fingerprint sensor | None (Face ID via TrueDepth camera) | None (Face ID) | None (Face ID) | None (Face ID) |
Connector | Lightning | Lightning | Lightning | Lightning |
Headphone jack | No | No | No | No |
Special features | Water-resistant (IP67), wireless charging, Face ID 3D unlock, Animoji | Water-resistant: IP67, dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM), wireless charging, Face ID, Animoji | Water-resistant (IP68), dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM), wireless charging, Face ID, Animoji | Water-resistant (IP68), dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM), wireless charging, Face ID, Animoji |
Price off-contract (USD) | $999 (64GB), $1,149 (256GB) | $749 (64GB), $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB) | $999 (64GB), $1,149 (256GB), $1,349 (512GB) | $1,099 (64GB), $1,249 (256GB), $1,449 (512GB) |
Price (GBP) | £999 (64GB), £1,149 (256GB) | £749 (64GB), £799 (128GB), £899 (256GB) | £999 (64GB), £1,149 (256GB), £1,349 (512GB) | $1,099 (64GB), $1,249 (256GB), $1,449 (512GB) |
Price (AUD) | AU$1,579 (64GB), AU$1,829 (256GB) | AU$1,229 (64GB), AU$1,299 (128GB), AU$1,479 (256GB) | AU$1,629 (64GB), AU$1,879 (256GB), AU$2,199 (512GB) | AU$1,799 (64GB), AU$2,049 (256GB), AU$2,369 (512GB) |