iPhone X

To celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the first iphone x vs xr, Apple unveiled the iPhone xr vs x in 2017. Although the iPhone X was discontinued by Apple in 2018, you can still find functional refurbished iphone xr vs x smartphones from reliable resellers such as Swappie. You might be thinking that a smartphone released in 2017 will be outdated by now. However,

The iphone xr vs iphone x is still a great choice if you are looking for an affordable Apple smartphone for everyday use.

iPhone XR

Apple released the iPhone XR vs iPhone x in 2019, making it a slightly newer model than the iPhone XR vs iPhone x. This twelfth generation iPhone comes with a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display, a long-lasting battery as well as Apple’s A12 Bionic -processor. However, as opposed to the older difference between iPhone x and XR is equipped with a more modest camera with a single lens.

Comparing iPhone X and iPhone XR

Both phones are worth buying even some years after their release. The difference between iPhone x and XR have their pros and cons, so it might not be easy to decide between the two. Luckily, we compared these two Apple smartphones to help you decide which one is the right device for you. Continue reading and find out if your next smartphone could be the difference between iPhone x and XR.

Price & Availability

The difference between iPhone x and XR is available to buy from Apple. There are six colours to choose from: black, white, yellow, blue, coral and red, all of which come in one of two storage capacities.

The price was dropped in September 2019 and in October 2020, so it’s even more of a bargain now.

  • 64GB – £499/$499
  • 128GB – £549/$549

When it was released in September 2017, the iPhone X cost £999/$999 for the 64GB model and went up to £1,149/$1,149 if you want 256GB of storage.

Apple no longer makes or sells the iPhone X, having retired it following the introduction of the iPhone XR, XS and XS Max. You might still be able to get the older model, so take a look at our Best iPhone X deals page to see who has it in stock at the moment.

Design & Build

The iphone x vs xr marked a departure from the previous generations of Apple design, with the ubiquitous Home button finally disappearing to make way for a front panel almost entirely comprised of a 5.8in the OLED display.

The only obstructions are slim bezels and the now infamous notch at the top of the screen that houses the Face ID cameras and sensors. A surgical-grade stainless steel band adorns the edges of the device, and a glass back means wireless charging is available.

Dual cameras can be found on the rear of the iPhone x vs XR, and everything is protected against water and dust by an IP67 rating.

iPhone X vs iPhone XR: Design

Thanks to the space saved by the removal of the bezels and buttons on the front, the manages to house a bigger screen than the iPhone 8 Plus that was released at the same time, all while having a smaller body.

Dimensions:

  • iPhone X: 143.6mm x 70.9mm x 7.7mm; 174g
  • iPhone 8 Plus: 158.4mm x 78.1mm x 7.5 mm; 202g
  • iPhone XR: 150.9mm x 75.7mm x 8.3mm; 194g

The adopts many of the ideas premiered on the including the larger edge-to-edge display, Face ID, glass back, and various gesture controls that Apple introduced to compensate for the lack of a Home button.

In some areas, though you can see where costs have been cut to bring the newer model down to its £749/$749 price point. Instead of an OLED panel, the 6.1in screen is LCD, the chassis is aluminium rather than stainless steel, and a single camera takes the place of the dual lenses found on the iphone x vs xr.

The iphone x vs xr is also heavier, taller and wider than the iphone x vs xr, making it definitely a two-handed device.

Water- and dust-proofing is the same, with an IP67 rating meaning either can survive being submerged in water to a maximum depth of 1m for up to 30 minutes.

Features & Specs

Where the iPhone XR gains from being a year younger than its sibling are in the processor. Apple includes its A12 Bionic chip in the iphone x vs xr, just as it does in the XS and XS Max.

This upgrade from the A11 found in the iPhone X sees small improvements in performance, but larger ones in energy efficiency and integration with the slightly bigger camera sensor.

Display

While Apple has always been exceptional at fine-tuning its LCD screens, the richness of the OLED panel on the difference between iPhone x and xr is noticeably superior to the difference between iPhone x and xr more humble offering.

iPhone X vs iPhone XR: Screen

With its 2,436 x 1,125 resolution, 458ppi pixel density, darker blacks, more vibrant colours and general gorgeousness, the difference between iphone x and xr just looks and simply is much better than the 1,792 x 828 resolution and 326ppi of the difference between iphone x and xr.

That’s not to say that the difference between iPhone x and xr is bad, as it isn’t, and you can happily use it without any complaints or reservations. But put it next to the difference between iPhone x and xr and you might feel the pangs of envy quickly appearing.

Cameras

A complement of two rear cameras is employed on the difference between iPhone x and xr. These are a 12Mp f/1.8 wide-angle lens and a 12Mp f/2.4 telephoto lens, both with OIS. Together they allow 4K video capture at up to 60fps, 1080p slo-mo at 240fps, plus excellent still images.

Apple opted to go with a solitary 12Mp f/1.8 wide-angle camera with OIS on the XR, but this is bolstered by the new processor and sensor.

iPhone X vs iPhone XR: Camera
iPhone X vs iPhone XR: Camera

The Neural Engine is the difference between iPhone x and XR allows for advanced photography modes such as Smart HDR that improves the capture of highlights and shadows in images, Depth Control that allows you to change the depth of field after you’ve taken a picture, and enhanced Portrait mode for selfies.

Again, there’s the ability to record 4K video at up to 60fps, and 1080p slo-mo at 240fps.

Here’s a breakdown of the main technical specifications for both differences between iPhone x and XR devices.

Specifications iPhone X iPhone XR
iOS iOS 12 iOS 12
Colours Silver, Space Grey White, Black, Coral, Yellow, Blue, (Product) Red
Display 5.8in Super Retina Display (2436×1125, 458ppi) OLED 6.1in LCD, 1792×828, 326ppi
Processor A11 Bionic A12 Bionic
Storage 64GB/256GB 64GB/128GB
Rear camera 12Mp wide-angle, f/1.8, OIS + 12Mp telephoto, f/2.4, OIS, optical zoom, 10x digital zoom, Portrait Lighting, Portrait Mode, quad-LED flash 12MP, f/1.8, OIS
Front camera 7Mp FaceTime HD, f/2.2 7Mp FaceTime HD, f/2.2
Video recording 4K at 24/30/60fps, 1080p slo-mo at 240fps 4K at 24/30/60fps, 1080p slo-mo at 240fps
Wireless charging Yes Yes
Waterproofing IP67 IP67
Ports Lightning Lightning
Dimensions 143.6mm x 70.9mm x 7.7mm 150.9mm x 75.7mm x 8.3mm
Weight 174g 194g
Price £999/$999, £1,149/$1,149 (discontinued) £629/$599, £679/$649

Software

iPhone XR vs iPhone x 12 is available on either device, and both employ the updated interface that uses gesture controls to accomplish tasks previously handled by the Home button.

iPhone X vs iPhone XR: Software
iPhone X vs iPhone XR: Software

Read our How to use iPhone X for a rundown of the gestures you need to know to use an iPhone with no Home button.

Verdict

If you already have an iphone xr vs iphone x, then there is really no benefit in moving to the. Aside from the upgraded processor and pretty colours, the earlier model has a superior display, better cameras, and more premium build.

However, if you’re choosing between them (and you can still find an X somewhere), we’d recommend getting the iPhone XR instead of the iPhone X at its much lower price.

iPhone XR vs. iPhone X: Which is better for photos and video?

When it comes to these two phones, they are the best choice for mobile photography. Not only does it have a better camera with two lenses, but it also edges out the iPhone in every other way. Plus, that screen is stunning. Seeing your photos on such a crisp and vibrant display will make you appreciate the camera even more.

The iPhone XR VS X and the iPhone XR VS X are both great devices and have truly impressive cameras in their own right. Hopefully, this article has helped you see the bigger picture and think about the factors that go into your mobile photography.