iPhone XS vs. iPhone XR? Torn...

[UNCjigga]

Curious to get an AT opinion on which iPhone you'd be more likely to upgrade to. I reserved an iPhone XS but I'm having second thoughts...I'm not really sure it's worth the $250 premium over the iPhone XR...

iPhone XS Pros:
- OLED screen with HDR/Dolby Vision
- Dual-camera (wide + telephoto)
- Potentially more RAM? (need to wait for teardown to confirm)

iPhone XR Pros:
- 15 hour battery vs. 12 hour battery
- Sweet spot for screen size?
- Might feel "faster" due to lower resolution? (less RAM might negate that though)
- Fun color options
- I dig the matte aluminum finish vs. XS stainless steel
- $250 CHEAPER

I don't really care about other stuff like 3D touch or wider stereo sound...everything else is pretty much on par for both these phones. So...which one would you get? I'm excluding the Max because it's not even in consideration for me.

 

[Oyeve]

None.

 

[Red Storm]

The screen is definitely not on par between the two... $749 for a low res, LCD screen is not very good.

 

[quikah]

It is up to the camera differences IMO. I would personally wait for the camera reviews to determine if the XR is good enough. I think the XR actually looks better with the colors, though a case mostly negates that.

 

[ChronoReverse]

Waiting unil spring to see if there's a SE2

 

[WelshBloke]

The screen is so, so much better in the XS. If I was trying to chose between those two that would make it an easy decision for me.

 

[gorcorps]

Neither of them are worth the price. Killing off the actually budget priced SE with no alternative and trying to convince people that $750 is a budget phone price is a slap in the face.

I wouldn't want any part of encouraging those type of practices.

 

[tsupersonic]

Neither of them are worth the price. Killing off the actually budget priced SE with no alternative and trying to convince people that $750 is a budget phone price is a slap in the face.

I wouldn't want any part of encouraging those type of practices.

Agreed. Phone prices are crazy, and unlike other flagship Android manufacturers, it's hard to find sales/deals on iPhones. If I had to get a new phone, I wouldn't get one without an OLED screen. Those Samsung panels are just amazing.

 

[gorcorps]

Agreed. Phone prices are crazy, and unlike other flagship Android manufacturers, it's hard to find sales/deals on iPhones. If I had to get a new phone, I wouldn't get one without an OLED screen. Those Samsung panels are just amazing.

Yeah, I'm currently looking at first smartphones for my parents and Apple just doesn't have anything nearly affordable enough for them. I was looking into the SE, but they were still going for quite a bit more than the new samsung J7, and the J7 has a bigger screen anyway which my dad needs.

 

[ponyo]

The cheaper one. So of the two, XR. It's hard to justify extra $250 when XR will do everything I need.

We need to end carrier phone subsidy. If people had to pay the actual full price upfront, less of the higher priced phones would be sold and prices would come down.

 

[ibex333]

Neither of them are worth the price. Killing off the actually budget priced SE with no alternative and trying to convince people that $750 is a budget phone price is a slap in the face.

I wouldn't want any part of encouraging those type of practices.

If you want a "budget" phone you get an Android phone. If you want a good phone you get an iPhone. Pretty simple if you ask me.

Even someone working in McDonalds can afford an iPhone XS Max if that is your priority. It's all about priorities, not money. If you feel that your car/house/wife/kid is more important, well, off course an iPhone seems expensive to you. But for those who prioritize an iPhone over these things its not expensive at all. So don't complain about a "high" price if you chose to prioritize the boring, cliche, "real life" everyone else has been doing for centuries, over an awesome bleeding edge piece of technology.

For me, the iPhone XS Max is the only way to go. 512 GB, no less. I will show it off with great pride and scoff at the plebs glancing at me with green envy.

 

[gorcorps]

The cheaper one. So of the two, XR. It's hard to justify extra $250 when XR will do everything I need.

We need to end carrier phone subsidy. If people had to pay the actual full price upfront, less of the higher priced phones would be sold and prices would come down.

Not sure which country you're in, but in the states they started phasing out the subsidized plans several years ago. Unless you stayed on an existing subsidized plan and got grandfathered along, it's not really an option anymore.

You now only pay for the plan, which (when they were restructured years ago) was around $15-20 less than they were when they included the subsidy, but now you're responsible for paying for your own phone. However, they all offer a way to spread the cost of a new phone over time (basically a 0% loan) so in those cases it's like the subsidy never left. If you constantly bounce from new phone to new phone without paying for it up front, then it's just like the plans used to be (or more expensive now that they keep raising phone prices). However, now there's more of a perk to either keep your phones longer, or buy used, and not have to pay for a subsidy you're not utilizing. You're also no longer under a contract, but if you're currently paying off a phone you would have to pay for the remaining balance if you choose to leave the carrier.

 

[Zaap]

I'm still laughing at the idea of anyone who'd prioritize a silly phone over their wife, kids, house, car.... LOL!

Much as I and others may realize they are *yawners* and under-spec'd/overpriced, Apple charges what they know they can get away with to millions of fans who don't give a fig. (And apparently some with the worst sense of 'priorities' possible! *chuckle*)

So more power to 'em. While I'd sooner burn $750 than spend it on something I feel is probably worth about $450 at best, plenty will gladly pony up.

 

[ponyo]

Not sure which country you're in, but in the states they started phasing out the subsidized plans several years ago. Unless you stayed on an existing subsidized plan and got grandfathered along, it's not really an option anymore.

You now only pay for the plan, which (when they were restructured years ago) was around $15-20 less than they were when they included the subsidy, but now you're responsible for paying for your own phone. However, they all offer a way to spread the cost of a new phone over time (basically a 0% loan) so in those cases it's like the subsidy never left. If you constantly bounce from new phone to new phone without paying for it up front, then it's just like the plans used to be (or more expensive now that they keep raising phone prices). However, now there's more of a perk to either keep your phones longer, or buy used, and not have to pay for a subsidy you're not utilizing. You're also no longer under a contract, but if you're currently paying off a phone you would have to pay for the remaining balance if you choose to leave the carrier.

I've been on Cricket prepaid for years so I didn't know the carriers ended the subsidies. I guess it speaks to Apple dominance that they can keep raising prices.

 

[WelshBloke]

It's all about priorities, not money. If you feel that your car/house/wife/kid is more important, well, off course an iPhone seems expensive to you. But for those who prioritize an iPhone over these things its not expensive at all. So don't complain about a "high" price if you chose to prioritize the boring, cliche, "real life" everyone else has been doing for centuries, over an awesome bleeding edge piece of technology.

What. The. Flip?

 

[Commodus]

I'm going iPhone Xs, but it's mostly the aggregation of a lot of differences. The higher resolution; OLED; dual rear cameras; the improved audio; you get the idea. I'd probably be fine with an Xr, but I've spent years hovering around 330PPI... it's time for something sharper.

 

[Oyeve]

If you want a "budget" phone you get an Android phone. If you want a good phone you get an iPhone. Pretty simple if you ask me.

Even someone working in McDonalds can afford an iPhone XS Max if that is your priority. It's all about priorities, not money. If you feel that your car/house/wife/kid is more important, well, off course an iPhone seems expensive to you. But for those who prioritize an iPhone over these things its not expensive at all. So don't complain about a "high" price if you chose to prioritize the boring, cliche, "real life" everyone else has been doing for centuries, over an awesome bleeding edge piece of technology.

For me, the iPhone XS Max is the only way to go. 512 GB, no less. I will show it off with great pride and scoff at the plebs glancing at me with green envy.

Hah. I will glance at you and laugh your iPhone excess whilst looking and my note 9 with its way better Notchless screen.

 

[Raduque]

Always been an Android guy, but the new XR is looking pretty good for an iOS device.

What. The. Flip?

ibex has a "Yes Man" avatar (from F:NV) because he's an Apple Yes Man.​

 

[Raduque]

.

 

[manly]

Waiting unil spring to see if there's a SE2

Don't wait. The SE replacement is the iPhone 7.

 

[secretanchitman]

XS - screen alone is worth it along with the extra ram.

Paying $749 in 2018 for an LCD phone is a no-go IMO.

 

[Commodus]

XS - screen alone is worth it along with the extra ram.

Paying $749 in 2018 for an LCD phone is a no-go IMO.

I think LCD for $749 is fine! It's a tougher sell when it's 828p like this, but I'm mostly concerned about the quality of the display, not just the technology behind it.

Of course, I'm saying that after putting money down for the OLED phone, but that's because of a combination of factors. The resolution, the extra RAM, the second rear camera... you get the idea. If I were even a bit less demanding I'd probably be waiting for the iPhone Xr.

 

[WelshBloke]

I think LCD for $749 is fine! It's a tougher sell when it's 828p like this, but I'm mostly concerned about the quality of the display, not just the technology behind it.

Of course, I'm saying that after putting money down for the OLED phone, but that's because of a combination of factors. The resolution, the extra RAM, the second rear camera... you get the idea. If I were even a bit less demanding I'd probably be waiting for the iPhone Xr.

The screens the most important part of a smartphone. Everything else is there to make that work well. Get the best screen you can.

 

[Herr Kutz]

Neither. Get an iPhone 8 with touchID while you still can.

 

[baydude]

If I have iPhone X is it worth upgrading over XS if I have Tmobile Jump plan?