iPhone XR is shaping to be a potential hit for Apple this year, retaining what we have loved about the iPhone series while featuring a new notch design and major hardware improvements. The iPhone XR is a better choice for Apple fans who don’t want to spend a fortune on the XS and XS Max this year. In reality, the iPhone XR is not a surprise this year as we heard a lot of rumors and speculation regarding Apple’s cheaper phone. What surprises us lies in its A12 Bionic processor under the hood, which goes against previous rumors claiming that the 6.1 inch iPhone would use the A11 Bionic chip which appeared in the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus.
According to Apple, the iPhone XR will target emerging markets during its initial launch. However, we are expecting a wider rollout of the XR this year. In reality, Apple is hoping to ship around 10 million XR units ahead of this year’s holiday shopping season. Ming-Chi-Kuo, who is best known for his accurate forecasts when it comes to Apple devices, pre-orders for the XR are stronger than expected and Apple is struggling to meet the huge demand for the phone.
While the iPhone XR is set to launch this Friday, we will give you a quick look into Apple’s 6.1-inch flagship smartphone. For some background, Apple announced three iPhones this year, including iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR. The iPhone XS and XS Max have been available in more than 60 markets worldwide. Apple recently confirmed that the new pair will hit 30 additional countries in late October.
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iPhone XR release date and price
Back in August, rumors claimed that the cheaper iPhone would see a global launch in September. But, Apple pushed the XR release to October for unknown reasons. Tech experts say that the reason behind iPhone XR delay lies in supply issues. Indeed, the XR features a Liquid Retina LCD display, so Apple needs more time to work on it ahead of the public release. According to sources, Apple is speeding up production to meet the increasing demand for the iPhone XR this year. However, tech experts claim that LG Display is struggling to provide OLED display panels for the XR and future iPhone models.
When it comes to pricing, the iPhone XR is cheaper than the more luxe XS and XS Max as it costs $749 for the model with 64GB of internal storage. Pre-orders for the XR have been live since October 19th with deliveries expected to arrive the following Friday. In reality, iPhone XR is not cheap out there, but it is definitely something that attracts Apple fanatics who are looking for a stunning iPhone with a great power and innovative features.
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Display
The iPhone XR lacks some premium features when compared to the XS and XS Max to hit a lower price tag. One such feature lies in an OLED display panel. In reality, the XR sports a 6.1-inch LCD display on the front with Liquid Retina technology. There is no significant difference if you use your phone in low-light conditions or on a day-by-day basis, but the screen on the XR is really downgraded in some ways.
Smartphones with OLED displays are becoming more popular on the market. Last year, Apple first incorporated an OLED panel into its iPhone X, which was widely welcome at launch. Sources say that all future iPhone models will feature OLED display panels and Samsung Display will be providing Apple with hundreds of millions of flexible panels until 2020. In reality, the 6.1-inch LCD display on the XR is bright, but it lacks the sharpness offered by OLED technology. If the screen is not something that matters to you, the XR should be a perfect choice.
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Design and battery life
The iPhone XR did not bring with it a significant design change, but there are still a number of details that are worth your time. Despite its lower price tag, the XR keeps up with the latest design trend with the removal of the home button and adoption of a notch. The phone offers a premium look thanks to its metal back and rounded edges, but the bezels are larger than what we have seen on the XS and XS Max.
However, the phone delivers a sturdy feel while sitting on our hands. The volume buttons and silencer trigger are located on the right of the phone, while the Siri/power button sits on the side. On the bottom, there is a lighting port for faster file transfer and charging times, just like the XS and XS Max. The iPhone XR also features stereo speakers at the top and bottom to offer amazing sound quality. Besides, the phone is IP67-certified, which is a little disappointing, but it is still pretty good when it comes to water and dust resistance.
When it comes to battery life, Apple confirms that the iPhone XR lasts 90 minutes longer than the iPhone 8 Plus, which is a huge boost this year. According to early testers, the XR offers a full day of battery life even in heavy use, which makes sense seeing that the phone features an LCD display only.
The iPhone XR is a great offering from Apple this year. The phone features a premium design, a beautiful display, and an impressive battery life. If you are looking for an iPhone with a great price and an excellent performance, give the XR a try.
Are you planning to grab the iPhone XR on launch day? Let us know in the comments below.
