iPhone XR Am I the only one who prefers the XR screen over the X/XS?

[Shanghaichica]

Most people who claim they are picky about displays aren’t actually being that picky, they aren’t paying enough attention to the problems with OLED, they are mostly talking about surface-level easy stuff like resolution and contrast. They are like PC gamers; only resolution and paper specs matter. There are real, serious problems with OLED that make them unusable to the high end AV crowd, major unfixed issues like black crush and black smear (so much for those awesome blacks eh?), then we get into color shift, burn-in, PWM, and everything else.

LCDs aren’t without their issues either, with white balance unevenness, backlight showing, shimmer, and still too high response time (blur) being the drawbacks. But it’s still the winner for best all-around display tech of today. Black crush loses actual detail in the displayed image (Apple tries to fix this with dithering), which makes OLED a non-starter for anyone deeply serious about content.

And lastly, the decision to use the resolution they did in the XR was very likely about battery life; a decision I am more than pleased with. Absolutely solid display with outstanding all-day-and-then-some battery life. Completely worth the $750 price.

Neither are perfect and people should just pick whichever they prefer. It doesn’t really matter.

However some people are just making blanket claims which are not true.

Some people suffer from PWM issues from OLED displays but not everyone. However some would state that this effects every single user and that’s not true.

 

[cinnabun814]

I have vision problems and can't really tell a difference! I could tell a difference when they moved to retina on the iPhone 4. You could put an iPhone 4 display next to a XS and I wouldn't be able to tell a difference lol

 

[Micky 32]

Neither are perfect and people should just pick whichever they prefer. It doesn’t really matter.

However some people are just making blanket claims which are not true.

Some people suffer from PWM issues from OLED displays but not everyone. However some would state that this effects every single user and that’s not true.

Yes, for some reason the PWM issue is being exaggerated when it comes to the XR vs XS/Max. I know loads of people with Androids with Oleds and i have never heard of a pwm complaint.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I found something interesting, especially on youtube. If you see a video reviewing a XR or a Max you see lots of comment about this pulse modulation or whatever it’s called. But if you go on a android review video for Note 9’s, S9+, Pixels, op6’s you hardly see any comments complaining about this elusive flicker... weird...

I’ve never heard of this flicker either until the iPhone X came out. I used the original galaxy note, note 3, S5 and S5 ( all OLED) extensively and was never heard anyone talking about flickering on any forum.

Then there’s screen burn in which is only an issue for display phones in shops. Not an issue for the average consumer.

 

[Micky 32]

I’ve never heard of this flicker either until the iPhone X came out. I used the original galaxy note, note 3, S5 and S5 ( all OLED) extensively and was never heard anyone talking about flickering on any forum.

Then there’s screen burn in which is only an issue for display phones in shops. Not an issue for the average consumer.

The burn issue for me is irrelevent. I change my phone every year so i don’t care.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Yes, for some reason the PWM issue is being exaggerated when it comes to the XR vs XS/Max. I know loads of people with Androids with Oleds and i have never heard of a pwm complaint.

My husband’s used Samsung phones since 2012 and my dad since 2010. All OLED displays no issues. But of course PWM is an issue for someone.

Instead of saying I don’t like OLED displays because they give ME headaches. It’s become they give everyone headaches.

 

[Micky 32]

My husband’s used Samsung phones since 2012 and my dad since 2010. All OLED displays no issues. But of course PWM is an issue for someone.

Instead of saying I don’t like OLED displays because they give ME headaches. It’s become they give everyone headaches.

I actually have never heard of the headache phenomenon until the XR was released. My eyes are 48 years old and i don’t wear or need glasses and i have no issues thank god.

 

[Shanghaichica]

The real question should be why are Apple charging us a premium for OLED when other manufacturers like Samsung can make phones with OLED displays, arguably better features at lower prices.

 

[Broadus]

If the price of the XR is more than the phone is worth, then the XS and Max are even more so.

iPhone XR Review: You Don’t Have to Spend $1,000 for the Best iPhone:

“On paper, the XS is a more premium product than the XR, but I don’t know who I would recommend the XS to. OK, maybe animal portraiture artists and screen obsessives. Anyone else willing to spend up to $1,450 for the top-spec iPhone XS Max is putting status over substance.”​

 

[Micky 32]

The real question should be why are Apple charging us a premium for OLED when other manufacturers like Samsung can make phones with OLED displays, arguably better features at lower prices.

Have to disagree. I had a S9+ and now own a Note 9 alongside my iphone max. Hands down the max has the best screen to date .

 

[Broadus]

The real question should be why are Apple charging us a premium for OLED when other manufacturers like Samsung can make phones with OLED displays, arguably better features at lower prices.

Good question, but here’s another: Why are people paying it?

 

[Micky 32]

If the price of the XR is more than the phone is worth, then the XS and Max are even more so.

iPhone XR Review: You Don’t Have to Spend $1,000 for the Best iPhone:

“On paper, the XS is a more premium product than the XR, but I don’t know who I would recommend the XS to. OK, maybe animal portraiture artists and screen obsessives. Anyone else willing to spend up to $1,450 for the top-spec iPhone XS Max is putting status over substance.”​

Another load of BS. Here’s the thing. The iphone xs max is everything the xr is but better. So if someone has lots of money like myself why would i buy the lesser phone?

 

[Shanghaichica]

Have to disagree. I had a S9+ and now own a Note 9 alongside my iphone max. Hands down the max has the best screen to date .

But is it worth £200 more.

 

[Broadus]

Another load of BS. Here’s the thing. The iphone xs max is everything the xr is but better. So if someone has lots of money like myself why would i buy the lesser phone?

Well, good for you, but that’s an entirely different debate. Most people don’t have more money than they know what to do with and look for the best bang for the buck. The review is dead on for regular people.

 

[Garemlin]

Good question, but here’s another: Why are people paying it?

Lol I have never seen that argument. Nice!!!

Because to some people paying a premium price for something, whether it's worth it or not, makes them feel good about themselves.

I just wish everyone would get over it. They act like Apple is tarnishing their name by releasing a reasonably priced quality device.

 

[Micky 32]

But is it worth £

Well, good for you, but that’s an entirely different debate. Most people don’t have more money than they know what to do with and look for the best bang for the buck. The review is dead on for regular people.

You are correct. The xr will suit a certain budget and people who don’t care about money will buy the max mostly.
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Lol I have never seen that argument. Nice!!!

Because to some people paying a premium price for something, whether it's worth it or not, makes them feel good about themselves.

I just wish everyone would get over it. They act like Apple is tarnishing their name by releasing a reasonably priced quality device.

The same argument could be applied why are people paying so much for a lcd 1792 x 828.

 

[Garemlin]

You are the premium products target customer. More money than sense. Smart people with lots of money make more money by making wise investment choices. Not by buying the most expensive thing they can just because they can. That's how rich people become former rich people.

 

[Garemlin]

You are correct. The xr will suit a certain budget and people who don’t care about money will buy the max mostly.
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The same argument could be applied why are people paying so much for a lcd 1792 x 828.

An 1792x828 LCD that by 95% of the people who have seen or used it is just fine. And $800 is hardly a premium price for a phone these days. You are still getting a quality build, great single lens camera and the fastest processor out there. Best bang for the buck by a mile.

The sooner you spec chasers get off of this inferior LCD/OLED FTW attitude the better. There is more to life than on-paper specs.

 

[Micky 32]

The sooner you spec chasers get off of this inferior LCD/OLED FTW attitude the better. There is more to life than on-paper specs.

For me it’s not about spec chasing. I bought the max for it’s higher resolution screen because i enjoy 1080p60fps hdr videos.

 

[purged]

What?

 

[Micky 32]

The review covered that (as did your brag). Status over substance.

There is substance to your decision, but it’s far more on the status end of the scale.

Lmao. Did you read any of my posts? I bought the max mostly for the 6.5 inch hdr screen that i enjoy using. Why is that hard for you to understand?

 

[tridot]

The XR screen is incredible. To the average person I doubt they’d ever notice a difference.

 

[areyes163]

Makes no sense to argue over what screen is better. Everyone’s eyes are different. Just enjoy the phone you picked for whatever reason you did. Never understood the need to put something down to justify yourself whatever side your on.

Personally I sold my XS Max and got the XR. I like the screen and battery life is better. I don’t have the best eyes anymore so to me. Toy screens look about the same. And for me the battery life is higher in the list than the screen which I can’t even tell the difference. I use my iPad for movies and entertainment since it’s larger and easier to see.

Everyone’s different. Just because someone buys the XR doesn’t mean they don’t have the means to get the Max. And just because someone gets the Max doesn’t mean they have money especially now when everyone can get financing through carriers or apple. I’m willing to bet if financing went away and everyone had to drop full price down on phones the sell rates would be dramatically different. Just enjoy whatever your reason is for whatever your phone is.

 

[cornerexit]

Spot on, which is why I wonder why people fight over screens. It all sucks compared to an hd tv so who cares? A phone is a tool, and I don’t need a piece of fragile jewelry I need a work machine. The XR is a total workhorse with a screen easy on the eyes, killer battery life, and tough body that I don’t have to be scared to beat up a bit.

Oh yeah - I can also easily afford the xs max. Chose the XR.

Same. You’ve got so many whiners on here. They are pissed the less expensive product has a few things better than the more expensive option. They are upset that other people don’t feel the same way about the consumer product. Simple minds think the decision or choice is just about money. If you can afford to buy a new iphone you aren’t hurting for money.

Just realize you are talking to many addicts on here. They are on that phone all damn day. It’s the most important thing in their lives. Some of them it’s their only device so it’s their errythang, my precious, etc. Most of the grown folks have a 4K display at the house or some kind of nice TV to watch content. Others have iPads, MBP, MacMini with displays, etc, so the phone is just a tool. I have a career so I’m not on my damn phone all day. My employer pays me good money and work is for work. At home IPP, 4K display, certainly not choosing the phone over those options. It’s just a different demographic. Anyone that gets that riled up arguing about consumer products, has got problems and a effed up priority list. I’m just waiting for Gaga, Swift, or some wannabe rapper to make a song called “My phone”. It’ll be the #1 song of all time. A nation of addicts.

 

[canesalato]

The 6/6s/7/8 all have a 4.7” screen. The smaller the screen the lower resolution you can get away with. At 6.1” it’s just too low of a resolution for me. Other than that, I love everything about the phone.

I think you are confused about this. The resolution of the XR is not the same as the iPhone 6/6s/7/8. It's actually significantly higher (1334 x 750 vs 1,792x828). The pixel density (aka, pixels per inch) is the same, at 326 ppi.
As screens get bigger, usually pixel density decreases because you tend to keep them more distant from your eyes. For example, the iPad and even the iPad pros have significantly lower pixel densities than iPhones (264 ppi vs 326 ppi). And the iPad with the highest pixel density has always been, and still is, the iPad Mini, at 326 ppi (just like the iPhone XR).
Retina MacBooks have even lower pixel densities (227 ppi).
To summarize, the iPhone XR has a higher resolution than the iPhone 6/6s/7/8, that allows to have the same pixel density as the old iPhones in a larger screen.