Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Other Are the XS connection issues really that bad? Does the XR really not have them?

shamash

shamash

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 19, 2008
594
22
Portland, Oregon
I'm looking at upgrading to an XS or XR. One of the big things holding me back from the XS is reports of spotty service, dropped connections, etc.

In all honesty, I prefer the XR in most places except for the camera. I was going to go with XS just for that second camera. However, if I'll be getting better service with the XR I think I will be able to deal with the single camera.
 
Both phones work fine. You can go onto the internet and find reports of anything. Don't be afraid. Buy what you like best. If you want two cameras, get the XS. If you're ok with one camera and saving $250, get the XR.
 
  • Like
Reactions: moldy lunchbox
I got the XS for the camera and love it... been using this phone since Black Friday week and zero issues so far. I find myself using the ZOOM a lot!
 
Thanks for the feedback. My mom has the XS and keeps telling me her service is always dropping, and she has no service when my brother (XR) and dad (7+) both have service. That's the main thing concerning me.

Although I really want the dual cameras, I like the XR's bigger screen and that it runs cooler, and don't care too much about OLED. The big turn off on XR is the bigger bezel.

It's really a hard choice for me. I'm leaning more toward XR if the connectivity is an actual hardware issue and leaning toward XS if maybe it's a small problem and my mom can just exchange her phone for a new one that will fix it.
 
shamash said:
Thanks for the feedback. My mom has the XS and keeps telling me her service is always dropping, and she has no service when my brother (XR) and dad (7+) both have service. That's the main thing concerning me.

Although I really want the dual cameras, I like the XR's bigger screen and that it runs cooler, and don't care too much about OLED. The big turn off on XR is the bigger bezel.

It's really a hard choice for me. I'm leaning more toward XR if the connectivity is an actual hardware issue and leaning toward XS if maybe it's a small problem and my mom can just exchange her phone for a new one that will fix it.
Click to expand...

There’s a thread around here of XR having connection issues.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-xr-reception-issues.2162007/
 
shamash said:
Thanks for the feedback. My mom has the XS and keeps telling me her service is always dropping, and she has no service when my brother (XR) and dad (7+) both have service. That's the main thing concerning me.

Although I really want the dual cameras, I like the XR's bigger screen and that it runs cooler, and don't care too much about OLED. The big turn off on XR is the bigger bezel.

It's really a hard choice for me. I'm leaning more toward XR if the connectivity is an actual hardware issue and leaning toward XS if maybe it's a small problem and my mom can just exchange her phone for a new one that will fix it.
Click to expand...

I really only noticed connectivity issues when 12.1 came around. Now, my phone will randomly drop all bars and search for service. I've also had a sharp increase in the number of failed calls (something that has always been very rare for me). I keep hoping it's something that will get fixed in a future software update, since it seems to me that software is what made mine worse.
 
I had some issues with my WiFi and LTE for awhile on my XS Max but it seems the last update or two has completely resolved it. I’ve never had any actual signal issues as far as calls and find that to be excellent! I came from a 7+ and find the XS to live up to the hype.
 
Haven't got a Xs myself (am still on X) but I know friends who still have issues - they just have learned to live with it!
 
shamash said:
I'm looking at upgrading to an XS or XR. One of the big things holding me back from the XS is reports of spotty service, dropped connections, etc.

In all honesty, I prefer the XR in most places except for the camera. I was going to go with XS just for that second camera. However, if I'll be getting better service with the XR I think I will be able to deal with the single camera.
Click to expand...

I don't think there is any signal issue with the new iphones that I can see, except for the occasional one off malfunctioning phone which always happens

In terms of the camera issue, I upgraded from an X to the XR, and the camera was the main thing I was worried about.
I have managed to get round this as follows

The XR (and XS) camera is superior to the X as it has a larger sensor and a better signal processor (better low light performance and HDR enhancement which is actually quite good).

Therefore to eliminate the distortion and use the sweet spot of the lens I just electronic zoom by 25%, as you are now using the sweet centre of the lens and its still crystal clear.

Example:
qaz.jpg



Best of luck!
 
  • Like
Reactions: apolloa
No issue here. I have X and XS in my house. I have NEVER gotten weaker signal than my wife’s X.
 
I have dropped connections, definitely decreased speed compared to my Iphone 7 plus. Its a serious issue in that I have to restart the phone to make a call sometime. ITS BAD.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AustinIllini
shamash said:
I'm looking at upgrading to an XS or XR. One of the big things holding me back from the XS is reports of spotty service, dropped connections, etc.

In all honesty, I prefer the XR in most places except for the camera. I was going to go with XS just for that second camera. However, if I'll be getting better service with the XR I think I will be able to deal with the single camera.
Click to expand...

The XR is heavily rumoured to be getting the dual camera this year so if you can wait.. you’ll get the best of both worlds.
The camera on the current XR is fantastic.

In regards to reception, it does drop WiFi randomly now and then but then reconnects in a second or two, that’s in my home on full strength WiFi, but the cellular seems alright.
[doublepost=1552821482][/doublepost]
colonelbutt said:
I don't think there is any signal issue with the new iphones that I can see, except for the occasional one off malfunctioning phone which always happens

In terms of the camera issue, I upgraded from an X to the XR, and the camera was the main thing I was worried about.
I have managed to get round this as follows

The XR (and XS) camera is superior to the X as it has a larger sensor and a better signal processor (better low light performance and HDR enhancement which is actually quite good).

Therefore to eliminate the distortion and use the sweet spot of the lens I just electronic zoom by 25%, as you are now using the sweet centre of the lens and its still crystal clear.

Example:
View attachment 814000


Best of luck!
Click to expand...

Huh, thanks for the tip I shall use that in my XR!
 
I have had connectivity issues with my XS. I have been out with my daughter where her 7+ has service but, my XS doesn’t. I have exchanged phones and still had problems though the second phone is better than the first. I’ve often wished I had my 8+ back.
 
With 14 day return policy you could get the XS try it and see. If your carrier, locations, give dropped call issues, return it and get the XR. Easy peezy
 
drmap said:
I have dropped connections, definitely decreased speed compared to my Iphone 7 plus. Its a serious issue in that I have to restart the phone to make a call sometime. ITS BAD.
Click to expand...
I had the same problem. Apple tried to blame the carrier. Carrier tried to blame Apple. Absolute disaster of a modem in the XS
 
In my experience, with piles of different iPhones, as well as the perfect location to test low signal...here’s my assessments on Verizon and T-Mobile.

iPad Pro 11” - Worst reception by far, with no 3G support. In my low-signal test area it averaged 1 bar of unstable LTE on Verizon, no service on T-Mobile.

iPhone XS Max - Worst reception of the phones, but tolerable. Fairly stable 1-2 bars LTE, mediocre/unstable 3G. No service on T-Mobile.

iPhone XS - Better than the XS Max in my usage, but still poor reception. Very similar to the Max, but a little more stable. No service on T-Mobile.

iPhone XR - Best reception of the X style phones by quite a bit, mostly stable, and also tolerable on T-Mobile.

iPhone X - A bit better than the XS models, but still subpar. Usable and mostly reliable, but subpar. No service on T-mobile.

iPhone 8 Plus - Very stable, reliable connection. Occasional hiccups, but solid reception. Tolerable reception on T-Mobile.

iPhone 8 - Same as 8 Plus on both carriers.

iPad 10.5” Pro - Less than stable connection. Frequent connection drops, but usable. No signal on T-Mobile

iPhone 7 Plus - Similar to 8 Plus/8, but not quite as strong signal - I’d assume due to the full aluminum construction and lack of glass back. Tolerable on T-Mobile.

iPhone 7 - Same as 7 Plus.

iPad Pro 12.9” (gen 1) - Solid reception, stable, and fast. Tolerable on T-Mobile.

iPad Pro 9.7” - Same as iPad Pro 10.5”.

iPhone SE - While not the strongest or fastest signal of the iPhones, the SE takes the cake for most stable connection by miles. Not a single dropped call or connection on either carrier in my usage. Solid on T-Mobile as well.

iPhone 6S Plus - similar to the 7 Plus, but a bit slower.

iPhone 6s - Same as 6S Plus.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back