Every article I’ve read has an incomplete list of differences between the Xs and Xr, so I thought I’d make a list that people can read and add to.
What the Xs has that the Xr does not:
1. The Xs has twice the cellular antennas (Gigabit-class LTE with 4x4 MIMO and LAA), so it’s able to go faster with the same signal and get useable signal in places that the Xr cannot. Update: maybe not: https://www.wiwavelength.com/2018/09/iphone-xr-trades-4x4-mimo-for-greater.html
Another update: maybe so: https://appleinsider.com/articles/1...lar-signal-strength-thanks-to-better-antennas
2. The Xs has a higher resolution OLED screen, and that screen extends slightly closer to the edge than the Xr (smaller bezel). A lot of people really like the vivid blacks of OLED screens, although they do have a color cast off-axis.
3. The Xs has Force Touch and the Xr does not.
4. The Xs has a telephoto lense for 2x zoom and the Xr does not. This also allows for better portrait shots.
5. The Xs has a a steel band around the outside, which possibly makes it more attractive and sturdier.
6. The Xs has 4 GB of RAM while the Xr has 3 GB.
7. The Xs has better water and dust resistance. (2 meters underwater vs. 1 meter)
8. The Xs has LTE band 46 and the Xr does not. I don't know the difference though.
9. The Xs is lighter (6.24 ounces vs. 6.84 ounces) and smaller.
10. The Xs has “advanced wireless charging”, but not sure what that means.
What the Xr has that the Xs does not.
1. The Xr has a bigger screen, and by default shows the same information (slightly smaller) that the XS Max will show. The default font size will be closer to the iPhone 8 size.
2. The Xr has better battery life, mostly likely quite a bit better.
3. The Xr comes in colors.
4. The Xr is much cheaper to repair out of warranty.
5. Both the Xr and its AppleCare warranty are significantly cheaper.
6. The memory upgrade path is better for most people on the Xr. For $50, you can upgrade from 64 to 128 GB. The only option for the Xs is to go from 64 all the way to 256, which costs $150. For a lot of people, 64 GB is a little tight, but they don’t need to go all the way to 256.
What the Xs has that the Xr does not:
1. The Xs has twice the cellular antennas (Gigabit-class LTE with 4x4 MIMO and LAA), so it’s able to go faster with the same signal and get useable signal in places that the Xr cannot. Update: maybe not: https://www.wiwavelength.com/2018/09/iphone-xr-trades-4x4-mimo-for-greater.html
Another update: maybe so: https://appleinsider.com/articles/1...lar-signal-strength-thanks-to-better-antennas
2. The Xs has a higher resolution OLED screen, and that screen extends slightly closer to the edge than the Xr (smaller bezel). A lot of people really like the vivid blacks of OLED screens, although they do have a color cast off-axis.
3. The Xs has Force Touch and the Xr does not.
4. The Xs has a telephoto lense for 2x zoom and the Xr does not. This also allows for better portrait shots.
5. The Xs has a a steel band around the outside, which possibly makes it more attractive and sturdier.
6. The Xs has 4 GB of RAM while the Xr has 3 GB.
7. The Xs has better water and dust resistance. (2 meters underwater vs. 1 meter)
8. The Xs has LTE band 46 and the Xr does not. I don't know the difference though.
9. The Xs is lighter (6.24 ounces vs. 6.84 ounces) and smaller.
10. The Xs has “advanced wireless charging”, but not sure what that means.
What the Xr has that the Xs does not.
1. The Xr has a bigger screen, and by default shows the same information (slightly smaller) that the XS Max will show. The default font size will be closer to the iPhone 8 size.
2. The Xr has better battery life, mostly likely quite a bit better.
3. The Xr comes in colors.
4. The Xr is much cheaper to repair out of warranty.
5. Both the Xr and its AppleCare warranty are significantly cheaper.
6. The memory upgrade path is better for most people on the Xr. For $50, you can upgrade from 64 to 128 GB. The only option for the Xs is to go from 64 all the way to 256, which costs $150. For a lot of people, 64 GB is a little tight, but they don’t need to go all the way to 256.
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