iPhone XR Decision! iPhone 8 Plus or iPhone XR?

[dmk1974]

Allright, I finally picked up an XR and just set it up. Will give it a shot and see if over a few days or so I can adapt to Face ID instead of the Touch ID.

Are the preferred settings for Face ID the following?

• Raise to wake
• Disable the Require Attention for Face ID

Couldn't find a way to go straight to the home screen with Face ID. Any other Face ID tips are appreciated. Thanks!

 

[jdoyle]

I had the same choice. I chose the 8 Plus 265Gb over the XR 128Gb ( I didn't need 256Gb. I wished I could get 128Gb on the 8 Plus which is enough)

I am so glad I made that decision. 8 Plus is a beautiful phone and such a nice familiar upgrade from my 6S Plus which I loved. You get a dual lens, true tone display, water resistant, wireless charging, loud stereo speakers, 3D touch). It feels like a premium phone. XR just seems like too much has been stripped away for my liking. Plus I hate the notch and find the screen too narrow. The 16:9 1080p screen of the 8 Plus is perfect.

 

[NorthSeaBeach]

Ok, I have my Xr over a week now. I was sceptical because of the low res screen, but after seeing it myself in store, didn't think it to be a problem.

I'm still on the fence. The screen on my wife's 7 plus is so much nicer. Far better clarity which is very important to me because I read a lot on my phone.
Besides the screen, I love and prefer almost everything else on the Xr. The size of the Xr to me is perfect, face id is nice, just as 128gb storage option for €50 extra. And the batterylife is great.

I'm still considering returning my Xr and getting a 8 plus. Honestly the only thing that keeps me off the 8 plus is its size.

X and Xs are too small for me and the batterylife of those are meh. Xs max is way too much money for what it offers and just as big as the 8 plus.

I guess I just have to decide soon and don't look back.

 

[x34]

Ok, I have my Xr over a week now. I was sceptical because of the low res screen, but after seeing it myself in store, didn't think it to be a problem.

I'm still on the fence. The screen on my wife's 7 plus is so much nicer. Far better clarity which is very important to me because I read a lot on my phone.
Besides the screen, I love and prefer almost everything else on the Xr. The size of the Xr to me is perfect, face id is nice, just as 128gb storage option for €50 extra. And the batterylife is great.

I'm still considering returning my Xr and getting a 8 plus. Honestly the only thing that keeps me off the 8 plus is its size.

X and Xs are too small for me and the batterylife of those are mhew. Xs max is way too much money for what it offers and just as big as the 8 plus.

I guess I just have to decide soon and don't look back.

take the 8 plus. it offers the best value for the money this year and is the most refined iphone.

 

[dmk1974]

Here's my take after using the XR for 5 days (coming from the 8+):

Battery Life: Awesome! 8+ was also really good though too compared to older 7+
Screen Size: Good, but not like oh my God so much better
Form factor: Good in hand. Slightly better for 1-hand texting. Thicker, but not a big deal. Shorter in pocket is nicer.
Speed: Seems about the same as 8+. Snappier than older 7+ though.
Screen Resolution: Not noticeably different, even though per spec not as sharp
Notch: Not a big deal
Camera: Good, but I do miss 2X optical and photos of LED screens and other displays look real bad (see other thread).
Face ID: Don't like it. Much prefer Touch ID. Not as reliable, need to lift from desk to unlock. Leaning towards the phone on dash mount while driving is stupid (apparently I have long arms and legs for being 6'2" or something).
3D Touch: Miss it for a few apps such as Music, Google Maps and ESPN Fantasy and others. Works within Chrome to open or close a tab though which I thought was interesting.

Basically, I'm trying to "deal with" Face ID. If this thing had Touch ID, definite keeper. Still might be. If I had an older phone like a 6s or something, definite XR all the way. Just the trade-offs from the 8+ which I still think is a great phone and will be for a long time.

 

[Broadus]

Here's my take after using the XR for 5 days (coming from the 8+):

Battery Life: Awesome! 8+ was also really good though too compared to older 7+
Screen Size: Good, but not like oh my God so much better
Form factor: Good in hand. Slightly better for 1-hand texting. Thicker, but not a big deal. Shorter in pocket is nicer.
Speed: Seems about the same as 8+. Snappier than older 7+ though.
Screen Resolution: Not noticeably different, even though per spec not as sharp
Notch: Not a big deal
Camera: Good, but I do miss 2X optical and photos of LED screens and other displays look real bad (see other thread).
Face ID: Don't like it. Much prefer Touch ID. Not as reliable, need to lift from desk to unlock. Leaning towards the phone on dash mount while driving is stupid (apparently I have long arms and legs for being 6'2" or something).
3D Touch: Miss it for a few apps such as Music, Google Maps and ESPN Fantasy and others. Works within Chrome to open or close a tab though which I thought was interesting.

Basically, I'm trying to "deal with" Face ID. If this thing had Touch ID, definite keeper. Still might be. If I had an older phone like a 6s or something, definite XR all the way. Just the trade-offs from the 8+ which I still think is a great phone and will be for a long time.

Thanks for sharing. I went from a 6s to XR, so you’re right, it’s a decent upgrade. I wouldn’t expect the screen to be better than an 8 Plus, especially per specs, so it’s interesting that you put it close. Some have written similarly but others have disagreed.

But I have to admit to really liking Face ID. I wasn’t sure I would, but it’s grown on me the week and a half I’ve had it.

 

[nightkiller]

Hi guys,

First time posting on Macrumors!

I have just switched from an iphone 8+ to iphone XR since 5th Nov.

Initially, I was still contemplating whether it will be a good choice to change as my 8+ with ios 12 was still blazing fast.

However, I took the plunge when i found a good deal for a brand new non-contract iphone XR 128gb Red @ $1080 sgd. I top up $208 sgd after selling off my 8+.

After a few days of using iphone XR, it felt like a whole new experience for me without the physical Home Button. The gesture based iphone Xr is a breeze to navigate around, it didn't take long for me to get use to it.

The performance of XR is incredible, even though the 8+ is buttery smooth with ios12, the XR somehow feels abit smoother (could be placebo effect though). Switching off apps using the new gesture is so natural and fast, makes the physical Home button very redundant.

The XR's battery life is superb. For my usual usage(gaming, youtube, some emails, less than 5 mins call time, surfing net) on previous Plus iphones 6,7,8, the batteries will roughly last me from morning 9am till 7pm. But now, the XR manages to last from 9am to 9pm with at least 10% left.

Faceid is indeed very convenient and fast even in the dark. No complains for me.

However, given all the pros stated, the cons of XR will be the screen resolution for me. When watching youtube on the XR with Youtube App, I can somehow see that the image is not as sharp as Iphone 8+, both with 1080p resolution chosen. This is a bit of annoyance for me. But given that XR is almost $500 to $600 cheaper then the XS Max, I think this is something I can live with.

Reading of texts on Safari, Chromes and emails, looks fine to me though, can't really see the pixels at all, words are still sharp and clear for me. One thing i noticed is the screen brightness, I set my iphones to Auto Brightness without True Tone, the XR is brighter and the colours seem to pop up more than the 8+.

As for the Notch and Wide Bezels, I don't notice them at all after using XR for a few days. As I am looking at the edge to edge display all the time, it gives you an immersive experience.

Thank you, this are my few cents worth.

 

[SoYoung]

If you're used to use a plus model, I recommend the 8+ over the XR. Don't be fooled by the marketing of the screen size. The screen is just larger vertically, not bigger, not bigger. Videos on native 16:9 format (90% of videos nowadays) will be smaller on the XR vs the 8 plus. (I was disappointed when I saw the videos are the same on my max and my old 6 plus on 16:9 format)

You also don't get the landscape mode of the plus models and some apps are not the same as the plus model on landscape mode as well. I also prefer touch ID way more than FaceID. I'd liked to have a plus sized screen with just enough bezel on the top for the camera rather than the X design.
[doublepost=1541738331][/doublepost]

Hi guys,

First time posting on Macrumors!

I have just switched from an iphone 8+ to iphone XR since 5th Nov.

Initially, I was still contemplating whether it will be a good choice to change as my 8+ with ios 12 was still blazing fast.

However, I took the plunge when i found a good deal for a brand new non-contract iphone XR 128gb Red @ $1080 sgd. I top up $208 sgd after selling off my 8+.

After a few days of using iphone XR, it felt like a whole new experience for me without the physical Home Button. The gesture based iphone Xr is a breeze to navigate around, it didn't take long for me to get use to it.

The performance of XR is incredible, even though the 8+ is buttery smooth with ios12, the XR somehow feels abit smoother (could be placebo effect though). Switching off apps using the new gesture is so natural and fast, makes the physical Home button very redundant.

The XR's battery life is superb. For my usual usage(gaming, youtube, some emails, less than 5 mins call time, surfing net) on previous Plus iphones 6,7,8, the batteries will roughly last me from morning 9am till 7pm. But now, the XR manages to last from 9am to 9pm with at least 10% left.

Faceid is indeed very convenient and fast even in the dark. No complains for me.

However, given all the pros stated, the cons of XR will be the screen resolution for me. When watching youtube on the XR with Youtube App, I can somehow see that the image is not as sharp as Iphone 8+, both with 1080p resolution chosen. This is a bit of annoyance for me. But given that XR is almost $500 to $600 cheaper then the XS Max, I think this is something I can live with.

Reading of texts on Safari, Chromes and emails, looks fine to me though, can't really see the pixels at all, words are still sharp and clear for me. One thing i noticed is the screen brightness, I set my iphones to Auto Brightness without True Tone, the XR is brighter and the colours seem to pop up more than the 8+.

As for the Notch and Wide Bezels, I don't notice them at all after using XR for a few days. As I am looking at the edge to edge display all the time, it gives you an immersive experience.

Thank you, this are my few cents worth.

First of all, welcome to MacRumors

I'm agree with you with the new gestures, its the thing I like the most with my new XS max as well. It respond way better and quicker than the old home button and switching apps is a breeze.

Performance wise, maybe I'm not a hardcore user, but compared to my old 6s plus, the difference is not groundbreaking for me. Yes, its quicker, but not THAT much to me. The only thing I noticed and enjoy is the apps stays way longer in background due to the 4GB of ram, and just because of that, I'm happy.

I also love the battery life! I use my phone a lot and I always have over 50% at the end of the day. I can easily reach 7-8 hours of screen time - and I never be able to reach this on my olds phones, even my old 6+ and 6s+.

 

[dmk1974]

Well, I returned the XR to the Apple Store tonight. No negatives at all going back to the 8+. Great phone and happy to be back using Touch ID.

 

[Broadus]

Well, I returned the XR to the Apple Store tonight. No negatives at all going back to the 8+. Great phone and happy to be back using Touch ID.

You made an informed decision for what seems better for you, and that is all that matters. The 8 Plus is a fine phone. It should serve you well.

 

[NorthSeaBeach]

Well, I returned the XR to the Apple Store tonight. No negatives at all going back to the 8+. Great phone and happy to be back using Touch ID.

I'm on the same route. Going to return my 128gb Xr, as much as I like almost everything about that phone. I just can't over the low res screen. It already bugged me, but after spending a whole night comparing the screen on my wife's 7 plus and my Xr, there's just no denying. I'm not saying that the Xr screen is bad, but I'm enjoying the plus screen much more. It's far more pleasant for reading small print and that's what I do most on my phone.

So I'm going with a mint second hand 256gb 8 plus this year. Maybe if Apple comes up with a 1080p Xr next year, I might jump on that.

 

[dmk1974]

Well, I'm back on the XR. Not really because I wanted to, but because I upgraded my daughter's 6s+ 32gb at Costco with the sweet add-a-line trade-in deal. Getting $750 in rebates/credits for a phone worth $250 was too good to pass up. And at Costco, since their iPhones are all $50 less, I got the 128gb XR for $750 which I think is good.

Intended the XR to be for her, but after a few hours she didn't like it an since I'm a wonderful Dad, I gave her my 8+ instead. So, I'll learn to adapt to the XR I guess :/

Honestly though, if they could even get the Face ID to go to the home screen instead of the lock screen without the additional swipe, that would make me marginally happier. Why can't that be a setting???

 

[Broadus]

Honestly though, if they could even get the Face ID to go to the home screen instead of the lock screen without the additional swipe, that would make me marginally happier. Why can't that be a setting???

Agreed. I would love to see that.

 

[davedvdy]

I'm on the same route. Going to return my 128gb Xr, as much as I like almost everything about that phone. I just can't over the low res screen. It already bugged me, but after spending a whole night comparing the screen on my wife's 7 plus and my Xr, there's just no denying. I'm not saying that the Xr screen is bad, but I'm enjoying the plus screen much more. It's far more pleasant for reading small print and that's what I do most on my phone.

So I'm going with a mint second hand 256gb 8 plus this year. Maybe if Apple comes up with a 1080p Xr next year, I might jump on that.

Yeah, people say to ignore specs and throw them out the window. They do matter some, at least.

 

[smoking monkey]

If you're used to use a plus model, I recommend the 8+ over the XR. Don't be fooled by the marketing of the screen size. The screen is just larger vertically, not bigger, not bigger. Videos on native 16:9 format (90% of videos nowadays) will be smaller on the XR vs the 8 plus. (I was disappointed when I saw the videos are the same on my max and my old 6 plus on 16:9 format).

As for watching movies or tv shows, the plus is 3.5mm wider and will show 16:9 content approximately 5 percent bigger. For most modern movies it will be larger on the XR. How much depends on the notch and the movie’s aspect ratio.

The max will display 16:9 content larger than the plus phone. If u search this forum I posted a full comparison of max plus xr and xs viewing sizes with an example.

Hope this helps anybody interested