iPhone XR Hold out for 2019 XR or buy now?

[Reno Raines]

Your XR or 6s?
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Would be worth waiting for that!

Sorry my XR.

 

[cullenl87]

I'll probably get an XR this year. I have an XS Max right now and it's too big. My roommate has an XR and I really dig it. Plus the battery life is insane!!

 

[bluecoast]

For 2019, I could see the XR2 getting a single camera update that along with software, doubles down on computational photography. I don’t think that the XR will ever have dual lens or more.

I could also see them focusing on shaving 1-2 mm off its depth (ie less thick) and the bezel. Other than this, I think that the body will be unchanged.

I couldn’t see them adding in anything more than the above. Not even the higher dpi LCD screens found in the Plus models. No-one complains about the XR screen and everyone loves the long battery life.

Faced with increased competition from the world of Android, I could see a phone like this starting at $50 less than the current XR.

I could also see the current XR hanging around at a lower price point, occupying the same price range as the 8 does now.

 

[JPack]

For 2019, I could see the XR2 getting a single camera update that along with software, doubles down on computational photography. I don’t think that the XR will ever have dual lens or more.

I could also see them focusing on shaving 1-2 mm off its depth (ie less thick) and the bezel. Other than this, I think that the body will be unchanged.

I couldn’t see them adding in anything more than the above. Not even the higher dpi LCD screens found in the Plus models. No-one complains about the XR screen and everyone loves the long battery life.

Faced with increased competition from the world of Android, I could see a phone like this starting at $50 less than the current XR.

I could also see the current XR hanging around at a lower price point, occupying the same price range as the 8 does now.

I think if you consider the competition in the global market, I would suggest it's extremely unlikely the 11R would stay with a single rear lens.

Apple is shedding market share by double digits in core markets such as western Europe and China. There's only one competitor gaining those percentage points. That competitor has sold triple rear lens products on the market for the past 12 months at the same price as the XR.

The iPhone 11 is expected to have better zoom (3x) and an ultrawide lens. This alone gives the 11R an opportunity to adopt a basic dual lens setup.

 

[bluecoast]

I think if you consider the competition in the global market, I would suggest it's extremely unlikely the 11R would stay with a single rear lens.

Apple is shedding market share by double digits in core markets such as western Europe and China. There's only one competitor gaining those percentage points. That competitor has sold triple rear lens products on the market for the past 12 months at the same price as the XR.

The iPhone 11 is expected to have better zoom (3x) and an ultrawide lens. This alone gives the 11R an opportunity to adopt a basic dual lens setup.

A really well argued point. I wonder then if we’ll also see the return to the Plus phones dpi then?

 

[puma1552]

We are pretty much exactly mid-cycle, so I would say if you aren't buying soon, very soon - like in the next week or two, then I would wait.

I was going to keep my launch day 8 until 2019 launch day, but decided I might really like the 2020 phone and with the upgrade itch, figured I'd buy an Xs a couple weeks ago, and then buy the 2020 model on launch day. I tend to find upgrading annually to be wasteful and just plain a hassle, but two years is still a long time to go between upgrades, I get bored. So I figure buy every 18 months and get two out of every three phones.

So I'd say sure, buy now, but by now, I mean now. Makes no sense if we start getting into April/May and beyond if you don't really need it, especially at Apple's prices.

 

[JPack]

A really well argued point. I wonder then if we’ll also see the return to the Plus phones dpi then?

I think the display will remain as-is for 2019. The display is the single most expensive component. To give some perspective, IHS estimated the cost of the iPhone 8 Plus display to be $52 in 2017. The iPhone XS Max camera costs $37. From a consumer mindshare perspective, having dual cameras is probably more valuable than a higher PPI display, and more cost effective in terms of component cost.

 

[bluecoast]

I think if you consider the competition in the global market, I would suggest it's extremely unlikely the 11R would stay with a single rear lens.

Apple is shedding market share by double digits in core markets such as western Europe and China. There's only one competitor gaining those percentage points. That competitor has sold triple rear lens products on the market for the past 12 months at the same price as the XR.

The iPhone 11 is expected to have better zoom (3x) and an ultrawide lens. This alone gives the 11R an opportunity to adopt a basic dual lens setup.

If what you say transpires, count me in for buying an XR2 then.

 

[44267547]

For 2019, I could see the XR2 getting a single camera update that along with software, doubles down on computational photography. I don’t think that the XR will ever have dual lens or more.

I could also see them focusing on shaving 1-2 mm off its depth (ie less thick) and the bezel. Other than this, I think that the body will be unchanged.

I couldn’t see them adding in anything more than the above. Not even the higher dpi LCD screens found in the Plus models. No-one complains about the XR screen and everyone loves the long battery life.

Faced with increased competition from the world of Android, I could see a phone like this starting at $50 less than the current XR.

I could also see the current XR hanging around at a lower price point, occupying the same price range as the 8 does now.

The current debacle with the XR, is only one thing, the price. I still believe $750.00 is generally on the high side for this phone (Even though it’s very akin to the XS with specs’) . Now, given trade in’s and promotions, it decreases the cost more for the consumer to upgrade.

Ultimately what I would like to see Apple do, is keep the 2018 iPhone XR in their lineup v.s. removing it with the introduction of the 2019 XR. By that method, it’s still allows a greater/wider price range option for the consumer to choose what they want to spend when upgrading. But the drawback being, is that if the 2018 XR remains in Apples line up alongside a 2019 XR, that’s direct competition with each other, which Apple likely wouldn’t want the 2018 XR to detract away from the 2019 XR Sales. [I suspect the 2018 XR remains discounted for 2019 with the introduction of the new iPhones.]

 

[Nerdyaf]

The current debacle with the XR, is only one thing, the price. I still believe $750.00 is generally on the high side for this phone (Even though it’s very akin to the XS with specs’) . Now, given trade in’s and promotions, it decreases the cost more for the consumer to upgrade.

Ultimately what I would like to see Apple do, is keep the 2018 iPhone XR in their lineup v.s. removing it with the introduction of the 2019 XR. By that method, it’s still allows a greater/wider price range option for the consumer to choose what they want to spend when upgrading. But the drawback being, is that if the 2018 XR remains in Apples line up alongside a 2019 XR, that’s direct competition with each other, which Apple likely wouldn’t want the 2018 XR to detract away from the 2019 XR Sales. [I suspect the 2018 XR remains discounted for 2019 with the introduction of the new iPhones.]

i agree with this perspective more than earlier posts that apple will have to add new features to XR to compete with android.

XS/Max is meant to be the one competing with android for features; XR is meant to be a cheap phone everyone can afford, so price, not features, should be the main selling point. i believe average users couldnt be bothered by screen specs, although it will be easy for them to think that dual lens is better than single lens. nonetheless, iphone is sufficiently differentiated from android that they do not need to offer like-for-like features to compete. As such, i believe it is like what relentless said, the problem with XR is phone for average users but premium prices.

It is also just rumours, and dare I highlight rumours, that the new MAX will have triple lens. In any case, the rumour expects XS to have dual lens, so i doubt XR will match XS given their price difference. but this is all just guesswork (on my part as well).

in any case, i strongly believe the current trend will continue; we will have small non-gamechanging upgrades for the next generation iphones. so unless you need the latest and shiniest, you will find far better value buying the earlier generation iphones.

 

[Denaaaa]

i agree with this perspective more than earlier posts that apple will have to add new features to XR to compete with android.

XS/Max is meant to be the one competing with android for features; XR is meant to be a cheap phone everyone can afford, so price, not features, should be the main selling point. i believe average users couldnt be bothered by screen specs, although it will be easy for them to think that dual lens is better than single lens. nonetheless, iphone is sufficiently differentiated from android that they do not need to offer like-for-like features to compete. As such, i believe it is like what relentless said, the problem with XR is phone for average users but premium prices.

It is also just rumours, and dare I highlight rumours, that the new MAX will have triple lens. In any case, the rumour expects XS to have dual lens, so i doubt XR will match XS given their price difference. but this is all just guesswork (on my part as well).

in any case, i strongly believe the current trend will continue; we will have small non-gamechanging upgrades for the next generation iphones. so unless you need the latest and shiniest, you will find far better value buying the earlier generation iphones.

Why do so many of you say the average user when it comes to XR users? I’ve not been into Apple as long as some (first iPhone was the 5) but I’ve had every iPhone out since the 5 at some point and those who make it seem like there this huge and glaringly obvious difference always make me laugh. Apple anons are a different breed lol.

OP I’d say wait it out for Sept. You’ll have way more options to choose from.

 

[Nerdyaf]

Why do so many of you say the average user when it comes to XR users? I’ve not been into Apple as long as some (first iPhone was the 5) but I’ve had every iPhone out since the 5 at some point and those who make it seem like there this huge and glaringly obvious difference always make me laugh. Apple anons are a different breed lol.

OP I’d say wait it out for Sept. You’ll have way more options to choose from.

i just mean most people. this applies to other iphone models as well. for example my dad owns a XS, but he doesnt even download any apps. all he does is youtube, calls and imessage. he chose XS because it's the newest and best iphone from Apple, and if I have bought him an XR instead, he wouldnt know any better. not everyone is so interested in the specs; they just want something that works and works well.

 

[bluecoast]

i agree with this perspective more than earlier posts that apple will have to add new features to XR to compete with android.

XS/Max is meant to be the one competing with android for features; XR is meant to be a cheap phone everyone can afford, so price, not features, should be the main selling point. i believe average users couldnt be bothered by screen specs, although it will be easy for them to think that dual lens is better than single lens. nonetheless, iphone is sufficiently differentiated from android that they do not need to offer like-for-like features to compete. As such, i believe it is like what relentless said, the problem with XR is phone for average users but premium prices.

It is also just rumours, and dare I highlight rumours, that the new MAX will have triple lens. In any case, the rumour expects XS to have dual lens, so i doubt XR will match XS given their price difference. but this is all just guesswork (on my part as well).

in any case, i strongly believe the current trend will continue; we will have small non-gamechanging upgrades for the next generation iphones. so unless you need the latest and shiniest, you will find far better value buying the earlier generation iphones.

As you say, I’d expect the XS2 Max to have triple lens & the XS2 double lens.

However I differ with you in that I think that Apple are really going to pull their socks up in 2019 and offer consumers a clear upgrade path.

The XR I’m convinced will be two phones this year - an XR2 and an XR2 ‘mini’.

It may be of course, that if we do get an XR mini/SE2/6-8 replacement that that model has the single camera lens with the regular XR2 having a dual lens.

If so, you’d expect it then to gain the higher dpi screen so it’s a true replacement for the plus phones.

In fact, the more I think about it, the XR mini makes way more sense as it frees up the regular XR to be mid to high range and to match the feature set (and price) of the Plus.

Consumers then have a clear upgrade path from their previous devices (something that they didn’t have this year):

6-8 users who like the size and or price of their current phone and who have always had a single lens camera and don’t know anytyging different - the XR2 mini will be for them.

6s-8 Plus users who like their higher dpi screen and dual camera lens - the regular XR will be for them.

This then leaves the two XR2 phones to be unashamedly (affordable) luxury items with high end features to match.