iPhone X Returning Xs/Xs Max and Getting the Xr...

[Rangers94]

I can’t give up the Max display. Surfing the web, gaming and watching video are an absolute pleasure on the Max. I notice I reach for my iPad a lot less now.

The only thing I miss (slightly) about the X and I’m sure it’d be the same with the XR as it’s slightly smaller than the Max, is the ergonomics. However, after having the Max for a week now I can safely say that the display imo far outweighs the small nuisance of handling a larger phone. I use a popsocket on the Max which I love. It makes one handed use simple and even acts as a stand in landscape mode.

 

[DNichter]

The only real reason to do this is money, which is a valid reason in my opinion. If you are okay with the lesser screen and bigger bezel, I think the XR is a great choice. It's interesting to see the amount of people who prefer the XR seemingly acting like it is somehow superior to the XS though (it's a great value, let's keep that in perspective). I think those sort of discussions/mindsets really need to be removed from these forums. Buy what you want, they are all good options.

 

[ssledoux]

The only real reason to do this is money, which is a valid reason in my opinion. If you are okay with the lesser screen and bigger bezel, I think the XR is a great choice. It's interesting to see the amount of people who prefer the XR seemingly acting like it is somehow superior to the XS though (it's a great value, let's keep that in perspective). I think those sort of discussions/mindsets really need to be removed from these forums. Buy what you want, they are all good options.

Well, I disagree that these discussions should be removed because I think there are different things that are important to different people.

For some people, having longer battery life IS superior. For others, the LCD may be a superior choice because they can’t handle OLED. For others, the in-between size of the XR may be the perfect balance. For still others the colors may make it a more desireable choice. Of course for many, the price point is the tipping point.

Bottom line - certainly the XS/XS Max are what is to be considered, by most if not all, the top of the line, but to say there is nothing that could make this phone more superior to some is just not a fair statement.

 

[DNichter]

Well, I disagree that these discussions should be removed because I think there are different things that are important to different people.

For some people, having longer battery life IS superior. For others, the LCD may be a superior choice because they can’t handle OLED. For others, the in-between size of the XR may be the perfect balance. For still others the colors may make it a more desireable choice. Of course for many, the price point is the tipping point.

Bottom line - certainly the XS/XS Max are what is to be considered, by most if not all, the top of the line, but to say there is nothing that could make this phone more superior to some is just not a fair statement.

I just mean to constant back and forth saying one persons choice is somehow better than another's. I just find it a bit silly, but hey whatever you prefer I guess. What you are describing is a personal choice, not necessarily anything better/superior (I hate that word) - it's just a preference for one feature over the other. No big deal.

 

[UnifiedMelody]

the only real reason is money, but then again when i saw the XR today in store, it seemed like apple cheaped out with so much of the design and the thickness was very apparent even though it's 1mm.

still like my iPhone XS max though, coming from a 6S Plus... for a phone to last that long for me is considered very very good in this day and age.

 

[ssledoux]

I just mean to constant back and forth saying one persons choice is somehow better than another's. I just find it a bit silly, but hey whatever you prefer I guess. What you are describing is a personal choice, not necessarily anything better/superior (I hate that word) - it's just a preference for one feature over the other. No big deal.

Oh I agree there. The constant bickering is pretty ridiculous since we all have different uses for our devices, so we are all better served by different things.

I DO like to hear people’s reasoning because if it seems their uses are similar to mine, it may help me make a rational decision about something.

For me, this is the only option other than keeping my 8+ (which is also a valid option, but not nearly as fun as new tech). My XS Max gave me some pretty severe headaches. I MIGHT have been able to adjust over time, but I just wasn’t willing to take the chance. I decided to stick with my 8+ another year.

Then the preorders started and the Apple junkie in me just couldn’t NOT order one. ;-p

I’m hoping I’ll like it, but if not, I’ll stick with my 8+ til next year and hope something changes.

 

[madgalaxy]

For me it is costs - just can not seem to stomach the $1100 for a phone, especially an "S cycle" iPhone. I did initially get the Max and it was great, but not $1100 great. In the end I returned it. I did get the X last year when it came out and it was easier to swallow seeing the X was so new and different than anything that has come out before.

I am still undecided about the Xr and will make a decision when I get to see one in person. My X is still fantastic, but I would like a bigger display for my aging eyes.

 

[Mackinjosh]

The only real reason to do this is money, which is a valid reason in my opinion. If you are okay with the lesser screen and bigger bezel, I think the XR is a great choice. It's interesting to see the amount of people who prefer the XR seemingly acting like it is somehow superior to the XS though (it's a great value, let's keep that in perspective). I think those sort of discussions/mindsets really need to be removed from these forums. Buy what you want, they are all good options.

Money, size, battery, PWM, and memory options are all huge reasons.

 

[ssledoux]

For me it is costs - just can not seem to stomach the $1100 for a phone, especially an "S cycle" iPhone. I did initially get the Max and it was great, but not $1100 great. In the end I returned it. I did get the X last year when it came out and it was easier to swallow seeing the X was so new and different than anything that has come out before.

I am still undecided about the Xr and will make a decision when I get to see one in person. My X is still fantastic, but I would like a bigger display for my aging eyes.

That’s why I was going for the Max - just can’t handle smaller as my eyes get crappier. I also like a bigger keyboard or I’m ALWAYS hitting the wrong keys when I’m texting.

I’m hoping the XR is just the right size, and I’m hoping I love it, because if they don’t do something about the PWM on the OLED screens, I’m gonna have to keep it a LONG time!

 

[Mackinjosh]

For me it is costs - just can not seem to stomach the $1100 for a phone, especially an "S cycle" iPhone. I did initially get the Max and it was great, but not $1100 great. In the end I returned it. I did get the X last year when it came out and it was easier to swallow seeing the X was so new and different than anything that has come out before.

I am still undecided about the Xr and will make a decision when I get to see one in person. My X is still fantastic, but I would like a bigger display for my aging eyes.

Yep, I can easily afford a Max, I just can't justify it at all. Maybe someday I'll hold a phone that will make me think 1000 dollar+ phones are justified, but it definitely wasn't the XS or Max.

 

[dspdoc]

Well, I disagree that these discussions should be removed because I think there are different things that are important to different people.

For some people, having longer battery life IS superior. For others, the LCD may be a superior choice because they can’t handle OLED. For others, the in-between size of the XR may be the perfect balance. For still others the colors may make it a more desireable choice. Of course for many, the price point is the tipping point.

Bottom line - certainly the XS/XS Max are what is to be considered, by most if not all, the top of the line, but to say there is nothing that could make this phone more superior to some is just not a fair statement.

110% agree with you. I’m getting really sick of people saying the Xs is “superior”. That statement is blatantly false. It is NOT superior and for some people is actually the worse choice.
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the only real reason is money, but then again when i saw the XR today in store, it seemed like apple cheaped out with so much of the design and the thickness was very apparent even though it's 1mm.

still like my iPhone XS max though, coming from a 6S Plus... for a phone to last that long for me is considered very very good in this day and age.

The “only” real reason is NOT money. Simply another justification of your choice. Stop bagging on other people’s choices and saying it is all about $. It isn’t. Many people who can afford the Xs will prefer and benefit greater from the Xr.
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Ok, I have taken them straight from the box and not setup, just taken some REALLY QUICK pictures to compare to the Xs Max. Both still have the clear wrap on them.

The XR does not have a warm screen - it just appears that way in the images (True Tone, off, auto brightness off). The iPhone Xs Max is brighter, but I would say that the XR has a cooler screen. I have two XR, one made in the Zhengzhou (F1) factory (128GB, week 40) and one in the Shenzhen (G0) factory (64GB, week 38). The Zhengzhou model is slightly warmer, but has sharper text. The Shenzhen one has better viewing angles at the extreme, so I will keep the 64GB model, even though the 128GB model is better value ($70 AUD more in Australia). The iPhone Xs Max is also out of the Shenzhen factory (G6).

The build quality on both is great. Not a fan of the silver screws where the lightning port is. The Xs Max feels more 'premium' with the polished edges (for lack of a better word) and you can feel the difference between the two when holding in your hand. I really like the way the XR feels in my hand. Reminds me of the X.

I am in Australia and have three Telstra SIM cards in the phones and where the Xs Max will switch to 3G, neither of the XR do (I am in a poor signal area). Both of the XR stay connected to 4G. All three phones were just unboxed so I haven't made any calls with them as yet.

EDIT: I am sensitive to PWM on the Xs Max (did not suffer this with my X), yet there are no issues on with my XR. I have noticed the lettering is not as smooth on the fonts between the XR and the Xs Max (Xs Max is smoother).

The Xs Max screen looks more pink in tone.

 

[DNichter]

Money, size, battery, PWM, and memory options are all huge reasons.

Sure, but money is still the driving factor (PWM aside, considering that's a newfound health issue). Personal preferences are obviously important also, not discounting that, but if the XS was $750 and the XR was $750, I think we'd see different results.

 

[Kristine]

The Xs Max screen looks more pink in tone.

Yeah, I agree in those pictures it does, and this is why I am not a fan of posting pictures online - these were taken really quick, in uncontrolled conditions with two different handsets (the iPhone XR and a cheap android handset) and I wasn't trying to show that one was better than the other. The Xs Max is not pink at all. If anything, the screen is much warmer than the XR, however the viewing angles are much better on the Xs Max - the Xs Max shifts blue when tilted (which also seems to annoy my eyes). That is also why I ended up adding some images of the screens that I took in a mainly dark room to try and give a better depiction.

I don't think one handset is better than the other - I think both are intended for different audiences, and although cost may be a factor for some, it is not for me, yet I still am keeping the XR (I've been through six Xs Max's).

To be honest, if I wasn't sensitive to the PWM on the Xs Max (I had no issues with the X), and didn't have issues with my phone signal dropping out, then that is what I would have kept, but I'm not going to put up with headaches and feeling nauseous just so I can 'prove' that cost was not a factor in my decision.

 

[Mackinjosh]

Sure, but money is still the driving factor (PWM aside, considering that's a newfound health issue). Personal preferences are obviously important also, not discounting that, but if the XS was $750 and the XR was $750, I think we'd see different results.

I wouldn't say money is the driving factor, but value sure is. I have the money to buy a Max or XS. I just can't justify the value, especially when I can get a new MacBook Pro for the same or less money.

 

[dspdoc]

Yeah, I agree in those pictures it does, and this is why I am not a fan of posting pictures online - these were taken really quick, in uncontrolled conditions with two different handsets (the iPhone XR and a cheap android handset) and I wasn't trying to show that one was better than the other. The Xs Max is not pink at all. If anything, the screen is much warmer than the XR, however the viewing angles are much better on the Xs Max - the Xs Max shifts blue when tilted (which also seems to annoy my eyes). That is also why I ended up adding some images of the screens that I took in a mainly dark room to try and give a better depiction.

I don't think one handset is better than the other - I think both are intended for different audiences, and although cost may be a factor for some, it is not for me, yet I still am keeping the XR (I've been through six Xs Max's).

To be honest, if I wasn't sensitive to the PWM on the Xs Max (I had no issues with the X), and didn't have issues with my phone signal dropping out, then that is what I would have kept, but I'm not going to put up with headaches and feeling nauseous just so I can 'prove' that cost was not a factor in my decision.

Yes the Xs Max I had also had horrible blue shift which is inherent of OLED. Funny how all the Xr naysayers on here never acknowledge that. Instead they nitpick anything they might deem as an issue with the Xr.

 

[linkgx1]

Just returned my Max for the XR. Got the product (RED) one. Beautiful phone, the Max is definitely more premium. But the XR is easier to carry around, only issue is getting used to going 'backward' with the screen. HOWEVER, the screen shift isn't bad as the Max.

 

[DNichter]

I wouldn't say money is the driving factor, but value sure is. I have the money to buy a Max or XS. I just can't justify the value, especially when I can get a new MacBook Pro for the same or less money.

Well yes, but value is an assessment of the worth of a good or service. Basically how much you are willing to spend for what you get back. Again, if the XS was $750 also, I think the conversation would be different. I agree, the XS is tough to swallow for some considering how much more it is than the XR, which is a great value. In the end, it's just a preference for most. I prefer the XS screens and I see the value there, so I am willing to spend the money. There is no wrong choice, as it's personal.

 

[dspdoc]

Well yes, but value is an assessment of the worth of a good or service. Basically how much you are willing to spend for what you get back. Again, if the XS was $750 also, I think the conversation would be different. I agree, the XS is tough to swallow for some considering how much more it is than the XR, which is a great value. In the end, it's just a preference for most. I prefer the XS screens and I see the value there, so I am willing to spend the money. There is no wrong choice, as it's personal.

Agreed, there is no wrong choice here.

 

[linkgx1]

Well yes, but value is an assessment of the worth of a good or service. Basically how much you are willing to spend for what you get back. Again, if the XS was $750 also, I think the conversation would be different. I agree, the XS is tough to swallow for some considering how much more it is than the XR, which is a great value. In the end, it's just a preference for most. I prefer the XS screens and I see the value there, so I am willing to spend the money. There is no wrong choice, as it's personal.

One of the bigger issues for value to me is how iOS is the same on the Max as it is, say, on an iPhone SE for the most part. Apple (smartly so) can extract a lot of value by reserving more premium parts on their most expensive phones, I mean, people are willing to pay for it. If the XS was $750, then I'd definitely get it. But once your product crosses the $1000 threshold, I expect a near flawless product with no compromises (returned two X Maxes).

 

[aevan]

I hope your right cause I saw horrible IR on a Samsung S9 at the AT&T store. It made me worry a little.

That's probably burn-in and not IR, due to the fact that these store phones keep the same picture on for days and days. It's not representative of real world usage.

It's ok to like an LCD screen without spreading misinformation and FUD over OLEDs. OLEDs are really good on iPhones, so are LCDs. They come with their sets of advantages and disadvantages. IR is not one of them.

 

[DNichter]

One of the bigger issues for value to me is how iOS is the same on the Max as it is, say, on an iPhone SE for the most part. Apple (smartly so) can extract a lot of value by reserving more premium parts on their most expensive phones, I mean, people are willing to pay for it. If the XS was $750, then I'd definitely get it. But once your product crosses the $1000 threshold, I expect a near flawless product with no compromises (returned two X Maxes).

Yea, I would somewhat agree with that. I do think iOS should be more optimized for the larger screen. I think iOS 11 was challenged due to the introduction of the X and basically having to execute on two OS's. iOS 12 was all about performance. I'd expect iOS 13 to start to take more advantage of the larger screen sizes (XR and XS Max), and further differentiate them from the XS (and potential smaller budget XR). I personally prefer the Max size now as it just gives iOS more room to breathe, which I like. I haven't ever had a quality issue with any Apple product in 20 years so I can't speak to your last statement. I don't necessarily expect manufacturing to be perfect though, regardless of cost.

 

[aevan]

Yes the Xs Max I had also had horrible blue shift which is inherent of OLED. Funny how all the Xr naysayers on here never acknowledge that. Instead they nitpick anything they might deem as an issue with the Xr.

You're really pounding on the XS. If you prefer XR, it's all that should matter to you. While I can totally agree that XS is not a better choice than XR for a lot of people, it's also not a worse phone in any universe.

XR looks like an AMAZING phone. Really. If I was planning an upgrade this year, I would seriously consider it. But XS does not have IR issues, it has an amazing OLED screen and is a really great phone. For a significantly smaller amount of money you're getting a slightly worse screen that even comes with some benefits - that's insane! And Apple LCDs are some of the best screens on the market. It makes XR a crazy good phone. No need to pound on the XS just to feel better about it.

 

[linkgx1]

Yea, I would somewhat agree with that. I do think iOS should be more optimized for the larger screen. I think iOS 11 was challenged due to the introduction of the X and basically having to execute on two OS's. iOS 12 was all about performance. I'd expect iOS 13 to start to take more advantage of the larger screen sizes (XR and XS Max), and further differentiate them from the XS (and potential smaller budget XR). I personally prefer the Max size now as it just gives iOS more room to breathe, which I like. I haven't ever had a quality issue with any Apple product in 20 years so I can't speak to your last statement. I don't necessarily expect manufacturing to be perfect though, regardless of cost.

I never really had any Apple issues weirdly enough until the Max. But, I will say that I was surprised with the direction the Max took compared to the iPhone 6 Plus I had. The 6 Plus embraced it's size, but for some reason Apple just decided the Max is just a big iPhone. Will hope it changes with iOS 13 too.

 

[dspdoc]

One of the bigger issues for value to me is how iOS is the same on the Max as it is, say, on an iPhone SE for the most part. Apple (smartly so) can extract a lot of value by reserving more premium parts on their most expensive phones, I mean, people are willing to pay for it. If the XS was $750, then I'd definitely get it. But once your product crosses the $1000 threshold, I expect a near flawless product with no compromises (returned two X Maxes).

I returned two Maxes and one Xs myself. Nowhere near the flawless experience you are speaking of and correct about. Mine kept having wonky WiFi and speed issues, bad blue shift and the dreaded PWM, just to name a few issues.
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You're really pounding on the XS. If you prefer XR, it's all that should matter to you. While I can totally agree that XS is not a better choice than XR for a lot of people, it's also not a worse phone in any universe.

XR looks like an AMAZING phone. Really. If I was planning an upgrade this year, I would seriously consider it. But XS does not have IR issues, it has an amazing OLED screen and is a really great phone. For a significantly smaller amount of money you're getting a slightly worse screen that even comes with some benefits - that's insane! And Apple LCDs are some of the best screens on the market. It makes XR a crazy good phone. No need to pound on the XS just to feel better about it.

I don’t need to feel better about anything. You’re the one who keeps “pounding” on this IR thing like a five year old stomping their feet demanding to be right. You have your experience and the rest of us have ours. Give it a rest already. You aren’t going to somehow magically convince me any different about IR so you’re just wasting your time. Maybe your time has no value? I certainly hope this isn’t the case.

 

[doboy]

That's probably burn-in and not IR, due to the fact that these store phones keep the same picture on for days and days. It's not representative of real world usage.

It's ok to like an LCD screen without spreading misinformation and FUD over OLEDs. OLEDs are really good on iPhones, so are LCDs. They come with their sets of advantages and disadvantages. IR is not one of them.

Yeah, definitely seems like burn-in. BTW, I have OLED TV and love OLED in general.