iPhone XR Whose getting the iPhone XR?

[JPack]

Apple did raise the price. The cheapest model was $699 last year. Now it’s $749

The display is the most expensive part of the iPhone. And the OLED is more expensive than the lcd.

The X was delayed due to supply last year. Or else it would have been released earlier.

The XR doesn’t have a supply issue. It’s cause they wanted people to buy the more expensive Xs/max.

So why doesn't Apple raise the price of XR to $799, $849, or even $899?

If the theory is the XR is underpriced and offers better value than Max, then Apple is clearly leaving money on the table. Apple wouldn't delay availability to fix a pricing issue. Apple would adjust the pricing on the XR.

The theory that Apple is deliberately delaying availability of the XR is bunk.

 

[Jarrodbcall]

Honestly the thought of getting something different than usual (like the top model) and having some fun with the colour really excites me. During the keynote I really wasn't expecting to see all the camera updates and Smart HDR come to the XR as well.

Exactly! And the idea of getting off the top model train is exciting because then I can upgrade to lower models down the line and still feel like it is an improvement.

 

[JPack]

Very true and in hindsight it’s hurting them this year over the next two months as those on the upgrade program are not yet at the one year point to upgrade. The manufacturing delays were a hell of a cock up really in that respect.

I suspect JDI was left in a vulnerable position after Apple signaled they were going OLED and Chinese smartphones were using domestic panels from BOE. In 2016/2017, JDI was all over the news looking for loans and bailouts. The company had also downsized and shut down LCD manufacturing lines to focus on developing OLED. Apple themselves probably thought they were going full OLED until the surge of low-cost 6" smartphones began last year.

 

[Glideslope]

720p and above is perfectly fine by me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Both the iPhone 7 & 8 have ‘Retina Displays’ with the same 326 PPI as the iPhone XR does. Nobody really complains about the displays on those phones except for spec sheet geeks.

Hell, I wish could drop the resolution on my 8+ from 1080p down to 828p, in order gain an additional 1.5 hours of battery life like the XR has.

You’re analysis is interesting Hal. I was once a Spec Sheet Geek myself.

Dr. Chandler.

 

[Azzurro]

Getting the XR as well.

 

[EugW]

This video doesn't have the XR, but has the Max with the same SoC as the XR. It's remarkable just how well the 6s Plus keeps up with the Max. For UI actions, the 6s Plus is almost as fast as the Max. Really the places where the Max really does better is gaming, multitasking (as it has twice the RAM), and video rendering (where it blows the 6s Plus out of the water).

This reflects my experience with my 7 Plus vs the Max. For actual UI navigation, the 7 Plus was very speedy, with only slight improvements on the Max. I don't usually render video on my phone and I don't do complex gaming either. Also for surfing, they were similar. I don't find multi-tasking a major issue on the 7 Plus but it has 3 GB already, which is decent.

I expect the same with the XR. For most of my type of usage the XR wouldn't feel that much faster. It's really about the bigger screen and the improved camera, but with a lower ppi screen compared to the 7 Plus.

 

[wolfaaron]

Galaxy 8 be a good option then? Remember I’m comparing to the iPhone 6 and not the x series.

Yeah the S8 is good, the S9 is only slightly faster and they both have the same RAM and battery size. But the S9 is a little bit better optimized so it uses less battery. You should get everything that you need on the S8.

 

[44267547]

The XR doesn’t have a supply issue. It’s cause they wanted people to buy the more expensive Xs/max.

I don’t necessarily agree with that. I agree that Apple of course wants the consumer to purchase the more expensive iPhone, because that entails more profit. But they likely separated this launch to give the iPhone XR its own highlighted released in October to create a separation from the iPhone XS/Max, which if all three phones launched together, that would be distracting and take away from the XR limelight.

Also, Did you watch the keynote? Look how Apple left the XR to be the ‘one more thing’ to be announced at the _end_of the keynote, they wanted to emphasize the XR as the ‘Big surprise.’

 

[Mac2019]

I don’t necessarily agree with that. I agree that Apple of course wants the consumer to purchase the more expensive iPhone, because that entails more profit. But they likely separated this launch to give the iPhone XR its own highlighted released in October to create a separation from the iPhone XS/Max, which if all three phones launched together, that would be distracting and take away from the XR limelight.

Also, Did you watch the keynote? Look how Apple left the XR to be the ‘one more thing’ to be announced at the _end_of the keynote, they wanted to emphasize the XR as the ‘Big surprise.’

I totally agree with the person who said there is no supply issue, of course there isn't. Apple could have released this whenever they wanted to but the delay is purely to maximise profit - there is no issue with this but it is better that people see it for what it is rather than something new and exciting to look forward to. It is simply a phone that is not as good as the other two but at an attractive price and in the middle in terms of size.
It is just great marketing by Apple, for 2 reasons:

1. A lot of people would have been hanging on and on for an upgrade and in their head would have been saying "I will upgrade in Sept" - ordinarily a lot would go for the xr but are most probably impatient so will say "oh meh, another £250 is a lot but in the grand scheme of things it is not much when written off over 2/3 years so I'll just get the xs/xs max".
2. There is no 'surprise' about it - the xr is a cheaper version but will still be good enough for a lot of 6/7/8 users to justify upgrading thus capturing a load more profit had they just stuck with the xs and xs max.

 

[FFR]

Apple did raise the price. The cheapest model was $699 last year. Now it’s $749

The display is the most expensive part of the iPhone. And the OLED is more expensive than the lcd.

The X was delayed due to supply last year. Or else it would have been released earlier.

The XR doesn’t have a supply issue. It’s cause they wanted people to buy the more expensive Xs/max.

Your statement doesn’t make any logical sense, given that last year apple release the more expensive iPhone X after the more affordable iPhone 8.

Consumers that wanted the iPhone 8 got the iPhone 8 and consumers that wanted the iPhones got the iPhone X.

 

[44267547]

I totally agree with the person who said there is no supply issue, of course there isn't.

I never insinuated there is a ‘supply issue’, and that’s not what I disagreed with. Apple did intentionally created a separation for the XR to have its own release to emphasize that phone and not conflate with the XS during its launch in September, so both phones technically have their own highlighted launch. Which is exactly why Apple emphasized the XR separate at the end of the Keynote by itself.

 

[Mac2019]

I never insinuated there is a ‘supply issue’, and that’s not what I disagreed with. Apple did intentionally created a separation for the XR to have its own release to emphasize that phone and not conflate with the XS during its launch in September, so both phones technically have their own highlighted launch. Which is exactly why Apple emphasized the XR separate at the end of the Keynote by itself.

Fair enough, I came into this part of the convo late and probably didn't read everything thoroughly. The long and short of it is that I think we all agree that Apple did it to maximise profits and for no other reason. I can totally understand why as I have been waiting over a year to upgrade my 6 and really wanted the XR but am now seriously considering the xs due to the delay. I imagine there will be millions in a similar boat who will simply just get the xs/xs max as they are impatient which would validate the reason to delay the release of the xr. I wouldn't personally as I am quite money conscious, but many would. Annoyingly, I hate the size of the xr so may end up with an xs anyway (if I don't go for an x).

 

[EugW]

Rumours of a supply issue with the XR (due to LCD production problems) date back to July, long before we even knew it was called the XR.

 

[Italianblend]

Best summary about the XR specs so far is from iMore:

So he's basically saying that it's lower rez, but the normal person won't notice?

 

[EugW]

So he's basically saying that it's lower rez, but the normal person won't notice?

He’s saying the pixel density is the same as the iPhone 8 so if you’re fine with the iPhone 8 then you’ll be fine with the XR as well. And he comments on the other features of the XR as well.

Fair enough, I came into this part of the convo late and probably didn't read everything thoroughly. The long and short of it is that I think we all agree that Apple did it to maximise profits and for no other reason. I can totally understand why as I have been waiting over a year to upgrade my 6 and really wanted the XR but am now seriously considering the xs due to the delay. I imagine there will be millions in a similar boat who will simply just get the xs/xs max as they are impatient which would validate the reason to delay the release of the xr. I wouldn't personally as I am quite money conscious, but many would. Annoyingly, I hate the size of the xr so may end up with an xs anyway (if I don't go for an x).

Just be patient. It’s only 4 weeks.

Plus in terms of screen space, the XS is a big downgrade from the XR. Remember, the XR is the cheaper LCD version of the XS Max, not the XS. There is no such model to accompany the XS, but I predict there will be a new LCD model in 2019 to fill that void.

 

[Mac2019]

He’s saying the pixel density is the same as the iPhone 8 so if you’re fine with the iPhone 8 then you’ll be fine with the XR as well. And he comments on the other features of the XR as well.


Just be patient. It’s only 4 weeks.

Plus in terms of screen space, the XS is a big downgrade from the XR. Remember, the XR is the cheaper LCD version of the XS Max, not the XS. There is no such model to accompany the XS, but I predict there will be a new LCD model in 2019 to fill that void.

Oh yeah, whilst I said I am considering the xs due to the delay, I wouldn't actually make a purchase based on that; the size however is a different story. Frankly, I don't want a phone that is bigger than the x/xs - I am going from a 6 so the phone overall will be bigger and I will be getting considerably more screen within that (structure is bigger than the 6 + no bezels).

The final thing I am torn about is the storage. Obviously want 128gb (xr) but don't want a phone as big as the xr. Along with awful battery life, storage is my biggest bugbear with iphones.

 

[EugW]

Oh yeah, whilst I said I am considering the xs due to the delay, I wouldn't actually make a purchase based on that; the size however is a different story. Frankly, I don't want a phone that is bigger than the x/xs - I am going from a 6 so the phone overall will be bigger and I will be getting considerably more screen within that (structure is bigger than the 6 + no bezels).

The final thing I am torn about is the storage. Obviously want 128gb (xr) but don't want a phone as big as the xr. Along with awful battery life, storage is my biggest bugbear with iphones.

With the XS, you are gaining no usable screen width. You are gaining lots of screen height though.

If that size is what you want, the XS is your only option in 2018.

 

[Mac2019]

With the XS you gaining no usable screen width over the 6-8. You are gaining lots of screen height though.

That’s fine, I’ve never been concerned with the amount of screen width. In fact, of all the iPhones I’ve used (3GS, 5, 6 and 8plus) I’ve found the 6 to be the perfect size for me so the additional size on the xs would be a bonus without being annoyingly big like the xr or, in the case of those I’ve tried, the 8+ which was frankly ridiculously big.
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With the XS, you are gaining no usable screen width. You are gaining lots of screen height though.

If that size is what you want, the XS is your only option in 2018.

Or the x which is £150 cheaper.

 

[EugW]

That’s fine, I’ve never been concerned with the amount of screen width. In fact, of all the iPhones I’ve used (3GS, 5, 6 and 8plus) I’ve found the 6 to be the perfect size for me so the additional size on the xs would be a bonus without being annoyingly big like the xr or, in the case of those I’ve tried, the 8+ which was frankly ridiculously big.
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Or the x which is £150 cheaper.

Is the X that much cheaper? It wasn’t here. Stock is limited though. Personally I’d get the XS for the camera though.

 

[Mac2019]

Is the X that much cheaper? It wasn’t here. Stock is limited though. Personally I’d get the XS for the camera though.

Yeah, can pick it up new for £849 sim free.

Xs camera much better than the x? Thing is, both will be an update on the 6 so is it worth another £150?!

I did say storage was a consideration but just checked my > 3 year old iPhone 6 and I’ve used 42 of 64gb. Perhaps I don’t need the 128 after all!

 

[EugW]

Yeah, can pick it up new for £849 sim free.

Xs camera much better than the x? Thing is, both will be an update on the 6 so is it worth another £150?!

I did say storage was a consideration but just checked my > 3 year old iPhone 6 and I’ve used 42 of 64gb. Perhaps I don’t need the 128 after all!

The XS has a much larger sensor than the X which would help dramatically for low light shots. The XS also has updated processing for photos and new features. However, both the X and the XS would be an enormous upgrade from your 6.

FWIW I’m mostly satisfied with the camera on my 7 Plus so I’m keeping my 7 Plus for another year.

 

[Mac2019]

The XS has a much larger sensor than the X which would help dramatically for low light shots. The XS also has updated processing for photos and new features. However, both the X and the XS would be an enormous upgrade from your 6.

FWIW I’m mostly satisfied with the camera on my 7 Plus so I’m keeping my 7 Plus for another year.

Sounds good.

To be honest, I am almost at my tether with Apple (price, storage, battery, delayed releases to maximise profit. phone deterioration after a year etc.) I am not far away from sticking with the 6 until it dies and/or going for a circa £500 android phone.

 

[bluechair1984]

326 PPI on a 4.7" screen is markedly different experience to a 5.5" or 6.1" screen

Please explain this to me, because I don't think that's how it works... it's literally more of the same screen.

 

[Ebok]

Please explain this to me, because I don't think that's how it works... it's literally more of the same screen.

he/she doesn't know what they're talking about.

 

[TedJustAdmitit]

If they didn't have the Max, I would have gone with the XR this year (that Red color is amazing to me). Being in iUP, keeps me less fearful of commitment since I am just leasing the phone for a year.