Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

zduhac

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 27, 2012
41
16
I know that the "XR is too big" and "XR is just perfect" etc. has been covered on daily basis, but could I get some feedback from women of MacRumors as to how does the phone feel as a daily driver?

My wife really, really likes the size of her current phone, SE, but as it seems quite unlikely that Apple is gonna give us an SE2 (X/XR mini or whatever) her next phone will need to be either an 8 or an XR. And I'm not sure if she's going to ever get used to the size of an XR with her 5.3 ft.

Are there women that made a similar jump and does the size bother you or did you get used to handling such a big device? Can you use it one-handed or are both hands a must-have?
 

Hieveryone

macrumors 603
Apr 11, 2014
5,627
2,339
USA
i am a guy using an iphone x. maybe not what you’re looking for but wanted to chime in and say everything is fine.

i’m on ios 12.

the only thing i DONT like is battery life. it’s not bad, but wish it were better.
 

Clix Pix

macrumors Core
I know that the "XR is too big" and "XR is just perfect" etc. has been covered on daily basis, but could I get some feedback from women of MacRumors as to how does the phone feel as a daily driver?

My wife really, really likes the size of her current phone, SE, but as it seems quite unlikely that Apple is gonna give us an SE2 (X/XR mini or whatever) her next phone will need to be either an 8 or an XR. And I'm not sure if she's going to ever get used to the size of an XR with her 5.3 ft.

Are there women that made a similar jump and does the size bother you or did you get used to handling such a big device? Can you use it one-handed or are both hands a must-have?

What makes you assume that a woman is going to choose an iPhone XR rather than an iPhone XS or XS Max? You do know, don't you, that the iPhone XS is smaller than the XR? The XS Max is larger.

Prior to 2017 I used several "Plus" models of the iPhone. Last year when the iPhone X came along, the minute I handled one I knew that my days with big phones finally were coming to an end. The X was the right size for me both in terms of physical dimensions and in terms of actually being able to see what is on the screen, since it provides more screen real estate than the iPhone 7 or iPhone 8, for instance. This year when the XS was available, it was a no-brainer for me to go for the XS. I don't want a huge phone nor do I want some tiny little thing where I cannot even read email messages. The iPhone X and now the XS both offer exactly what I want in a phone which I carry with me and use on a daily basis. The iPhone 6 Plus and 7 Plus, for instance, were just a bit too big and bulky to fit well in some of my smaller purses, never mind a pocket. The iPhone X and XS both work very well in either situation.

Everyone has his or her own preferences and there are those who insist on a small phone while others want something near the size of a "phablet," while others are fine with something in-between.

When the time comes, let your wife make her own decision about the iPhone model that she in the long run feels will work best for her......
 
  • Like
Reactions: Scepticalscribe

darksithpro

macrumors 6502a
Oct 27, 2016
582
4,572
When the time comes, let your wife make her own decision about the iPhone model that she in the long run feels will work best for her......


Yea, but if he shows her the XS she might want that one cause the screen looks more pretty being It's OLED. Then she might look at the camera and realize it's better too. Then poor husband has to pay 250 more for her phone. If she's never had an OLED with dual camera and gets the XR then he could save a lot of money and she won't really care. Just sayin...:D
 

MacLappy

macrumors 6502a
Jul 28, 2011
530
394
Singapore
What makes you assume that a woman is going to choose an iPhone XR rather than an iPhone XS or XS Max? You do know, don't you, that the iPhone XS is smaller than the XR? The XS Max is larger.

Prior to 2017 I used several "Plus" models of the iPhone. Last year when the iPhone X came along, the minute I handled one I knew that my days with big phones finally were coming to an end. The X was the right size for me both in terms of physical dimensions and in terms of actually being able to see what is on the screen, since it provides more screen real estate than the iPhone 7 or iPhone 8, for instance. This year when the XS was available, it was a no-brainer for me to go for the XS. I don't want a huge phone nor do I want some tiny little thing where I cannot even read email messages. The iPhone X and now the XS both offer exactly what I want in a phone which I carry with me and use on a daily basis. The iPhone 6 Plus and 7 Plus, for instance, were just a bit too big and bulky to fit well in some of my smaller purses, never mind a pocket. The iPhone X and XS both work very well in either situation.

Everyone has his or her own preferences and there are those who insist on a small phone while others want something near the size of a "phablet," while others are fine with something in-between.

When the time comes, let your wife make her own decision about the iPhone model that she in the long run feels will work best for her......

Humm, maybe OP looked at their finances and the 8 or XR is the financially responsible choice? It’s just a phone....

I think it makes a lot of sense not to overspend on it, even if you have money to throw.

My mom is using an iPhone XR, it’s been great. The difference was that her last phone was an iPhone 6S plus. So the XR is actually smaller. It’s a pretty big size upgrade from the iPhone SE.
 
Last edited:

m00min

macrumors 6502
Jul 17, 2012
419
90
I don't have a large iPhone but I do have a Note 9. My frustration is that women's trouser pockets are too small. I like to carry my phone in my pocket and not in my bag, if I'm at work I'm not carrying around a bag all day. For this reason I also have an iPhone SE, that handles calls, WhatsApp, sms and serves calendar and tasks to my watch. My Note 9 has ended up being my internet connected notebook, email and sketching device.

Pockets: women don't have them to make a large phone carrying easy. :S
 

darksithpro

macrumors 6502a
Oct 27, 2016
582
4,572
I don't have a large iPhone but I do have a Note 9. My frustration is that women's trouser pockets are too small. I like to carry my phone in my pocket and not in my bag, if I'm at work I'm not carrying around a bag all day. For this reason I also have an iPhone SE, that handles calls, WhatsApp, sms and serves calendar and tasks to my watch. My Note 9 has ended up being my internet connected notebook, email and sketching device.


Let me get this straight... You kept a thousand dollar smart phone to use as a glorified wifi tablet? Wow.
 

lyceumHQ

macrumors 68000
Aug 4, 2010
1,572
762
I was a hold out when the 6 was released. Annoyed at how big it was. I upgraded to the 6s as my 5 was showing its age. But I never liked the size. It always felt too big.

Upgraded to the 8 and again never felt quite right for me as I always thought it was too big.

I had zero intention of upgrading. I jokingly said before the keynote to my cousin I’d only upgrade of Apple announced a blue iPhone, with the X design for under £800.

Biggest thing for me was size. I honestly thought the Xr would be too big. So I went to the Apple store day after launch and it took me all of two seconds to decide I loved it.

Not sure why if I’m honest. Probably because it’s pretty much my dream iPhone. My Aunty has an SE and now when I update it for her it feels like a toy and that’s genuinely something I never thought I’d say.

For me the fact the Xr is thicker and heavier helps. I don’t feel like I’m holding a bar of wet soap as I did with the 6/8.

So I’d suggest she goes to the Apple store or a phone shop and has a look.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 0970373

1rottenapple

macrumors 601
Apr 21, 2004
4,759
2,774
I know that the "XR is too big" and "XR is just perfect" etc. has been covered on daily basis, but could I get some feedback from women of MacRumors as to how does the phone feel as a daily driver?

My wife really, really likes the size of her current phone, SE, but as it seems quite unlikely that Apple is gonna give us an SE2 (X/XR mini or whatever) her next phone will need to be either an 8 or an XR. And I'm not sure if she's going to ever get used to the size of an XR with her 5.3 ft.

Are there women that made a similar jump and does the size bother you or did you get used to handling such a big device? Can you use it one-handed or are both hands a must-have?
Ok I’m predicting xr mini (same design and same the internals of the xr) but smaller size in 2019.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ASUgrad1999

Hieveryone

macrumors 603
Apr 11, 2014
5,627
2,339
USA
What makes you assume that a woman is going to choose an iPhone XR rather than an iPhone XS or XS Max? You do know, don't you, that the iPhone XS is smaller than the XR? The XS Max is larger.

Prior to 2017 I used several "Plus" models of the iPhone. Last year when the iPhone X came along, the minute I handled one I knew that my days with big phones finally were coming to an end. The X was the right size for me both in terms of physical dimensions and in terms of actually being able to see what is on the screen, since it provides more screen real estate than the iPhone 7 or iPhone 8, for instance. This year when the XS was available, it was a no-brainer for me to go for the XS. I don't want a huge phone nor do I want some tiny little thing where I cannot even read email messages. The iPhone X and now the XS both offer exactly what I want in a phone which I carry with me and use on a daily basis. The iPhone 6 Plus and 7 Plus, for instance, were just a bit too big and bulky to fit well in some of my smaller purses, never mind a pocket. The iPhone X and XS both work very well in either situation.

Everyone has his or her own preferences and there are those who insist on a small phone while others want something near the size of a "phablet," while others are fine with something in-between.

When the time comes, let your wife make her own decision about the iPhone model that she in the long run feels will work best for her......

Maybe colors? idk I mean the XS comes in different colors too I think the gold would catch the eye of many women(?)
 

The-Real-Deal82

macrumors P6
Jan 17, 2013
17,321
25,479
Wales, United Kingdom
What makes you assume that a woman is going to choose an iPhone XR rather than an iPhone XS or XS Max? You do know, don't you, that the iPhone XS is smaller than the XR? The XS Max is larger.
The OP isn’t assuming anything, they are asking a question to see if women here are buying the XR or 8. If his wife is anything like my wife then the XS or XS Max will not even be a consideration as she’d never pay a grand or more on a smartphone. They are simply not competitive on price with the XR which ultimately offers pretty much the same experience.

The XR is however quite a large phone and will not appeal to a fair proportion of iPhone users because of this. It’s too big for my wife as although she carries a handbag, she also likes to carry her iPhone in her pocket, especially when dealing with our two children. It’s quite an inconvenience to carry and she hates my 8+ because it’s huge. She opted for the 8 purely because it’s a manageable size and was a great price. Hope that helps OP?
 

nparmelee

macrumors 6502
Jan 23, 2008
300
0
I recently went from an iPhone 7 to a XR, I very often put my phone in jeans pockets and have had no issues with the larger size. Love the phone so far! Like the larger screen, the more data on the screen, battery life has been much better than my 7.
 

zduhac

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 27, 2012
41
16
What makes you assume that a woman is going to choose an iPhone XR rather than an iPhone XS or XS Max? You do know, don't you, that the iPhone XS is smaller than the XR? The XS Max is larger.

Prior to 2017 I used several "Plus" models of the iPhone. Last year when the iPhone X came along, the minute I handled one I knew that my days with big phones finally were coming to an end. The X was the right size for me both in terms of physical dimensions and in terms of actually being able to see what is on the screen, since it provides more screen real estate than the iPhone 7 or iPhone 8, for instance. This year when the XS was available, it was a no-brainer for me to go for the XS. I don't want a huge phone nor do I want some tiny little thing where I cannot even read email messages. The iPhone X and now the XS both offer exactly what I want in a phone which I carry with me and use on a daily basis. The iPhone 6 Plus and 7 Plus, for instance, were just a bit too big and bulky to fit well in some of my smaller purses, never mind a pocket. The iPhone X and XS both work very well in either situation.

Everyone has his or her own preferences and there are those who insist on a small phone while others want something near the size of a "phablet," while others are fine with something in-between.

When the time comes, let your wife make her own decision about the iPhone model that she in the long run feels will work best for her......

Not assuming anything, not really sure how you got there. The question asked was for women that bought the XR for whatever reason... money, size, colors, etc. I am well aware of the fact that X or XS are smaller but they are really not for someone that doesn't want to spend that kind of money on a phone. If it were up to her, she would never ever give this kind of money for an XR as well. Luckily, it's my decision as I can afford to buy such a phone for her birthday atm.

The OP isn’t assuming anything, they are asking a question to see if women here are buying the XR or 8. If his wife is anything like my wife then the XS or XS Max will not even be a consideration as she’d never pay a grand or more on a smartphone. They are simply not competitive on price with the XR which ultimately offers pretty much the same experience.

The XR is however quite a large phone and will not appeal to a fair proportion of iPhone users because of this. It’s too big for my wife as although she carries a handbag, she also likes to carry her iPhone in her pocket, especially when dealing with our two children. It’s quite an inconvenience to carry and she hates my 8+ because it’s huge. She opted for the 8 purely because it’s a manageable size and was a great price. Hope that helps OP?

You are pretty much spot on the reasoning. Thanks for the input!
 

nburwell

macrumors 603
May 6, 2008
5,566
2,465
DE
Not a woman, but my sister-in-law went from a 5s to a Xr yesterday. She absolutely loved the size of her 5s and it served her well for the better part of four years. As I was helping her set it up, I was prodding her with questions about the size and what not. She couldn't get over how beautiful the screen was in comparison to her 5s.

After I setup her Xr, I let her play around with it for a couple hours before I asked her again about the size. At dinner, I chatted with her more about it and while she wasn't completely used to the larger size, she was definitely in love with the fact that the phone was "all screen" on the front. She then made the comment about how tiny her 5s looks in comparison to her new Xr. I think it's safe to say that the size does not bother her at all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Digger148

0970373

Suspended
Mar 15, 2008
2,727
1,412
I think that women have even lesser problems with big phones than men because they have handbags....

This is wrong.

Anyway, @zduhac - this does depends on how your wife goes about her day and how she carries the phone. Going from the SE to the XR is a pretty big jump. I made that jump from the SE to a larger phone and hated it. It took a long time to get used to it. I still have my SE as a backup but knew it'd go away soon so I moved up to the 7 and then I tried the 8+. This past cycle, I went back down to the XS. I would have liked to get the XR but it was still bigger than I wanted. And still, I have one of those finger loops on the back so that I don't drop it a million times. I'm quite active at work and have to get up a lot, walk around, go to too many meetings, etc. On the subway, I hold it or keep it in my pocket.

And honestly, if she doesn't need the new screen, the 8 isn't too far a leap in size considering the options. If your wife tends to be quite busy and needs to put the phone in her back pocket or jacket hand pocket, it'll feel natural as well as the phone pocket of some purses that have that feature. I'd like to point out that I hardly ever put my phone in my purse as it's never as convenient as having it in your pocket. Things get lost in that cavern of leather. lol.

You guys should go to the store together so that she can try the sizes for herself.
 

Clix Pix

macrumors Core
Maybe colors? idk I mean the XS comes in different colors too I think the gold would catch the eye of many women(?)

Not me! Since my first iPad I've had nothing but Space Grey iPads and I've also had Space Grey on all my iPhones except two: one year I tried out the white (may've been the 3GS) and when the iPhone 7 and 7 + came along offering it in Glossy Piano Black, I went with that...... My iPhone X and iPhone XS are both Space Grey. I like gold for my jewelry (earrings, bracelets, rings) but not for my electronic devices. Oh, and yes, my Apple Watch is Space Black, which I wear with the Space Black link bracelet.

As for the price differences -- well, personally I would rather spend a little more on an item which actually genuinely pleases me in terms of aesthetics and handling as well as performs the tasks required of it on a daily basis, an item which isn't cumbersome and which doesn't get in my way because it is too large to put into pockets or some purses or because it is so small that I can't comfortably read everything on it when looking at the screen. Aside from physical dimensions, the XS has a few more features than the XR and that for me was another consideration. Buying an iPhone which will be used extensively day-in, day-out is really a personal decision and should be left up to the intended user, regardless of who is paying for it. If I had decided to skip the XS and to instead go with an XR just to save a few bucks it would have felt like a compromise. A friend is thinking about buying a new iPhone to replace her current 6s, and since her priorities are somewhat different than mine, she may find that she would be quite happy with the XR or she may choose an XS or even, as has been mentioned, go to an iPhone 8 instead because the size would be closer to that to which she has always been accustomed.
 
Last edited:

0970373

Suspended
Mar 15, 2008
2,727
1,412
Not me! Since my first iPad I've had nothing but Space Grey iPads and I've also had Space Grey on all my iPhones except two: one year I tried out the white (may've been the 3GS) and when the iPhone 7 and 7 + came along offering it in Glossy Piano Black, I went with that...... My iPhone X and iPhone XS are both Space Grey. I like gold for my jewelry (earrings, bracelets, rings) but not for my electronic devices. Oh, and yes, my Apple Watch is Space Black, which I wear with the Space Black link bracelet.

It's really amusing/frustrating how many boys here still just want to assume a whole bunch of stuff on behalf of women. I know our numbers are few on the forum but we can answer for ourselves.

Fellas - just because you have a girlfriend or wife or sister does not mean you should go ahead and assume you can or should answer when a question is asked directed at women or things that women would like. Because chances are, at some point, a woman told you she liked a thing you got her to be polite but actually hated it. Along with other things she was polite about.
 

Hieveryone

macrumors 603
Apr 11, 2014
5,627
2,339
USA
It's really amusing/frustrating how many boys here still just want to assume a whole bunch of stuff on behalf of women. I know our numbers are few on the forum but we can answer for ourselves.

Fellas - just because you have a girlfriend or wife or sister does not mean you should go ahead and assume you can or should answer when a question is asked directed at women or things that women would like. Because chances are, at some point, that woman told you she liked a thing you got her to be polite but actually hated it.

Well it’s better to ask if possible because each woman is different and may have different preferences. I get that, but otherwise I would guess statistically speaking rose gold would be more popular amongst female users?
 

m00min

macrumors 6502
Jul 17, 2012
419
90
Let me get this straight... You kept a thousand dollar smart phone to use as a glorified wifi tablet? Wow.
It has a SIM card in it but essentially, I use my Note as an iPad Mini replacement. The battery life is fantastic and the pen means it's basically an electronic Moleskine notebook. I'd use it as my phone but women's Jean pockets being what they are it sticks out of the top way too much. I'd worry constantly about losing it.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.