What's the Difference Between iPhone XS and iPhone XR - Comparison

What’s the Difference Between iPhone XS and iPhone XR – Comparison

For 2018, Apple has announced three new iPhone models: iPhone XS, iPhone XS Plus, and iPhone XR. Both the smaller and larger iPhone XS is quite similar in features except for the overall size and weight. However, the iPhone XR is quite different from the iPhone XS. In this post, we are going to discuss the differences between iPhone XS and iPhone XR.

iphone xs vs iphone xr differences

While both smartphones share quite a few internal specifications, but there are many key areas where iPhone XR falls behind the iPhone XS. Please continue reading to find out the exact differences between iPhone XR and iPhone XS.

Also, check out: iPhone XS vs iPhone XS Max Comparison

Difference Between iPhone XS and iPhone XR

Here is a detailed rundown of the major differences between Apple iPhone XS and iPhone XR models:

Display Differences

iphone xs vs iphone xr display difference

  • iPhone XS – 5.8-inch OLED, 2436 x 1125 pixels resolution, 458 ppi density, 3D Touch, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 3D Touch
  • iPhone XR – 6.1-inch LCD display, 1792 x 828 pixels resolution 326 ppi density, No 3D Touch

The display is the most prominent difference between the iPhone XS and the iPhone XR. The iPhone XS carriers an OLED display and has a higher resolution and pixel density, while the iPhone XR has an LCD display and despite being larger than the iPhone XS’s display, it has a lower resolution and pixel density. In addition, the iPhone XS display comes with 3D Touch, HDR10 and Dolby Vision, while on these features are missing from iPhone XR. Apple has added Haptic Touch in iPhone XR as 3D Touch replacement.

Design Differences

iphone xs vs iphone xr design difference

  • iPhone XS – 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm, 177g weight, IP68 certified waterproofing
  • iPhone XR – 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm, 194g weight, IP67 certified waterproofing

The design is one of the major differences between iPhone XS and iPhone XR. The iPhone XR is made of 7000 aluminum chassis with IP67 waterproofing certificate, while the iPhone XS comes with stainless steel chassis and IP68 waterproofing certificate. With these waterproofing certifications, you can submerge iPhone XR into water up to 1m without damage, while the iPhone XS go down up to 2 meters.

iPhone XR due to featuring a larger 6.1-inch display is bigger than iPhone XS in size. The LCD variant also has slightly bigger bezels making it not as attractive as the iPhone XS. The bigger display also adds to the weight of the devices making iPhone XS lighter than the iPhone XR.

iPhone XR has an advantage over iPhone XS when it comes to colors. iPhone XS comes in three color options: Silver, Space Gray, and Gold, while the iPhone XR comes in six different colors: Blue, White, Black, Yellow, Coral, and (Product)RED.

Camera Differences

iphone xs vs iphone xr camera difference

  • iPhone XS – 12MP Dual camera setup, f/1.8, and f/2.4, Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth control
  • iPhone XR – Single 12MP, f/1.8, Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth control

iPhone XS being a premium and the expensive device comes with a better camera. The iPhone XR has one 12MP camera while the iPhone XS comes with 12MP dual camera setup on the rear. Rest of the feature of cameras on both phones are almost identical which includes Smart HDR, Portrait mode with depth control, OIS, and improved TruRone flash.

Both devices have a 7 MP TrueDepth camera with f/2.2 and Portrait mode on the front side. For the technical details of the camera, please check out the specs sheet attached at the bottom.

Storage

  • iPhone XS – 64GB, 256GB, 512GB
  • iPhone XR – 64GB, 128GB, 256GB

The entry-level iPhone XS comes with 64GB storage capacity and goes all the way up to 512GB with a 256GB option in between. While the iPhone XR starts from 64GB and goes all the up to 256GB variant with a 128GB option in between. iPhone XR comes with 3GB of RAm while the iPhone XS features a 4GB RAM module.

Battery Life and Charging

  • iPhone XS – Lasts up to 30 minutes longer than the iPhone X
  • iPhone XR – Lasts up to 1.5 hours longer than the iPhone 8 Plus

Both the iPhone XS and iPhone XR support faster wired charging and 7.5W wireless charging. The bigger size provides more room for internal components and Apple has installed a bigger battery in iPhone XR than the iPhone XS. The iPhone XR is capable of providing 15 hours of internet usage, 16 hours of video playback, and 25 hours of talk time, while the 5.8-inch iPhone XS offers 12 hours, 14 hours, and 20 hours respectively.

Pricing & Availability

  • iPhone XS – Starts from $999, September 21
  • iPhone XR – Starts from $749, October 26

All the compromises discussed above that Apple has made with the iPhone XR pay off in terms of price. Apple has put a price tag of $749 for the base model, while the iPhone XS base model starts at $999 – a difference of $250.

iPhone XS will be available for pre-order on September 14 and will go on sale on September 21. However, the iPhone XR pre-orders will go live on October 19 and it will hit shelves on October 26.

iPhone XS vs iPhone XR – Specs Comparison

Here is a detailed rundown of hardware specs of both devices:

  iPhone XSiPhone XR

General

AnnouncedSeptember 12, 2018September 12, 2018
ReleasedSeptember 21, 2018October 26, 2018

Body

Dimensions143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm150.9x75.7x8.3 mm
Weight6.24 ounces (177 grams)6.84 ounces (194 grams)
ColorSpace Gray, Silver, GoldYellow, Black, White, Blue, Coral
MaterialGlass, Surgical-Grade Stainless SteelGlass, Metallic frame
Water & Dust ResistanceIP68 (maximum depth of 2 meters up to 30 minutes)Rated IP67 (maximum depth of 1 meter up to 30 minutes)

Display

Display TypeOLED LCD
Screen Size5.8-inch6.1-inch
Resolution1125 × 2436 pixels828 x 1792 pixels
Pixel Density458ppi326ppi
Display FeaturesTrue Tone Display, HDR display, 3D Touch, All-screenTrue Tone Display

Hardware & Software

ChipsetApple A12 Bionic (6 cores) with Neural engineApple A12 Bionic (6 cores) with Neural engine
GPU4-Cores4-Cores
RAM4 GB3 GB
Internal Storage64GB / 256GB / 512GB64GB / 128GB / 256GB
External StorageN/AN/A
SIM CardDual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM)
For China Two Physical SIMs
Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM)
NFCApple PayApple Pay
SensorsFace ID (Facial recognition), Barometer, Three-axis gyro, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensorFace ID (Facial recognition), Barometer, Three-axis gyro, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor
OSiOS 12iOS 12

Camera

Main Camera12MP Dual:
Wide-angle: ƒ/1.8 aperture
Telephoto: ƒ/2.4 aperture
4K - @24fps, @30fps, @60fps
1080p - @30fps @60fps @120fps @240fps
720p - 30fps
12MP Wide-angle: ƒ/1.8 aperture
4K - @24fps, @30fps, @60fps
1080p - @30fps @60fps
720p - 30fps
Front Camera7MP - ƒ/2.2 aperture
1080p HD video recording
Animoji
7MP - ƒ/2.2 aperture
1080p HD video recording
Animoji
Camera FeaturesSmart HDR, Portrait Lighting, Portrait mode, Optical zoom; digital zoom up to 10x, Dual optical image stabilization, Quad-LED True Tone flash with Slow SyncPortrait Lighting, Portrait mode, digital zoom up to 3x, Optical image stabilization, Quad-LED True Tone flash with Slow Sync

Battery

Battery TypeLi-Ion battery, Non-removable Li-Ion battery, Non-removable
Battery Capacity
FeaturesWireless Charging, Fast Wired Charging, Non-RemovableWireless Charging, Fast Wired Charging, Non-Removable
Wireless ChargingYes, Works with Qi chargersYes, Works with Qi chargers

Connectivity

Wi-Fi802.11ac Wi?Fi with MIMO802.11ac Wi?Fi with 2x2 MIMO
Bluetoothv5.0v5.0
USBLightningLightning

Both the iPhone XS and XR shares the common FaceID, connectivity, dual SIM capabilities. China will get a special iPhone XS variant with physical dual SIM while the rest of the world will get an iPhone XS with support for a physical SIM and an eSIM. iPhone XR will be available with a physical and an eSIM only.

So, what do think of iPhone XR and iPhone XS after all these differences? Are you going to buying an iPhone XR and save some money int he process? or your heart goes with the iPhone XS? Let us know in the comments section below.

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