Summary

The iPhone XR is presented as an exceptional value in 2021, offering a combination of long battery life, an advanced single-camera system, a powerful A12 Bionic processor, durable design, a high-quality LCD screen, excellent speakers, efficient performance with 3 GB RAM, and ongoing security updates, all at an economical price point.

Abstract

The iPhone XR stands out as a remarkable deal in the smartphone market for 2021, boasting a battery that provides over a day of use, a camera system capable of professional-grade photos with software-driven depth effects, and a performance that rivals more expensive models due to Apple's A12 Bionic chip. Its design, though made of glass and aluminum, is durable with proper care and is water-resistant. The 6.1-inch LCD screen offers accurate colors and True Tone technology for a comfortable viewing experience. The speakers are high-quality, supporting Dolby Atmos, and the device's 3 GB of RAM is optimized for efficient multitasking. With regular iOS updates and security patches, the XR remains secure and up-to-date. Considering its price, starting at $499 or ₹47,900, it is positioned as a cost-effective option for those seeking premium features without the latest model's price tag.

Opinions

The author highly recommends the iPhone XR for new iOS users or those upgrading from older models, emphasizing its features are not significantly inferior to the latest iPhones.
The battery life of the iPhone XR is praised, with users typically getting a day and a half of use on a full charge, despite its 2942 mAh capacity, thanks to Apple's optimizations.
The camera system is lauded for its advanced single-lens capabilities, including portrait mode and bokeh depth control, which are comparable to dual-camera systems through software enhancements.
The A12 Bionic processor is considered more than sufficient for current needs, with no reported issues with gaming or video editing, and is appreciated for being more powerful than the previous A11 chip found in the iPhone X.
The physical design, while vulnerable to falls without a case, is noted for its IP67 waterproof rating and its similarity in dimensions and weight to the iPhone 11.
The LCD screen is defended as being of high quality, with the author noting personal satisfaction with color accuracy and sharpness, despite not having an OLED display.
The speakers are highlighted for their surround sound effect and support for Dolby Atmos, making the device's sound performance on par with more expensive iPhone models.
The 3 GB RAM is justified as adequate due to Apple's software optimizations and the efficient nature of iOS compared to Android's Java-based apps.
The XR's security features and continued receipt of iOS updates are seen as evidence that the phone will remain supported and relevant for years to come.
The price is emphasized as a strong selling point, with the XR being the most economical iPhone option that still offers a comprehensive set of features found in the latest models.

Why is iPhone XR the Greatest Deal in 2021?

It still carries its stature today.

If you’re planning to get an iPhone now, switching from Android, I would highly recommend going for iPhone XR. It would awe you as a new iOS user. Even if you’re upgrading from older iPhones, you could go for XR, for it’s features aren’t too inferior to the latest iPhones.

Why isn’t XR a phone that should be kicked with your left boot in 2021?

①

🔋 Battery Life:

iPhone XR provides you 16 hours of Video playback and 65 hours of Audio playback, and that’s pretty great! Most users report they use their XR for day-and-a-half after a full charge.

It’s not how much you possess, it’s about how best you use them.

Though the battery capacity is inferiorly 2942 mAh, it provides great battery life. Thanks to Apple’s own optimisations. XR also supports Qi fast charging capability. You can charge from 0–50% in 30 minutes.

Remember, you have to care for your battery. XR’s battery is vulnerable to mistreatments. Don’t treat it ruggedly.

②

📷 Camera:

XR looks cute with a single camera. It’s the cutest-looking phone I’ve ever seen!

XR’s is the most advanced single camera system ever. The single camera is so advanced that it takes pictures like they’re taken from a dual-camera system. How? It relies on the software to differentiate the person and the background and blurs the bg. Incredible right?

# Front: 📸

The 7-megapixel f/2.2 aperture front camera packs the same camera you get in the more expensive iPhone XS. It has portrait mode, portrait lighting, and bokeh depth control, and Apple said in the release event, “The best selfies you’ve ever taken.”

# Rear: 🤳

The iPhone XR packs 12 MP rear camera. Do you feel it’s less? Then I have to explain you this.

iPhone’s 12 MP performs far better than Android flagship’s 20 MPs. Also, the f/1.8 aperture performs good in low-light conditions. All photos in XR aren’t masterpieces but they’re better than most of the phones out there.

Some of the great captures from my iPhone XR in my university, VIT Vellore.

You can record videos in 4k HD with that single lens.

If you’re not into master photography, and you just want to capture your memories in a decent way, go blindfold for iPhone XR.

③

Processor: A12 Bionic 🍪

The one appreciable thing Apple did was: Not putting iPhone X’s A11 chip in XR. The least expensive mobile of the X-family is powered by more powerful A12 chip.

A12 is undoubtedly amazing. While the newer A13 and A14 chips pack more than you need, A12 Bionic is exactly what you need currently.

There are no complains of game lagging, stuck, slowness in video editing et cetera with A12. Any game you play, be it PUBG, Free Fire, you can play smoothly even in ultra mode. Face ID is decently fast, at least, faster than your finger to slide up to unlock.

The chip packs all that you need as a normal user or slightly techie.

CHIP DETAILS:

• Chip size: 7nm
• Architecture: 64-bit
• CPU: 6-core processor (2x Performance cores + 4x Efficiency cores)
• GPU: Apple Designed 4-core GPU
• Neural Engine: Apple calls it ‘Second-generation Neural Engine.’

It’s a powerful chip. That’s all I could say finally.

④

📱 Physical:

# Body: 📦

The body is made of glass and aerospace-grade aluminium. Yes. It’s vulnerable to falls. But when you put on a good case cover, no collywobbles.

# Waterproof-ity: 💦

XR is waterproof for your basic daily activities. You put under pump, throw it in swimming pool, spill tea or coffee over it, and it still says “Ta da!”. Please don’t company with it for diving in deep pools. It’s not good at them.

XR is rated IP67: Maximum depth of 1 metre up to 30 minutes.

# Measurements: 📏

The funny thing with XR and its successor iPhone 11 is that – You cover their cameras with your hand and no one would be able to differentiate between them. Not even you. They’re of same weight, height, width, depth, and screen size.

⑤

🔎 Screen:

Frankly, I have never seen an OLED display mobile in my life. So I can’t compare XR’s LCD display to it.

But I could say there are no problems in colour accuracy with my XR screen while gaming and binging on movies. The 326 ppi screen displays sharp points, letters, and lines with good accuracy. The screen also has True Tone feature which adjusts display brightness and colours to the external light.

SCREEN DETAILS:

Screen size: 6.1 inch
Pixel details: 1792x828 resolution at 326 ppi
Contrast ratio: 1,400:1
Supports True Tone and Wide colour display
Works on Haptic touch (Touch and hold for more content)
Brightness: 625 nits max

Best thing about Apple: You could watch 4k videos in 4k on YouTube, unlike in Google’s own Android.

⑥

🔊 Speakers:

XR’s speakers are awesome. They are the same speakers you get in all its superior versions till iPhone 12 Pro Max.

The speaker system has surround sound effect, which also switches channels if you rotate your phone. They support Dolby Atmos technology. Funnily, sometimes it’s difficult to find your mobile in your house while giving it a ring. The sound appears to be coming from all the directions.

You could also reduce loud sounds from your earphones. Your eardrums are safe with Apple.

⑦

RAM – 3 GB. Enough?

While Android mobiles were having RAMs above 4 GB those days, Apple gave XR 3 GB only. Just like XR ekes out it’s little battery frugally, it also ekes out its little RAM.

XR performs better then Android mobiles with higher RAMs. Reason: Optimisations. Both an iPhone’s hardware and software are owned by Apple, and it knows how much memory they demand.

Also, iOS was written in lightweight languages unlike Android. Android’s Java-programmed apps generate lots of garbage that exploits memory.

⑧

🛡 Security and Updates:

The oldest iPhone to receive iOS 14 updates is the iPhone 6s launched in 2015. It supports Touch ID, not Face ID.

XR is getting regular iOS 14 updates and security bug fixes now. And it should continue for many years because it supports all features the latest mobiles support – Face ID, Dual SIM, Full screen display. So Apple wouldn’t easily discontinue updates for XR.

⑨

🏷 Price: So economic

iPhone XR now starts from $499 or ₹47,900. It’s the cheapest iPhone now in which you get most of the features the latest iPhones have.

It would be still cheaper in online shopping festivals in Diwali in India. Last October, XR was sold for ₹37,999!

Conclusion:

This proves that iPhone XR is the most decent mobile you could buy now that gives a bang for your every buck.

Did you know that iPhone XR was the most shipped smartphone in 2019? 46.3 million units were sold in the first year!

More related stories by me: