iPhone X vs. iPhone XR: Discover Which Older iPhone Suits Your Needs

Introduction

Choosing between the iconic iPhone X and the vibrant iPhone XR? Both phones, though no longer Apple's flagship models, continue to offer compelling features and performance, especially in the pre-owned market. This comprehensive comparison and buyer's guide is designed specifically for UAE consumers seeking a premium Apple experience at a more accessible price point. We’ll delve into the nuances of each device, exploring their strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision. As a trusted provider of quality pre-owned iPhones in the UAE, Fonezone.ae is your go-to source for finding the perfect device to match your needs and budget. 

Why Consider the iPhone X or iPhone XR Today?

Even with the release of the iPhone 12, 13, and 14 series (including the Pro, mini, and Pro Max variants), the iPhone X and iPhone XR remain relevant choices. They offer a taste of the modern iPhone experience – including Face ID and wireless charging – at a significantly lower cost. This makes them ideal for budget-conscious consumers or those seeking a reliable secondary device. This is particularly relevant in the growing pre-owned market, which is predicted to represent over half of all iPhones in use by the end of 2023. For example, a student in the UAE might opt for a pre-owned iPhone XR for its affordability and performance, while a business professional might choose a pre-owned iPhone X as a secondary device for international travel. This trend towards pre-owned devices provides significant cost savings, especially considering the premium pricing of newer models.

Design and Build: Aesthetics and Ergonomics

The iPhone X boasts a Super Retina OLED display, a dual-lens rear camera with optical zoom, and a sleek stainless-steel frame. This combination makes it a premium offering, even today. The iPhone XR counters with a Liquid Retina HD display, a single-lens rear camera with advanced computational photography features like Smart HDR, a faster A12 Bionic chip, and longer battery life. Its focus is on delivering strong all-around performance at a more accessible price. For a quick comparison, consider the X for superior display quality and dual camera versatility, while the XR prioritizes performance and battery life.

Size and Weight: How They Feel in Hand

The iPhone XR is larger and heavier than the iPhone X. The XR measures 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm and weighs 194 grams, while the X is smaller at 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm and lighter at 174 grams. This difference in size and weight affects one-handed usability and overall portability. For those who prioritize pocket-friendliness, the X is the clear winner. However, the XR's larger size offers a more expansive viewing experience. If you have smaller hands, consider holding both models in a store to gauge their comfort level.

Materials and Durability: Glass vs. Aluminum

The iPhone X features a stainless-steel frame, contributing to its premium feel, while the XR opts for a more durable aluminum frame. Both devices have a glass back for wireless charging. While the stainless steel of the X is susceptible to scratches, it offers a more luxurious tactile experience. The XR's aluminum frame, though less prone to scratches, may not feel as premium. Case studies have shown that aluminum is more resistant to bending than stainless steel, making the XR potentially more robust in the long run. Invest in a quality case for either model to enhance protection.

Color Options: Expressing Your Style

The iPhone XR offers a wider array of color options, including vibrant hues like blue, yellow, coral, and red, alongside the standard black and white. The iPhone X is available in the classic silver and space gray. Apple's vibrant color choices for the XR cater to a younger audience and offer a way to personalize the device without needing a case. The more muted tones of the X maintain a sophisticated look. Consider your personal style and whether you plan to use a case when choosing your color.

Water and Dust Resistance: Practical Protection

Both the iPhone X and XR are rated IP67 for water and dust resistance, meaning they can withstand submersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. This provides protection against accidental spills and light rain. However, avoid prolonged submersion or exposure to high-pressure water jets. While the IP67 rating offers peace of mind, it's important to note that liquid damage is not covered under Apple's warranty. Drying the phone thoroughly after exposure to water is crucial.

iPhone X: Super Retina HD (OLED) - The Premium Visuals

The iPhone X boasts a 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED display with HDR support. This technology delivers true blacks, exceptional contrast, and vibrant colors, resulting in a visually stunning experience, particularly for watching HDR content. This display also has a higher pixel density of 458 ppi. OLED technology individually illuminates each pixel, enabling deeper blacks and richer colors. When watching HDR content on platforms like Netflix or YouTube, the X's display truly shines, showcasing a wider color gamut and improved detail in shadows and highlights.

iPhone XR: Liquid Retina HD (LCD) - Vibrant and Bright

The iPhone XR features a larger 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display. While it's an LCD, it offers good brightness and color accuracy. The pixel density is lower at 326 ppi, but it's still considered Retina quality. Apple calibrated the XR's LCD to provide accurate color reproduction, making it suitable for photography enthusiasts and content creators. Its larger size also contributes to a more immersive viewing experience for gaming and video playback.

Pixel Density and Sharpness: What You Can See

The difference in pixel density (458 ppi on the X vs. 326 ppi on the XR) is noticeable upon close inspection. The X's display appears slightly sharper, particularly with small text and fine details. However, for everyday use, the difference may not be significant for many users. Hold both phones side-by-side and read some text to see if the difference in sharpness is noticeable to you. Many users find the XR's display perfectly acceptable despite its lower pixel density.

Performance Powerhouse: Chips, Speed, and User Experience

The iPhone X's OLED display provides a more immersive experience for watching movies and viewing photos, thanks to its superior contrast and color reproduction. The XR's larger display is more comfortable for reading and browsing web pages. Consider your primary usage patterns. If you frequently watch movies or edit photos, the X's OLED display may be preferred. If reading, web browsing, and gaming are your primary activities, the XR's larger LCD might be a better fit.

iPhone X: The A11 Bionic Chip - Still Capable

The iPhone X utilizes the A11 Bionic chip, while the iPhone XR is equipped with the newer A12 Bionic chip. The A12 Bionic features a more advanced 7nm architecture compared to the A11's 10nm process, offering significant performance and efficiency improvements. This translates to faster processing speeds and lower power consumption. The A12 also features a more powerful GPU for enhanced graphics performance.

iPhone XR: The A12 Bionic Chip - A Leap Forward

The A12 Bionic in the XR translates to noticeably faster app launching, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance compared to the X. Benchmarks show the XR scoring significantly higher. For example, loading times in demanding games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile are noticeably faster on the XR. Multitasking between multiple apps is also smoother and more responsive.

Neural Engine: AI and Machine Learning Capabilities

Both chips include a Neural Engine, which powers AI and machine learning tasks. However, the A12 Bionic's Neural Engine is more powerful, enabling faster processing for features like Face ID and augmented reality applications. The A12's Neural Engine can process up to 5 trillion operations per second, compared to the A11's 600 billion. This significant improvement enhances the performance of features like Siri and allows for more complex AR experiences.

Camera Capabilities: Capturing Your World

The iPhone X has a dual 12MP rear camera system with wide and telephoto lenses, offering 2x optical zoom. This dual-lens setup allows for greater versatility in framing shots, particularly for portrait photography and capturing distant subjects. The iPhone XR has a single 12MP wide-angle lens. While lacking a dedicated telephoto lens, the XR leverages computational photography techniques to achieve impressive results.

Both phones offer Portrait mode, but the XR utilizes software-driven depth effects powered by the A12 Bionic's Neural Engine, allowing for more precise control and adjustments after capturing the photo. While the X's dual cameras offer a more traditional approach to portrait mode, the XR's computational photography allows for adjusting the depth of field even after the photo is taken.

Optical Zoom vs. Digital Zoom: Getting Closer

The X's optical zoom allows for zoomed-in photos without sacrificing image quality, while the XR relies on digital zoom, which can result in some loss of detail. Optical zoom uses the telephoto lens to magnify the image optically, preserving image quality. Digital zoom simply crops and enlarges a portion of the image, leading to a reduction in resolution. This difference is particularly noticeable when printing photos or viewing them on larger screens.

Smart HDR: Enhancing Dynamic Range

The iPhone XR features Smart HDR, which captures multiple exposures and combines them to produce images with improved dynamic range and detail, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Smart HDR intelligently merges the best parts of multiple exposures, ensuring that both highlights and shadows retain detail. This results in more balanced and visually appealing photos, particularly in scenes with high contrast.

Both phones perform well in low-light conditions, but the XR generally produces slightly better results due to its improved image processing capabilities. The XR's larger sensor and advanced image processing algorithms contribute to better noise reduction and detail preservation in low-light shots. Both the iPhone X and XR have the same 7MP TrueDepth front-facing camera system, enabling Face ID and features like Portrait mode selfies. This advanced front camera system allows for secure facial recognition and enables features like Animoji and Memoji.

Battery Life: Powering Your Day

The iPhone XR has a larger battery capacity (2942 mAh) compared to the iPhone X (2716 mAh). This, combined with the A12 Bionic's efficiency, results in significantly longer battery life. The XR offers up to 25 hours of talk time versus the X's 21 hours [2]. Real-world usage tests confirm that the XR consistently outperforms the X in terms of battery life. This is partly due to the larger battery and partly due to the A12 Bionic's more efficient architecture. Users report getting through a full day of heavy usage on the XR without needing to recharge.

Who Should Buy the iPhone X and iPhone XR?

The iPhone X and XR offer distinct advantages. The iPhone X provides a premium feel with its OLED display, dual-lens camera, and compact design. The iPhone XR offers a larger display, longer battery life, superior performance thanks to the A12 Bionic chip, and a more affordable price. Ultimately, your choice depends on your priorities. If display quality and a compact design are paramount, the iPhone X is a strong contender. If performance, battery life, and a larger screen are more important, the iPhone XR is the better choice. Ready to find your perfect iPhone X or iPhone XR?

 Explore Fonezone.ae's wide selection of quality pre-owned devices today! Remember, Fonezone.ae is your trusted source for quality pre-owned devices in the UAE, offering competitive iPhone XR price in UAE and iPhone X prices in UAE.

Frequently Asked Questions:-

1. What is the price of a used iPhone X in the UAE?

The price for a used or refurbished iPhone X in the UAE starts from around AED 470, with prices varying based on condition and storage.

2. What is the price of a used iPhone XR in Dubai?

A2: A used iPhone XR in Dubai can be found starting from approximately AED 569, at Fonezone.ae.

3. Which iPhone has a better display, the iPhone X or iPhone XR?

The iPhone X has a superior 5.8-inch OLED screen with better contrast and true blacks, while the iPhone XR has a larger but less vibrant 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD.

4. Which phone has a better camera, the iPhone X or iPhone XR?

The iPhone X has a dual-camera system with a telephoto lens for better optical zoom and portrait shots, while the iPhone XR uses a single lens with software-based portrait mode.

5. Is the Face ID on the iPhone X and iPhone XR the same?

Both phones use Face ID for secure authentication, and while the technology is similar, the iPhone XR benefits from a slightly newer generation of the A12 Bionic chip, which can improve its speed.