Which iPhone Should You Buy? We Help Decode the XR from the XS, and More
In the market for a new iPhone? You're in the right place. We'll help you decode which Apple iPhone you should upgrade to now, based on your budget and your priorities when it comes to screen size, display, charging capabilities, and special features.
Many consumers consider themselves Apple smartphone loyalists for good reason - starting with the hardware specs. Every new iPhone packs a powerful processor, a high-quality display panel, and a consistently great camera.
Plus, every iPhone comes with a superb selection of accessories, including cases, covers, and screen protectors, to name a few. That's another reason the iPhone is truly in a league of its own, compared to its non-Apple competitors.
And then there is Apple iOS. Apple’s mobile platform offers an intuitive user interface, industry-leading security, and the best selection of apps and games in the business. We like that you can easily discover new content for your iPhone thanks to the editorial content section in the Apple App Store.
Most importantly, every iPhone comes with many years’ worth of iOS firmware and security updates. For example, when iOS 12 started rolling out in September, even the 5-year-old iPhone 5s was among the multitude of Apple devices that received the major update. For comparison, most Android smartphones come with firmware and security updates for only 2 to 3 years.
With this in mind, see how our top three iPhone picks stack up so you know which model is best for you:
KEY SPECS
• 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display with 326 pixels per inch
• A12 Bionic chip with all-new Neural Engine
• Up to 256 GB of storage
• 12 MP camera with optical image stabilization
• 7 MP front-facing camera with Face ID
• Built-in stereo speakers
• Fast wired and wireless charging
• IP67 water-resistant
• Dual-SIM capable
The iPhone XR is the best option for most consumers today. It’s packed with cutting-edge hardware specs, including Apple’s industry-crushing A12 Bionic chipset with an all-new Neural Engine, a 6.1-inch Super Retina display that’s just the right size without being overwhelming, an excellent camera with a host of capturing modes, and a reasonable starting price tag of $749.
Best of all, the iPhone XR is available in six eye-catching colors - black, white, blue, yellow, coral, and red. You'd be hard-pressed to find a new smartphone that’s available in more colors!
The Super Retina display of the iPhone XR has an LCD panel and Apple’s True Tone technology. It’s not as sharp and dramatically vibrant as the OLED displays of the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, but it is nevertheless excellent. Its color accuracy in particular is nothing short of exceptional.
The iPhone XR has earned high review scores from CNET, Mashable, and The Verge, among many others. Testers universally praised the device for offering a rich set of features and excellent performance at an attractive price point.
KEY SPECS
• 5.8- and 6.5-inch Super Retina OLED display with 458 pixels per inch
• A12 Bionic chip with all-new Neural Engine
• Up to 512 GB of storage
• Dual 12 MP camera with optical image stabilization
• 7 MP front-facing camera with Face ID
• Built-in stereo speakers
• Fast wired and wireless charging
• IP68 water-resistant
• Dual-SIM capable
The iPhone XS and XS Max are currently the pinnacle of Apple smartphone design and craftsmanship. They have a premium stainless steel frame, a peerless performance, industry-leading OLED Retina displays, and an excellent dual camera that’s among the best in its class. If your iPhone shopping budget has no restrictions, these two are your best options. They are available in a trio of colors - silver, gold, and space gray.
The iPhone XS is the more compact option of the duo - its 5.8-inch display makes it easy to use with one hand. With a 6.5-inch screen, the iPhone XS Max is a big phone that's a productivity and entertainment powerhouse. With a bigger screen and better battery life, it should be the default choice for power users.
The Super Retina OLED display of both phones is in a league of its own in terms of sheer quality. We really like that, in addition being sharp and vibrant, it is compatible with both HDR10 and Dolby Vision content.
According to Mashable, the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are Apple's finest smartphones to date. A CNET reviewer noted that the duo of phones offers a number of hardware improvements over the iPhone XR, but for a price.
KEY SPECS
• 4.7- and 5.5-inch Retina display
• A10 Fusion chip
• Up to 128 GB of storage
• Dual 12 MP camera with optical image stabilization (iPhone 7 Plus)
• 7 MP FaceTime HD Camera
• Built-in stereo speakers
• Touch ID fingerprint sensor
• IP67 water-resistant
With starting price tags below $500 and $600 respectively (which can be paid via 24-month installments through Verizon), the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are the best options for budget-conscious buyers. They have an elegant design and a solid set of hardware features, including a waterproof body and built-in stereo speakers. Combined, they all but guarantee a top-notch user experience for years to come. We like that you can order the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in a choice of four colors - black, silver, gold, and rose gold.
It is important to consider that, because they have an aluminum back, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are currently the only Apple smartphones that don't support wireless charging. Also, because both phones come with only 32 GB of storage in an entry-level guise, you'll probably want to budget an extra $100 to upgrade to 128 GB.
In case you are considering the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus for their superior hardware and support for wireless charging, keep in mind that their pricing starts at $599 and $699, respectively. In the case of the iPhone 8 Plus in particular, this means that it’s priced incredibly close to the vastly better iPhone XR. I strongly suggest that you opt for the XR instead if deciding between the two.
Read More:
The Best Protective Cases for the iPhone XR
Our Favorite Cases for the iPhone XS Max
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