Apple has unveiled a cheaper (and more colourful) sibling to the new iPhone XS and XS Max, the iPhone XR.
Revealed at Apple’s special event in California, the iPhone XR is available in six colours and will cost £749 when it’s released in the UK on the 26 October.
While the main event was clearly the XS and XS Max, the new iPhone XR could prove to be Apple’s runaway success by offering a similar edge-to-edge display to that found in the iPhone XS but with a cheaper price tag.
Apple’s also presumably hoping that by offering a range of colours they’ll be able to emulate the success of the iPhone 5C. The iPhone XR will be available in: Black, White, Red, Yellow, Coral and Blue.
Apple iPhone XR specs:
The first thing that’s worth noting is that while it looks the same, the iPhone XR’s 6.1-inch display is actually LCD, not OLED.
The reason for this is simple: cost. OLED panels offer superior quality but they’re enormously expensive, whereas LCD still offers a great screen but at a slightly reduced price.
Despite the drop in screen quality this is still what Apple is calling a Liquid Retina Display which means that you’ll still be able to watch HDR and Dolby Vision video, it just won’t be as high quality as you’ll find on Apple’s flagship smartphones.
The XR will use Apple’s new A12 Bionic chip and will support high-performance games such as Fortnite and PlayerUnknown’s Battleground.
By including the same high-performance chip found in the XS, the XR has will be capable of handling even the most demanding apps.
The iPhone XR has also ditched the Home Button and instead now uses Apple’s Face ID facial recognition technology.
It’s all powered by a special camera system that Apple is calling TrueDepth. Quite simply it’s a series of advanced cameras and sensors that create a unique 3D recreation of your face. It’ll work in the dark, at angles and even if you grow a beard or wear glasses.
Apple iPhone XR camera:
Now this is where the XR really deviates from Apple’s two flagship phones. The XR will use a single-camera system on the back.
It’s a 12MP wide-angle camera that can actually take Portrait Mode photos despite only having a single lens.
In addition the iPhone XR will offer the same new camera features found on the iPhone XS including being able to alter the depth-of-field of your Portrait Mode pictures after you’ve taken them.
The iPhone XR will also feature Smart HDR which combines a huge range of different shots with the iPhone’s new machine learning processor to take images that feature instant red-eye reduction and new and improved contrasting even if you’re shooting in direct sunlight.
Apple iPhone XR design:
Clearly the most noticeable aspect of the XR is the fact that this is Apple’s most colourful iPhone since the 5C. Sporting six colours in total the XR features an aluminium matte chassis and a glass front and back plate.
The iPhone XR is available in: Black, White, Red, Yellow, Coral and Blue.
Just like the iPhone XS and XS Max, the XR also supports wireless charging and will be water-resistant however to a slightly lower rating of IP67.
Apple iPhone XR UK release date and price:
The iPhone XR will be available to pre-order on the 19 October and available to buy in-store and online 26 October
iPhone XR 64GB: £749/$749
iPhone XR 128GB: £799/$799
iPhone XR 256GB: £899/$899