Nonostante a prima vista siano abbastanza simili, in realtà l’iPhone XR e XS sono due dispositivi profondamente diversi per quanto riguarda le funzionalità, le caratteristiche tecniche, il prezzo e la tecnologia.
Capire quale dei due sia migliore non è facile, per questo motivo abbiamo eseguito un confronto tra iPhone XS e XR, analizzandone sia le differenze che i punti in comune. Ecco una valutazione dettagliata sui due melafonini della Apple, per stabilire quale sia l’iPhone più efficiente del momento nel segmento di fascia alta.
Scheda tecnica iPhone XR
- Dimensioni: 150,9 x 75,7 x 8,3 mm
- Peso: 194 grammi
- Display: Liquid Retina HD LCD 6,1"
- Risoluzione: 1792×828 pixel a 326 ppi
- Contrasto: 1.400:1
- Memoria interna: 64/128/256 GB
- Memoria RAM: 4GB
- Impermeabilità: IP67
- Fotocamera posteriore: 12MP zoom ottico 5x
- Fotocamera frontale: 7MP apertura f/2.2
- Video: 4K e HD fino a 60 fps zoom digitale 3x
- Connettività: Bluetooth 5.0/4G LTE Advanced/GPS/NFC
- Batteria: 2.658 mAh
Scheda tecnica iPhone XS
- Dimensioni: 143,6 x 70,9 x 7,7 mm
- Peso: 177 grammi
- Display: Super Retina HD OLED 5,8"
- Risoluzione: 2436×1125 pixel a 458 ppi
- Contrasto: 1.000.000:1
- Memoria interna: 64/256/512 GB
- Memoria RAM: 3GB
- Impermeabilità: IP68
- Fotocamera posteriore: 12MP zoom ottico 2x e zoom digitale 10x
- Fotocamera frontale: 7MP apertura f/2.2
- Video: 4K e HD fino a 60 fps zoom ottico 2x e zoom digitale 6x
- Connettività: Bluetooth 5.0/LTE classe Gigabit/GPS/NFC
- Batteria: 2.942 mAh
Comparison of iPhone XS and XR: the commonalities
The latest generation of Apple's Apple phones, iPhone XS and XR, are modern devices characterized by a sleek design and numerous advanced features. The two devices have several differences, which we will analyze in detail in a moment, at the same time they also have points in common. So let's start with the aspects present in both devices, before we move on to the evaluation of the comparison of iPhone iOS models XS vs XR, to understand in what the two terminals of Apple resemble each other.
One of the main elements of similarity between the models we are analyzing is immediately visible, compared to previous iPhones both XS and XR have eliminated the Touch ID. The quick identification and quick unlock button was sacrificed due to a question of available space. Replacing the physical button was the implementation of facial recognition, Face ID. This way, logging in and unlocking is done without the need to press any buttons, although then you still need to tap the screen and swipe up to retrieve the previous screen.
Face ID is therefore a common element of both systems. FaceID facial recognition allows you to access online services and platforms securely, such as using apps like Apple Pay for payments from the phone. The two iPhones also feature the A12 Bionic chip with next-generation Neural Engine, which uses machine learning to deliver high performance in gaming, photo-taking and augmented reality applications, as well as wireless charging via Qi charger.
Both iPhone models feature Smart HDR. Particularly appreciated by photo lovers, this feature increases the quality of the photos taken, in fact the function allows you to get a final image that combines several photos taken with different exposures. Another aspect in common is the 7MP TrueDepth front camera, with Retina Flash, Smart HDR, HD recording up to 60 fps and portrait lighting with 5 different effects. Connectivity of both includes Bluetooth 5.0, NFC technology for Contactless payments, GPS, GLONASS and Galileo, with FaceTime video and audio calling and Voice over LTE (VoLTE). The iPhone XS vs XR comparison continues with the possibility of installing Dual SIM compatible with micro-SIM, the AirPods earphones included and the sensors, 3-axis gyroscope, accelerometer, barometer and proximity sensor.
Finally we must report a few other points of encounter between the two devices from Apple. The first is compatibility with Siri, the virtual assistant designed by the Cupertino company, with which you can manage apps via voice commands, receive suggestions and send messages. The second is the video recording with 4K quality from 24 to 60 fps, or in HD at 1080 pixels from 30 to 60 fps, with dynamic range up to 30 fps, the possibility to record in slow motion at 120 and 240 fps, make videos in time-lapse or in stereo mode.
iPhone XS and XR in comparison: all the differences
If the devices XS and XR iPhone from Apple have some technical features in common, as we have just seen, the differences between the two applephones are numerous and quite sharp. Aspects such as the rear camera, some effects to be applied to photos and videos, the display, battery and water resistance, up to the price, of course, are all factors that make the comparison iPhone XS vs XR particularly interesting, to understand which model is the most suitable for your needs.
iPhone XS vs XR: camera
The first analysis of the differences between the two latest generation iPhones from Apple, iPhone XS and XR, begins with the rear camera installed on the devices. The iPhone XR mounts a 12 MP camera with f/1.8 aperture, optical image stabilization, 5x digital zoom and portrait lighting with 3 available effects: natural, photo set and contouring. The iPhone XS, on the other hand, has a 12 MP dual camera, with f/1.8 wide-angle and f/2.4 telephoto aperture, dual optical image stabilization, 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom, with as many as 5 effects for portrait lighting.
iPhone XS vs XR: display and resolution
Where the screen is concerned, two different solutions have been adopted, making these devices quite different from each other. The iPhone XR has a Liquid Retina HD display, with 1792×828 pixel resolution and 326 ppi density, 6.1-inch Multi-Touch LCD screen, IPS technology, 1400:1 contrast, TrueTone and a maximum brightness of 625 cd/m2. The iPhone XS offers a Super Retina HD display with 5.8-inch HDR Multi-Touch OLED screen, with 2436×1125 pixel resolution and 458 ppi density, equipped with a contrast of 1,000,000:1 and the 3D Touch system.
iPhone XS vs XR: size and weight
The comparison between the XS and XR iPhone models of Apple continues, in fact, the terminals also differ in size and weight. The iPhone XR is larger and heavier, with a height of 150.9 mm, a width of 75.7 mm, a thickness of 8.3 mm and a weight of 194 grams. In contrast, the iPhone XS is more compact and lighter, with a height of 143.6 mm, a width of 70.9 mm, a thickness of 7.7 mm and a weight of just 177 grams. However, both are far larger and heavier than older devices, such as the iPhone 8, which weighs just 148 grams and has a height of 138.4 mm.
The Materials
Another element that differentiates the models is the material and thickness of the bezels. While the back is in both cases made of glass, and thus allows for wireless charging of the smartphone, the rest of the casing is different. The iPhone XR has an aluminum frame, while the iPhone XS and XS Max are made of stainless steel.
Customers on forums have often complained about the ease with which the steel has become damaged and scarred even just a few months after purchase. Less frequent, however, were complaints about scratches and other minor wear and tear on models with aluminum frames.
iPhone XS vs XR: 3D Touch and Haptic Touch
This technology is present in different ways on both iPhone models. The 3D Touch is one of the resources on which Cupertino has tried to experiment and is trying to implement.
At the base of this tool lies the ability to also use pressure on the screen, as well as sliding the finger to the right or left, to activate features of Apple smartphones. Prolonged pressure is as if it also uses the depth dimension in addition to the 2 dimensions traditionally used with touch screens.
Basically, the difference between the systems on the iPhone XS and XR is in the functions that 3D Touch allows you to access quickly. On the XS models by pressing you can use shortcuts or view previews. With this 3D Touch system you need to apply some pressure with your finger. This system works with peek and pop, the first one starts with a light press and allows you to open a preview of the email message, bringing it to the foreground, but not leaving the main page. Pop, on the other hand, will take you to the new page and give you access to a series of menus with extra functions.
The XR's Haptic Touch, on the other hand, allows you to activate the function only with a long press on the icon or bar. Haptic Touch is a little less immediate at the activation level and doesn't work with all items and apps.It is active instead with the space bar, so if you press for a few seconds on this tool and then swipe your finger from right to left the cursor will follow your movement and you can move within a url or text by selecting where to bring the cursor. This feature has also been introduced in the new iPhone 11 models.
iPhone XS vs XR: connection speeds
Among the features of these two high-end iPhones is also the presence of MIMO antennas. This acronym stands for Multiple Input, Multiple Output and signals multiple input and output management systems. What it means. That in these iPhone models are integrated antennas that amplify both the reception and transmission of the signals of the device.
In the case of the iPhone XR in the technical descriptions will read 2×2 MIMO, so this type of Apple smartphone mounts 2 input and output antennas. The iPhone XS on the other hand come with 4×4 MIMO, so they have twice the signal strength and transmit the signal with 4 antennas. In terms of Mbit/s, we talk about 400 Mbit/s download speed for the XS and 200 for the XR as the maximum theoretical speed.
The connection speed, however, will not depend only on these hardware, but also on the efficiency of the network to which you connect to surf. The antennas in fact have technical requirements and minimum standards to be able to act effectively. It's like with PCs and fiber, if you don't have the minimum requirements of RAM and processor, you won't be able to take full advantage of the network.
MIMO antennas, then, help to amplify the signal reception of the devices also making the connection more stable.
iPhone XS vs XR: battery and power
The iPhone XS and XR also have substantial differences in the power system; the XS provides up to 2.5 hours more battery life than the iPhone 8 Plus, while the XR only 1 hour and 30 minutes. Both have rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, with fast charging mode ensuring up to 50% in just 30 minutes. The comparison between the iPhone XS and XR indicates the following data regarding autonomy: up to 12 hours of internet browsing for XS and 15 for XR, 20 hours of talk time for XS and 25 for XR, 14 hours of video playback with XS and 16 with XR, up to 60 hours of audio listening on XS and 65 on XR.
iPhone XS vs XR: water resistance and durability
Even considering water resistance, the two iPhones do not offer the same performance. The iPhone XR has the IP67 certification, an international protocol according to the IEC 60529 standard, which indicates that the device can be submerged to a depth of 1 meter for no more than 30 minutes. The iPhone XS, on the other hand, is one of the few phones from the bitten apple with IP68 certification, in fact it can reach up to 2 meters underwater for no more than 30 minutes. At the same time, it must be remembered that Apple does not include in the warranty damage caused by liquids and water immersion.
iPhone XS vs XR: price
Let's finally come to the most pronounced difference between the two apple phones, namely the purchase price. Those who want to buy the iPhone XR must consider spending from €639, providing an iPhone in trade-in, otherwise the base price rises to €889 for the 64GB model, going up to €949 for the 128GB one and €1,059 for the 256GB. The iPhone XS requires an even higher commitment, in fact it has a base cost of 939€ for the 64GB model, always offering an old iPhone in exchange, otherwise the price starts at 1,189€, going up to 1,359€ for the 256GB and 1,589€ for the 512GB.
Comparison iPhone XS and XR: which one to choose?
As we've seen, the differences between Apple's two iPhones are numerous, however they also have commonalities, such as the FaceID facial recognition system, A12 Bionic chip, front-facing camera, connectivity, SIRI integration and video recording. The iPhone XR is a cheaper model than the XS, however it's still a high-end phone, offering longer battery life but with a lower screen resolution, a camera that's not as advanced as the XS, it's also less waterproof, heavier and bulkier.
On the other hand, the iPhone XS is a true top of the line, a lightweight and compact device with innovative features, especially regarding the rear camera, which has a 2x optical zoom and digital up to 10x, telephoto lens, dual optical stabilization and 5 effects for portrait mode lighting. Also the Super Retina HD screen on the iPhone XS is better than the Liquid Retina on the XR, it also has IP68 certification and an internal storage capacity of up to 512GB, compared to the optional 128 and 256GB on the iPhone XR.
Since the beginning of the year, rumors have been circulating about a possible upgrade of the XRs with the launch of an iPhone XR 2 that would bring together the best features of Apple's entry-level model and some of the strengths of the XS. There's talk of a phone that's expected to have a dual telephoto camera, a wider color gamut and fast charging, just to name a few rumors. It remains to be seen if the Cupertino company will be able to keep the device at the prices at which it has accustomed users. One of the greatest strengths of the XR in fact lies in the competitiveness of the cost, much lower than other iPhone models. In the case of the comparison between XS and XR for example, the difference is about 25%.