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Apple iPhone XR vs 11

Gear Review

Choosing Between iPhone XR and iPhone 11

A practical comparison for those upgrading from older hardware

~6
Years Expected Life
6.1
Inches Screen Size
~$100
Price Difference
Section I

The Decision Process

When I was looking for a replacement for my venerable iPhone 6s, the XR and 11 were high on my list. I debated which one to get, and I found that the XR and 11 are almost identical, with only two major differences: the faster A13 chip and the dual rear cameras of the 11.

 

SpecificationiPhone 11iPhone XR
Screen6.1” (828 × 1792)6.1” (828 × 1792)
ProcessorA13 BionicA12 Bionic
RAM4 GB3 GB
Storage64 GB64 GB
Battery3110 mAh2942 mAh
Camera12 MP / 12 MP12 MP
Weight6.84 oz6.84 oz
PortLightningLightning
Dual Cameras — The Difference Maker

I ultimately decided on the iPhone 11 and paid $300 during a special deal (the full retail price is normally $600). I am very happy with my choice, as I find the dual cameras to be a must-have. You don’t realize what you’re missing in casual photography until you’ve tried a dual-camera setup.

iPhones and Value Retention

It’s been a year since I picked up the 11, and I was in the market for an XR to give to a friend who wanted to upgrade from their 6s. I couldn't find refurbished XR models on Apple.com anymore, so I settled on a refurbished model from eBay for $340. Overall, the eBay refurbished XR was in excellent condition, with 87% battery health, so my friend was ecstatic and fell in love with her XR.

As I set up the XR, I decided to do a quick comparison. I was impressed with the XR and understood why Apple repeated the overall design aesthetic with the 11. Both the XR and 11 are the last of the line for the 6/6s body style, having migrated back to the 5/5s body edges on the newer 12 and 13 models.

 

Section II

Which One Should You Choose?

You can't go wrong with either option. If you don't care too much for photography, then the XR is perfectly acceptable if you can find a good-condition model in the low $300s. The 11 is otherwise the better choice, selling brand new for $499, with many used models available for low $400s.

The price differential between the models is barely $100 on the used market, which makes it tough to decide. However, my friend doesn't use the camera much and only wanted a bigger screen and a larger battery, so the XR fit the bill.

  • →iPhone 11 — Best for photography enthusiasts and those wanting the A13 chip.
  • →iPhone XR — Best for budget-conscious users who prioritize a large screen and battery life.
Tip: If my experience with the 6s is any indication of useful life, I can expect to get about six years out of either model. I honestly would have stayed with my 6s if not for the relatively weak battery life. If the 6s could last two days like the XR or 11, I would still be rocking it.
Choose the device that best aligns with your daily habits rather than just the latest specs.
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