iPhone 11 vs iPhone XR: Apple’s Entry-level Phones Face Off!



Apple introduced its newest entry-level iPhone this week, the iPhone 11. The device is meant to be for people who want the latest iPhone but don’t want to shell out the cash for the premium iPhone 11 Pro series.

Unlike the iPhone X, however, both the iPhone 11 and iPhone XR do not have OLED displays; instead, they use Apple’s LCD panels

The iPhone 11 is meant to replace the iPhone XR, last year’s entry-level new iPhone. However, Apple is keeping the iPhone XR on sale alongside the iPhone 11. So how do the two compare? Let’s take a look.

iPhone 11 vs iPhone XR Quick Comparison

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Design

  • iPhone 11 – The iPhone 11 has the same 6.1in display of the iPhone XR and features Apple’s biometric authentication system called Face ID. Its industrial design features a glass and aluminium body and comes in a wide range of six color options, including a new green model.
  • iPhone XR – The iPhone XR has the same 6.1in display of the iPhone 11 and features Apple’s biometric authentication system called Face ID. Its industrial design features a glass and aluminium body and comes in a wide range of six color options, including a blue model.

Winner? Draw – The iPhone 11 and the iPhone XR have the exact same industrial design.

Displays

  • iPhone 11 – The iPhone 11 features an edge-to-edge LCD display that is 6.1in and has a 1792 x 828-pixel resolution at 326ppi.
  • iPhone XR – The iPhone XR features an edge-to-edge LCD display that is 6.1in and has a 1792 x 828-pixel resolution at 326ppi.

Winner? Draw – Both phones have the exact same display.

CPU/Processor

  • iPhone 11 – the iPhone 11 features the A13 chipset. This A13 is a 7nm chip with 6 cores, which is absolutely INSANE.
  • iPhone XR –  the iPhone XR features let year’s A12 chipset, which is about 20% slower than the A13.

Winner? iPhone 11 – The A13 is 20% faster than the A12.

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Camera

  • iPhone 11 – The iPhone 11 features a 12MP front-facing camera. But on the rear camera you get a dual-lens 12MP rear camera complete with a wide-angle and telephoto lens and dual optical zoom. It also supports advanced photo features like portrait photography.
  • iPhone XR – The iPhone XR features a 7MP front-facing camera. On the rear camera you get a single-lens 12MP camera complete with a wide-angle lens.

Winner? iPhone 11 – That dual-lens puts the single-lens to shame.

Storage Options

  • iPhone 11 – 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB
  • iPhone XR – 64GB or 128GB

Battery Life

Winner? iPhone 11 – You get an extra two hours of battery life.

iPhone-XRPin

Price

  • iPhone 11 – The 6.1in iPhone 11 costs £729 (64GB) and £779 (128GB) and £879 (256GB).
  • iPhone XR – The 6.1in iPhone XR costs cost £629 (64GB) and £679 (128GB).

Verdict?

The winner here is the iPhone 11. It features that improved dual-lens rear camera system with a 12MP wide-angle and telephoto lenses, optical image stabilisation, optical zoom, and 4K video recording. It also features support for improved night photography–not to mention a better 12MP front camera.

Combine that with the A13 chips in the iPhone 11, which is 20% faster than that in the iPhone XR and the extra two hours of battery life, the iPhone 11 beats the iPhone XR hands down.

Another option worth considering, however, is picking up a newer refurbished iPhone – something like the iPhone X or iPhone XS, which you can get for 40% less than retail via Gazelle, our #1 pick for refurbished iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and iMacs.

iPhone 11 vs iPhone 11 Pro: Specs

Here are the specs for the iPhone 11:

  • Display: 6.1in LCD Liquid Retina display with a 1792 x 828-pixel resolution at 326ppi
  • Dimensions: 150.9mm x 75.7mm x 8.3mm
  • Weight: 194 grams
  • Storage: 64, 128, or 256GB
  • Processors: A13 Bionic chip with third-generation Neural Engine
  • Front camera: 12 MP TrueDepth camera with 4K video recording at up to 60 fps
  • Rear camera: Dual 12MP Ultra Wide and Wide cameras with Night mode; 4K video
  • Battery: Up to 18 hours (video playback)
  • Other: Face ID, NFC, wireless charging, IP68 waterproof (2m)

And here are the specs for the iPhone XR:

  • Display: 6.1in LCD Liquid Retina display with a 1792 x 828-pixel resolution at 326ppi
  • Dimensions: 150.9mm x 75.7mm x 8.3mm
  • Weight: 188 grams
  • Storage: 64 or 128GB
  • Processors: A12 Bionic chip with second-generation Neural Engine
  • Front camera: 7MP TrueDepth camera with 4K video recording at up to 60 fps
  • Rear camera: Single 12MP Wide camera; 4K video
  • Battery: Up to 16 hours (video playback)
  • Other: Face ID, NFC, wireless charging, IP67 waterproof (1m)

Michael Grothaus

Apple expert and novelist, Michael Grothaus has been covering tech on KnowYourMobile for the best part of 10 years. Prior to this, he worked at Apple. And before that, he was a film journalist. Michael is a published author; his book Epiphany Jones was voted as one of the best novels about Hollywood by Entertainment Weekly. Michael is also a writer at other publications including VICE and Fast Company.