iPhone XR vs iPhone 12 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

iPhone 12 & iPhone XR share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the iPhone 12 rather than the iPhone XR

Why Do I Recommend The iPhone 12

  • The iPhone 12 features the A14 Bionic chip for faster app performance, smoother multitasking, and better energy efficiency, while the iPhone XR comes with the A12 Bionic chip.
  • iPhone 12 has a Super Retina XDR OLED display that delivers sharper resolution, deeper blacks, and enhanced HDR content playback, compared to the iPhone XR’s lower-resolution LCD panel.
  • It comes with 5G connectivity that allows faster download speeds, lower latency in streaming, and improved future network compatibility, unlike the 4G-only iPhone XR.
  • The iPhone 12 has a dual-camera system with Ultra Wide and Wide lenses that expands framing possibilities and captures more versatile photos, compared to the single-lens setup of iPhone XR.
  • iPhone 12 supports Night mode and Deep Fusion that improve low-light photography and enhance image detail and clarity in both rear and front cameras, which is not available in the iPhone XR.
  • It comes with MagSafe technology that enables precise magnetic alignment for faster wireless charging and supports a growing ecosystem of magnetic accessories, unlike the iPhone XR.
  • The iPhone 12 has a Ceramic Shield front that improves drop resistance and durability during daily use, making it more resilient than the glass front of the iPhone XR.
  • iPhone 12 supports Dolby Vision HDR video recording that provides cinematic video quality with better color depth and contrast, compared to the standard video recording on the iPhone XR.

Maybe the iPhone XR price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPhone 12. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

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Side By Side Comparison

FeatureiPhone 12iPhone XR
ChipsetA14 BionicA12 Bionic
Neural Engine16-core8-core
Build Material (Front)Ceramic ShieldGlass
Display TypeSuper Retina XDR OLEDLiquid Retina IPS LCD
Display Size6.1 inches6.1 inches
Display Resolution2532 x 1170 pixels1792 x 828 pixels
Pixel Density~460 ppi~326 ppi
Contrast Ratio2,000,000:11,400:1
HDR SupportHDR10, Dolby VisionNo HDR support
Brightness (Typical)625 nits625 nits
Brightness (Peak HDR)1200 nitsNot supported
5G SupportYesNo
Main CameraDual 12MPSingle 12MP
Rear Camera FeaturesNight mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3No Night mode, No Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 1
Front Camera12MP with Night mode, 4K60 video7MP without Night mode, 4K30 video
Video Recording4K at 24/30/60 fps; Dolby Vision HDR4K at 24/30/60 fps; No HDR
MagSafe SupportYesNo
Wireless ChargingQi + MagSafeQi only
Water ResistanceIP68IP67
Wi‑Fi StandardWi‑Fi 6Wi‑Fi 5
UWB (Ultra Wideband)YesNo
Audio ZoomYesNo
Face ID Generation2nd generation1st generation
PriceCheck iPhone 12 PriceCheck iPhone XR Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Display Size: Both phones feature a 6.1-inch display, providing a similar viewing area and comfortable balance between screen space and hand fit.
  • Face ID: Both devices use Face ID for secure biometric authentication, allowing users to unlock the phone, approve payments, and sign in to apps with facial recognition.
  • Wireless Charging: Each model supports Qi wireless charging, enabling users to charge their phones without plugging in a cable.
  • Fast Charging Support: Both iPhones support fast charging up to 50% in approximately 30 minutes using a compatible 20W or higher adapter for quick power boosts.
  • Haptic Touch: Each device includes Haptic Touch, allowing users to access quick actions and context menus with responsive tactile feedback.
  • True Tone Display: Both models feature True Tone technology, which adjusts the display’s white balance to match the surrounding light for a more natural viewing experience.
  • Stereo Speakers: Both phones include stereo speaker systems, delivering balanced audio from both the top and bottom for improved video and music playback.
  • eSIM and Dual SIM Support: Both support Dual SIM functionality through a nano-SIM and an eSIM, letting users manage two phone lines on one device.
  • Apple Ecosystem: Each device fully integrates with the Apple ecosystem, allowing seamless access to iCloud, Apple Pay, Siri, App Store, and other Apple services.

Common Features

FeatureiPhone 12iPhone XR
BrandAppleApple
Operating SystemiOSiOS
Display Size6.1 inches6.1 inches
Face IDYesYes
Lightning ConnectorYesYes
Wireless ChargingYesYes
Fast Charging SupportYesYes
True Tone DisplayYesYes
Haptic TouchYesYes
Stereo SpeakersYesYes
Apple PayYesYes
eSIM SupportYesYes
Dual SIMYesYes
iCloud IntegrationYesYes
Siri IntegrationYesYes
App Store AccessYesYes
Price Check iPhone 12 Price Check iPhone XR Price

FAQ

Does the iPhone 12 have a better display than the iPhone XR?
Yes, the iPhone 12 has a Super Retina XDR OLED display with higher resolution, contrast ratio, and HDR support, making it noticeably sharper and more vibrant than the iPhone XR’s Liquid Retina LCD display.

Do both iPhone 12 and iPhone XR have Face ID?
Yes, both models feature Apple’s Face ID facial recognition technology, allowing secure unlocking and authentication using the front-facing TrueDepth camera.

Is the iPhone 12 faster than the iPhone XR?
Yes, the iPhone 12 features the A14 Bionic chip, which is significantly faster and more power-efficient than the A12 Bionic chip in the iPhone XR.

Can I use 5G on the iPhone XR?
No, the iPhone XR does not support 5G. Only the iPhone 12 supports 5G connectivity for faster mobile data speeds and better future-proofing.

Do both support wireless charging?
Yes, both the iPhone 12 and iPhone XR support Qi wireless charging, allowing users to charge their phones without using a cable.

Is MagSafe available on both phones?
No, only the iPhone 12 supports MagSafe, enabling faster wireless charging up to 15W and compatibility with a wide range of magnetic accessories.

Do both phones have the same screen size?
Yes, both the iPhone 12 and iPhone XR have a 6.1-inch screen, providing similar usability and display real estate.

Which phone has better camera features?
The iPhone 12 has superior camera capabilities, including Night mode, Deep Fusion, Dolby Vision HDR video, and an additional Ultra Wide lens, all of which are missing from the iPhone XR.

Can both phones run the latest version of iOS?
Yes, both the iPhone 12 and iPhone XR are compatible with the latest iOS version and continue to receive software updates from Apple.

Is there a difference in water resistance between the two?
Yes, the iPhone 12 has an IP68 rating, allowing it to be submerged up to 6 meters for 30 minutes, while the iPhone XR has an IP67 rating, limited to 1 meter for 30 minutes.

Do both phones support fast charging?
Yes, both models support fast charging and can charge up to 50% in approximately 30 minutes when using a compatible 20W or higher power adapter.

Is there any difference in battery life?
Battery life is similar in daily use, but the iPhone XR typically lasts slightly longer due to the lower-resolution LCD, while the iPhone 12 may consume more power with 5G and an OLED screen.

Can I use two SIMs on these phones?
Yes, both the iPhone 12 and iPhone XR support Dual SIM via one nano-SIM and one eSIM, allowing two separate phone numbers on a single device.

Do both phones support FaceTime and iMessage?
Yes, both models fully support Apple services like FaceTime and iMessage, allowing video calls and encrypted messaging with other Apple users.

Which phone is more durable?
The iPhone 12 is more durable thanks to its Ceramic Shield front, which Apple claims provides 4x better drop performance compared to the standard glass used in the iPhone XR.

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