iPhone XR vs iPhone 15 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

iPhone 15 & 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 15 rather than the iPhone XR.

Why Do I Recommend The iPhone 15

  • The iPhone 15 has the A16 Bionic chip built on a 4nm process for faster performance, smoother multitasking, and better power efficiency, whereas the iPhone XR uses the older A12 Bionic chip built on 7nm with significantly lower speed and efficiency.
  • iPhone 15 features a Super Retina XDR OLED display with 2556 × 1179 resolution for sharper visuals, deeper blacks, and higher brightness outdoors, while the iPhone XR uses a Liquid Retina LCD with 1792 × 828 resolution.
  • It includes a 48MP main camera with 2x telephoto cropping and Night Mode for high-quality low-light photography and versatile zoom, whereas the iPhone XR has only a single 12MP wide camera without Night Mode or optical zoom options.
  • The iPhone 15 has a 12MP front camera with autofocus and Night Mode for clearer selfies and sharper video calls, while the iPhone XR uses a 7MP fixed-focus front camera without Night Mode.
  • iPhone 15 supports 5G connectivity for faster downloads, smoother streaming, and better network performance in modern coverage areas, whereas the iPhone XR is limited to 4G LTE with slower speeds.
  • It comes with MagSafe wireless charging and magnetic accessory support for faster wireless charging and convenient accessory attachment, while the iPhone XR does not support MagSafe and only uses standard Qi wireless charging.
  • The iPhone 15 has Ceramic Shield glass and IP68 water resistance for stronger durability and better protection against drops and immersion, whereas the iPhone XR uses standard glass with IP67 water resistance and weaker protection.
  • iPhone 15 includes a lighter 171 g body with a Dynamic Island cutout that improves usability by integrating alerts and multitasking tools, while the iPhone XR weighs 194 g and uses a larger notch that only displays static information.

Maybe the iPhone XR price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPhone 15. 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.

Side By Side Comparison

FeatureiPhone 15iPhone XR
ChipsetA16 Bionic, 4nmA12 Bionic, 7nm
GPU5-core Apple GPU4-core Apple GPU
Display TypeSuper Retina XDR OLEDLiquid Retina IPS LCD
Display Resolution2556 × 1179 pixels1792 × 828 pixels
Pixel Density~460 ppi~326 ppi
Brightness Peak2000 nits625 nits
Camera SystemDualSingle 12MP wide
Zoom Options2x telephotoDigital zoom only
Night ModeAvailableNot available
Front Camera12MP with autofocus7MP fixed focus
Video FeaturesCinematic Mode, Action Mode, HDR videoStandard 4K HDR video
Battery PlaybackUp to 20 hours videoUp to 16 hours video
Charging PortUSB-CLightning
MagSafeSupportedNot supported
5G SupportYesNo
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth Version5.35.0
Face ID CutoutDynamic IslandLarger notch
Build GlassCeramic Shield frontStandard glass
Water ResistanceIP68IP67
Weight171 g194 g
Storage Options128GB, 256GB, 512GB64GB, 128GB, 256GB
Operating System at LaunchiOS 17iOS 12
PriceCheck iPhone 15 PriceCheck iPhone XR Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Display Size: Both iPhone 15 and iPhone XR feature a 6.1-inch screen, giving users a familiar balance between portability and immersive viewing.
  • Refresh Rate: Each model uses a 60Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth everyday interactions even though neither includes high-refresh technology.
  • Touchscreen Controls: Both phones have multi-touch capacitive displays, allowing precise taps, swipes, and gestures for seamless navigation.
  • Face ID: Each model relies on Apple’s Face ID for secure authentication, letting users unlock their phones and authorize payments with facial recognition.
  • Front Design: Both feature an all-screen edge-to-edge design without a home button, delivering a modern, minimalist look.
  • Rear Material: Each phone uses a glass back, enabling wireless charging while maintaining a sleek and premium aesthetic.
  • Frame Material: Both models use an aluminum frame, offering durability with a lightweight build.
  • Wireless Charging: Each device supports Qi wireless charging, allowing convenient cable-free power with compatible chargers.
  • SIM Options: Both include Nano-SIM and eSIM support, giving flexibility for carriers and international use.
  • Stereo Speakers: Each phone has stereo speaker output, providing louder and more immersive sound for media and calls.
  • Microphones: Both feature multiple microphones with noise reduction, ensuring clear voice capture during calls and recordings.
  • Location Services: Each device supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS, offering accurate navigation and mapping worldwide.
  • Sensors: Both phones are equipped with accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, and barometer for smooth app functionality and health features.
  • iOS Ecosystem: Each runs iOS, providing regular updates, security features, and integration with other Apple products.
  • Apple Services: Both support iCloud, Apple Music, Apple Pay, and Apple TV+, keeping users connected to Apple’s ecosystem of apps and services.
  • Dolby Atmos: Each model supports Dolby Atmos playback, delivering a richer, more spatial audio experience.
  • NFC: Both include NFC with Apple Pay, enabling secure and quick contactless transactions.

Common Features

FeatureiPhone 15iPhone XR
Display Size6.1-inch diagonal display6.1-inch diagonal display
Screen Refresh RateStandard 60Hz refreshStandard 60Hz refresh
Touch ControlsMulti-touch capacitive touchscreenMulti-touch capacitive touchscreen
Biometric SecurityFace ID facial recognitionFace ID facial recognition
Front DesignEdge-to-edge all-screen designEdge-to-edge all-screen design
Rear MaterialGlass backGlass back
Frame MaterialAluminum frameAluminum frame
Wireless ChargingQi wireless charging supportedQi wireless charging supported
SIM OptionsNano-SIM and eSIM supportNano-SIM and eSIM support
SpeakersStereo speakers with spatial audio playbackStereo speakers with spatial audio playback
MicrophonesMultiple microphones for noise reductionMultiple microphones for noise reduction
Location ServicesGPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS supportGPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS support
SensorsAccelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, ambient light, barometerAccelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, ambient light, barometer
Operating System EcosystemRuns iOS with regular updatesRuns iOS with regular updates
App StoreFull access to Apple App StoreFull access to Apple App Store
Apple ServicesCompatible with iCloud, Apple Music, Apple Pay, Apple TV+Compatible with iCloud, Apple Music, Apple Pay, Apple TV+
AudioSupports Dolby Atmos playbackSupports Dolby Atmos playback
NFCNFC with Apple Pay supportNFC with Apple Pay support
Price Check iPhone 15 Price Check iPhone XR Price

FAQ

Do both iPhone 15 and iPhone XR have the same screen size?
Yes, both devices feature a 6.1-inch display, but the iPhone 15 uses an OLED Super Retina XDR screen with higher resolution and brightness, while the iPhone XR uses an LCD Liquid Retina screen with lower pixel density.

How do the cameras compare between iPhone 15 and iPhone XR?
The iPhone 15 has a dual-camera system with a 48MP main sensor and a 12MP ultrawide lens, while the iPhone XR only has a single 12MP wide camera, limiting versatility and low-light performance.

Does the iPhone XR support Night Mode like the iPhone 15?
No, the iPhone XR does not support Night Mode, while the iPhone 15 includes Night Mode on both rear and front cameras, allowing brighter and clearer low-light photos.

Is there a difference in front camera quality between the two models?
Yes, the iPhone 15 comes with a 12MP front camera with autofocus and advanced HDR features, while the iPhone XR uses a 7MP fixed-focus front camera with less detail and lower image quality.

Do both phones support Face ID?
Yes, both iPhone 15 and iPhone XR use Face ID for biometric authentication, though the iPhone 15 integrates it into the Dynamic Island cutout, while the iPhone XR has a larger notch design.

What are the differences in battery life?
The iPhone 15 provides up to 20 hours of video playback, while the iPhone XR offers up to 16 hours, giving the newer model a noticeable improvement in endurance.

What charging ports are available on iPhone 15 and iPhone XR?
The iPhone 15 uses a USB-C port with faster compatibility for accessories, while the iPhone XR continues with the older Lightning connector.

Does the iPhone 15 have MagSafe while the iPhone XR does not?
Yes, the iPhone 15 supports MagSafe for magnetic accessories and faster wireless charging, while the iPhone XR does not include this feature.

Is there a difference in connectivity between the two models?
Yes, the iPhone 15 supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.3, while the iPhone XR is limited to 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, and Bluetooth 5.0, making the newer device much more future-proof.

Which phone is lighter to hold, the iPhone 15 or the iPhone XR?
The iPhone 15 is lighter at 171 grams, while the iPhone XR weighs 194 grams, making the newer device more comfortable for extended use.

How do the durability levels compare?
The iPhone 15 uses Ceramic Shield glass with IP68 water resistance up to 6 meters for 30 minutes, while the iPhone XR uses standard glass with IP67 water resistance up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.

Are the storage options different between iPhone 15 and iPhone XR?
Yes, the iPhone 15 starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB, while the iPhone XR started at 64GB and maxed out at 256GB.

Do both phones run the same version of iOS?
Currently, both can run iOS 17, but the iPhone 15 launched with it and will receive many more years of updates, while the iPhone XR is nearing the end of its software support cycle.

Which device is better for long-term use?
The iPhone 15 is better for long-term use due to its modern processor, 5G support, better cameras, longer battery life, and years of upcoming iOS updates, while the iPhone XR is now outdated and reaching the end of support.

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