Which iPhone should I buy: the iPhone X, the iPhone XS, or the iPhone XR?
The iPhone X, iPhone XS and iPhone XR compared
We understand how confusing it can be to find the real differences between the iPhone X, XS, and XR. To be fair, these were all released within a year of one another, with the iPhone X arriving in 2017 and the XS and XR following in 2018.
These phones share some characteristics but also differ in others; we'll walk you through each device and where they perform best. Hopefully, providing you with a better understanding of which iPhone is the best fit for you.
The iPhone X
When the iPhone X was released in 2017, it underwent a significant design overhaul; this was the first iPhone to do away with the home button in favour of Face ID and gestures. This device ushered in the era of edge-to-edge displays in all its glory, with a significant screen improvement achieved through the use of OLED to increase pixel density, resulting in clear and crisp imagery. It is the lightest iPhone out of all three devices and features dual rear cameras with telephoto and wide-angle lenses. It was also the first iPhone to feature a stainless steel and glass design, as well as the introduction of the gesture bar to maximise reachability.
The iPhone XS
When the iPhone XS was released in 2018, one of the first significant changes was the upgrade to the A12 Bionic chip, which increased battery life by 30 minutes and added a new colour to the lineup and is available in, gold, black, and silver.
The XS features an edge-to-edge glass display giving a vibrant, high-resolution OLED display and a stainless steel frame that is significantly more resistant to wear and tear.
The iPhone XR
The iPhone XR was launched alongside the iPhone XS. This was one of Apple's most popular phones to date, owing to its versatility and affordability.
While it kept the all-glass edge-to-edge display, Apple designed this iPhone with an LCD display and an aluminium frame, as well as the option of six different colours! The iPhone XR has an increased battery life to up to 16 hours in comparison to the X and XS and introduced a new camera system with a single rear wide-angle lens.
At a glance
| iPhone X | iPhone XS | iPhone XR | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colour | Silver Black | Silver Black Gold | Blue, White, Black, Coral, Red, Yellow |
| Display | 5.8” Super Retina HD Display | 5.8” Super Retina HD Display | 6.1” Liquid Retina HD Display |
| Size and Weight | H - 5.65” W – 2.79” D – 0.30” W – 174g | H - 5.65” W – 2.79” D – 0.30” W – 177g | H - 5.94”
W– 2.98” D – 0.33” W – 194g |
| Cellular | 4G | 4G | 4G |
| Camera | 12MP Dual Camera:
Telephoto & Wide 2x Optical Zoom 10x Digital Zoom | 12MP Dual Camera:
Telephoto & Wide 2x Optical Zoom 10x Digital Zoom | 12MP Single Camera: Wide 5x Digital Zoom |
| Face Camera | 7MP TrueDepth Camera | 7MP TrueDepth Camera | 7MP TrueDepth Camera |
| Video Recording | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| Chip | A11 Bionic Chip | A12 Bionic Chip | A12 Bionic Chip |
| Security | Face ID | Face ID | Face ID |
| Water-resistance | 1 metre up to 30 minutes | 2 metre up to 30 minutes | 1 metre up to 30 minutes |
| Capacity | 64GB | 64GB | 64GB |
| Battery | Lighting Cable Wireless | Lighting Cable Wireless | Lighting Cable Wireless |
| Playback | 13 Hours Video | 14 Hours Video | 16 Hours Video |
Similarities and differences between the iPhone X, iPhone XS and iPhone XR
Let's talk similarities and differences between these devices.
- All three of these phones are nearly identical in size, with the exception of the iPhone XR, which is slightly larger.
- While the iPhone XS and XR feature an upgraded Bionic chip, Apple continues to support all X devices, which means they will continue to run the same operating system for years to come.
- While the iPhone X and XS are available in neutral colours, the iPhone XR is available in a variety of six hues, a colour to suit every personality.
- While the iPhone X and XS feature a super retina OLED display, the iPhone XR features an LCD display.
- Unlike the iPhone X and XS which features dual cameras, the iPhone XR only has a single rear camera, however this single camera performs admirably.
- The iPhone XS enhanced the device's water resistance, making it one of the best water-resistant handsets at the time.
Frequently Asked Questions about the iPhone X, iPhone XS and iPhone XR
