The iPhone XR is a smartphone developed and marketed by Apple as part of the twelfth generation of the iPhone, alongside the higher-end iPhone XS/XS Max models. It was released in 2018 and discontinued in 2019. The iPhone XR was Apple's best selling 2018 model, and it also became the top-selling and the most popular smartphone globally in Q3 2019.
The iPhone XR was available in six colors: black, white, blue, yellow, coral (a shade of pink and orange), and Product Red. It is the second iPhone to be released in white, yellow and blue, the first being the iPhone 5c in 2013. Internationally, the phone supports dual SIMs through a Nano-SIM and an eSIM. In mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, dual Nano-SIM (in a single tray) is offered instead.
The iPhone XR was available in three storage capacities: 64 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB. The 256 GB version was discontinued with the release of the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro. While the iPhone XS was discontinued and replaced by the iPhone 11 Pro, the iPhone XR continued on sale at a lower price point with the iPhone 11 succeeding as the "affordable flagship". The iPhone XR continued to be made available alongside the iPhone 12 for the following year.
The XR has a similar design to the iPhone X and iPhone XS. However, the XR has slightly larger bezels, a bigger screen, an aluminum frame, and is available in a wide variety of colors. Similar to other X-branded iPhones, all models come with a black front.
Hardware and Features
Released as part of the same twelfth generation, the XR has similar hardware to the XS, but with a few features removed or downgraded to reduce the price. The XR features the same system-on-chip (SoC) as the XS and XS Max, the Apple A12 Bionic chip built with a 7 nanometer process, which Apple claimed to be the "smartest and most powerful chip" ever put into a smartphone.
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The XR has an LCD display known as "Liquid Retina", which Apple advertised as the "most advanced LCD in the industry", instead of the OLED screen used on the X, XS, and XS Max. The display on the XR has a resolution of 1792 × 828 pixels and a pixel density of 326 ppi, compared with 458 ppi on other X-branded iPhones. However, it has 120 Hz Touch Sample Rate which is the same as the XS and XS Max.
Instead of 3D Touch, the XR comes with Haptic Touch where the user long-presses until they feel a vibration from the Taptic Engine. Unlike other phones in the X-series, the XR ships with a single camera on the rear on the phone, featuring exactly the same main camera sensor as on the XS and XS Max, utilizing a 1/2.55" sensor size and 1.4μm pixel size. Unlike the XS, it does not have optical zoom because of the single camera. DxOMark gave the camera on the iPhone XR a rating of 101, giving the title "Top-ranked single-lens phone".
Despite the rear single-camera setup, a modified version of Portrait Mode is included. It works unaltered while using the TrueDepth front camera, but with the rear camera, it attempts to calculate the depth of field using a combination of the focus pixels on the image sensor and AI, resulting in more limitations including lower resolution depth data and subjects not being close enough due to the wide-angle lens being used instead of the missing telephoto lens.
Apple, as part of an environmental initiative, removed the EarPods and power adapter from all new iPhone boxes starting in October 2020, including the iPhone XR. Apple claimed that removing these items will reduce e-waste and permit a smaller iPhone box, allowing more devices to be shipped simultaneously to decrease carbon footprint.
Is the iPhone XR worth buying in 2025?
iOS Compatibility and Updates
The iPhone XR can run iOS 18, the current version of iOS. The latest iOS for iPhone XR is iOS 18.7.1. For optimal security and performance, it is recommended to update iPhones with the latest available version of iOS.
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Supported iOS Versions
- Latest iOS: iOS 18.7.1
My working assumption is that the iPhone XR will not be eligible to run iOS 19. It Is one of the oldest iPhones on the iOS 18 compatibility list. It has already received six major iOS updates - one more than many other iPhones have gotten. It only has 3 GB of RAM. Of the 29 iPhone models that can run iOS 18, only one other has that little.
Apple just confirmed at WWDC 2025 that iOS drops support for iPhone XR, XS, and XS MAX, officially making the A12 chip obsolete. They ended a 7-year run and left millions of people facing a tough choice to upgrade or risk running outdated devices. The A13 chip in the iPhone 11 is now the new baseline, and older models won’t get Apple Intelligence features or updates.
The A12 Bionic chip falls short, and its neural engine is about 40% weaker than A13, which makes it unsuitable for iOS A26’s AI features. While XR and XS models will still get security patches, they are permanently cut off from feature updates. This means no access to future iOS innovations or Apple Intelligence capabilities.
Impact of Discontinuation
With these models officially discontinued, users are rapidly upgrading their phones, which is causing a steep drop in demand for cases. Whether you’re holding on to an older iPhone or planning to upgrade to an iPhone 17, with MagSafe cases, understanding which models support iOS 26 is key.
- While iPhone 11 can run iOS 26, all Apple intelligence features are ripped and confirmed by device benchmarks and expert reports.
- Only A17 Pro or newer chips (iPhone 15 Pro, 16 series, and upcoming 17) support the full Apple Intelligence AI suite.
With iPhone 17 just around the corner, leaks point to some of the biggest hardware leaps, which sparks a wave of upgrades in the major case design. The new 17 series model is expected to feature an ultra-slim 5.5mm design, a horizontal camera matrix, and 50W MagSafe charging. These upgrades demand a more brilliant case design that guarantees protection and charging support.
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Whether you are holding onto the older iPhone or planning to upgrade soon, choosing the right case has never been more critical. Still supported under iOS 26, but missing Apple Intelligence. With features like Qi2.2 wireless charging and AI-focused performance, shaping the next generation of iPhone, it's time to rethink your upgrades.
Resale and Upgrade Considerations
The iPhone XS and XR can support the latest iOS version, which is iOS 18.7.1. Now is the time to sell as resale value is at its peak before iOS 26 phases these models out. If you are eyeing the iPhone 17, consider a compatible MagSafe case to stay ahead of demand and ensure protection from day one.
You are still supported on iOS 26 but are missing Apple Intelligence. Delay the upgrade now and invest in an enhanced MagSafe case (15W), which you can get from ESR, to keep your accessories working smoothly. If you rely on Apple’s Intelligence features, your best move is the iPhone 15 Pro or the upcoming 17 series.
In conclusion, Apple is drawing a line between old and new, pushing users towards faster and smarter devices. If you are still using an A12 chip, an obsolete model that has already died, it's time to move on. For everyone else, now is the moment to look to the future-proof with the right upgrade plan and next-gen case, because in the evolving ecosystem, only preparation will win.
The iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max all have an A12 Bionic chip, so it looks like iOS 19 will discontinue support for that chip. While these iPhones will support iOS 19, advanced features may be limited to newer iPhones with faster processors. As for iPadOS 19, it is expected to drop support for the seventh-generation low-cost iPad with A10 Fusion chip.
The XR had an almost 7 year run.
Note: Apple states VoLTE is available only on iPhone 6 or later. Many carriers now require VoLTE-capable devices for activation, which effectively excludes iPhone 5s and older (and some carriers may also refuse to activate iPhone 6-era hardware).
Functionality Limitations
- Very Limited Functionality: These devices do not support recent enough operating systems to allow for the majority of applications to be downloaded or function.
App Compatibility
Many popular apps require recent operating systems. If your iPhone runs iOS 10 or older, you can only use pre-installed apps like Safari, Calendar, and Notes - you cannot download new apps from the App Store.
If your iPhone is maxed out at iOS 12 or lower, most modern apps will no longer work, and the App Store may be severely limited.
If your iPhone runs iOS 13-18: Some apps will work, but many popular apps require newer versions.
Additional Considerations
If you will not ever need to update your XR to anything higher than iOS 18, so you might consider buying the XR. Plan to buy a new battery for the XR as well at about $100 (U.S).
iPhone XR Display: 6.1 inch (155 mm) diagonal Liquid Retina: LED-backlit IPS LCD, 1792 × 828 px (326 ppi)625 cd/m² max.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD |
| Resolution | 1792 × 828 pixels |
| Pixel Density | 326 ppi |
| Chip | A12 Bionic |
| iOS Support | Up to iOS 18 |
| Camera | Single 12MP rear camera |
tags: #iphone #xr #ios #26 #compatibility