Apple iPhone XR vs iPhone 11: What’s the Best Buy For Your Budget?
If you want to buy an older Apple iPhone model, the iPhone XR and iPhone 11 are both solid choices. While the XR was the budget version of its generation, the iPhone 11 was the next standard phone that Apple produced. The Apple iPhone 11 comes with significant upgrades, but the iPhone XR ultimately has a big advantage in terms of cost-efficiency. Deciding which one is right for you, iPhone XR vs iPhone 11, will require weighing the benefits and deciding if the iPhone 11 is enough of an upgrade to justify the heightened cost for you.
Whether you want to trade your iPhone XR for an iPhone 11 or have an older model you want to replace, Gazelle has what you’re looking for. You can find great prices on phones in good condition, whether it’s an Apple iPhone XR for $179 or an Apple iPhone 11 for $269.
Apple iPhone XR vs Apple iPhone 11 Comparison Criteria
Every smartphone has a variety of different characteristics that each user will value differently. If you play a lot of games or use demanding apps, then a high-powered processor will be a must for you. On the other hand, someone who mostly uses their phone for social media will place more value on camera quality and how the phone feels in the hand. Overall, you can boil it down to four key criteria:
Design and Weight
Both models look essentially the same from the front, with the distinctive notch and edge-to-edge screen that’s expected with an iPhone. The biggest difference is the iPhone 11’s extra rear-facing camera, which makes it appear slightly different from behind.
Overall, the visual appeal and form factor of the two phones are essentially identical. The main difference is that the Apple iPhone 11 has additional colors to choose from.
Hardware
The upgrade from the A12 Bionic chip in the iPhone XR to the A13 Bionic in the iPhone 11 is more or less incremental, with modest improvements in GPU, CPU, and battery efficiency. Storage options are identical, with 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB options available for both phones. While the improved A13 Bionic together with an extra GB of RAM make the Apple iPhone 11 the superior performer, it’s not a world apart.
Display
Both phones feature the same 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display with identical screen resolution and are good for streaming, gaming, or browsing the internet. That said, the iPhone 11 has some minor software improvements such as improved brightness and a wider color gamut. Much like in the design category, the XR’s lower price gives it an advantage since the iPhone 11 fails to make significant improvements here.
Camera Quality
The biggest area of improvement for the iPhone 11 vs iPhone XR is the camera system. The iPhone 11 adds a more powerful forward camera and a second rear camera with an ultra-wide lens, which is enough to constitute a major upgrade over the older phone. A slate of software improvements such as an enhanced night mode and other photography modes reinforce the superiority of the iPhone 11’s camera system.
Specifications: iPhone 11 vs iPhone XR
Here’s a short rundown of the key specs behind both phones:
Specification / iPhone XR / iPhone 11
Operating System: iOS / iOS
Dimensions (mm): 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 / 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3
Weight (grams): 194 / 194
Processor: A12 Bionic / A13 Bionic
RAM: 3GB / 4GB
Storage Options: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB / 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
Main Camera: 12MP wide / Dual 12MP wide and 12MP ultra-wide
Ultra-Wide Camera: N/A / 12MP
Front Camera: 7MP / 12MP
Battery Life: Up to 9 hours of video playback over wi-fi / Up to 10 hours of video playback over wi-fi
SIM Options: Dual sim, nano sim, e-sim / Dual sim, nano sim, e-sim
Fast charging: Supports fast charging / Supports fast charging
Water resistant: IP67 water resistance / IP68 water resistance
Bluetooth and wi fi support: Bluetooth 5.0 / Bluetooth 5.0
Stereo speakers: A single speaker for audio / Two speakers for stereo sound
Spatial awareness: No ultra wideband support / Ultra wideband for spatial awareness
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Design
Apple has kept a “don’t fix what isn’t broken” attitude toward its phone design for years, and the iPhone XR and iPhone 11 are no exception. The two phones are functionally identical in terms of their weight, dimensions, and appearance.
Both phones have the same edge-to-edge design, as well as the iconic notch at the top of the display that holds the TrueDepth camera system and enables Face ID. The button layout and method for triggering features like the mute switch are identical across both iOS devices.
There differences in physical design between the two are quite small. The iPhone 11 has improved water and dust resistance, certified with an IP68 rating compared to the XR’s IP67.
The fact that the iPhone 11 has a second rear-facing camera also creates a slight aesthetic difference. The iPhone 11 also offers eight choices of color, in comparison to only six for the XR.
Hardware
In contrast to the virtually identical design of the two phones, the iPhone 11 has a significant edge in terms of hardware.
This is thanks to improvements in battery life, processing power, and RAM storage. While these steps forward are incremental, you’ll notice them if you use your phone for gaming or streaming.
CPU and GPU
The computing and graphics processing elements of both Apple smartphones are contained in their chips. While the iPhone XR uses the A12 Bionic chip, the iPhone 11 has the A13 Bionic chip that was released a year later.
Overall, the A13 (and by extension, the iPhone 11) comprehensively outperforms its predecessor, with slight gains in every area of performance.
CPU performance is 6% greater, while GPU performance is 9% greater. Likewise, the A13 Bionic is slightly more energy efficient, which translates into at least an extra hour from the same battery capacity.
If you regularly use your phone for more intensive tasks like video streaming or gaming, you’ll appreciate the increased power. On the other hand, people who only use their phone for work tasks, social media, and other undemanding tasks may prefer the cheaper Apple iPhone XR.
RAM
The iPhone XR comes with 3GB of RAM, which can be a limiting factor when running multiple apps simultaneously or using more demanding applications. The iPhone 11 upgrades to 4GB of RAM, which improves performance and multitasking in particular. This compounds the modest gains from the A13 Bionic chip, and helps solidify the iPhone 11’s performance edge.
Storage
Storage options are critical for users who store a significant amount of photos, videos, apps, and data on their devices. Both the iPhone XR and iPhone 11 offer the same storage options: 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB. Between the two phone models, the iPhone XR with 64 GB of storage is by far the most affordable option, but you may find yourself running out of room quickly.
Battery Life
Excellent battery life can be a make-or-break factor for smartphone users, and the iPhone 11 comes out with a slight advantage over the XR. Both phones can run all day on a full charge under normal circumstances, but the iPhone 11 should be capable of an extra hour of video streaming over wi-fi. For less demanding tasks, that longevity advantage is going to be even greater.
Display
Both the iPhone XR and iPhone 11 feature a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display at the same resolution of 1792 x 828 pixels. True Tone technology automatically adjusts the display’s white balance to match the ambient light, and both phones support a wide color gamut with vivid colors.
The iPhone 11 makes marginal improvements in its screen technology, such as improved brightness and contrast. You might notice the difference in outdoor conditions or sharply contrasting light, but the display quality between the two phones is effectively identical.
Camera Quality
Camera quality is the single biggest difference between the Apple iPhone XR and iPhone 11.
The first half of these upgrades are the basic hardware; the iPhone XR only has a 7 MP front camera, which is antiquated by current standards. The iPhone 11 upgrades this to a full 12 MP camera for selfies and video calls, with a corresponding leap in visual quality.
In terms of rear cameras, the Apple iPhone 11 is also a step up. While the XR has one 12 MP wide lens rear camera, the iPhone 11 has an extra ultra wide angle lens camera. This can take in more light for better photo quality, and also broaden the scope of pictures to capture landscapes and group shots.
The iPhone 11 also brought significant software improvements and new camera features to the table. It introduced Night Mode, which improves photo quality in poor lighting. Beyond standard portrait mode and depth control, the iPhone 11 introduced three new lighting effects: Stage, Stage Mono, and High-Key Mono.
The iPhone 11’s front camera can record in 4K at varying frames per second (24, 30, or 60 fps) and supports slow-motion video, which the iPhone XR’s front camera can’t do.
Is the Apple iPhone 11 Worth the Upgrade From the iPhone XR?
When considering whether to upgrade from the iPhone XR to the iPhone 11 or stick with the XR, several factors come into play. Both phones offer distinct advantages depending on your priorities, such as camera capabilities, performance, and price. Here’s a breakdown to help weigh the benefits of upgrading against the merits of staying with the iPhone XR.
Why Upgrade to the iPhone 11:
Dual Camera System: Adds versatility with a wide and ultra-wide angle lens.
Night Mode: Enhances low-light photography, capturing clearer and more detailed images in dim settings.
A13 Bionic Chip: Offers better performance and efficiency, making the phone faster and more responsive.
Improved Durability: Features better water and dust resistance (IP68) for increased longevity.
Front Camera Upgrade: Higher resolution front camera with 12MP, supporting better selfies and 4K video recording.
Why Choose the Apple iPhone XR:
Cost-Effectiveness: More affordable, providing significant savings with only minor compromises in features.
Sufficient Performance: The A12 Bionic chip still handles most tasks and games well.
Color Variety: Available in a wide range of colors, allowing for personalized style choices.
Solid Battery Power: Offers a full day’s battery capacity under typical usage conditions.
Final Verdict: Apple iPhone 11 vs iPhone XR
When comparing the prices of refurbished models at Gazelle, the iPhone XR with 128GB is priced at $179, while the iPhone 11 with 256GB comes in at $269. While the Apple iPhone 11 is no doubt the better phone, is it worth paying an extra 50% for? Ultimately, the answer to that question depends on how you plan to use the phone.
The decision to upgrade largely hinges on your usage patterns and priorities. If you value high-quality photography and typically use your phone for performance-intensive tasks, the iPhone 11 could be worth the upgrade.
However, other iPhones and Android devices have long since outperformed the older phones, including the Apple 11. If performance is a top priority for you, you might look into a more recent, but still affordable phone.
But if your budget is strictly around $300, then a refurbished Apple iPhone 11 is one of the best phones you could buy.
