The most interesting iPhone of 2018 isn't Apple's most expensive, or its largest: it's the iPhone XR, cheapest of the trio of new smartphones. The new entry-level iPhone may look like the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max at first glance, but that familiar style masks a handset that is, at $749, at least...

2018's most affordable new iPhone; New design and Face ID; Battery life more impressive than iPhone XS or XS Max; Solid camera performance

Native Portrait mode only supports people; No headphone jack or in-box 3.5mm adapter

We may never know what the R in the iPhone XR actually means-Apple VP Phil Schiller himself said that the R doesn't really mean much to Apple. But I have my own guess: reboot. Before the release of the iPhone X last year, the iPhone 8 was in need of a redesign.

The iPhone XR delivers fast performance, great cameras and longer battery life than other flagship phones, all in a colorful and affordable package.

Fastest processor in a phone; Very long battery life; Excellent camera performance; Big; bright and colorful LCD; Superb audio quality; Great flagship value

Single rear camera lacks 2x optical zoom; Portrait mode works only with people

The best argument for the iPhone XR is its looks. From the front, it's nearly indistinguishable from iPhones that cost $250 to $350 more. From the back, the colored models are simply gorgeous. The XR simply makes you look fashionable, and I don't think we should discount the power of fashion.

Available in gorgeous colors; Super-fast processor; Bright screen

Wireless performance isn't up to par with XS models

The iPhone XR, Apple's "low-cost" phone, gets you a great-looking, modern iPhone with a super-fast processor for $749. But there's a big catch: It just doesn't connect to wireless networks like an iPhone XS or XS Max, or even Android competitors like the Google Pixel 3. Connection quality is absolutely key to our view of the mobile phone experience, so while the XR brings many current-gen features to an iPhone that costs $250 to $350 less than the leaders, we think the XS Max is the iPhone you should get if you intend to hang onto your phone for three or more years. Gorgeous Design The iPhone XR is the most beautiful iPhone ever. I'm willing to make that bold claim because the shimmery colors are just so nice, and the rounded corners really give it the "river stone" feel that manufacturers have been trying to achieve with mobile phones for years now. The color is anodized aluminum under glass, but it looks sort of like automotive paint on ceramic. Don't get a black XR. As you ca...

The Apple iPhone XR is the fashion-forward model of this year's iPhones, but it trades top-notch performance for a colorful design.

Available in gorgeous colors; Super-fast processor; Bright screen

Wireless performance isn't up to par with XS models

For people who want the latest iPhone with great performance and an updated look, this is the iPhone for you.

Cheaper than iPhone XS and XS Max; Great Camera; A12 Bionic Processor Deliver Flagship Performance; Wireless Charging; IP 67 Water Resistant

No HDR content support; No 3D Touch; LCD Screen Instead of OLED

Did not like the battery life of XS, so I took care of it for the benefit of an XR. XR feels strangely like a better phone, even though it is obviously easier and cheaper. + Battery time. Finally okay. Plus Standard without having to have Plus Size. Usually has 60-70% left at bedtime. + Screen.

Earlier in the year, we noted the woeful lack of iPhone XR case options at launch. Despite Apple promising an official clear case for its most affordable handset at launch, there's still no sign of one on the Apple Store, or anywhere else for that matter – and things have just been made worse by a...

Please note: In September 2019, we updated the DXOMARK Mobile test protocol to cover ultra-wide-angle performance and renamed the protocol DXOMARK Camera . We also expanded our low-light testing and created the new Night sub-score, which incorporates the previous Flash score.

Very good exposure and dynamic range in bright light and indoor conditions; Detail is well-preserved in all lighting conditions; Vivid and pleasant colors in most situations; Fast and accurate autofocus; Good dynamic range in all conditions; Effective image stabilization; Fast and repeatable...

The iPhone XR makes its cuts in all the right places but you can still do better if you drop iOS