The iPhone XR and iPhone 8 Plus are two Apple phones that have been on the market for more than three years, but they continue to catch the eye of the public. The smartphones have similar prices, 64 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB versions, inductive charging, and dust and water protection. However, they differ in size, screen resolution, battery capacity, camera quality, and processor. In the lines below, see what changes between the phones.
The iPhone XR was released in 2018 in black, white, red, yellow, orange, and blue colors. The phone can be purchased for $335 on Amazon. The 2017 iPhone 8 Plus, meanwhile, began retailing in gold, silver, black (space gray), and red but can be seen on Amazon for $299.
iPhone XR and iPhone 8 Plus Datasheet
| iPhone XR | iPhone 8 Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | November 2018 | October 2017 |
| Current price | from $335 | from $299 |
| Screen | 6.1 inches | 5.5 inches |
| Screen Panel | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Screen resolution | HD (1792 x 828 pixels) | Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) |
| Processor | A11 Bionic | A11 Bionic (hexa-core) |
| RAM | 3 GB | 3 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB, 128 GB or 256 GB | 64 GB, 128 GB or 256 GB |
| Memory card | No | No |
| Main camera | 12 megapixels | Dual 12 MP |
| Front camera | 7 megapixels | 7 megapixels |
| Operating system | iOS 12 | iOS 11 |
| Battery | 2,942 mAh | 2,691 mAh |
| Dimensions and weight | 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm; 194 grams | 158.4 x 78.1 x 7.5 mm, 202 grams |
| Colors | black, white, red, yellow, orange, and blue | gold, silver, space black, and red |
Screen and design
Despite coming with a 6.1-inch screen, the iPhone XR display has HD resolution (1792 x 828 pixels), with an IPS LCD panel and a density of 236 PPI. As tests pointed out, these numbers represent a considerable drop compared to the iPhone 8 Plus, which has Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels) and a density of 401 PPI. The device also features IPS LCD technology and has a small 5.5-inch panel, which may not please users who like large screens.
As for the design, the look of the iPhone 8 Plus is pretty much the same as the iPhone 6 Plus, released in 2014. The large bezel around the display and the physical Home button give an old look to the phone, which ended a cycle of almost four years without design changes. The iPhone XR, on the other hand, innovated at the time due to the presence of the notch, which houses the front camera, Face ID recognition and gesture control, and better screen utilization, as well as two audio outputs.
Both feature IP67 certification, which protects against dust and water when submerged up to one meter for 30 minutes. The iPhones are compatible with True Tone technology, which adjusts colors according to the environment to make images more realistic.
The iPhone XR supports two chips, with a SIM slot and another e-SIM slot. It weighs 194 grams and comes in black, white, red, yellow, orange, and blue. The iPhone 8 Plus, on the other hand, has only one nano-SIM slot, weighs 202 grams, and is available in gold, silver, space black, and red.
Camera
When it comes to photography, the iPhone 8 Plus comes out ahead. The smartphone comes with two rear cameras, a 12 MP main camera (f/1.8) and a 12 MP telephoto lens (f/2.8), which helps identify the depth of field for the Portrait Mode effect. The device has 2X optical zoom, HDR system, and comes with the True Tone four-LED slow-synchronized Flash system, which allows you to create a more even illumination on images.
The iPhone XR, on the other hand, comes with only a 12 MP (f/1.8) rear camera, which limits the user’s options. To compensate, Apple has brought features such as Depth Control, which adjusts the blur of the background before and after taking the image. Portrait Mode, Animojis and Memojis, cinematic stabilization for video on the front camera, and three Lighting effects for Portrait complete the set. In addition, the company also promises improvements implemented using the Neural Engine image processor and advanced software algorithms.
Regarding videos, both can record in 4K at speeds of 24, 30, and 60 frames per second. The phones’ front camera is 7 MP (f/2.2).
Performance and storage
As usual, Apple has not released RAM or battery data for the iPhone XR and iPhone 8 Plus. However, specialized websites and market estimates provide reliable figures about the components of the devices.
The iPhone XR comes equipped with the 7-nanometer A12 Bionic chipset, with two 2.25 GHz cores dedicated to performance, four 1.6 GHz cores for processing, and 3 GB RAM. With this, the American manufacturer promises 50% faster speed compared to the A11 Bionic, all while using less battery.
According to tests, the device is fast to open apps and doesn’t lag when it comes to gaming performance. Moreover, in benchmark tests, the iPhone XR beat most cell phone processors released in the same year, losing only to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855.
The iPhone 8 Plus, on the other hand, comes with an A11 Bionic processor, with two high-performance and four power-saving cores. The phone’s RAM is also 3 GB.
The memory capacity – this one, yes, confirmed by the company – is the same for both. The smartphones come with storage options of 64 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB. Apple’s devices do not come with a memory card slot.
Battery
The iPhone XR has a 2,942 mAh component. According to tests, the device can stay up to 16 hours away from plugs, even with intense use. The iPhone 8 Plus has a 2,691 mAh battery, which should last up to an hour and a half less than its successor, according to Apple.
In terms of power, what is similar for both phones is that they recharge up to 50 percent in 30 minutes with an 18W or higher charger. In addition, the devices also have IQ technology, which allows wireless recharging. However, to have access to these fast recharges an extra charge is required, as the wireless accessories are sold separately. The wired charger comes in the box of both devices.
iOS Version and Additional Features
The factory operating system of the iPhone XR is iOS 12, while the iPhone 8 Plus originally runs iOS 11. However, the devices are eligible for updates up to iOS 15, which comes with new widgets, an app library, and new features for Siri, the company’s voice assistant.
The devices come with Wi-Fi in the 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac ranges, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, and NFC for near-field communication. The iPhone 8 Plus has the physical Home button while the iPhone XR features facial recognition. Neither features a P2 headphone output.
Pricing and Availability
The iPhone XR was discontinued after the arrival of the iPhone 13, but it can still be found at online retailers. The device can be purchased starting at $335 (in the 64GB version) on Amazon.
The iPhone 8 Plus was also discontinued by Apple after the launch of the iPhone SE 2 but can be found starting at $299 (64 GB), also on Amazon.
- Buy iPhone XR on Amazon
- Buy iPhone 8 Plus on Amazon
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