Apple launched its new 2018 range of iPhone devices just a few days back, which also included the entry-level iPhone XR. At $749, this is also supposed to be the most affordable iPhone this year, sufficing the needs of those who’d like to have a feel of all the good things an iPhone stands for without having to break their banks.
While the noble intention on part of Apple is laudable, there sure are other alternatives that offers more bang for the buck when it comes to both performance and features. Mentioned here are a few alternatives that one might consider before putting their money on the iPhone XR.
However, before we proceed, here is a quick recap of the iPhone XR specifications. The phone comes powered by the latest A12 Bionic chip, the same that powers the iPhone XS or XS Max. It offers a 6.1-inch LCD display lit up by 1792 X 828 pixels that make for a pixel density of 326 ppi. The phone also comes with a single lens rear cam of 12MP resolution of f/1.8 aperture. Further, there also is a 7MP front camera of f/2.2 aperture.
Looks wise, the iPhone XR forms part of the greater iPhone family and sports a similar layout and design. That includes a notch at the top and edge-to-edge display while the home button has been done away with. Also, while the phone now comes with the Face ID feature, the notch is quite substantial. Also, there is a thin but noticeable bezel all round. Those again might be a small price to pay, if at all, for a more comprehensive face unlocking mechanism in the form of face ID.
Apple is also claiming better battery life for the iPhone XR, which it said is 1.5 hours more than the iPhone 8 Plus. The iPhone XR is also rated for iP67 levels of splash and dust resistance.
However, while that might seem quite overwhelming of a device, there sure are quite a few alternatives that can, in fact, prove to be a better choice in the same price range. Here are a few of those:
One Plus 6: The OnePlus 6 has already been applauded for all that it comes to offer. That includes a brilliant display, superb performance, solid build, and a nice camera. But the best thing is that it comes a few hundred grands cheaper than the iPhone XR. The OnePlus 6 might also be a better looker, what with the OP6 sporting a smaller notch which makes it less disruptive. Bezels along the sides are non-existent while the bottom chin is equally thin.
The OP6 also comes with a bigger and better AMOLED display, 6.28-inches of it that is lit up by 1080 X 2280 pixels. All of that also makes for a better pixel density of 402 ppi. The OP6 also offers a dual lens setup comprising of 16 and 20MP resolution having a better f/1.7 aperture. The OP6 also comes with a better selfie cam of 16MP resolution and f/2.0 aperture. The phone comes powered by the latest Snapdragon 845 chip and comes with a choice of either 6 GB or 8 GB RAM. Best of all, it is priced at $517 and $590 for the two variants.
Samsung Galaxy S9+: The first thing that catches the attention with the S9+ is the lack of a notch at the top. That again allows for an uninterrupted viewing experience as a notch can be pretty nasty when it comes to viewing a video in full-screen mode. The screen too is a brilliant Super AMOLED panel of 6.2-inch dimension and has a resolution of 2960 x 1440 pixels.
The Galaxy S9+ comes with a dual 12MP camera at the rear, with the primary cam having a variable aperture that varies from f/2.4 and f/1.5. At the front, there is a 8MP selfies cam of f/1.7 aperture. The phone comes with 6 GB of RAM ad 64 gigs of storage as its base configuration. A 3500mAh battery powers the device and supports wireless charging. The phone is also IP68 rates against water and dust ingress. The S9+ is now available for $740 for the base 64 GB storage variant.
Samsung Galaxy S9: The S9 too can be a great alternative to the iPhone XR given the stellar specs it offers and the price point it sells for. In fact, the S9 comes all the goodness that the S9+ stands for but in a slightly smaller form factor. With 5.8-inch Super AMOLED panel and the same 2960 x 1440 pixel resolution, the S9 actually comes with a better pixel density of 570ppi.
The S9, however, comes with a single lens rear cam of 12-megapixel resolution. The camera, however, boasts of a variable aperture of f/2.4 and f/1.5 modes. The front boasts of a 8MP camera of f/1.7 aperture. The phone otherwise comes with a 3000mAh battery that can be charged wirelessly and IP68 levels of water and dust protection. And at $619.99, it can be a solid alternative to the iPhone XR.
LG G7 ThinQ: The LG flagship device is all about top-notch performance and looks but at a smaller price point. It comes with a 6.1-inch QHD 3120 x 1440 pixel display that makes for a pixel density of 564 ppi. It comes with a twin 16MP rear cam with the primary lens being of f/1.6 aperture. Similarly, the front gets an 8MP lens of f/1.9 aperture.
Also, its a 3000mAh battery that powers the phone and is compliant with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 tech. The phone also supports wireless charging as well. Besides, the Q7 ThinQ carries an IP68 rating for water and dust protection. And at $750, the new G7 ThinQ can be a real bargain vis-a-vis the iPhone XR.
