This one secret will get you $150 off a new iPhone!

"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove) 09/11/2019 at 20:27 • Filed to: iPhone XR review

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A number of you may remember that I had my !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! off my desk two weeks ago. I never found it, and Find My iPhone says it never reconnected to the net. I sent a remote erase code anyway.

So, I went off to the Apple Store to buy this new iPhone XR. I’ll give you my slightly more than first impressions review.

Design

The XR comes in several color choices. I got it in the blue version. The trend in Apple’s line is toward ever thinner devices, and this follows the script. The thing is a little bit difficult to hold and type on when naked. I found it works best if I do a two-handed cradle for thumb typing. On the other hand, it’s easy enough to hold in one hand and swipe. The glass back feels solid, and the whole instrument feels substantial for all its thinness. The phone is finally rated as waterproof! I’ve been waiting for that. It’s one area where Apple was playing catch up.

Screen

You peer into the looking glass through a “Super Retina” LCD screen that looks fabulous. A word of warning: if you think you’re going to buy an XR and can’t afford the $350 more an XS will cost, do not look at them side by side like I did. The whitest whites and deep blacks of the OLED screen on the XS will make the XR LCD screen look bluish and dim by comparison. Don’t torture yourself. Trust me.

Cameras

The back camera is a nice 12 MP unit that is a raised disk off the other wise sleek surface of the back. It takes good pics in all light. This model doesn’t come with the extra camera of the XS for telephoto shots but it’s perfectly good for anything I’ll need. The one in the notch of the screen is also perfectly good for selfies or FaceTime/Skype. I’ll never wish I had a dedicated camera again.

Cool features

The show is run by Apple’s A12 “bionic” chip (another stupid marketing term, but that’s the age we live in). Everything is super quick and responsive. I read the XR had 3 GB of RAM to the XS’s 4. I don’t know that I’d ever notice a difference.

This was my first encounter with Face ID instead of Touch ID. I never got along well with Touch ID because the home button wouldn’t recognize my prints if my hand was too cold, just got out of the shower, etc. It worked great for my girls, but unreliably for me. Face ID, on the other hand, has worked flawlessly for me from minute one. All I have to do is glance at the screen, mostly directly on, but I don’t have to position my head carefully, and it unlocks. Then I swipe up. It won’t recognize my wife’s face, so it’s working. Face ID also unlocks my password keychain. No typing in passwords in most cases. I haven’t used it for Apple Pay yet, but I’m thinking about it.

There is no more home button. You swipe from different corners to bring up apps or the control panel. I can do it with one hand. I’ve adapted easily and don’t miss the button.

Another feature that is gone is force touch, where you could press harder and activate nested folders or menus, like a right click. I miss it for the couple of things I used it for. It’s replaced with haptic touch, which is just a vibration when you press and hold.

This is also my first encounter with Qi standard wireless charging, which phones since the 7 have been able to do. I bought a well-rated cheap set of two charging pads from Amazon and put one on my end table. I am loving not having to fumble with the cord and plug in the dark and pull the cable out of the wall all the time. It’s a little thing, but it brings me joy.

Setup

The store was able to give me a new micro SIM card and get it programmed with my old phone number from my stolen phone. I restored my phone from my backup on the home computer and all my apps self-downloaded. Then, all I had to do was update some email account settings and I was off and running. Couldn’t have asked for an easier transition.

Accessories

I got myself a tempered glass screen protector, because sooner or later I will find a way to scratch it. I also picked up a Spigen Tough Armor case for only $18. It even has a kick stand so I can use it for recipes and such hands free. It’s slim but just substantial enough to make the phone feel less slippery in my hand. Also, it matches the blue of the phone.

Do I recommend it? Yes, I do. I’m not going to compare or contrast to Android phones, because I don’t spend any time with them, but if you want Apple or are open to an Apple product, I think this is your best value. You get the same processor as the XS but for hundreds less, and the trade offs are of negligible significance in my view. The new iPhone 11 replaces the XR, and it has some nice feature upgrades of its own, but it’s going to be $100 more expensive. I think I might still get this one anyway.

Oh, that title wasn’t completely click bait. I bought the phone at the Apple Store 14 days ago for $800. Just after Apple announced its new phones yesterday, the XR price dropped $150 on their website. Apple’s return for full refund policy is in effect for 14 days after purchase. So, this morning I took my phone down to the Apple Store and told them I was there to shamelessly take advantage of Apple. They cheerfully said step right up and helped me to return and then rebuy my phone for $150 cheaper. They didn’t even ask me to take it out of the case. Through the years, Apple has always given me a courteous and helpful buying and support experience, sometimes bending the rules to help me out. That’s worth a bit of loyalty to me.

Questions? Comments? The complaint box is below.

AestheticsInMotion > Chariotoflove 09/11/2019 at 20:35

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Do you use an in-car phone mount? If so I reccomend a wireless charging version. Not having to fumble with a cord is even nicer when you’re entering and exiting a vehicle.

Chariotoflove > AestheticsInMotion 09/11/2019 at 20:37

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That’s a good idea. I’ve never really looked at them because most of the ones I’ve seen ruin the look of the dash to my eye. But I should check. Right now, I plug in with a USB cord to access the car apps (like Pandora)  and put it in the drink holder, or I just keep it in my pocket and go with bluetooth.

Just Jeepin' > Chariotoflove 09/11/2019 at 20:49

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Until theft became an epidemic this week, I used a windshield mounted wireless charger for my iPhone X. Worked brilliantly, despite my initial concern over the low-tech suction cup method.

In fact, it works so well that I had to use needle nose pliers to be able to pull hard enough on the rubber tab to remove it from my windshield.

https://www.scosche.com/qi-dash-window-mount-wireless-charging

I’ll be upgrading to the iPhone 11 Pro (probably Max) because I use the camera a lot and I want the best I can get, but the XR does seem like a great value.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Chariotoflove 09/11/2019 at 21:01

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I have a 6S Plus that while still great, is failing in the one area my life as a car enthusiast requires: the camera is failing (stuck in close range focus). I’d have no problems upgrading to a 7 or 8, but the lack of a physical home button and 3.5mm jack ....Call me an old fart, but I don’t feel a need to sacrifice those.

Chariotoflove > Just Jeepin' 09/11/2019 at 21:02

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Thanks.  I hope the Anti-Santa doesn’t visit your car again anytime soon.

Just Jeepin' > Chariotoflove 09/11/2019 at 21:03

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I’ve basically emptied it of everything, which is frustrating because I like to have supplies to help others (or frankly help myself when I get stuck).

I should be ordering the Tuffy supplies, but $$$$$.

Chariotoflove > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/11/2019 at 21:06

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I was all set to stick with my 6S Plus for a couple more years at least. Everything was functioning great.

There are replacement cameras for your phone available for less than $30 on Amazon  and Youtube videos to show you how to do it. Do it, and you’ll have a good as new phone for a long time to come.

I understand about the button, but trust me, it will take all of 12 seconds after you set up Face ID to never miss the home button again.

PowderHound > Chariotoflove 09/11/2019 at 21:15

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Can you still use the traditional number key to unlock these phones? I’m on a 6s (had a 4 up until a six months ago) and still refuse to use Face ID or finger scanning tech for no reason in particular.

Chariotoflove > PowderHound 09/11/2019 at 21:18

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Y es, just as you always have. You don’t have to set up Face ID at all.

Under_Score > Chariotoflove 09/11/2019 at 21:40

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My 8+ 256GB was $200 off MSRP, and this was long before the XR and XS were even revealed. It got me hooked on Apple; I love it. I got the Series 4 44MM Cellular Watch in April, and I got AirPods 2019 update as an early birthday gift.

If my parents paid for my phone, I’d definitely want a XR in yellow. However, since I’m paying and I barely pay for anything, I go big or go home (with good deals). The watch is by far the priciest thing I’ve paid for at once. 

Chariotoflove > Under_Score 09/11/2019 at 21:55

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I’ve thought about getting iPods, but I have great aftershocks ones. I’ve usually been one to get the top of the line tech thinking it will last longer. But sometimes the value proposition is better, like now.

The one area where I am a Luddite is my watch. I still like my analog watch collection. I never warmed up to the Apple Watch, but I’m glad it’s a success and works well for others. 

Under_Score > Chariotoflove 09/11/2019 at 22:11

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I went from never wearing a watch to an Apple Watch. Now, I feel weird without it.

Chariotoflove > Under_Score 09/11/2019 at 22:23

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That’s how I felt about a phone originally. 

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Chariotoflove 09/11/2019 at 23:50

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I’ve had an XS almost  since they came out last fall. I’ve run it without a screen protector, and a year later the screen is still flawless. I’ve got the Apple slim case on it, but that’s it for protection. It’s been dropped a few times, the case is beat to the point I should replace it and I keep it in my pocket with my wallet and loose change. I’m amazed at how hard the glass on these phones is. 

Chariotoflove > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much 09/12/2019 at 00:07

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That’s encouraging. I used to do as you did with my 6s+. I ended up replacing the screen once after a ding on the corner developed into a big crack. Then this summer, I had it in my pocket and it got caught during a transfer and I cracked it again. I finally caved and bought a tougher case and new screen, just before it got stolen. Sigh

This tough armor case actually makes the phone easier to handle while looking good and giving me peace of mind. The screen protector will ward off scratches, but I’m glad if the screen itself  is tougher because that will resist shattering from any impact.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Chariotoflove 09/12/2019 at 09:15

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I made the mistake you mentioned of looking at the XR and the XS side by side. I couldn’t stand the way the LCD on the XR looked compared to the AMOLED on the XS and the Android devices I had been using for 6 years. It was mostly that LCDs can’t make a true black like AMOLEDs can that pushed me into the 256GB XS.

Chariotoflove > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 09/12/2019 at 11:21

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Yeah, and I thought about doing the same for several long minutes. But I made myself get over it. Getting any phone wasn’t in my budget, and this was hurting bad enough. 

i86hotdogs > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/12/2019 at 14:15

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I am holding on to my 6S as long as possible because of that headphone jack. It’s ready to keel any second though, I’ve had it for 4 years.