Iphone 10 Plus Vs Xr Is The Xrs Better Battery Life Worth The Upgrade

Choosing between the iPhone X (often referred to as iPhone 10) and the iPhone XR can be tricky, especially if you're already using an older model and weighing whether a slight generational leap justifies the cost. While both phones were released within a year of each other—iPhone X in 2017 and iPhone XR in 2018—they serve different priorities in Apple’s lineup. The iPhone XR brought notable improvements, most prominently in battery life, but it also made trade-offs in display quality and design. For users considering an upgrade from the iPhone X or X Plus, the central question becomes: Is the iPhone XR’s superior battery life enough to make the switch worthwhile?

Design and Display Differences

The iPhone X and iPhone XR differ significantly in build and screen technology. The iPhone X features a stainless steel frame with a glass back, offering a premium feel and support for wireless charging. It has a 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED display with a resolution of 2436 x 1125 pixels, delivering deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast.

In contrast, the iPhone XR uses an aerospace-grade aluminum frame and a glass back, making it lighter but less luxurious in hand. Its 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD display, while still sharp at 1792 x 828 pixels, lacks the pixel density and true blacks of OLED. Some users notice a slight “halo” effect around bright objects on dark backgrounds due to the LCD backlighting.

Despite these differences, Apple maintains strong color accuracy across both displays. However, for media enthusiasts or those who value crisp visuals, the iPhone X holds an edge.

“While the XR’s screen is technically inferior on paper, Apple’s calibration makes it more than adequate for everyday use.” — David Pierce, The Verge Senior Editor

Battery Life: Where the XR Shines

If there’s one area where the iPhone XR clearly outperforms the iPhone X, it’s battery endurance. Apple rated the iPhone XR for up to 16 hours of video playback, compared to the iPhone X’s 13 hours. In real-world usage, this difference translates into tangible benefits.

Users consistently report that the XR lasts a full day under heavy use—streaming music, GPS navigation, social media scrolling, and multiple photo sessions—without needing a recharge. The iPhone X, while capable, often requires a midday top-up under similar conditions.

This improvement stems from two key factors: a larger physical battery and Apple’s efficient A12 Bionic chip, which debuted with the XR. The A12 introduced a next-generation Neural Engine and optimized power management, allowing the phone to do more with less energy.

Tip: Enable Low Power Mode when traveling or during long workdays to extend battery life further—this setting can add several extra hours of use.

Performance and Software Longevity

Both devices are powered by high-end processors for their time—the iPhone X uses the A11 Bionic, while the XR runs the A12. On paper, the A12 offers about 15% faster CPU performance and up to 50% faster graphics processing. In daily tasks like app launching, web browsing, and multitasking, the difference is subtle. However, the gap widens in augmented reality apps, gaming, and machine learning tasks.

More importantly, software support plays a crucial role. iPhones typically receive iOS updates for five to six years. The iPhone X stopped receiving major updates with iOS 16, while the iPhone XR continued to get updates through iOS 17 and may see iOS 18. This extended support means better security, newer features, and improved app compatibility over time.

For users planning to keep their phone beyond two years, the XR’s longer software lifespan is a significant advantage.

Camera Comparison: Quality vs. Versatility

The iPhone X features a dual-camera system: 12MP wide and 12MP telephoto lenses, enabling 2x optical zoom and Portrait Mode with depth control. The XR, despite having only a single 12MP wide lens, leverages computational photography to simulate Portrait Mode using advanced facial mapping via Face ID hardware.

In well-lit conditions, both cameras produce nearly identical results. However, in low light, the iPhone X’s telephoto lens struggles due to its smaller aperture, while the XR’s main sensor performs reliably. The lack of optical zoom on the XR is a drawback for some, but digital zoom combined with Smart HDR often compensates reasonably well.

Video recording is identical on both—4K at 60fps, stereo audio, and excellent stabilization. If photography is a priority, the iPhone X offers slightly more flexibility, but the XR closes the gap through software intelligence.

Detailed Feature Comparison

Feature	iPhone X / 10	iPhone XR
Release Year	2017	2018
Display	5.8\" OLED (Super Retina)	6.1\" LCD (Liquid Retina)
Resolution	2436 x 1125	1792 x 828
Processor	A11 Bionic	A12 Bionic
Rear Cameras	Dual 12MP (Wide + Telephoto)	Single 12MP (Wide)
Front Camera	7MP	7MP
Battery Life (Video Playback)	Up to 13 hours	Up to 16 hours
iOS Support Window	Ended with iOS 16	Continues through iOS 17+
Starting Storage	64GB	64GB
Water Resistance	IP67 (up to 1m for 30 min)	IP67 (up to 1m for 30 min)

Real-World Example: A Day in the Life

Consider Sarah, a freelance photographer who upgraded from an iPhone X to an XR after 18 months. Her typical day involves shooting test shots, editing on her phone, navigating between client locations, and responding to emails. On the iPhone X, she routinely carried a portable charger and avoided background app refresh to preserve battery.

After switching to the XR, she found she could shoot all morning, edit images using Lightroom Mobile, and commute across the city without anxiety over battery levels. Even with GPS running for two hours and continuous LTE use, the XR reached evening at 25% charge. That peace of mind allowed her to focus on creativity rather than conservation.

She did miss the OLED screen’s richness when reviewing photos outdoors, but the practical benefit of longer uptime outweighed that compromise.

Checklist: Should You Upgrade?

Ask yourself the following before deciding:

• Am I frequently running out of battery before the end of the day?
• Do I value future iOS updates and app compatibility?
• Can I live without optical zoom on the rear camera?
• Is a slightly larger, lighter phone acceptable in my pocket or bag?
• Do I prioritize real-world usability over display perfection?

If you answered “yes” to the first two and “no issue” to the rest, the XR is likely a worthwhile upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the iPhone XR have worse image quality than the iPhone X?

No, not necessarily. While the XR has only one rear camera, its single sensor is excellent, and computational photography helps close the gap. In daylight, photos are nearly indistinguishable. The main loss is optical zoom and slightly less natural depth effects in portraits.

Is the iPhone XR’s screen really that much worse?

It depends on your expectations. The LCD panel doesn’t match the OLED’s contrast or perfect blacks, but Apple’s tuning ensures accurate colors and good brightness. Most users adapt quickly, and the larger screen size often feels more immersive despite lower resolution.

Can the iPhone XR last until 2025?

Possibly. While official iOS support may end soon, the A12 chip remains competent for basic tasks. As long as Apple continues signing updates, security patches will arrive. For light users, another year or two of reliable service is realistic.

Conclusion: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

The iPhone XR isn’t objectively “better” than the iPhone X in every way, but it improves upon the aspects that impact daily usability the most: battery life and software longevity. If you’re someone who charges your phone multiple times a day or worries about obsolescence, the XR delivers meaningful relief.

Yes, you trade a premium build and superior display for longer endurance and a newer processor. But for many users, that trade-off makes sense. Battery life directly affects how freely you can use your device—whether you're traveling, working remotely, or simply avoiding the tether of a power bank.

In the end, the decision hinges on your usage patterns. If uninterrupted productivity and fewer charging stops matter more than pixel-perfect screens, then yes—the iPhone XR’s battery life alone can justify the upgrade.

💬 Have you made the switch from iPhone X to XR? Share your experience—did the battery gains change how you use your phone? We’d love to hear your story.