Iphone Xs Vs Xr Which One Still Makes Sense In 2024

In 2024, the iPhone XS and iPhone XR are nearly five years old—ancient by smartphone standards. Yet both remain surprisingly relevant in the secondhand market, especially for budget-conscious buyers who want reliable iOS performance without paying flagship prices. While Apple continues to push newer models with advanced features, many users still rely on these 2018 devices daily. So, when choosing between the two today, which one actually makes more sense?

The answer depends on your priorities: display quality, camera performance, build materials, or battery life. Both phones run modern versions of iOS (up to iOS 17 as of 2024), support most apps, and offer solid day-to-day reliability. But subtle differences can make a big impact over time.

Design and Build Quality

The iPhone XS and XR differ significantly in construction. The XS features a premium stainless steel frame and glass back, giving it a sleek, high-end feel. It’s heavier and more durable against minor drops, though the glossy finish is prone to fingerprints. In contrast, the XR uses an aerospace-grade aluminum frame and has a slightly thicker polycarbonate body, making it lighter but less luxurious in hand.

The XS also has an edge in water resistance: rated IP68 (up to 2 meters for 30 minutes), compared to the XR’s 1 meter for 30 minutes. For users in humid climates or those accident-prone around water, this distinction matters.

Tip: If you plan to use the phone without a case, the XS’s sturdier build and better water resistance give it a clear advantage.

Display: OLED vs LCD – A Real Difference in 2024?

The iPhone XS uses a 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED display with deep blacks, excellent contrast, and HDR support. Colors pop, and text appears razor-sharp thanks to its 458 ppi density. The XR, meanwhile, has a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD screen. While Apple tuned it well, LCDs inherently lack true blacks and have lower contrast ratios.

In everyday use, the difference may not be dramatic for casual scrolling or video calls. However, if you watch a lot of movies, read in low light, or care about visual fidelity, the XS delivers a noticeably superior experience. OLED screens also tend to age more gracefully than LCDs, especially after years of use.

“Even in 2024, OLED displays maintain better color accuracy and longevity than mid-tier LCDs.” — David Lin, Mobile Display Analyst at TechInsight Group

Performance and Longevity

Both phones are powered by Apple’s A12 Bionic chip—the same processor that brought machine learning and enhanced AR capabilities to iPhones. In real-world usage, the A12 remains capable of handling iOS 17, social media, streaming, productivity apps, and even moderate gaming. However, app optimization is shifting toward newer chips, so future-proofing becomes a concern.

Benchmarks show the XS and XR perform almost identically in CPU and GPU tasks. The main bottleneck isn’t processing power—it’s RAM. The XS has 4GB of RAM versus the XR’s 3GB. This gives the XS a slight edge in multitasking and app switching, especially when running multiple background processes.

If you plan to keep your phone beyond 2025, the extra RAM in the XS could extend its usable lifespan by several months, possibly avoiding frustrating reloads or sluggishness as iOS updates demand more resources.

Camera Comparison: When Image Quality Matters

This is where the gap widens. The iPhone XS has a dual-camera system: 12MP wide + 12MP telephoto, enabling 2x optical zoom and improved Portrait Mode with depth control. The XR, despite having the same 12MP main sensor, only has a single rear camera. Zoomed shots rely on digital cropping, which degrades quality.

In low-light conditions, both use Smart HDR, but the XS benefits from sensor improvements and dual-lens coordination. Portrait lighting effects are also more refined due to stereo depth mapping unavailable on the XR.

For front cameras, both feature 7MP Face ID-enabled sensors, but the XS supports Portrait Mode selfies; the XR does not—a notable omission for selfie enthusiasts.

Feature	iPhone XS	iPhone XR
Rear Cameras	Dual 12MP (Wide + Telephoto)	Single 12MP (Wide)
Optical Zoom	2x	Digital Only
Portrait Mode (Front)	Yes	No
Low-Light Performance	Better (Dual Sensor Input)	Good, but limited
Video Recording	4K@60fps, Stereo Audio	4K@60fps

If photography is a priority—especially portraits, zoomed shots, or creative modes—the XS clearly outperforms the XR.

Battery Life and Charging Options

The iPhone XR wins decisively in battery endurance. Apple rated it for up to 25 hours of talk time and 16 hours of internet use. The smaller OLED panel on the XS consumes less power per pixel, but its overall capacity is lower. Most users report getting 1–1.5 days from the XR under moderate use, compared to just one full day from the XS.

However, the XS supports faster charging (with a compatible adapter) and wireless charging at up to 7.5W. The XR technically supports fast charging too, but Apple didn’t include the necessary adapter in the box, and many users never upgraded their chargers.

Tip: Pair either phone with a 20W USB-C charger for faster top-ups—especially useful as battery health declines over time.

Real-World Example: Sarah’s Upgrade Dilemma

Sarah, a freelance photographer based in Portland, needed a backup phone for client meetings and travel. She considered both the XS and XR at resale kiosks, priced within $50 of each other. After testing both, she chose the XS despite shorter battery life because the dual-camera system allowed her to capture quick portfolio shots with depth effects and optical zoom during site visits. “The camera flexibility saved me twice last month,” she said. “I didn’t expect to rely on it that much.”

Meanwhile, her colleague Mark opted for the XR. As a teacher who mainly uses his phone for messaging, navigation, and occasional photos, he valued longer battery life and a larger screen for reading lesson plans. “I charge once a day, no stress,” he noted. “And the price was right.”

Their choices reflect how personal usage patterns tip the balance between these aging but capable devices.

Checklist: Choosing Between iPhone XS and XR in 2024

• ✅ Prioritize camera quality and zoom? → Choose iPhone XS
• ✅ Want longer battery life and lower cost? → Choose iPhone XR
• ✅ Need better water resistance and premium build? → Choose iPhone XS
• ✅ Prefer a larger, brighter screen for media? → iPhone XR
• ✅ Planning to keep the phone past 2025? → iPhone XS (better RAM and build longevity)
• ✅ Use phone heavily for videos or content creation? → iPhone XS (OLED, stereo audio)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can both phones run iOS 17 in 2024?

Yes. Both the iPhone XS and XR are officially supported up to iOS 17. They handle most features well, though some AI-driven tools introduced in later updates may run slower or be unavailable.

Is it worth buying either phone new in 2024?

No. Neither model is sold new by Apple or major retailers. However, they’re widely available refurbished or secondhand. Always check battery health (below 80% indicates significant degradation) and ensure iCloud lock status is clear before purchasing.

Which holds resale value better?

The iPhone XS generally retains slightly higher resale value due to its premium materials and dual-camera system. However, demand for both models is declining steadily as newer budget iPhones like the SE (2022/2024) enter the market.

Final Verdict: Which One Makes Sense in 2024?

The iPhone XR remains the best value for users who prioritize screen size, battery life, and affordability. Its single-camera setup and LCD display show their age, but for basic communication, browsing, and media consumption, it’s still perfectly functional.

The iPhone XS, while pricier in the used market, offers tangible advantages: superior display, better cameras, improved water resistance, and an extra gigabyte of RAM. These features add up to a more future-proof device, particularly if you plan to hold onto it into 2025 or beyond.

If your budget allows, the XS is the smarter long-term investment. But if you need a capable iPhone on a tight budget and don’t care about optical zoom or ultra-premium materials, the XR delivers impressive performance for its age.

💬 Still using an iPhone XS or XR in 2024? Share your experience below. Help others decide whether these classics still have a place in today’s mobile world.