Apple Highlights iPhone XR Reviews - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Highlights iPhone XR Reviews

Reviews for the iPhone XR went live this morning ahead of Friday's launch, and in a press release in the Apple Newsroom, Apple has highlighted reviews from several members of the media who were able to spend some time with the new iPhones.

Apple shared key passages from sites that include Digital Trends, Daring Fireball, Tom's Guide, Mashable, Engadget, The Verge, TechCrunch, CNN, Best Products, Techradar, and more.

iphonexrreviewsapple
Mashable, for example, called the iPhone XR the "Goldilocks of iPhones" with its large screen size, affordable price tag, "fantastic" cameras, and future-proof power in the form of the A12 Bionic chip.

Daring Fireball said that the iPhone XR is the best Apple's ever made "dollar for dollar," while TechCrunch compared the device to "a piece of nicely crafted jewelry" with a "depth and sparkle" unmatched by other iPhones.

CNN praised the impressive Portrait Mode shots the camera is able to capture, The Verge lauded the work Apple did to make the rounded corners of the LCD match the corners of the device, and Digital Trends called the iPhone XR "the iPhone to buy."

iphonexr
Apple focused on sharing positive elements of the iPhone XR reviews, but for the most part, reviews were positive due to the iPhone XR's affordable price tag and high-end components.

The biggest difference between the XR and the XS is the LCD display over the OLED display, and reviewers thought the iPhone XR's display was one of the best LCD displays and while not as good as the OLED, it's not noticeable as long as you're not holding the two devices next to one another.

Apple's full list of review selections can be seen in the article shared via the Apple Newsroom, while additional reviews can be found in our own review roundup.

The first iPhone XR pre-orders will arrive starting on Friday, October 26, the launch date for Apple's newest flagship device.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iphone 18 pro blue%402x

iPhone 18 Pro: Dark Cherry, Light Blue, and Dark Gray Chassis Leaked [Update]

Thursday June 4, 2026 5:18 am PDT by
Update: Since publication, new information has come to light suggesting the images have been AI-manipulated and are not in fact iPhone 18 Pro chassis parts. The original article follows. The color options Apple is reportedly planning for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max have appeared online today in the form of images of chassis parts of unknown authenticity....
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple Says CarPlay Ultra is Coming to These Vehicle Brands

Thursday May 21, 2026 11:53 am PDT by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly a year later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. CarPlay Ultra...
iOS 27 All the New App Features

iOS 27: All the Rumored App Features

Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:48 pm PDT by
Siri is getting a major overhaul in iOS 27, but Apple also has some big updates planned for apps like Camera, Photos, and Wallet. There are multiple new AI features in the works, plus some non-AI upgrades. Camera Apple is moving Visual Intelligence from the Camera Control button to the Camera app in iOS 27, according to Bloomberg. There will be a Siri mode that will be available alongside...

Top Rated Comments

AvisDeene Avatar
100 months ago
And here I am, happy with my iPhone 6s Plus. If it lasts long enough, I’ll hold out until Bluetooth headphones have sound quality that rivals wired and for the micro-LED displays.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sos47 Avatar
100 months ago
XR has nice specs. But is too big.
Waiting for the iPhone XR Mini.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JPack Avatar
100 months ago
Unless you're the guy in the bottom pane, the iPhone XR is a home run for Apple.

A12, Face ID, dual-SIM, 128GB storage, it's what everyone's been asking for.



Attachment Image
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Scottsoapbox Avatar
100 months ago
The XR reviewers were surprisingly subdued after all of the previous cautions to wait for it...

XS reviews: Most people should wait for the XR.
XR reviews: It's not really that much cheaper, so maybe get the XS.

Thanks guys. Thanks a lot.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PickUrPoison Avatar
100 months ago
I'm looking at the XR as an upgrade from the SE (which is essentially a 6S in 5's clothing).

My only concern is the Lightning port.

I'm onto my second SE in two years... first one's battery failed after exactly one year. Second one is again giving my grief after exactly a year. Both exhibiting the same problem — trouble keeping an electrical/power connection at the Lightning port. I'm constantly finding that I need to wiggle the cable to get a connection.

I haven't read many reports of this issue, and I'm hoping it's limited to the port used on the SE.

I don't want to pay the "tax" of upgrading to another phone only to have the same problem again after a year when my current phone works perfectly except for this one issue.
If you’re like 99% of the other people who have intermittent Lightning connection issues, your problem is pocket lint getting down into the jack, preventing the plug from seating properly. Apple will clean it out for you, or you can do it yourself with a non-conductive implement like a toothpick. Be sure to get all of it, it can be packed in there very tight!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
100 months ago
It's not affordable for a vast majority of people
Well, it depends on your frame of reference. For the majority of humanity air conditioning isn't affordable. That isn't Apple's market.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)