iPhone XR hands-on: New model called 'fascinating,' 'a super-strange phone'

Apple Wednesday unveiled its lower-end — but still very expensive — new iPhone model, the iPhone XR. The assembled tech press sized up the new device after the "Gather Round" event in Cupertino.

The new iPhone XR, the last of the three iPhones unveiled by Apple Wednesday, is the least expensive of the new models, costing $749 for 64GB of storage, with 128GB selling for $799, and the 256GB edition retailing for $899. Preorders start Oct. 19. Here are some reactions from the media in the room who got the opportunity for a hands-on with the new XR.

Chris Velazco touted the "premium power for everyone," describing it as "easily the most fascinating device the company released today."

Brian Heater of Tech Crunch said of the iPhone XR that "I couldn't help but be struck by the idea that the XR is, in its own way, the iPhone X version of the iPod Mini," in that it's cheaper, smaller and available in many colors.

Mark Spoonauer of Tom's Guide

">called the XR "a clear attempt by Apple to bring its whole lineup up to iPhone X standards while delivering a more affordable price, even if the company needed to make some trade-offs to get there."

Nilay Patel of The Verge called the iPhone XR "a super-strange phone. "It's got a bunch of the specs of the iPhone XS, but it's missing a whole bunch of stuff too." Patel appeared in a video:

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60 Comments

danny showalter 5 comments · 9 Years

About 6 years ago

I must be getting old. These phone look wonderful expect for the price. I am still using my 6S. I am not sure when I will upgrade to the 8S. The cost needs to come down.
I am a long time customer for Apple. All the way back to the Apple II.

claire1 510 comments · 6 Years

Why is that Nilay clown getting any spotlight?

danny showalter said:

I must be getting old. These phone look wonderful expect for the price. I am still using my 6S. I am not sure when I will upgrade to the 8S. The cost needs to come down.
I am a long time customer for Apple. All the way back to the Apple II.

I can't for the life of me figure out why Apple didn't make the LCD version smaller. This would have made it cheaper and easier to differentiate.
I can easily see old ladies buying the R just because it's cheaper without knowing why. Wouldn't be surprised if R outsold XS.

anantksundaram 20390 comments · 18 Years

I am sure he’s a good, competent person and all that, but I am not convinced that Mr. Patel should appear on videos.

saarek 1578 comments · 16 Years

claire1 said:

Why is that Nilay clown getting any spotlight?

danny showalter said:

I must be getting old. These phone look wonderful expect for the price. I am still using my 6S. I am not sure when I will upgrade to the 8S. The cost needs to come down.
I am a long time customer for Apple. All the way back to the Apple II.

I can't for the life of me figure out why Apple didn't make the LCD version smaller. This would have made it cheaper and easier to differentiate.
I can easily see old ladies buying the R just because it's cheaper without knowing why. Wouldn't be surprised if R outsold XS.

They almost need the Xr where is was and then another version that was smaller to complete the line up. So two sizes of Xr starting at £599 and £749 followed by the OLED versions at £899 and £999..... I really think Apple should have made the Xs £899.

Personally I think the £749 for the Xr is very reasonable, the price is between what the 8 and 8 Plus were, so for those looking to get another Plus model this is actually a bargain.

But they really need an iPhone SE sized device.

urashid 127 comments · 6 Years

claire1 said:

Why is that Nilay clown getting any spotlight?

Because of deeply insightful commentary like this:
"It's got a bunch of the specs of the iPhone XS, but it's missing a whole bunch of stuff too."
/s