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

Apple Wallet ID Illinois

Apple Plans to Expand iPhone Driver's Licenses to These 7 U.S. States

Wednesday December 24, 2025 8:40 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
maxresdefault

10 Mac Apps Worth Trying in 2026

Wednesday December 24, 2025 9:27 am PST by
2026 is almost upon us, and a new year is a good time to try out some new apps. We've rounded up 10 excellent Mac apps that are worth checking out. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Alt-Tab (Free) - Alt-Tab brings a Windows-style alt + tab thumbnail preview option to the Mac. You can see a full window preview of open apps and app windows. One Thing (Free) -...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Iridescent Search

Samsung Developing 'Wide Fold' With iPhone Fold-Like Design Ahead of Apple's 2026 Launch

Tuesday December 23, 2025 11:55 am PST by
Samsung is working on a new foldable smartphone that's wider and shorter than the models that it's released before, according to Korean news site ETNews. The "Wide Fold" will compete with Apple's iPhone Fold that's set to launch in September 2026. Samsung's existing Galaxy Z Fold7 display is 6.5 inches when closed, and 8 inches when open, with a 21:9 aspect ratio when folded and a 20:18...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 Brings AirPods-Like Pairing to Third-Party Devices in EU Under DMA

Monday December 22, 2025 3:20 pm PST by
The European Commission today praised the interoperability changes that Apple is introducing in iOS 26.3, once again crediting the Digital Markets Act (DMA) with bringing "new opportunities" to European users and developers. The Digital Markets Act requires Apple to provide third-party accessories with the same capabilities and access to device features that Apple's own products get. In iOS...
iphone fold 3d print

Have a 3D Printer? You Can Make Your Own iPhone Fold Dummy

Tuesday December 23, 2025 1:31 pm PST by
Apple is working on a foldable iPhone that's set to come out in September 2026, and rumors suggest that it will have a display that's around 5.4 inches when closed and 7.6 inches when open. Exact measurements vary based on rumors, but one 3D designer has created a mockup based on what we've heard so far. On MakerWorld, a user named Subsy has uploaded a 1:1 iPhone Fold replica (via Macworld), ...
iPhone Fold Vertical Feature

Why Apple's Foldable iPhone May Be Smaller Than Expected

Tuesday December 23, 2025 5:21 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone, rumored for release next year, may turn out to be smaller than most people imagine, if a recent report is anything to go by. According to The Information, the outer display on the book-style device will measure just 5.3 inches – that's smaller than the 5.4-inch screen on the ‌iPhone‌ mini, a line Apple discontinued in 2022 due to poor sales. The report has led ...

Top Rated Comments

AvisDeene Avatar
94 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
94 months ago
XR has nice specs. But is too big.
Waiting for the iPhone XR Mini.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Scottsoapbox Avatar
94 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)
JPack Avatar
94 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)
PickUrPoison Avatar
94 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)
usarioclave Avatar
94 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)