In 2022, Apple introduced the iPhone XR. It was the first (relatively) inexpensive smartphone since the release of the iPhone SE, which quickly became very popular - in 2022 the company had to introduce its successor. With the XR, everything was not very smooth: the device was criticized for thick frames, a single camera and unclear positioning.
We agree that at first the new device was quite expensive - by paying just a couple of hundred dollars extra, the consumer gets a full-fledged flagship with an OLED screen and a dual camera. However, a year later, the device fell in price, quickly found its audience and remained on the list of current smartphones of the American brand for another two years.
Let's figure out whether it's worth buying an iPhone XR in 2022?
iPhone SE (2020)
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The most basic iPhone that Apple officially sells on its website is the second generation iPhone SE. This is a compact smartphone with a 4.7-inch screen and a Touch ID button. The dimensions, design and battery life for the second SE are taken from the iPhone 8, and the hardware and camera capabilities are from the iPhone 11.
The smartphone looks obsolete due to the wide bezels at the top and bottom of the screen, but thanks to its size and power, it still deserves the right to purchase in 2022 and even 2022. It is worth taking it in three cases:
- you love the classic iPhone design with a button framed below the display;
- you already have the top-end iPhone, but need a second, inexpensive one for calls;
- You have a limited budget, but want to buy an unused iPhone.
iPhone SE cost in Tashkent: from $400 for the 64 GB version.
iPhone XR
Apple removed the iPhone XR from sale on the official website, but this happened not so long ago - during the presentation of the iPhone 13. So you can still find a new, sealed XR in stores. But you should hurry, because sellers will reduce prices to a minimum to get rid of the aging model, and this will increase demand for the XR.
The iPhone XR was introduced in 2022 as a budget alternative to the XS and XS Max flagships. The smartphone received hardware from older models, one camera, six body colors and a modern Apple design with Face ID. The XR isn't worth buying when you can add $110 to buy the current iPhone 11.
iPhone XR is worth taking in two cases:
- the budget is limited, but you need an iPhone with Face ID;
- you are reading this when the price drops below $500 for new devices.
Cost in Tashkent: from $540 for the 64 GB version.
Twelfth generation
Twelfth generation devices received 2 sensors in the main camera module. For taking selfies with a total “power” of 12 MP. In fact, this means a multiple improvement in the quality of photos and videos compared to samples of previous years.
However, the iPhone XR model also takes pretty high-quality pictures. The final difference in this indicator between devices is insignificant. Users will not receive any special benefits for an additional fee.
The twelfth generation model received more modern hardware. The relevance of the decisions made by the manufacturing company will remain for at least several years. The device will be able to compete quite well with the middle market players running Android. The gadget will no longer be able to reach the top specifications, but overall the quality of work will be very high.
iPhone 11
The iPhone 11 is still available on Apple's website, making it the most affordable current model with Face ID. The smartphone does not differ from the iPhone XR in display and front panel design, but the components are much better than the latter. And most importantly: the iPhone 11 has the Apple logo located in the center of the back cover, which will let others know that you have the current model in your hands - if suddenly this matters to you.
The eleventh iPhone has two main cameras - standard and wide-angle, good battery life and hardware from the 11 Pro, but the frames around the screen are too wide. If the frames don’t bother you and you have $650 to buy an iPhone, then you can take it - an excellent option for those who are moving from the iPhone 7+, 8+ and earlier models.
iPhone 11 price in Tashkent: from $650 for the 64 GB version.
High-speed charging has become much more convenient
Another thing made me happy. iPhone XR supports battery-safe fast charging, and it's amazing.
I am lucky to be the owner of a MacBook, which comes with one of the most powerful 87 W power supplies.
And, although after 30 W this does not matter much, after a month I am still surprised when I remove the smart device from the outlet after 30 minutes with an additional 40% charge.
Now the numbers are no longer so surprising against the backdrop of the announcement of Quick Charge 5, but after the barely reviving seven, I can’t be happier.
I don't use wireless charging, although I have it. Long and inconvenient. Therefore, the only plus is for the expressway.
XR best: 2 | XR so-so: 0
iPhone 12, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max
But what if you want an iPhone with thin frames, an OLED display and a modern design with smooth edges? You need to take the iPhone 12, which is superior to the previous model in all respects: processor, cameras, display and, most importantly, design.
Apple has compared the basic and Pro versions of the twelfths in many respects, reducing the number of significant differences between them to one - the 12 Pro has a camera with 2x optical zoom. If you often take photos of people, take the iPhone 12 Pro - portraits on its telephoto camera turn out amazing. Or 12 Pro Max if you need maximum battery life.
Cost in Tashkent:
- iPhone 12 – from $820 with 64 GB;
- iPhone 12 Pro – from $1040 with 128 GB;
- iPhone 12 Pro Max – from $1140 with 128 GB.
Read the review of iPhone 12 and 12 Pro from Afisha.
iPhone 12 mini and 13 mini
“The smallest flagships of 2022 and 2022” - this is what you can call the mini-versions of the 12 and 13 iPhones. They received the same filling as the older Apple flagships, but in a compact case. The “minis” differ significantly from each other only by increasing by two hours, according to the official Apple website, battery life and improved video recording in the 13 mini.
You can buy mini versions for those who are not attracted to large phones, but want maximum capabilities in a compact case. But it’s not worth overpaying $300 for two hours of battery life and a slightly improved camera in the 13 mini. It’s better to take 12 mini - the design is the same, and the power reserve will be enough for two to three years in advance.
Cost in Tashkent:
- iPhone 12 mini – from $700 with 64 GB;
- iPhone 13 mini – from $1000 with 128 GB.
Insiders agree that Apple will not show the iPhone 14 mini in 2022, replacing it with a larger version of the basic iPhone - the iPhone 14 Max. Thus, it is possible that the iPhone 12 and 13 mini will remain relevant compact flagships for many more years.
About the pros and cons in 2022
Camera
What's the first thing that catches your eye when you see current iPhones? That's right - several cameras. And in XR there is only one. From the outside it seems that the phone looks like a regular budget Android with a 2016 twist. But for me personally it still doesn’t make any difference.
But it’s worth talking about the quality of the photographs. The phone takes good pictures - for those who do not consider themselves photo nerds, this level will be quite enough. However, I held the new iPhone models in my hands and it immediately became clear that the quality of the pictures was already rather low. An ultra-wide camera enhances creativity, and this phone doesn't have one. There is also virtually no night mode. If all this is important to you, then it’s better to buy an iPhone 11 for almost the same money:
Autonomy
If we talk about autonomy, I didn’t notice any problems here. The battery charge in the morning with regular use is enough until late in the evening. On average, screen time per day is 7 hours and 46 minutes. Of them:
- VK - 2 hours 35 minutes;
- Telegram - 1 hour 40 minutes;
- Instagram - 1 hour 6 minutes;
- YouTube - 37 min.
At the same time, in the background I constantly listen to podcasts on Yandex.Music. I switched to it from Apple.Podcasts because the app was heating up my phone a lot.
Performance
When I first got my hands on the phone, it flew like Elon Musk’s rockets into space. After a little over two years, I admit that the gadget works a little slower, and sometimes there are small lags. But it’s worth clearing the cache more often, and then the situation improves for a while. Heavy games and applications run without problems, but the phone quickly overheats in this case.
Support
The XR supports iOS 15, all updates come in the same way as on new models. I’m not worried about the end of support, since it will end only closer to 2025. By this time, if desired, you can change the phone several times.
Memory
Everything here is purely individual. For some, 512 gigabytes may not be enough. 64 GB is enough for me. And all because I don’t take enough photos and don’t install hundreds of chubby applications with games on my phone. I just love digital minimalism. But, if you do not adhere to this concept, then the 64 GB XR is definitely not worth taking.
About the big bangs
She doesn't annoy me, I don't notice her. I remember only at the moment when a conversation comes up about her in a friendly company. The rest of the time it doesn’t interfere with watching YouTube and movies, reading books or communicating in instant messengers. Does “bangs” look ugly, as they say now? Of course not.
iPhone 13
iPhone 13 differs from the previous generation with a slightly improved camera, processor and charging time increased by two hours. Plus - now the basic memory option is not 64, but 128 GB. The smartphone is perfect for those who take a lot of photographs and videos, and at the same time want the latest iPhone.
Cost in Tashkent: from $1040 with 128 GB.
Instead of the iPhone 13, you can buy last year's 12 Pro. The latter costs less, has a fresh design with “chopped” edges, an additional camera with 2x zoom, but discharges a little faster.
iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max
The top ones are the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. At first glance, there are not many changes in the new products compared to the previous generation that are worth the overpayment. Apple “upgraded” the camera, improving video shooting and adding a “Cinematic” mode, and also added a version with 1 TB (1024 GB) of memory. But there is one very important change - autonomy.
According to information on the Apple website, the operating time of the 13 Pro compared to the 12 Pro has increased by five hours, and the 13 Pro Max has increased by eight hours compared to the 12 Pro Max. It turns out that the 13 Pro runs longer than the 12 Pro Max by two hours. Such a large increase was achieved thanks to the adaptive image frequency, which changes the screen refresh rate from 1 to 120 Hz.
The 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max can be purchased by anyone who needs to get the most and doesn't care about the price tag.
Cost in Tashkent:
- iPhone 13 Pro - from $1330 with 128 GB to $2100 with 1 TB;
- iPhone 13 Pro Max - from $1620 with 128 GB to $2900 with 1 TB.
Is the camera angle driving you crazy?
It’s the angle, not the color rendering. Because in pursuit of the latter, we almost lost sight of the fact that the iPhone’s eye began to see much wider.
I’m preparing a comparison of iPhone 4 vs 11 cameras, and I don’t understand why so little is said about this important development.
There is a two year difference between the 7 and XR, and the focal length, which affects the viewing angle, has changed modestly: from 28 mm to 26 mm.
But with a direct comparison, it’s now as if the epicness of the frame has been pumped up by 300%. Particularly good are 3:4 videos, which iOS 14 learned to make (point 10) outside episode 11.
The result is an incredible effect of wide coverage, which even after a month I enjoy as if for the first time.
XR best: 3 | XR so-so: 3
conclusions
- If you use an iPhone 12 or 12 mini, it’s not worth upgrading to the basic thirteenth;
- If you have a 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max or older models, upgrading is worth considering; the battery life is worth it. Moreover, you can sell the 12 Pro, add about $350 (depending on the condition of the phone) and buy a new one;
- And the title of the most balanced Apple smartphones goes to the still current iPhone 11 and the cheaper iPhone 12 Pro.
And remember: the best iPhone is the one you have enough money for.
All prices are for new devices and are current at the time of publication of the material.
