Should I buy an iPhone 11 or iPhone Xr? Short answer: The iPhone 11 and iPhone Xr are both great phones. They’re also pretty similar, but one key difference is the camera, which is much better on the iPhone 11. If you’re looking for a newer iPhone or want a better camera, you should get the iPhone 11. But if you’re on a strict budget or don’t care as much about the camera experience, get the iPhone Xr instead.
Buying an iPhone is quick and easy if you’re simply looking for the newest model. But if you’re shopping on a budget, picking the best option can be a bit trickier. Today, we’re looking at the differences between the iPhone 11 and the iPhone Xr to help you figure out which model better fits your needs and budget.
iPhone 11 vs iPhone Xr: Specs and features
Apple originally released the iPhone Xr in 2018. The iPhone 11 arrived a year later, in 2019. Looking at the differences between two models that were released a year apart often means finding more similarities than differences. But there are some differences between these two models — the biggest of which is the improved rear camera on the iPhone 11. But first, the table below outlines the key hardware specs of the iPhone 11 and the iPhone Xr.
| iPhone 11 | iPhone Xr | |
| Display | 6.1″ Liquid Retina HD display (at 1792 x 828) with True Tone | 6.1″ Liquid Retina HD display (at 1792 x 828) with True Tone |
| Network Connectivity | 4G LTE | 4G LTE |
| SIM Card | Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM) | Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM) |
| Processor | A13 Bionic | A12 Bionic |
| Storage | 64GB or 128GB | 64GB or 128GB |
| Rear Camera | 12MP wide camera | Dual 12MP wide and ultra-wide |
| Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth | 7MP TrueDepth |
| Power & Battery | Up to 17 hours of video playback, and up to 65 hours of audio playback | Up to 16 hours of video playback, and up to 65 hours of audio playback |
| Charging | Lightning cable and Qi wireless charging | Lightning cable and Qi wireless charging |
| Fast Charging | Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes using an Apple 20W power adapter | Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes using an Apple 20W power adapter |
| Water Resistance | IP68 (maximum depth of 2 meters for up to 30 minutes) | IP67 (maximum depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes) |
The iPhone 11 is a year newer, so it has a faster processor. The iPhone 11 is powered by the A13 Bionic, whereas the iPhone Xr is powered by the A12 Bionic. But honestly, either phone will meet most day-to-day usage needs with ease. And because both models are relatively new, released in 2018 and 2019, they should each continue to get iOS software updates well into the future.
When you dig a little deeper into the specs, you’ll find the camera experience is better on the iPhone 11. The iPhone 11 has a dual rear-facing camera setup with a 12MP wide and ultra-wide lens, whereas the iPhone Xr has a single 12MP wide lens on the back. But more importantly — the iPhone 11 has more camera features, such as Night Mode and Deep Fusion (which means better image processing). The iPhone 11 also picks up three additional Portrait Lightning effects and has next-generation Smart HDR for photos, along with Audio zoom and QuickTake video.
The front-facing camera on the iPhone 11 is a 12MP, and the iPhone Xr has a 7MP. Similar to the rear camera setup, the iPhone 11 front camera also has additional features, such as the ability to record 4k video at 24, 25, 30, or 60 frames per second, and record slo-mo 1080p video at 120 frames per second. The iPhone 11 front camera also has QuickTake video.
iPhone 11 vs iPhone Xr: Size and design
At first glance, the iPhone 11 and Xr look the same. They each feature a 6.1” display, use Face ID for device security, have a glass front and back, and are made of aerospace-grade aluminum. They are also the same size and weight.
- Size: 5.94″ (H) x 2.98″ (W) x 0.33″ (D)
- Weight: 6.84 ounces
Of course, if you flip the phone over and look at the back, you’ll notice the iPhone 11 has a dual-camera setup. The other key difference is the color options. The iPhone 11 colors are a bit more pastel, with options for Purple, Yellow, Green, Black, White, and PRODUCT(RED). The iPhone Xr colors are a little brighter, with options for Blue, White, Black, Yellow, Coral, and PRODUCT(RED).
Read more: iPhone Buyer’s Guide
iPhone 11 vs iPhone Xr: Price
At launch, Apple charged $749 for the iPhone Xr and $699 for the iPhone 11. The iPhone 11 has a current starting price of $499, and Apple no longer sells the iPhone Xr. But if you’re looking for the best deal — you should be shopping for a gently used model instead. Current prices in late 2021 for a gently used iPhone 11 start at around $350, and the iPhone Xr is closer to $250.
Should you buy the iPhone 11 or iPhone Xr?
The iPhone 11 and the iPhone Xr should both be considered. Each of these models will meet most day-to-day usage needs with relative ease. We suspect your purchase decision will come down to whether you feel the camera is important, and to the price. If you are looking for an iPhone to keep for several years and enjoy taking pictures (particularly in dark settings), the iPhone 11 is the model you should pick.
That said, if you rarely take pictures in low-light conditions, or you are on a tighter budget — the iPhone Xr is the better choice. You can view all the current iPhone Xr listings by tapping the widget below.
We hope this post has been helpful in pointing out the differences (and similarities) between the iPhone 11 and iPhone Xr. But maybe you read our iPhone Buyer’s Guide and now want to consider other models — maybe go a year newer with an iPhone 12, or go with a smaller iPhone such as the 2nd-generation iPhone SE. If you are considering other models, you should tap the green button below to see all the available iPhone options.
But in the end, it doesn’t matter which model iPhone you choose provided it meets your needs and fits within your personal budget because you will always find great deals on gently used iPhones in the Swappa marketplace. And, Swappa is the safest marketplace for used tech so you can purchase with confidence.
Snag the best deals on used iPhones wherever you go. Download the Swappa App today!
