iPhone 16

iPhone XR vs. iPhone 16: A Major Leap Forward?

iPhone XR vs. iPhone 16: A Major Leap Forward?

iPhone XR vs. iPhone 16: A Major Leap Forward

If you’re using the iPhone XR, you’ll find a massive difference between it and the iPhone 16. Let’s explore the key differences.

Display: Night and Day Difference

iPhone XR: 6.1” Liquid Retina LCD display, which is solid but shows its age.

iPhone 16: The Super Retina XDR OLED display on the iPhone 16 offers vastly better colors, contrast, and brightness. If you’re big on streaming or gaming, this will feel like a huge upgrade.

Performance: A17 Bionic vs. A12 Bionic

iPhone XR: Powered by the A12 Bionic chip, which is still functional but may struggle with newer apps and updates.

iPhone 16: The A17 Bionic chip offers incredibly faster speeds and better efficiency. You’ll notice smoother performance in apps, gaming, and multitasking.

Camera: Big Jump in Quality

iPhone XR: A single 12MP rear camera that offers decent shots, but lacks the features found in newer models.

iPhone 16: A 48MP primary camera with advanced low-light features, better zoom, and superior image quality. If photography matters to you, this is a huge leap.

Battery Life: Considerable Improvement

iPhone XR: Offers decent battery life but starts to drain faster with age.

iPhone 16: With the A17 chip, the iPhone 16 is more efficient and offers better battery life overall.

Recommendation: Should You Upgrade?

The iPhone 16 offers a massive improvement over the iPhone XR in nearly every category—display, performance, camera, and battery. However, if you’re not ready for the latest model, the iPhone 13 is also a great alternative that provides excellent performance without breaking the bank.

Still unsure? Try our Plug Find Your iPhone Tool for personalized recommendations!

Reading next

Phone 8 Plus vs. iPhone 16: Should You Make the Leap?
iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 16: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

Compare Specs

iPhone 16
iPhone 16 Sale price$9,999.99
iPhone Xr (Unlocked)
iPhone Xr (Unlocked) Sale priceFrom $164.99 Regular price$349.99
iPhone 16
iPhone 16 Sale price$9,999.99
iPhone Xr (Unlocked)
iPhone Xr (Unlocked) Sale priceFrom $164.99 Regular price$349.99
Color Options

Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine

Red, Coral, Blue, Yellow, White

Display

Super Retina XDR display
6.1-inch (diagonal) all-screen OLED display
Dynamic Island

Liquid Retina HD display
6.1-inch (diagonal) all-screen LCD display with IPS technology

Camera

Advanced dual-camera system (48MP Fusion and 12MP Ultra Wide)
Fusion: 48MP, ƒ/1.6 aperture
Ultra Wide: 12MP, ƒ/2.2 aperture
Sensor-shift optical image stabilization
.5x, 1x, 2x optical zoom options
True Tone flash

Single 12MP camera (Main)
Main: 12MP, ƒ/1.8 aperture
Optical image stabilization
1x optical zoom

Video Recording

4K Dolby Vision video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
1080p Dolby Vision video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
Cinematic mode for recording videos with shallow depth of field (up to 4K HDR at 30 fps)
Action mode

4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps

Power and Battery

Video playback - Up to 22 hours
Audio playback - Up to 80 hours

Built-in rechargeable lithium‑ion battery

5G Compatible

yes

no