The iPhone XR is Just as Durable as the iPhone XS

Danielle from Leaf and Core

6 years ago

Reading Time: 2 minutes.

The iPhone XR is proving to be a far better value than anyone expected. It costs $250 less than the iPhone XS, yet has most of the core features of the iPhone XS. Furthermore, it even carries advantages over the iPhone XS, like a better portrait mode for photographing people, far superior battery life, and bright color options. In fact, I’d go as far to say that nearly all iPhone users should be on the iPhone XR, not the overpriced iPhone XS.

Now we can add another reason to the list: the iPhone XR is just as durable as the iPhone XS, perhaps even more so. According to Squaretrade’s tests, the iPhone XR survived a bend test longer than the iPhone XS, and broke from a drop from the same height. Furthermore, it costs $80 to $130 less to repair than the iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max, respectively.

While the iPhone XS may be a rip-off, the iPhone XR is proving to be the most valuable phone Apple has ever made.

SquareTrade’s Test

SquareTrade uses highly controlled drop tests to ensure the devices have an equal chance to survive their tests. However, you should still take them with a grain of salt. The lone drop test they perform is from 6 feet in the air. Unless you’re 6’4″ tall, or you frequently throw your phone up over your head, you’re never going to drop your phone from this height.

So, this test doesn’t prove beyond reasonable doubt that the iPhone XR is just as strong as an iPhone XS in a drop test. However, it did prove that the iPhone XR can withstand 10lbs more pressure than an iPhone XS before it bent and broke. That’s an impressive feat.

Regardless of what iPhone you own, you should have a case for it. SquareTrade sells phone insurance programs, but in my experience, a good case is all the insurance you need. However, if your screen does break, it’ll cost $199 to repair the iPhone XR screen. The iPhone XS screen costs $279 to repair, and the iPhone XS Max screen is $329.

No matter what, the iPhone XR is the best value. The premium steel Apple uses in the iPhone XS isn’t enough to make the phone stronger or more durable. The iPhone XS is an increasingly bad value.

Source: Ed Hardy, Cult of Mac