The courage to paint: the iPhone XR in the test

Smartphones are like the Germans and their cars. In fact, everyone dreams of a red car, yellow, green or blue, of all colors. But when it comes to buying, most of them come back and end up with the clbadics of the company car: black, anthracite or silver. So with the option "daily use" or as they say "Laaaaangweilig". Apple is also driving this strategy. Until now

iPhone XR: against the monotone of money and black

For the first time since the iPhone 5C (2013, there were iPhones up here very colorful), Apple is once again offering a wider color gamut. There is finally a change of choice between eternal Silver, Space Gray and recently again gold. Because the iPhone XR is available in yellow, coral, blue, (product) red, white and of course black. So, if you are looking for a smartphone as a statement, use the new Cupertino device – Warning: bad pun – correct yellow. If you wish, you can use the iPhone XR as a match or contrast with your outfit. In any case, the touch of color always catches the eye. What also emerges after a day of intensive use: the color variants contrast with the larger models more resistant to fingerprints on the back. The XS series is equipped with a glbad bottom on which you can see each key. Even the display looks clean after a day. (Also interesting: it's behind the iPhone XR name)

What you need to know about the iPhone XR

The iPhone XR (pronounced ten-R) is the cheap alternative to

iPhone XS and XS Max

, with the technology of more expensive models. The price of 849 euros is 300 euros in the XS series. In size, it lands with the 6.1-inch screen just between the two XS models. Visually, this looks like a mix of the latest devices with the previous version: Because on the back, the iPhone XR looks like the iPhone 8 with a single camera. The front presents the latest Face-ID technology and the badociated "Notch". So, here is also true: in the iPhone XR, no home button disturbs the minimalist design. The LCD (an OLE screen is used with the XS series) installs in an elegant black frame. Thus, the iPhone XR has it all, despite the 6.1 inches. And inside beats the A12 processor, just like the bigger ones.

Differences with the iPhone XS in portrait mode

In addition to the display, the iPhone XS presents another important difference: the Portrait feature is limited. (Also exciting: the new iPhone XS Max is really good.) There are not five modes available, but only three. And: portrait mode can also be used only for faces, but not for still images and objects. Does not recognize the iPhone XR. Pity. Instagramer and Fotofreunde very much appreciate the function because of the blur effect. The reason is the technology: as the XR uses only one lens at the rear, the software supports the effect of portrait mode. The "neural engine" – as Apple's artificial intelligence – is designed to recognize faces, but not for objects. Given the information, it is not excluded that Apple will provide the functionality via an update also in the future. By the way, the entire Face-ID range is available for the Selfie-Cam, including portrait mode and the famous Animojis. Overall, the iPhone XR is perfect for those who want the latest technology but do not want to spend 1,149 euros and more, and for those looking for a little more color in the world of electronics.

Technical details about the iPhone XR

Display: 6.1-inch multi-touch LCD touch screen

Camera: 12 megapixel camera with wide angle lens, selfie camera with Face-ID, 4K video recording

Memory: 64 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB

Colors: yellow, coral, blue, (product) red, white and black

Price: from 849 euros, available from 26.10.2018

This article was written by Ruth de Carné & Tobias Singer

* The contribution "The Courage of Color: The iPhone XR to the Test" comes from GQ. There is no editorial review of FOCUS Online. Contact the manager here.