PhoneLifespan

Apple iPhone XR

Avoid buyingValue Score 40/100
$140
used/refurbished market price
$749 at launch

How long will it last?

Our estimate

Supported until April 2026 · Buy-by April 2024

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2018◆ Buy-by Apr 20242026

Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~7-year update track record — on that basis the iPhone XR should be supported until around April 2026. Buying it today still gets you about -0.1 years of safe use (Apple's written legal minimum is 5 years).

Source: Apple's documentation · last verified 2026-06-11 · how we compute this

Our verdict

A colorful, durable budget iPhone of its era that's now past Apple's typical update window — best as a basic backup or first phone.

Pros

  • Big 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD that's easy to read
  • A12 Bionic still handles everyday tasks smoothly
  • Solid single-camera photos with Portrait mode
  • Very cheap on the used market and widely available

Cons

  • Past the end of Apple's ~7-year update window (launched Oct 2018)
  • LCD rather than OLED, with thick bezels and a notch
  • Single rear camera with no telephoto or ultra-wide
Best for: First phone for kidsBest for: Inexpensive backup deviceBest for: Light users on a tight budgetAvoid if: You need ongoing security updatesAvoid if: You want a sharp OLED or multiple cameras

Full specifications

Display

💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).

Screen6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD LCD (IPS), 1792×828 at 326 ppi, 625 nits, True Tone, wide color (P3)
Performance

💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.

ChipsetApple A12 Bionic
RAM3GB
Storage64GB / 128GB / 256GB
Cameras

💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.

main wide12MP
front TrueDepth7MP
Battery & charging

💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.

Battery2,942 mAh
ChargingUp to 15W wired fast charge (up to 50% in 30 min), Qi wireless charging; Lightning
Build

💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.

Dimensions150.9 × 75.7 × 8.3 mm
Weight194 g
MaterialsAerospace-grade aluminum frame with glass front and back
Water resistanceIP67
Software & connectivity

💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.

SoftwareiOS 12 at launch
Connectivity4G LTE, Wi-Fi (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, GPS, Lightning
Update policy~7 years of updates (our estimate from Apple's track record — written minimum is 5 years)

Better-value alternatives

Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.

Frequently asked questions

Is the iPhone XR display OLED?

No. The iPhone XR uses a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD (IPS), not OLED. It's still bright and accurate, but blacks aren't as deep as on OLED iPhones.

Does the iPhone XR still get updates?

It has passed Apple's usual ~7-year support pattern (released October 2018), so you should not count on continued security updates. Use it as a low-stakes secondary phone.

How many cameras does the iPhone XR have?

Just one 12MP rear wide camera plus a 7MP TrueDepth front camera. It supports Portrait mode but has no ultra-wide or telephoto lens.

Compare it

Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-11.