Apple iPhone 14 Plus vs Apple iPhone XR
The Verdict
iPhone 14 Plus represents a significant technological leap over the aging iPhone XR, justifying its $150 premium. Key differences include the modern A15 Bionic processor versus the dated A12, superior 6.7-inch OLED display with 1200 nits brightness compared to 6.1-inch LCD at 625 nits, and enhanced 12MP TrueDepth front camera with autofocus versus the basic 7MP sensor. Battery capacity jumps from 2942 mAh to 4325 mAh, delivering substantially longer endurance. iPhone 14 Plus includes 5G connectivity, sensor-shift OIS on the main camera, Action and Cinematic modes, and faster charging. The XR, released in 2018, runs iOS 12 while 14 Plus ships with iOS 16, limiting long-term software support for the older model. For anyone seeking current performance, camera capabilities, and longevity, iPhone 14 Plus is the clear choice despite higher cost.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 14 Plus if…
- →Largest iPhone screen at 6.7 inches at a lower price than Pro Max
- →Excellent all-day battery life thanks to large 4325 mAh battery
- →Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite safety features
Buy the Apple iPhone XR if…
- →Best-selling iPhone of 2018-2019
- →Great battery life for the era
- →Six vibrant color options
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 14 Plus
Pros
- Largest iPhone screen at 6.7 inches at a lower price than Pro Max
- Excellent all-day battery life thanks to large 4325 mAh battery
- Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite safety features
- Photonic Engine improves low-light photography
- MagSafe ecosystem for accessories and wireless charging
Cons
- 60Hz display feels outdated compared to ProMotion models
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
- No telephoto camera — only dual lens system
- Notch instead of Dynamic Island
- 12 MP camera resolution unchanged from previous generations
Apple iPhone XR
Pros
- Best-selling iPhone of 2018-2019
- Great battery life for the era
- Six vibrant color options
- Same A12 Bionic as the XS models
- More affordable entry into Face ID iPhones
Cons
- LCD display instead of OLED
- 720p-class resolution
- Single rear camera only
- Thicker bezels than XS
- Only 3 GB RAM
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 14 Plus | Apple iPhone XR |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 16 | iOS 12 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 203 g | 194 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Aluminum frame, glass back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.80 mm | 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.5, sensor-shift OIS | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/1.9, autofocus | 7 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Cinematic mode, Action mode | 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | — |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 3 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4325 mAh | 2942 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | 7.5W Qi |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Liquid Retina IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2778 x 1284 | 1792 x 828 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 625 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.23 GHz + 4x1.82 GHz) | Hexa-core (2x2.5 GHz + 4x1.6 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Apple GPU (4-core) |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic | Apple A12 Bionic |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | Lightning |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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