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The iPhone XR in 2022: Is it still worth it?

By Timothy Teoh July 18, 2022

It has been four years since Apple released the iPhone XR. Back then in 2018, it was introduced as one of the more affordable iPhones in the market. To this day, you can still find the iPhone XR at an affordable price in Malaysia. That certainly resonated with the masses as it eventually went on to become the best selling smartphone in 2019. It was reported that Apple shipped an estimated 46.3 million units globally that year.

The iPhone XR isn’t just an inexpensive choice. The durability of the iPhone XR exceeds many of its rivals from the year it was released, as well as models from subsequent years.

Now in the year 2022, has the iPhone XR finally reached it’s expiration point? Perhaps. But let’s look at the reasons why you should still keep the iPhone XR on your radar.

Decent Display and Features

The 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display on the iPhone XR isn’t a million miles off. The True Tone technology – which can be found even in the latest iPhone models – still renders accurately, giving you exceptional screen colours.

Where appearance is concerned, the bezel on the iPhone XR is visibly thicker, which does eat a little into the immersive experience since it only presents a 79% screen-to-body ratio. Whether or not this is a hindrance is largely dependent on the user as many will find the thick bezel forgivable at that price point.

The Face ID – which thankfully made the cut for the iPhone XR – is a convenient feature to have as well. Other than that, the iPhone XR is IP67 water and dust resistant, so you won’t have to worry about splashes.

Sufficient Camera Performance

We’ll tell you right off the bat that the camera on the iPhone XR won’t be a photographer’s best friend. It is definitely adequate for casual snaps, but it simply doesn’t stand among the line-up of great iPhone cameras.

Here’s also where we remind you that the iPhone XR wasn’t meant to compete with the higher-end iPhones! Remember: the price point of an iPhone XR is designed to be affordable. In Malaysia, you can get the iPhone XR for as low as RM2,101!

Despite that, the iPhone XR does have Smart HDR technology that offers high dynamic range for daytime photos. The camera functions decently in low-light too, and Portrait Mode works well for Insta-worthy photos.

Reliable A12 Bionic Chip and Long-lasting Battery

The A12 Bionic chip fitted in the iPhone XR shouldn’t be classified as ‘old-school’ just yet. It’s been four years since it’s release, but the A12 Bionic still pushes the iPhone XR’s high-performance. This means smooth running apps and minimal lag.

Comparing to the A11 Bionic chip, the A12 Bionic is 15% faster and uses up to 50% less power thanks to its four high-efficiency cores. This means that even with a 2942mAh battery, your iPhone XR will hold itself well throughout the day. This will vary according to usage of course, but the 16 hours of video playback and 25 hours of talk time surely provides some confidence.

When you do need to charge, the 20W fast charging adapter will charge 50% in 30 minutes. Wireless charging is an option, though it will be considerably slower.

Should you get the iPhone XR in 2022?

Phones are personal to an individual, and what feels right will differ to users. Comparatively, the newer iPhones like the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 undoubtedly leads the race. However, if you don’t fancy reaching to the depths of your wallet for the newer models, the iPhone XR should definitely be shortlisted.

Hop on to PriceShop and find the cheapest iPhone XR prices in Malaysia!

    The cheapest and most valuable phones you can find in Malaysia

    By Joshua LIN July 14, 2022

    Does cheap always mean bad? Definitely not. When it comes to smartphones, the most desirable models are often the ones that cost an arm and a leg. And although it’s true that these models do possess higher-end specs, that doesn’t mean you should neglect their lower-priced counterparts completely.

    Whether you’re searching for a back-up phone, a work phone, or simply a phone that won’t cost a kidney, here are some of the best budget smartphones for your consideration.

    Samsung Galaxy A02s

    Samsung’s Galaxy S series has earned its reputation as one of the best in the market, however, one shouldn’t neglect the hidden gems in the Galaxy A series as well. More specifically, the Galaxy A02s.

    The Galaxy A02s is fitted with a 6.5-inch Infinity-V Display, incorporating HD+ technology to give it a sharp, crisp, and clear resolution. The 13MP triple camera ticks off all the boxes for a decent photography experience, while its 5MP front camera is worthy of selfies.

    In addition to that is a 5000mAh battery with 15W Adaptive Fast Charging. This means you’ll have no problems with shortage issues throughout the day. Samsung has kept the A02s sleek with the One UI Core, ensuring intuitive visuals in its interface.

    You can get the Samsung Galaxy A02s at an affordable price in Malaysia. Make sure to check out PriceShop for prices as low as RM399!

    Huawei Nova 7i

    Huawei’s Nova 7i excels in its camera’s capabilities. The 48MP Quad AI Cameras allows for wide and clear photography, and its just about the best you can get for a budget price range.

    Take cinematic portraits that come to life with the Nova 7i’s bokeh lens, or zoom in into the intricacies of nature with the macro lens. Best part is, the Nova 7i works just as well at night too, thanks to the wide f/1.8 aperture and Huawei’s AI Image Stabilization.

    The Nova 7i’s 4200mAh battery may feel like a downside, but that’s compensated with a 40W SuperCharge that hits 70% in 30 minutes. So go about your morning routines and by the time you’re done, you’re good to go.

    The Huawei Nova 7i starts as low as RM799 in Malaysia, and you can get the best prices by comparing with trusted sellers on PriceShop!

    Redmi 9T

    If aesthetic choices are what you seek, then look no further than the Redmi 9T. The Redmi 9T is not subtle by any means, and that’s proven in its choice of bright luminous colours of Twilight Blue, Sunrise Orange, and Ocean Green.

    Don’t even worry about getting crummy fingerprints, the Redmi 9T is designed with anti-fingerprint texture to maintain its clean and sporty look.

    The camera is pretty impressive for its price range. The 48MP AI Quad Camera is perfect for both sweeping landscapes or remarkable close-ups, and the time-lapse function is a neat feature to have.

    When it comes to battery, the Redmi 9T stands out. Despite its lightweight build, the Redmi 9T holds a 6000mAh battery. The 18W fast charging is not lightning quick by any means, but you can certainly last the whole day running on a single charge.

    The Redmi 9T is priced as low as RM629 in Malaysia, Make sure to find the cheapest deals in PriceShop!

    vivo Y33s

    The vivo Y33s is where elegance meets functionality. And all for a budget price range too!

    With just an 8mm thin body, the vivo Y33s slim and trendy design is subtle, but eye-catching. The Classy Mirror Black boasts a glossy sheen that screams of luxury, while the Midday Dream is iridescent with orange and blue gradients.

    Put aesthetics aside and you will still be left with a very capable smartphone. The vivo Y33s runs on the Helio G80 octa-core processor, rolling into it a mix of power and performance. One of the more impressive features of the vivo Y33s is its extended RAM, which utilizes up to 4GB of idle ROM for greater functionality. This allows extra room for demanding apps and mobile games to run smoothly on your Y33s.

    You can get the Vivo Y33s for as low as RM888! Don’t miss out on the cheapest smartphone price sold by trusted sellers on PriceShop!

    Realme 9

    Contending strongly with the pool of ultra slim smartphones is the Realme 9. At just 7.99mm and 178g, the Realme 9’s lightweight and streamlined design is convenient to carry around.

    The 6.4-inch screen packs a 2400 x 1080 FHD+ resolution with 90Hz Super AMOLED Display. This, paired with its 90.8% screen-to-body ratio is all you need to immerse yourself in any content you please.

    The Realme 9 camera is outstanding to say the least. The 108MP AI Triple Camera is a shutterbug’s best friend, and the 4cm Macro camera will delight any nature photographer. Adding to the arsenal is a 120-degree Super-wide Camera for boundless panoramic landscapes. Low-light will no longer be an issue as the NonaPixel Plus technology will improve light intake, ensuring high dynamic range even in the dimmest of rooms.

    You can get your hands on the Realme 9 for as low as RM899!

    You don’t always need the gadget with the highest price to have access to a host of decent specs and features. Many budget phones nowadays are more than capable of doing the job, as proven in with our choices in this article. However, if you are still on the search for your next smartphone, make sure to visit PriceShop to find the cheapest deals!