TLDR: Apple’s latest iPhones come in 3 models. iPhone XR for $749, iPhone XS for $999, and iPhone XS Max for $1,199. For most people, Please Just Work recommends the iPhone XR. Note that unlike past iPhones, the cheapest iPhone isn’t the smallest. The XS is slightly smaller.

Apple’s current iPhone line looks very different from years past. It isn’t just that all 3 models lack home buttons or have notches topping their screens. Before, one knew which was the cheapest vs the most expensive simply by size. Small meant cheap; large meant it had everything. Not true this year. Measuring in at 6.1” diagonally, the XR line, while the least expensive, sits right between the two more expensive options size-wise. 

I find it helps to see XR and XS as two different lines, much like how the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are different prices even though you can buy 13” versions of either model. Unlike ‘Pro’ and ‘Air’, however, these new names are downright baffling to most, especially since they mix Roman numerals with letters (officially its pronounced Ten R and Ten S, but that hardly matters outside an Apple Store). While the ’S’ is how Apple traditionally designates a model year after a major redesign, according to Apple’s executive, Phil Schiller, the ‘R’ stands for absolutely nothing. Apple may not provide meaning for these letters, but if you need help remembering which is which I am happy to provide some: think ‘R’ for ‘Reasonable’ and ’XS’ for ‘excess’. I break down the differences between the two lines below.

XR line:

Currently Apple only makes one phone in the XR line. One can imagine a future where there are different sizes (I know many dream of an iPhone SE sized device with edge to edge screen), but for now 6.1 is the only screen size. While cheaper, and made up of technically less expensive, easier to manufacture parts, it’s interesting to note that the iPhone XR has the same A12 processing chip as its more expensive cousins, as well as the same FaceID cameras and sensors. This means selfies from this phone should look identical to the XS line, and the phone should stay blazing fast for as long as its counterparts. 

What you miss: 

• an OLED screen. 
• a second camera lens on the back
• stainless steal band around the casing (it’s aluminum on the XR)
• the ability to brag to your friends about how expensive your phone is. 

What you gain:

• colors! 😍
• longer battery life than the iPhone XS Max (or any previous iPhone) 
• the ability to upgrade to 128 gb of storage (plenty of storage for most people and still cheaper than the 64 gb XS)

The XS line: 

The XS line comes in 2 sizes: the 5.8” iPhone XS and the giant 6.5” iPhone XS Max. The iPhone XS looks virtually identical last year’s iPhone X. It now comes in gold, however, and has a faster processor and better cameras than last year. 

What you gain with the XS line:

• two cameras on the back, enabling 2x optical zoom and providing more options and slightly better results in portrait mode (Portrait mode on the front camera is identical).
• a stainless steel, shiny band around the phone. 
• an OLED screen and slightly smaller bezels
• a 512 gb storage option 
• did I mention it comes in gold? 

The XS max is identical except:

• its 6.5″ screen is the largest iPhone screen ever
• it’s larger size gives it a larger battery than the smaller XS (the XR still gets better Battey life than either)

Downsides to the XS line:

• the cheapest XS is $250 more than the XR but still only has 64 GB of storage. 
• battery life isn’t as good as the XR
• it only comes in silver, gold, and black 

For most people, the XR has everything they need and more. If you absolutely must have the largest screen possible and are willing to pay over $1k for a phone, the Max might be better. Likewise, if you need your phone to be as small as possible, you might find the XS a little more comfortable. Alternatively, one might consider looking for a good deal on a refurbished or used iPhone X.

If you still aren’t sure which phone to get, head to your nearest Apple store and ask to see them side by side. Hold each in your hand and compare the screens. Aside from price, the differences between designs are more subjective and are hard to evaluate without seeing them in person. If that sounds like too much work. Get the XR. It’s a huge upgrade from every other home-buttoned iPhone, and it comes in colors! 😍