The Legendary yet Affordable iPhone XR Still Reigns as the Budget iPhone King

Released in 2018, the iPhone XR shattered sales records for its combination of an affordable price and robust feature set. And even today, the iconic iPhone XR still retains immense value as a budget-friendly option, despite its venerable age. Let's explore why the iPhone XR remains an appealing, low-cost iPhone years after its debut.

The XR Defied the Odds with Premium Style at apalatable Price

When Apple unveiled its new iPhone lineup in 2018, including the futuristic iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, the lower-priced iPhone XR seemed like an afterthought. With its LCD display instead of OLED, single rear camera, and colorful plastic frame, the XR appeared inferior next to its polished glass and steel siblings.

But the XR turned expectations on their head. It outsold the XS and XS Max handily thanks to its tantalizing mix of premium features at an accessible price point. Despite its compromises, the XR delivered a stunning 6.1" Liquid Retina display with slim bezels, zippy Face ID authentication, and the same industry-leading A12 Bionic chip as the pricier models.

The appeal of a modern nearly all-screen iPhone design without the steep $999+ price tag made the XR a runaway success. It quickly became the world's top-selling smartphone, proving budget didn't have to mean lackluster.

Current Used Prices Make the XR an Unbelievable Value

Today in late 2022, a used iPhone XR can be purchased for around just $220 to $320 for the 64GB model in good condition. Even the 128GB version can be found for only about $100 more. Considering brand new iPhones now cost $799 or higher, finding a fully functional iPhone XR for under $350 is an incredible bargain.

At those inexpensive used prices, the XR provides a staggering amount of value:

Sleek bezel-less design with 6.1" LCD nearly identical to the iPhone 11 display still sold new today.
The industry-leading A12 Bionic processor, which remains extremely fast and responsive even in 2022. Capable of handling iOS updates for years to come.
All-day battery life thanks to the power efficiency of the LCD display.
IP67 dust and water resistance.
Wireless charging support.
Face ID secure biometric authentication, far more advanced than Touch ID.
High-quality 12MP rear camera with portrait mode capabilities.
4K video recording with stereo audio.

For most users, the iPhone XR remains highly capable of meeting their daily needs at a fraction of the price of current models. It's a testament to Apple's industry-leading processor design and software optimization capabilities.

The XR Design Still Stands the Test of Time

The iPhone XR introduced an all-screen front design with slim bezels that remains visually striking and contemporary even four years after its release. Apple used essentially the same design language on the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 mini, demonstrating the long-lasting appeal.

With its colorful aluminum and glass enclosure available in fun colors like coral, blue, and yellow, the XR exudes charm and personality. The more playful, poppy aesthetic serves as a refreshing contrast to the stoic seriousness of the high-end stainless steel and neutral tones of the XS models.

For those who want an affordable iPhone but don't care for the staid minimalism of the newer iPhone SE, the XR's retro-yet-modern styling offers the perfect balance of expressive design, nostalgia, and value. It's eye-catching without feeling frivolous or flashy.

Serious Longevity Thanks to Apple's Software Support

Another advantage of going with an older generation iPhone is that Apple provides software updates for at least 5 years after initial release. Despite being unveiled in 2018, the iPhone XR is guaranteed to receive iOS updates from Apple until September 2023 at minimum.

In fact, given the extended support for the iPhone 6S, the XR will likely continue receiving updates for a couple additional years beyond the minimum period. This ensures owners will get full access to the latest iOS features and security patches for far longer than any Android phone.

The longevity provided by Apple software support adds tremendous upside to purchasing a used iPhone XR, offering peace of mind you'll be able to use it reliably and safely for many more years. It helps offset the risks associated with buying an older device.

Camera Still Delivers Great Shots in Good Lighting

One of the few drawbacks of the iPhone XR was its single 12MP f/1.8 wide camera compared to the dual camera systems on iPhone XS and later models. But while the XR misses out on 2x optical zoom and portrait mode for non-human subjects, its main camera utilitizes the same sensor and image processing tech as the XS.

This means the XR remains capable of taking fantastic photos and portraits in optimal lighting conditions. Pictures show impressive detail, color accuracy, and dynamic range. Unless you constantly shoot in low light or require maximum optical zoom flexibility, the XR camera still impresses.

For social sharing, keepsakes, and other casual photography uses, the XR stands the test of time and delivers the photographic excellence people expect from iPhone. The portrait mode in particular does an amazing job of isolating the subject and blurring the background aesthetically.

The Perfect Entry-Level iOS Experience

In an era when new iPhones breach the $1000 threshold, the used iPhone XR provides the most accessible entry point into the Apple ecosystem. For customers seeking their first iPhone, the XR offers an exceptional way to get a taste of iOS and Apple's ecosystem without mortgaging your house.

Between Apple's user-friendly software design, expansive App Store, iMessage functionality, and intuitive gestures like swiping between apps, the XR offers the full iPhone experience for an unbeatable price. It's perfect for kids, secondary device users, or anyone curious to try iPhone for the first time.

While the latest generation iPhones boast impressive new capabilities, much of Apple's mobile magic stems from its ecosystem integration and human-centric software. The XR delivers those core software strengths at a hard-to-beat price that newcomers will appreciate.

Still a Contender in 2022

When a device remains not just functional but legitimately good years beyond its release, that's an undeniable testament to its quality and design. The iPhone XR exemplifies this with its superlative blend of software, hardware engineering, and outside-the-box industrial design.

While newer iPhone models understandably capture the hype and headlines now, savvy shoppers recognize the immense enduring value offered by the humble XR. For the bargain hunter who cares more about price/performance than specs, the XR is a budget warrior that can still hang with the best in 2022.