Galaxy Note8 vs iPhone XR
Shop Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy Note8
Starting at
£139.32
iPhone XR
Starting at
£130.30£399.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy Note8 and iPhone XR?
Galaxy Note8 vs iPhone XR comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone XR starts at £130.30, £9.02 less than the Galaxy Note8. The iPhone XR is the newer model, released in 2018.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Exynos 8895, Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 on the Galaxy Note8, Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm) on the iPhone XR.
- The Galaxy Note8 has more RAM: 6 GB vs 3 GB.
- The Galaxy Note8 has a bigger battery: 3300 mAh vs 2942 mAh.
Galaxy Note8 vs iPhone XR specs
The Galaxy Note8 and iPhone XR offer different strengths suited to different needs. The Galaxy Note8 has a larger, higher resolution Super AMOLED screen and more RAM, which benefits multitasking and media viewing. It has a simpler screen with lower resolution but a slightly smaller size. The Galaxy Note8 includes a microSDXC slot for expandable storage and a 3.5mm headphone jack, while the iPhone XR uses a Lightning connector. Your choice depends on whether you prioritise screen quality and multitasking or software updates and storage flexibility.
Galaxy Note8 vs iPhone XR price
Colour
Storage
Galaxy Note8 vs iPhone XR battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, operating system, and physical design. These factors influence how long you can use your device daily and stay current with software features.
Battery Capacity
The Galaxy Note8 has a 3300 mAh battery, which is larger than the iPhone XR's 2942 mAh. This suggests the Note8 could support longer use between charges, which may suit heavy users or those often away from power sources.
Operating System
The Galaxy Note8 runs Android, offering a different user experience and app ecosystem than the iPhone XR, which runs iOS. Your preference for either system will shape the device choice.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Galaxy Note8 vs iPhone XR performance
Performance is defined by the chipset, RAM, and storage options. These affect how smoothly your device runs apps and handles multitasking, as well as your capacity to store files and apps.
Chipset Power
The iPhone XR features the Apple A12 Bionic chipset built on a 7 nm process, while the Galaxy Note8 uses Exynos 8895 or Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipsets. This difference may influence how efficiently each device runs demanding apps.
Memory for Multitasking
With 6 GB of RAM, the Galaxy Note8 supports more apps running simultaneously than the iPhone XR, which has 3 GB. This suits users who switch frequently between apps or use memory-intensive applications.
Storage Choices
The iPhone XR is available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB versions, offering more storage flexibility. The Galaxy Note8 comes with 64GB but includes a microSDXC slot, allowing you to expand storage with a memory card.
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy Note8 vs iPhone XR screen
Screen quality affects how you view content. Size, resolution, and screen type contribute to clarity, colour, and the overall viewing experience.
Screen Size
The Galaxy Note8's 6.3 inch screen gives you a bit more space for watching videos or reading than the iPhone XR's 6.1 inch screen. This suits users who prefer a larger display.
Resolution and Clarity
The Galaxy Note8 offers a higher resolution of 1440 by 2960 pixels compared to the iPhone XR's 828 by 1792 pixels. This means the Note8 can display sharper and more detailed images.
Screen Technology
The Galaxy Note8 uses a Super AMOLED screen, known for vivid colours and deep contrast, while the iPhone XR has a Liquid Retina IPS LCD screen, which provides accurate colours and good viewing angles.
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy Note8 vs iPhone XR camera
Audiovisual features include the main and front cameras. These specs influence the quality of your photos and video calls.
Main Camera
Both devices have 12 megapixel main cameras, so they capture photos with similar resolution. This suits general photography needs.
Front Camera
The Galaxy Note8 has an 8 megapixel front camera, slightly higher than the iPhone XR's 7 megapixels. This may appeal to those who prioritise selfies or video calls with extra detail.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy Note8 vs iPhone XR size and design
Miscellaneous features include connectivity, physical dimensions, and storage expansion options that affect everyday usability and convenience.
Connector Type
The Galaxy Note8 offers both USB-C and a 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing use of standard headphones without an adapter. The iPhone XR uses a Lightning connector, which is standard for many Apple accessories.
Storage Expansion
The Galaxy Note8 includes a microSDXC slot for adding extra storage with a memory card. The iPhone XR does not have this slot, so you rely on its built-in storage options.
SIM Options
The iPhone XR supports both a physical SIM and an eSIM, which can be convenient for users who want multiple mobile plans without swapping cards. The Galaxy Note8 uses a physical SIM only.
Size and Weight
The Galaxy Note8 measures 162.5 mm in height, 74.8 mm in width, and weighs 195 g. The iPhone XR is slightly shorter at 150.9 mm, a bit wider at 75.7 mm, and weighs 194 g. These small differences may affect how the phone fits in your hand or pocket.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy Note8 or iPhone XR: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy Note8 if
- you want more RAM (6 GB vs 3 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (3300 mAh vs 2942 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.3 inch vs 6.1 inch)
Buy the iPhone XR if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £130.30, £9.02 less than the Galaxy Note8
- you want the newer model (2018)
What our customers say
Customers who chose the Galaxy Note8 often praise its condition, describing it as looking brand new or perfect for their needs. Many appreciate the phone's appearance and performance, though some mention battery life as a recurring concern, needing daily recharging. A few note issues with locked phones or minor initial charging warnings, but most find it a good bargain and suitable for media or multitasking.
iPhone XR customers consistently report satisfaction with the phone's condition, speed, and ease of setup. Many say their devices look like new and function well, with battery health often noted as good despite some mentioning non-original replacement batteries causing warnings. The variety of storage options and the straightforward user experience suit a wide range of users, including older people appreciating the screen size.
Overall, Galaxy Note8 buyers might value a larger, sharper screen and more RAM for multitasking, while iPhone XR users benefit from software updates, multiple storage choices, and flexible SIM options. Both sets of customers find their phones reliable for everyday use.
Galaxy Note8 vs iPhone XR FAQs
Galaxy Note8 vs iPhone XR comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Exynos 8895, Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 on the Galaxy Note8, Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm) on the iPhone XR. The Galaxy Note8 has more RAM: 6 GB vs 3 GB.
The iPhone XR is cheaper refurbished, from £130.30 compared with £139.32 for the Galaxy Note8.
The Galaxy Note8 has a bigger battery: 3300 mAh vs 2942 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 12 megapixels.
Updates for the Galaxy Note8 ended in Nov 2021. Updates for the iPhone XR ended in Apr 2026. Its last version is iOS 18.
Refurbished, the Galaxy Note8 comes in 64GB, and the iPhone XR in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB.
