iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone XR
Shop iPhone
iPhone 15 Plus
Starting at
£439.65£799.00 new
iPhone XR
Starting at
£130.30£399.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone XR?
iPhone 15 Plus vs XR comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone XR starts at £130.30, £309.35 less than the iPhone 15 Plus. The iPhone 15 Plus is the newer model, released in 2023.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Apple A16 Bionic on the iPhone 15 Plus, Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm) on the iPhone XR.
- The iPhone 15 Plus has more RAM: 6 GB vs 3 GB.
- The iPhone 15 Plus has a bigger battery: 4383 mAh vs 2942 mAh.
iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone XR specs
The iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone XR differ in several ways that suit different types of users. The iPhone 15 Plus offers a larger and sharper screen with an OLED display, more memory, and a more advanced chipset, making it suitable for those who want a more powerful device for apps and media. Its bigger battery and 5G connectivity support longer use and faster mobile networks. The iPhone XR has a smaller screen with an LCD panel and less memory, which suits everyday tasks and users who prefer a more compact device.
iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone XR price
Colour
iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone XR battery life and software updates
Battery capacity and software updates are key for lasting use, while physical size and weight affect comfort.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 15 Plus has a 4383 mAh battery, offering longer use between charges, suited for heavy users or those who prefer fewer charging breaks. The iPhone XR has a 2942 mAh battery, suitable for everyday use and lighter tasks where frequent charging is less of an issue.
Physical Dimensions
The iPhone 15 Plus is larger and slightly heavier at 201 g and 160.9 mm tall with 77.8 mm width, offering a more substantial feel. The iPhone XR is smaller at 150.9 mm height, 75.7 mm width, and lighter at 194 g, which may suit users who prefer a more compact, easier-to-handle phone.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone XR performance
Processor speed, memory, and storage impact how smoothly a phone runs apps and handles multitasking. Both models come with a choice of storage sizes, but differ in RAM and chipset technology.
Processor Chipset
The iPhone 15 Plus uses the Apple A16 Bionic chipset built on a 4 nm process, delivering more advanced processing power that benefits users running demanding apps or multitasking. The iPhone XR uses the Apple A12 Bionic chipset on a 7 nm process, ideal for everyday tasks and standard app use.
Memory Capacity
With 6 GB of RAM, the iPhone 15 Plus keeps more apps open and handles multitasking with ease, which is helpful for users who switch between apps frequently. The iPhone XR includes 3 GB of RAM, suitable for everyday use where fewer apps are kept active simultaneously.
Storage Options
The iPhone 15 Plus is available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, offering more space for apps, photos, and videos. The iPhone XR comes in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB options, which fits users with lighter storage needs or those who use cloud storage.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone XR screen
Screen size, resolution, and type affect how clear and immersive your viewing experience is. The two models differ in size and display technology, suiting different preferences.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 15 Plus features a 6.7 inch screen with a resolution of 1290 x 2796, providing a larger and sharper display that is well suited for watching videos, browsing, and reading. The iPhone XR has a 6.1 inch screen with a resolution of 828 x 1792, offering a smaller but still comfortable size for everyday use.
Display Technology
The iPhone 15 Plus uses a Super Retina XDR OLED screen, which offers deeper blacks and more vibrant colours, enhancing media viewing and photo editing. The iPhone XR has a Liquid Retina IPS LCD screen, which provides accurate colours and good viewing angles, suitable for general use.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone XR camera
Camera quality and front camera resolution influence photo and video clarity. Both models offer unlocked versions and support physical SIM plus eSIM for flexible connectivity.
Main Camera Resolution
The iPhone 15 Plus has a 48 megapixel main camera, capturing more detail and sharper images, which benefits users who enjoy photography or detailed video recording. The iPhone XR has a 12 megapixel main camera, offering solid photo quality for everyday snapshots.
Front Camera Quality
With a 12 megapixel front camera, the iPhone 15 Plus is well suited for higher resolution selfies and video calls. The iPhone XR offers a 7 megapixel front camera, suitable for standard video chats and selfies.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone XR size and design
Connectivity options, physical design, and network support can affect how you use the phone daily. The two devices differ in their connectors, network support, and dimensions.
Connector Type
The iPhone 15 Plus uses a USB-C connector, which is common in many devices and can offer faster data transfer and charging options. The iPhone XR uses the Lightning connector, which is standard for many earlier iPhones and accessories.
Mobile Network
The iPhone 15 Plus supports 5G networks, suitable for users who want faster mobile internet speeds where 5G coverage is available. The iPhone XR supports 4G networks, which remain widely available and reliable for everyday connectivity.
SIM Card Support
Both the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone XR support a physical SIM and eSIM, providing flexibility for managing multiple numbers or plans.
Physical Dimensions and Weight
The iPhone 15 Plus measures 7.8 mm in depth, 160.9 mm in height, and 77.8 mm in width, weighing 201 g. The iPhone XR is slightly thicker at 8.3 mm depth, shorter at 150.9 mm height, narrower at 75.7 mm width, and lighter at 194 g, which may suit users preferring a less bulky phone.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 15 Plus or iPhone XR: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 15 Plus if
- you want more RAM (6 GB vs 3 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (4383 mAh vs 2942 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.7 inch vs 6.1 inch)
Buy the iPhone XR if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £130.30, £309.35 less than the iPhone 15 Plus
- you want a lighter build (194 g vs 201 g)
What our customers say
Customers who bought the iPhone 15 Plus appreciate its excellent condition and smooth performance. Many mention its large screen, good battery life, and camera quality. Some found data transfer straightforward, while others noted the phone felt a bit bigger and heavier. The switch to USB-C and 5G support are welcomed by those upgrading from earlier models. Overall, buyers express high satisfaction with the device's look and functionality.
Users of the iPhone XR highlight its very good condition and solid performance for everyday use. Several customers note the screen size is comfortable, especially for those preferring a smaller display. Battery health varies, with some mentioning replacement batteries that show warnings but still work well. The phone runs smoothly for standard tasks, and many find it good value. Setup is described as easy and reliable.
The iPhone 15 Plus suits those who want a larger, sharper screen and more power for multitasking and media. The iPhone XR fits users looking for a simpler, compact device for daily activities with adequate performance and screen size.
iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone XR FAQs
iPhone 15 Plus vs XR comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A16 Bionic on the iPhone 15 Plus, Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm) on the iPhone XR. The iPhone 15 Plus has more RAM: 6 GB vs 3 GB.
The iPhone XR is cheaper refurbished, from £130.30 compared with £439.65 for the iPhone 15 Plus.
The iPhone 15 Plus has a bigger battery: 4383 mAh vs 2942 mAh.
The iPhone 15 Plus has a higher-resolution main camera: 48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
The iPhone 15 Plus is still supported and can run iOS 27. Updates for the iPhone XR ended in Apr 2026. Its last version is iOS 18.
The iPhone 15 Plus adds more RAM (6 GB vs 3 GB), a bigger battery (4383 mAh vs 2942 mAh) and a bigger screen (6.7 inch vs 6.1 inch). Refurbished, it costs £309.35 more (from £439.65 vs £130.30).
Refurbished, the iPhone 15 Plus comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, and the iPhone XR in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB.
