iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone XR
Shop iPhone
iPhone 16 Pro
Starting at
£737.50£999.00 new
iPhone XR
Starting at
£130.30£399.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone XR?
iPhone 16 Pro vs XR comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone XR starts at £130.30, £607.20 less than the iPhone 16 Pro. The iPhone 16 Pro is the newer model, released in 2024.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Apple A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro, Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm) on the iPhone XR.
- The iPhone 16 Pro has more RAM: 8 GB vs 3 GB.
- The iPhone 16 Pro has a bigger battery: 3582 mAh vs 2942 mAh.
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone XR specs
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone XR differ in several key areas that influence what kind of user each suits. The iPhone 16 Pro offers a larger, higher resolution OLED screen and more RAM, making it better for those who want sharper visuals and smoother multitasking. It has a more powerful chipset and higher megapixel cameras, ideal if you value photography and performance. The iPhone XR features a simpler LCD screen and less memory, which works well for everyday tasks and straightforward use. Battery capacity and network technology also differ, with the iPhone 16 Pro supporting 5G and a larger battery. Your choice depends on whether you want advanced features or a device for everyday use.
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone XR price
Colour
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone XR battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, and physical design. These affect how long the device lasts between charges and how current its operating system is.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 16 Pro has a 3582 mAh battery, which is larger than the iPhone XR's 2942 mAh. This means the iPhone 16 Pro can potentially offer longer use between charges, which benefits those who rely heavily on their phone throughout the day. The iPhone XR's battery is still suitable for everyday use but might require more frequent charging under heavy use.
Operating System Support
This ensures both devices can access current features and security updates, making them reliable choices for ongoing software support.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
OS at launch
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone XR performance
Performance influences how smoothly the device handles apps and multitasking. Storage options also affect how much data and media you can keep on the device.
Chipset and RAM
The iPhone 16 Pro uses the Apple A18 Pro chipset with 8 GB of RAM, which supports smoother multitasking and better handling of demanding apps. The iPhone XR has an Apple A12 Bionic chipset with 3 GB of RAM, sufficient for everyday tasks and simpler apps. Users who run many apps at once or use intensive applications will notice the difference.
Storage Choices
The iPhone 16 Pro offers storage options ranging from 128GB up to 1TB, providing ample space for large files, apps, and media. The iPhone XR is available with 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB, which suits users with lighter storage needs or those who prefer to manage data more conservatively.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone XR screen
Screen quality impacts how content looks, from everyday browsing to watching videos and gaming. Differences in size, resolution, and screen type shape the viewing experience.
Resolution and Size
The iPhone 16 Pro features a 6.3 inch screen with a resolution of 1206 x 2622, offering a sharper and more detailed display. The iPhone XR has a 6.1 inch screen with a resolution of 828 x 1792, which is slightly smaller and less sharp. Those who value high definition visuals or use their phone for media will appreciate the iPhone 16 Pro's screen.
Screen Technology
The iPhone 16 Pro uses an LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED screen, which generally provides deeper blacks and more vibrant colours. The iPhone XR has a Liquid Retina IPS LCD screen that offers accurate colour but less contrast. Users looking for a richer visual experience will find the iPhone 16 Pro screen appealing.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone XR camera
Audiovisual features include the front and main cameras, which affect photo and video quality for selfies and shoots.
Front Camera
The iPhone 16 Pro has a 12 megapixel front camera, which captures more detail for selfies and video calls compared to the iPhone XR's 7 megapixel front camera. This suits users who prioritise clearer self-portraits or video communication.
Main Camera
With a 48 megapixel main camera, the iPhone 16 Pro captures images with greater detail and resolution than the iPhone XR's 12 megapixel main camera. This is useful for photography enthusiasts or those who want sharper, more detailed photos.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone XR size and design
This section covers connectivity, dimensions, and network technology, all of which can influence daily convenience and compatibility.
Connector Type
The iPhone XR uses a Lightning connector. The type of connector may affect compatibility with accessories and charging equipment.
Mobile Network
The iPhone 16 Pro supports 5G networks, which offers faster data speeds where available. The iPhone XR supports 4G networks, providing reliable performance for everyday browsing and streaming. Users in areas with 5G coverage may benefit from the newer network on the iPhone 16 Pro.
Dimensions and Weight
Both phones have a depth of 8.3 mm, but the iPhone 16 Pro measures 149.6 mm in height and 71.5 mm in width, while the iPhone XR is slightly taller and wider at 150.9 mm height and 75.7 mm width. The iPhone 16 Pro weighs 199 g, just a little more than the iPhone XR at 194 g. These differences affect how the phones feel in hand and pocket.
SIM Card Options
Both devices support a physical SIM and eSIM, allowing flexible mobile connectivity for users who want to manage more than one line or switch carriers easily.
Carrier Compatibility
Both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone XR come unlocked, allowing you to choose any carrier that fits your needs without restrictions.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone XR: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 16 Pro if
- you want more RAM (8 GB vs 3 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (3582 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, £607.20 less than the iPhone 16 Pro
- you want a lighter build (194 g vs 199 g)
What our customers say
Customers who bought the iPhone 16 Pro often comment on the excellent condition of the device, with many saying their phone looks and feels almost new. Battery health tends to be high, and users appreciate the smooth performance and quality of the screen and camera. Some mention initial doubts about buying refurbished but are happy with the value for money and overall experience. There are occasional reports of battery or heating issues, but these seem rare. The larger screen and better camera quality are frequently praised.
Buyers of the iPhone XR highlight its condition as looking close to new, with many satisfied by the screen size and ease of use. Battery replacements may not always be original Apple parts, which some customers note, but this does not stop the phone from running well for everyday tasks. Users find it good value and reliable, especially for those who want a dependable phone with a comfortable screen size for everyday use.
Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro is popular with users seeking higher performance, camera quality, and a sharper screen, while the iPhone XR suits those who want a dependable phone with a comfortable screen size for everyday use.
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone XR FAQs
iPhone 16 Pro vs XR comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro, Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm) on the iPhone XR. The iPhone 16 Pro has more RAM: 8 GB vs 3 GB.
The iPhone XR is cheaper refurbished, from £130.30 compared with £737.50 for the iPhone 16 Pro.
The iPhone 16 Pro has a bigger battery: 3582 mAh vs 2942 mAh.
The iPhone 16 Pro has a higher-resolution main camera: 48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
The iPhone 16 Pro 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 16 Pro adds more RAM (8 GB vs 3 GB), a bigger battery (3582 mAh vs 2942 mAh) and a bigger screen (6.3 inch vs 6.1 inch). Refurbished, it costs £607.20 more (from £737.50 vs £130.30).
Refurbished, the iPhone 16 Pro comes in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, and the iPhone XR in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB.
