iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone XR
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iPhone 17 Pro
Starting at
£1,074.24£1,099.00 new
iPhone XR
Starting at
£130.30£399.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone XR?
iPhone 17 Pro vs XR comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone XR starts at £130.30, £943.94 less than the iPhone 17 Pro. The iPhone 17 Pro is the newer model, released in 2025.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) on the iPhone 17 Pro, Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm) on the iPhone XR.
- The iPhone 17 Pro has more RAM: 12 GB vs 3 GB.
- Battery: 3998 mAh, 4252 mAh on the iPhone 17 Pro, 2942 mAh on the iPhone XR.
iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone XR specs
The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone XR differ in many areas that suit different users. The iPhone 17 Pro offers a larger, sharper screen and more powerful performance with more RAM and a newer chipset, ideal for content creation and multitasking. It also has bigger batteries and 5G connectivity for longer use and faster networks. The iPhone XR provides a good screen size and resolution for everyday use and comes with physical SIM support, suited for users comfortable with simpler performance and 4G networks. Storage options vary widely, with the iPhone 17 Pro available in larger capacities. The choice depends on your needs, whether you want advanced features or a simpler, reliable phone for daily tasks.
iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone XR price
Colour
iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone XR battery life and software updates
Battery capacity and software support are key parts of durability. The iPhone 17 Pro has a notably larger battery capacity, which can affect how long you use the phone between charges.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 17 Pro has a battery capacity between 3998 mAh and 4252 mAh, which is substantially larger than the iPhone XR's 2942 mAh. This means the iPhone 17 Pro can potentially offer longer battery life, making it suitable for heavy users or those who spend long hours away from charging points.
Operating System Support
This ensures continued access to new features and security improvements regardless of which phone you choose.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone XR performance
Performance differences come down to the chipset, RAM, and storage options. The iPhone 17 Pro has a more advanced chipset and significantly more RAM, supporting demanding apps and multitasking. Storage options also differ in size and variety.
Processor and RAM
The iPhone 17 Pro uses the Apple A19 Pro chipset built on 3 nm technology and includes 12 GB of RAM. This supports smoother multitasking and intensive apps, which benefits users who run many apps at once or use high-performance tasks. The iPhone XR has the Apple A12 Bionic chipset with 3 GB of RAM, suited for everyday use and standard apps.
Storage Options
The iPhone 17 Pro comes in storage sizes of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, which suits users who need ample space for apps, media, and files. The iPhone XR offers 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB options, fitting users with more basic storage needs.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone XR screen
Screen quality affects how you view content and interact with your phone. The iPhone 17 Pro features higher resolution and a newer screen technology, while the iPhone XR offers a slightly smaller screen with a different display type.
Resolution and Size
The iPhone 17 Pro has a resolution of 2622x1206 on a 6.3 inch screen, providing a sharp and detailed display that is well suited for watching videos or editing photos. The iPhone XR has an 828 x 1792 resolution on a 6.1 inch screen, which works well for everyday viewing and is comfortable for reading and browsing.
Screen Technology
The iPhone 17 Pro uses a Super Retina XDR screen, known for bright colours and deep contrast. The iPhone XR uses a Liquid Retina IPS LCD screen, which delivers accurate colours and good visibility, suitable for general use.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone XR camera
Camera quality influences photos and video calls. The iPhone 17 Pro offers higher resolution cameras front and back, making it a better fit for photography enthusiasts and content creators.
Main Camera Resolution
The iPhone 17 Pro has a 48 megapixel main camera, capturing more detail in photos and videos. The iPhone XR has a 12 megapixel main camera, which works well for everyday photos and social media sharing.
Front Camera Resolution
The iPhone 17 Pro features an 18 megapixel front camera, suitable for higher quality selfies and video calls. The iPhone XR comes with a 7 megapixel front camera, which is fine for standard video calls and casual selfies.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone XR size and design
Other features include connectivity, size, and physical differences. The iPhone 17 Pro offers more modern connectivity and storage formats, while the iPhone XR includes a physical SIM and a slightly different size and weight.
Network and SIM
The iPhone 17 Pro supports 5G connectivity and uses an eSIM, offering faster network speeds and a more streamlined SIM setup. The iPhone XR supports 4G and comes with both a physical SIM and eSIM, allowing traditional SIM card use.
Connector Type
The iPhone 17 Pro uses a USB-C connector, which is common for many modern devices. The iPhone XR has a Lightning connector, consistent with earlier iPhone models.
Size and Weight
The iPhone 17 Pro measures 150 mm in height, 71.9 mm in width, and 8.8 mm in depth, weighing 206 g. The iPhone XR is slightly taller at 150.9 mm, wider at 75.7 mm, and thinner at 8.3 mm, weighing 194 g. These differences may affect how the phones feel in your hand or pocket.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone XR: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 17 Pro if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 3 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (6.3 inch vs 6.1 inch)
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
Buy the iPhone XR if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £130.30, £943.94 less than the iPhone 17 Pro
- you want a lighter build (194 g vs 206 g)
What our customers say
Customers who chose the iPhone 17 Pro often highlight its excellent condition with spotless bodies and batteries at 100% health. Several mention the phone feels like new, with perfect screens and no scratches, making it suitable for students, content creators, or those upgrading from similar models. Users appreciate the clear, bright display and the phone's size fitting comfortably in pockets. The 17 Pro's performance and battery life are praised, supporting heavy use and multitasking.
Reviews for the iPhone XR focus on its reliable performance and good condition. Many customers say the phone looks like new with no marks and works well. The screen size suits users who prefer a moderate display, including older users. Battery replacements are sometimes noted as not genuine Apple parts but without affecting overall satisfaction. The XR appeals to those wanting a straightforward, dependable device for everyday tasks.
Overall, the iPhone 17 Pro suits users wanting higher performance, larger storage, and advanced audiovisual features, while the iPhone XR fits those who need a solid, simpler phone with comfortable size and good condition.
iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone XR FAQs
iPhone 17 Pro vs XR comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) on the iPhone 17 Pro, Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm) on the iPhone XR. The iPhone 17 Pro has more RAM: 12 GB vs 3 GB.
The iPhone XR is cheaper refurbished, from £130.30 compared with £1074.24 for the iPhone 17 Pro.
The iPhone 17 Pro has 3998 mAh, 4252 mAh and the iPhone XR has 2942 mAh.
The iPhone 17 Pro has a higher-resolution main camera: 48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
The iPhone 17 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 17 Pro adds more RAM (12 GB vs 3 GB), a bigger screen (6.3 inch vs 6.1 inch) and a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels). Refurbished, it costs £943.94 more (from £1074.24 vs £130.30).
Refurbished, the iPhone 17 Pro comes in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, and the iPhone XR in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB.
