iPhone 6S vs iPhone XR
Shop iPhone
iPhone 6S
Starting at
£32.09£149.00 new
iPhone XR
Starting at
£130.30£399.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 6S and iPhone XR?
iPhone 6S vs XR comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 6S starts at £32.09, £98.21 less than the iPhone XR. The iPhone XR is the newer model, released in 2018.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Apple A9 APL0898 on the iPhone 6S, Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm) on the iPhone XR.
- The iPhone XR has more RAM: 3 GB vs 2 GB.
- The iPhone XR has a bigger battery: 2942 mAh vs 1715 mAh.
iPhone 6S vs iPhone XR specs
The iPhone 6S and iPhone XR offer different experiences suited to different needs. The iPhone XR has a larger and sharper screen, more memory, and a stronger battery, making it suitable if you want a roomier display and longer usage between charges. The iPhone 6S is a lighter, more compact phone with a headphone jack and simpler storage options, ideal if you prefer a smaller device or want a lower priced option for everyday use. Both have similar cameras and work on 4G networks with unlocked carriers.
iPhone 6S vs iPhone XR price
Colour
iPhone 6S vs iPhone XR battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery size, software updates, and physical resilience. These factors affect how long the devices last during use and how current their software can be.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone XR has a 2942 mAh battery, which is significantly larger than the iPhone 6S's 1715 mAh. This means the iPhone XR can support longer usage between charges, which suits users who spend more time on their phone throughout the day or use power-intensive apps.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 6S vs iPhone XR performance
Performance depends on the chipset, memory, and storage options. These affect how smoothly the device runs apps and handles multiple tasks.
Chipset and RAM
The iPhone XR uses the Apple A12 Bionic chipset with 3 GB RAM, while the iPhone 6S has the Apple A9 chipset with 2 GB RAM. The extra memory and newer chipset in the iPhone XR help keep more apps open and handle demanding tasks more easily, suiting users who multitask or use performance-heavy apps.
Storage Options
The iPhone 6S comes in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB storage options. The iPhone XR offers 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB. If you need more space for apps, photos, or media, the iPhone XR provides larger storage choices.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 6S vs iPhone XR screen
Screen quality affects how you see content for browsing, watching videos, or reading. Differences here include screen size, resolution, and display type.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone XR has a larger 6.1 inch screen with a resolution of 828 x 1792, offering more space for viewing videos and apps clearly. The iPhone 6S has a smaller 4.7 inch screen at 750 x 1334 resolution, which suits those who prefer a compact device that is easier to use one-handed.
Screen Type
Both have IPS LCD screens, but the iPhone XR uses a Liquid Retina IPS LCD, which may provide a more vibrant viewing experience. This suits users who want a brighter and more colourful display.
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 6S vs iPhone XR camera
Audiovisual features focus on cameras and front-facing sensors, influencing photo quality and video calls.
Camera Quality
Both phones have a 12 megapixel main camera with a single lens. This means photo quality for daylight shots will be similar on both devices, which suits everyday photography needs.
Front Camera
The iPhone XR has a 7 megapixel front camera compared to the iPhone 6S's 5 megapixels. This makes the XR better for selfies and video calls with more detail.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 6S vs iPhone XR size and design
Miscellaneous features include physical dimensions, ports, and network compatibility, which affect usability and convenience.
Dimensions and Weight
The iPhone 6S is smaller and lighter at 138.3 mm height, 67.1 mm width, 7.1 mm depth and 143 g weight. The iPhone XR is larger and heavier, measuring 150.9 mm height, 75.7 mm width, 8.3 mm depth and weighing 194 g. Choose the 6S for a compact feel or the XR for a larger display with a more substantial build.
Connector and Audio
The iPhone 6S includes a Lightning port and a 3.5 mm headphone jack, which suits users who want to use wired headphones without an adapter. The iPhone XR offers only a Lightning connector.
SIM Card Options
The iPhone 6S uses a physical SIM only, while the iPhone XR supports both a physical SIM and eSIM. This allows the XR to handle two phone numbers or plans, which may benefit people who want separate work and personal lines.
Carrier and Network
Both phones are unlocked and support 4G networks, so they work with a wide range of UK carriers and mobile plans.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 6S or iPhone XR: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 6S if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £32.09, £98.21 less than the iPhone XR
- you want a lighter build (143 g vs 194 g)
- you want a headphone jack
Buy the iPhone XR if
- you want more RAM (3 GB vs 2 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (2942 mAh vs 1715 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.1 inch vs 4.7 inch)
What our customers say
Customers who bought the iPhone 6S often mention the phone looks like new and is in excellent condition. Many appreciate its compact size and simple good quality, which suits users wanting a straightforward smartphone. Some note the battery can vary in health, with a few experiences of low battery life, but overall it suits those needing a smaller device for everyday use. Customers also find it is easy to set up and good for gifts or as a replacement phone.
Customers of the iPhone XR report it looks like a new phone with no marks and high battery health. They highlight the larger screen size as suitable for watching content and appreciate the device's speed and ease of setup. Some mention the battery replacement may not always be an official Apple part, but the phone runs well and feels reliable. The XR suits people who want a bigger screen, more storage options, and modern features like eSIM support.
Both phones are well received for their condition and usability. The iPhone 6S fits those after a smaller, lighter phone that is simple to use, while the iPhone XR appeals to users who want a larger screen, more memory, and longer battery life.
iPhone 6S vs iPhone XR FAQs
iPhone 6S vs XR comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A9 APL0898 on the iPhone 6S, Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm) on the iPhone XR. The iPhone XR has more RAM: 3 GB vs 2 GB.
The iPhone 6S is cheaper refurbished, from £32.09 compared with £130.30 for the iPhone XR.
The iPhone XR has a bigger battery: 2942 mAh vs 1715 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 12 megapixels.
Updates for the iPhone 6S ended in Mar 2025. Its last version is iOS 15. Updates for the iPhone XR ended in Apr 2026. Its last version is iOS 18.
The iPhone XR adds more RAM (3 GB vs 2 GB), a bigger battery (2942 mAh vs 1715 mAh) and a bigger screen (6.1 inch vs 4.7 inch). Refurbished, it costs £98.21 more (from £130.30 vs £32.09).
Refurbished, the iPhone 6S comes in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB, and the iPhone XR in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB.
