OnePlus 6T vs Apple iPhone XR: Do not let their prices fool you

Announced after months of rumors and statements, the OnePlus 6T is the latest OnePlus smartphone to follow the company’s “T” line of incremental upgrades. It might share many similarities with the OnePlus 6, but the OnePlus 6T includes plenty of new features, design changes, and upgrades that might make it a worthwhile purchase.

Then again, folks might want to look at what Apple is cooking in the iPhone XR. It is not as feature-packed as the iPhone XS and XS Max, but the iPhone XR is more affordable and retains much of what makes the more expensive iPhones great.

So, here we are — two smartphones that buck the trend of the ultra-expensive smartphones that have become more prevalent in recent times. It’s easy to look at this comparison and boil it down to Android versus iOS, but the OnePlus 6T and iPhone XR show that things are not that simple.

OnePlus 6T vs iPhone XR: Similarities

Notch: The OnePlus 6T features a raindrop-like notch that is significantly smaller than notches on other smartphones. The iPhone XR’s notch is relatively wider, though it makes use of the added space with Face ID. At least you can go into the OnePlus 6T’s settings and “turn off” the notch if it bothers you that much.

Headphone jack: OnePlus was part of the dwindling guard that retained the headphone jack in its flagship smartphones. That is no more with the OnePlus 6T, which does not feature a headphone jack. The iPhone XR also makes do without the headphone jack, but at least the OnePlus 6T throws in a headphone adapter.

Glass: The OnePlus 6T and iPhone XR feature glass fronts and backs. Apple said the iPhone XR’s front panel is the “most durable glass ever in a smartphone,” while the OnePlus 6T uses Gorilla Glass 6. You are more than welcome to test any durability claims, but remember that glass is glass.

Buttons: Funny enough, the OnePlus 6T and iPhone XR feature similar button arrangements: power button on the right and volume buttons on the left. Both phones also feature alert sliders; the OnePlus 6T’s alert slider features three stages, while the iPhone XR’s has two stages.

Storage: The OnePlus 6T and iPhone XR feature 128GB and 256GB storage options, though there is a base iPhone XR model with 64GB of storage. All storage configurations are non-expandable, so look elsewhere if you want to use your microSD cards.

The OnePlus 6T and iPhone XR feature more similarities than you might imagine. Then again, one is an Android smartphone and the other runs iOS. There are bound to be differences, and boy are there differences.

OnePlus 6T vs iPhone XR: Differences

Display: You will find a 6.4-inch AMOLED display with a 2,340 x 1,080 resolution and 19.5:9 aspect ratio on the OnePlus 6T. The iPhone XR features a smaller 6.1-inch LCD display with a 1,792 x 828 resolution and 19.5:9 aspect ratio. The iPhone XR’s display resolution is certainly low for 2018, but do not let the numbers fool you: this is one of the best LCD displays around. That said, it cannot match up to the deep blacks and wide color range of the OnePlus 6T’s AMOLED display.

Audio: Both phones dropped the headphone jack, but your media consumption experience without headphones will drastically differ. The OnePlus 6T still features a single bottom-firing speaker, while the iPhone XR features a bottom-firing speaker and an earpiece that doubles as the second speaker.

IP rating: It’s weird that the OnePlus 6T features no official IP rating when so many other smartphones do, including the iPhone XR. Apple’s smartphone comes with an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance. That’s not to say the OnePlus 6T can’t survive a splash or two, but we would not use it near a pool or in the rain if we were you.

Colors: The OnePlus 6T comes in two color options: Mirror Black and Midnight Black. By comparison, the iPhone XR took a trip through a rainbow and features an impressive six colors: Black, White, Red, Yellow, Blue, and Coral. Given that OnePlus is known for putting out additional colors after its phone launches, it’s no surprise that the gorgeous Thunder Purple version was released soon after.

Charging: Both phones are capable of fast charging, but the OnePlus 6T includes a fast charger in the box. You have to buy a separate Lightning to USB Type-C cable and USB Type-C wall brick to take advantage of the iPhone XR’s fast-charge capabilities. Then again, the OnePlus 6T features a glass back and does not support wireless charging. Meanwhile, the iPhone XR supports wireless charging up to 7.5W.

Security: The OnePlus 6T features an in-display fingerprint sensor. It is the first OnePlus smartphone to feature an in-display fingerprint sensor. The iPhone XR does not feature a fingerprint sensor. Instead, it relies on Face ID for biometric authentication and payments. The OnePlus 6T also features facial recognition, but it is not nearly as secure.

Processor: It might be getting a bit long in the tooth, but the OnePlus 6T’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 is still a flagship processor that has found a home in many flagship smartphones this year. By comparison, the iPhone XR uses Apple’s A12 Bionic processor. The A12 Bionic is the first 7nm processor in a consumer product and is also found in the iPhone XS and XS Max.

RAM: You get either 6GB or 8GB of RAM on the OnePlus 6T, depending on how much storage you want. The iPhone XR comes with 3GB of RAM, though iOS tends to not need as much RAM as Android. Even so, the extra RAM on the OnePlus 6T should allow for more apps being open at the same time and improved multitasking.

Software: The OnePlus 6T thankfully runs Android 9 Pie out of the box. OnePlus promised two years of platform updates and three years of security patches for the OnePlus 6T. Meanwhile, the iPhone XR runs iOS 12 out of the box. Suffice it to say that each operating system has its strengths, weaknesses, fans, and detractors. Only you know which one you prefer.

Cameras: Even though the iPhone XR carries over the same main 12MP sensor from the iPhone XS, the OnePlus 6T features two rear cameras. Both phones feature single front cameras and portrait modes, but only the iPhone XR has a selfie portrait mode. However, the OnePlus 6T features a Nightscape Mode for night-time pictures.

Price: This is arguably where the largest disparity lives. The OnePlus 6T starts at $549 with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. You will have to cough up $579 and $629 for the 8GB/128GB and 8GB/256GB configurations, respectively. Even the most expensive OnePlus 6T is cheaper than the cheapest iPhone XR, however. The iPhone XR starts at $750 with 64GB of storage. The price bumps up to $800 or $900 if you want 128GB or 256GB of storage, respectively.

Here is a side-by-side spec comparison sheet for the OnePlus 6T and iPhone XR. Check it out and let us know in the comments if you plan to go with the OnePlus 6T, iPhone XR, or neither!

Be sure to check out our related OnePlus 6T coverage below to learn more:

• OnePlus 6T hands-on: All about trade-offs
• OnePlus 6T announced: Everything you need to know
• OnePlus 6T: Where to buy, when, and how much
• OnePlus 6T specs: Everything you wish the OnePlus 6 was (but the headphone jack)
• OnePlus 6T vs OnePlus 6: The many differences (and many similarities)