Using The iPhone XR in 2025_ Honest Review! #iPhoneXR #iOS18 #CameraTest

Yo this phone was straight up iconic. Back in 2018 it hit the scene with bold colours, a crazy fast chip and a price that didn't make you flinch. It wasn't the king of its lineup but it brought premium vibes on a budget. Any guesses? I'm talking about the iPhone XR, Apple's wallet friendly star from back in the day. I just got a white one on eBay for only 90 euros in 2025, 128 gigs of storage, 79% battery health, running iOS 18. Wild deal right? So how's this 6 year old phone holding up? Is it worth your money or should you skip it? Hang with me because I'm diving into all the details especially that camera and you're going to want the full story. Let's roll. Take it back to October 2018. Apple dropped the iPhone XR alongside the fancier XS and XS Max. Starting at $749 it was the affordable pick, but don't let that fool you this thing was a beast. The A12 Bionic chip, built on a 7nm process, flew through apps and games like nobody's business. Its 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD screen popped with vibrant colors and an edge-to-edge design, even if it wasn't OLED. The back camera, a single 12-megapixel lens with an f1.8 aperture, shot 4K video at 60 frames per second and nailed portrait mode with that slick bokeh effect. The colors were fire, white, black, blue, coral, yellow, red. That coral one had everyone hyped. With a glass back, aluminum frame, IP67 water resistance and wireless charging, it felt high-end. Apple said the battery lasted up to an hour and a half longer than the iPhone 8 Plus. This phone was like, you don't need to drop a grand to feel the Apple magic. Fast forward to 2025 and I'm unboxing my eBay steal. 90 euros for a 128GB white iPhone XR. I was pumped. It showed up looking fresh, just a couple tiny scratches on the frame. The white finish is clean, almost like it came out yesterday. But that's 79% battery health. It's just under Apple's 80% sweet spot. So I was curious how it'd handle iOS 18. Performance-wise, the A12 chip still got it for daily stuff. Safari, WhatsApp, scrolling social media, it's super smooth. But crank up heavy games or video editing and it's not keeping up with newer iPhones rocking A15 or A16 chips. With 3GB of RAM, juggling a bunch of apps can get slow. The 128GB of storage is clutch though. No card slot, but I've got plenty of room for photos and videos. For basic tasks, this phone's still a champ in 2025. Battery life's a bummer. At 79% health, I'm charging it daily, sometimes twice if I'm streaming or using maps. The 2942mAh battery supports 15W fast charging, but that's sluggish compared to modern phones hitting 30W. Wireless charging's a nice bonus, works great on my cheap ad. If you're eyeing an XR, plan on spending 50-70 euros for a battery swap down the road. The 6.1-inch display looks awesome indoors, sharp at 1792x828, perfect for Netflix or photos. But in bright sunlight, ouch. The brightness can't hang with newer OLED iPhones. If you're outside a lot, you'll be squinting to see the screen. It's not a deal-breaker, but it's something to know. Now that back camera, in 2018 it was a big deal, and in 2025 it's still solid and good light. Daytime shots are vibrant, think crisp landscapes or food pics with punchy colours. Great for Instagram. The f1.8 aperture pulls in enough light for clear, detailed photos in sunny conditions. Portrait mode gives you that depth of field look, though it's not as sharp as newer iPhones. Low light's where it falls apart. No night mode, so evening or indoor shots come out grainy and flat. Video's a high point. 4K at 60 frames per second looks crisp for vlogs or quick clips. The 7-megapixel front camera's okay for selfies and calls, but it's dated compared to something like an iPhone 13. For 90 euros, the camera's good for casual snaps, not pro-level stuff. The stereo speakers are loud and clear, great for music or podcasts. They don't have the depth of newer iPhones, but they're solid for everyday use. On iOS 18, the XR feels fresh for now. It handles new features like home screen tweaks and the updated messages app without a hitch. But iOS 19? No way. Leaks from MacRumors and 9to5Mac say the XR, XS, and XS Max won't support iOS 19, expected in June 2025. That means no new features or security updates after iOS 18.5. If you want a phone for the long haul, that's a huge deal. So is this 90 euro XR worth it? Here's the deal. Pros, it's crazy cheap for an iPhone. The design's still premium. Glass, water resistance, wireless charging. The A12 chip's solid for daily tasks. 28 gigs is plenty. And iOS 18 runs great. Cons, battery life's weak. The screen's dim in sunlight. The camera struggles in low light. And no iOS 19 means it's not future-proof. For someone needing a phone for calls, texts, or light apps, maybe a backup, it's a steal. 90 euros for an iPhone? That's nuts. But if you're into gaming, serious photography, or want years of updates, save up for an iPhone 13 or 14. This white XR feels like an old favorite song. It's not perfect, but it's got charm. The 128 gigs give me space to work with, and it feels solid in hand. That battery, though, I'm already thinking about a replacement. What about you? Would you grab an XR in 2025, or go for something newer? Drop your thoughts in the comments. I read every single one. If you liked this, hit that like button, subscribe, and tap the bell for more tech reviews. Thanks for sticking around. You're the real deal. Catch you in the next one. Peace. Oh, and if you're scouring eBay for deals, check that battery health. Later.