iPhone XR hands-on: Colorful phones make a great first impression

We take an early look at what sets the iPhone XR apart from the XS.

Bridget Carey Principal Video Producer

Bridget Carey is an award-winning reporter who helps you level-up your life -- while having a good time geeking out. Her exclusive CNET videos get you behind the scenes as she covers new trends, experiences and quirky gadgets. Her weekly video show, "One More Thing," explores what's new in the world of Apple and what's to come. She started as a reporter at The Miami Herald with syndicated newspaper columns for product reviews and social media advice. Now she's a mom who also stays on top of toy industry trends and robots. (Kids love robots.)

Expertise Consumer technology, Apple, Google, Samsung, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, social media, mobile, robots, future tech, immersive technology, toys, culture Credentials

Bridget has spent over 18 years as a consumer tech reporter, hosting daily tech news shows and writing syndicated newspaper columns. She's often a guest on national radio and television stations, including ABC, CBS, CNBC and NBC.

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Bridget Carey

Oct. 22, 2018 5:30 a.m. PT

Our full review of the iPhone XR is here. How does it compare to the iPhone XS and Pixel 3? We answer that and much more in our exhaustive review.

When Apple announced its new batch of iPhones last month, the iPhone XS and XS Max were the stars of the show and first to go on sale. Now the spotlight turns to the iPhone XR . The colorful new sibling in the iPhone family shaves a few features from the XS spec sheet. But its price -- starting at $749 (£749, AU$1,229) -- is considerably less, too.

Apple invited me to check out the iPhone XR for a brief test drive this week. Check out my first impressions in the video above.

The iPhone XR is available for preorder now, and it hits stores on Friday, Oct. 26.

Until then, check out our previous coverage of the iPhone XR:

And read up on the iPhone XS and XS Max, which are already available: