Apple iPhone XR's successor to have better LTE performance

2021-09-15

Opting for the cheaper iPhone XR will not only get you a less impressive IPS display and a single-camera setup on the back, it will also have slower LTE speeds than the more expensive iPhone XS and XS Max. However, according to a Barclays research note, the next-generation iPhone XR will no longer be at a disadvantage compared to its peers.

The upcoming "budget" iPhone will feature 4x4 MIMO (multiple-input, multiple-output) antenna design, which will significantly improve the LTE reception and data transfer speeds. The current high-end iPhone XS and XS Max boast a Gigabit-class LTE with 4x4 MIMO antennas while the XR settles for a 2x2 MIMO setup.

Testings reveal that the 4x4 MIMO antenna design is mostly beneficial in areas where the reception is less than ideal.

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