Next-Generation iPhone XR Said to Feature 4x4 MIMO Antenna Design Enabling Faster Data Speeds - MacRumors
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Next-Generation iPhone XR Said to Feature 4x4 MIMO Antenna Design Enabling Faster Data Speeds

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The next-generation iPhone XR will feature a 4x4 MIMO antenna design, according to a Barclays research note obtained by MacRumors.

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4x4 MIMO, short for multiple-input, multiple-output, has the potential to significantly improve LTE transmission by increasing the number of data paths between cellular towers and a mobile device to four. Simply put, the next iPhone XR would feature four antennas, allowing for faster data speeds.

iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models feature Gigabit-class LTE with a 4x4 MIMO antenna design, while the current iPhone XR supports 2x2 MIMO.

A few months ago, PC Magazine reported that the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max have "significantly better" LTE performance than the iPhone XR based on testing conducted by Cellular Insights and Rohde & Schwarz. The difference was especially noticeable in weak signal conditions, the results indicated.

Of course, regardless of how many antennas an iPhone has, data speeds can be affected by factors such as network congestion, distance from the tower, physical obstructions, environmental conditions, and interference.

Tag: Barclays
Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

T
TheFluffyDuck
100 months ago
I for one hope Apple get crushed in their next few quarterly reports with their price gouging.

-Budget iPhones more expensive than flagships a couple of years ago.
-"Entry level" Mac minis that cost as much as VR gaming rig or just a couple of hundred shy of an iMac.
-$500 Price hikes on MBP for no reason.
-99 Cent "Free trial" for Apple music.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
max.ine
100 months ago
Sounds nice and all, but I’d rather they keep improving Liquid Retina over anything else. As an epileptic, the OLED screens (especially with all the flickering) simply aren’t an option for me.

I’m thinking of replacing my 7 Plus this year, but I’m torn between getting the 8 Plus or the XR...
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
A
Aston441
100 months ago
Sounds nice and all, but I’d rather they keep improving Liquid Retina over anything else. As an epileptic, the OLED screens (especially with all the flickering) simply aren’t an option for me.

I’m thinking of replacing my 7 Plus this year, but I’m torn between getting the 8 Plus or the XR...
Liquid Retina is marketing babble for rounded corners.

Apple could have easily specified the high PPI they've used in the plus series of phones for the last four years.

They cheaped out and jacked the price. You got ripped off.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Stuey3D Avatar
Stuey3D
100 months ago
Let’s hope it doesn’t bring a weaker signal like the XS/Max users are complaining about with the same antenna configuration.

The XR for me so far has been fantastic for signal even outperforming my X.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
R
rmoliv
100 months ago
They keep insisting on this mediocre phone... unbelievable!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
X
xpxp2002
100 months ago
Sounds nice and all, but I’d rather they keep improving Liquid Retina over anything else. As an epileptic, the OLED screens (especially with all the flickering) simply aren’t an option for me.

I’m thinking of replacing my 7 Plus this year, but I’m torn between getting the 8 Plus or the XR...
Agree about the OLED. Wish there were an XS with an LCD like the XR.

If I were you, I’d go with the 8. It’s one generation older CPU, but 3D Touch and Touch ID outweigh the performance improvement you’ll never notice between the A11 and A12 IMO.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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