Best iPhone XR deals in May

Before they let you sign up for a plan, most mobile networks will carry out a credit check. Of course, if you have bad credit, this can be a problem. But it doesn’t have to be - there are still plenty of deals you can sign up to.

So you're in the market for an iPhone XR, but don't want to break the bank? Here's some tips to help you get the most for your money.

• Compromise on storage. Do you really need 128GB? You can save substantially with lower storage editions of the XR.
• Choose a low cost network. The likes of Tesco Mobile and giffgaff offer cheaper contracts than bigger networks. Albeit with fewer extras.
• Go refurbished. Nearly-new iPhone XR deals are available and can you save you hundreds of pounds over the course of the contract.

As mentioned above, there are different ways to manage the cost of a new iPhone XR. If you’re keen to avoid paying an upfront fee and would rather spread your costs over the course of a contract, there are network suppliers which offer this option.

Suppliers refer to this a ‘free device’ which isn’t technically true - it just means you won’t pay anything upfront. However, it does mean you will pay a higher fee each month. The plus is you get a shiny new premium iPhone in your hand without first forking our hundreds of pounds.

You can compare network deals and vary the amount you’re comfortable paying upfront against the amount you pay each month.

Very much so. Now available for a very appealing price, 2018's iPhone XR offers brilliant battery life and the same striking all-screen design as the more costly XS and iPhone 11 range. While the portrait mode could be better, the front and rear cameras generally perform very well. And it's got wireless charging and comes in a selection of colours too.

Unfortunately not. The iPhone XR is not 5G-compatible, which means you won't be able to get the super-fast mobile internet speeds that some newer phones can muster. However, it does support 4G and 3G, both of which are much more widely available.

It's not waterproof. But it is water-resistant and comes with an IP 67 rating, which indicates that it can endure being in up to one meter of water for up to half an hour. As you'd expect, it can withstand splashes and exposure to rainwater too.

The iPhone XR has two cameras. These are a single-lens, 12-megapixel main camera and a seven-megapixel front camera.

The iPhone XR comes in at 6.1-inches, which means it's slightly larger than the iPhone XS but smaller than the XS Max and iPhone Pro Max.

However, because the iPhone XR has ditched the bezels (edges) that normally surround smartphone screens, Apple been able to fit a large screen in a compact handset that's just 150.9mm thick.

The XR can be charged wirelessly with charging pad (sold separately) or in hotels, cafes and airports that offer free-to-use wireless charging pads. It's not as fast as wired charging, though, so expect to wait about two hours to get a full charge.

Yes, it does. Generally phones require two rear lenses to allow you to take portrait mode photographs. However, some clever software optimisations mean that you still take depth-of-field shots with the iPhone XR, albeit the depth-effect generally isn't as striking or distinct.

The XR's front camera is also equipped with a portrait mode. So you can apply 'bokeh' effects on selfies too.