The iPhone 11 (iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max) was unveiled on September 10, 2019, and released on September 20, 2019.
But is the iPhone 11 still worth buying in 2022?
These days, the iPhone 11 will be a few generations behind Apple’s most recent phone models.
However, older phones are still viable options for many people who don’t feel that they need all of the latest bells and whistles on their phones.
Overall, the iPhone doesn’t change too much from year to year or model to model.
So is it really necessary to buy the latest when you can get something that’s still really good at a discount?
Let’s take a look at the iPhone 11 and see if it’s the best fit for your needs.
Table of Contents
iPhone 11: Overview
The iPhone 11 is an upgrade on the iPhone XR and the overall iPhone X (iPhone 10) series.
It’s basically a slightly more premium-looking and high-spec version of that phone, with a faster chip and better cameras.
What does this mean for you? Well, it depends on what your needs are.
For people who need to be able to use their phones as work machines, the addition of USB C is nice (USB C can connect to external monitors). It also comes with wireless charging capabilities.
For gamers or anyone looking for smoother frame rates when playing videos or games, Apple claims that there is up to 50 percent faster processing in comparison to its predecessor.
These improvements might matter if you’re planning on keeping this model for several years. The iPhone 11 is one of those phones that if you do make the commitment, you’re probably planning on holding it for more than two years.
However, if you’re not planning on keeping your phone for more than a couple years, then it might not be worth the cost.
iPhone 11: Camera Quality
One reason that people love Apple phones is because of their camera quality.
The iPhone 11 comes with many of the same features as other current models, including an A13 Bionic chip (which should help make photos appear sharper and cleaner).
But where this model really shines is in its three rear cameras, which allow you to take photos in true black and white or play around with bokeh effects.
It also offers 2x optical zoom if you want to get closer to your subject without losing the clarity that digital zooming often creates.
The front-facing camera has 7 megapixels (the same as the iPhone XR).
If you’re primarily interested in having excellent photos, then the iPhone 11 might be a good choice.
You’ll also get fast Face ID and gesture controls that will allow you to unlock your phone and switch between apps with ease.
iPhone 11 Design, Size, and Display
There’s not a huge difference in the size and design between this and other Apple models.
However, it is slightly thinner (6.9 millimeters) and lighter (195 grams), which might be important to you if you’re thinking of keeping your phone in your pocket for several hours each day.
The display has also been upgraded with better color quality, brighter images, and low power consumption.
You can choose either 6.1 inches or 6.5 inches depending on which phone best fits your lifestyle, but both are larger than iPhone XR screens.
A couple of features that are missing from the screen are true tone technology and an edge-to-edge design.
These were present on previous models but were removed to help make room for the cameras. If these were important to you, then this might not be the phone for you.
iPhone 11: Battery Life and Charging Time
Perhaps one of the biggest selling points of any Apple model is that you’ll rarely have to worry about your smartphone dying on you at a crucial moment.
The iPhone 11 offers up to 1 hour more battery life than the previous model, thanks to its A13 Bionic chip.
This means an estimated 7 hours on an internet browser and 13 hours using Wi-Fi video streaming. (Of course, as you use the phone more, the
Another reason why iPhone batteries are so good is that they charge quickly (this model should recharge up to 50 percent in 30 minutes).
However, it requires a USB C to do so, so you’ll have to get new cables if you don’t have them already. One comes in the box.
If you spend a lot of time on your phone every day and are frustrated by constantly having to recharge it, then this is definitely a good phone for you.
Video playback:
- Up to 17 hours
Video playback (streamed):
- Up to 10 hours
Audio playback:
- Up to 65 hours
Fast‑charge capable:
- Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher (sold separately)
- Built-in rechargeable lithium‑ion battery
- Wireless charging (works with Qi chargers)
- Charging via USB to computer system or power adapter
iPhone 11: Price
Apple tends to keep its prices consistent across models instead of offering deep discounts.
That means that the base model will cost you less than $600 renewed if bought through Amazon. This price includes 128 GB of storage space.
iPhone 11 (base model)
iPhone 11 Pro
Apple has also released the iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max , which might be better fits for some users’ needs.
The iPhone 11 Pro that goes all the way up to 256 GB of storage should cost under $700 most of the time.
iPhone 11 Pro Max
The iPhone 11 Pro Max will usually run under $800.
What’s the difference between the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12??
The iPhone 11 includes Apple’s A13 Bionic processor, while the iPhone 12 includes Apple’s A14 Bionic processor, offering faster speeds that improve the camera and browsing experience.
The 11 and 12 offer many of the same upgrades as their 11 and 11 Max counterparts, like a faster processor and improved cameras.
However, they lack true black and white photo options, the ability to zoom in on objects without losing clarity, and less battery life than the iPhone 11/11 Pro models.
What’s the difference between the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max?
The major upgrades between these two phone models include a better camera, increased storage space, and support for 4K HDR video recording at 60fps.
The phones also have a higher resolution screen with a 90 Hz refresh rate that makes it easier to watch fast-paced videos or play games without any lag or stuttering.
In addition to all these great new features, Apple also offers their best smartphone display yet with the iPhone 11 Pro Max! It’s similar to what you can find on Apple’s 10th anniversary iPhone X.
iPhone 11 Software
Originally iOS 13, now iOS 15+ (including Group Facetime, new emojis, and screen time management tools)
iOS is the default operating system on all Apple models. It offers several advantages over Android phones, including easy-to-read text instead of pixelated graphics, improved safety features for children, and customizable widgets.
However, you might not like that it doesn’t support some apps that are available on Android systems.
iPhone 11 FAQ
If you run into any issues with your new iPhone 11, then here are some troubleshooting steps to help get you back on track.
How do I maximize privacy using the iPhone 11?
Apple has taken all precautions necessary to protect your privacy while using their phones.
All data is encrypted by default and locked away in the A11 Bionic chip that powers the device, making it extremely difficult for anyone to inspect it without knowing your passcode.
For even more privacy, Apple allows users to set up a passcode-free facial recognition system called Face ID.
This digital system creates a personalized password based on measurements of the user’s face instead of anything they might have written down or memorized.
The iPhone 11 also comes with a quick scan feature, which lets you simply place your finger on the scanner instead of typing your passcode.
If you have Touch ID enabled, then you’ll only need to press your finger over the scanner for a few seconds before unlocking it.
Apple has also included USB-C checking and triage to help further prevent threats from entering your phone without permission.
Is there a way to clear space on my iPhone 11?
The easiest way to free up storage space is by deleting unnecessary files that accumulate through multiple downloads or uploads to social media apps like Facebook and Instagram.
Bulk removal of these types of data will reduce storage space by up to seven additional GB every time you clear them.
You can also transfer files to your computer or opt for an external hard drive like the WD My Passport, which will allow you to store large files in one place and access them on the go.
What are some tips for getting the most out of my phone?
The iPhone 11 is faster than ever thanks to its A13 Bionic chip, which offers a more powerful camera experience, longer battery life, and less lag time between opening apps.
Apple has loaded its new devices with sensors that detect when it’s being charged so that they prioritize charging speed over battery life once plugged in.
A fast-charge system lets users charge their phones up to 50 percent within 30 minutes while maintaining background functions.
Apple’s AirPower wireless charging pad, which launched alongside its new iPhones in September 2018, allows users to charge multiple devices at once while maintaining battery life on all of them.
Amazon has variations of them:
Which iPhone model should I get?
If you’re looking for a phone to use throughout the day without having to worry about charging it every few hours or wanting something with an edge-to-edge screen design, then the iPhone 11 is the best option for you.
You’ll have easy access to the company’s updated iOS 15 software, which is available for download on all new Apple phones after they’re launched.
iOS 15 provides various features that are sure to improve your phone experience, including the ability to block phone numbers and more tightly secure your iPhone with advanced passcode protection.
The iPhone 11 Pro offers top-of-the-line hardware specifications, including a triple rear camera system for better photo quality, updated battery life, and facial recognition technology.
Conclusion: Should you buy an iPhone 11 in 2022?
The iPhone 11 is an incremental upgrade on the iPhone X (iPhone 10) and not worth paying for if your current model of that phone works perfectly fine.
However, if you need faster processing or better cameras, then the iPhone 11 might be worth looking into as a way to get a newer iPhone without breaking the bank on one of the latest models.
Appendix: iPhone 11 Features & Specs
Below we have a long list of iPhone 11 features and specs for all three models:
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone 11
Capacity
- 64 GB
- 128 GB
Display
- Liquid Retina HD display
- 6.1‑inch (diagonal) all-screen LCD Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
- 1792‑by‑828‑pixel resolution at 326 ppi
- 1400:1 contrast ratio (typical)
- True Tone display
- Wide color display (P3)
- Haptic Touch
- 625 nits max brightness (typical)
- Fingerprint‑resistant oleophobic coating
- Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously
Chip
- A13 Bionic chip
- 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores
- 4-core GPU
- 8-core Neural Engine
Camera
- Dual 12MP Wide and Ultra Wide cameras
- Wide: ƒ/1.8 aperture
- Ultra Wide: ƒ/2.4 aperture and 120° field of view
- 2x optical zoom out
- Digital zoom up to 5x
- Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control
- Portrait Lighting with six effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, High-Key Mono)
- Optical image stabilization (Wide)
- Six‑element lens (Wide); five‑element lens (Ultra Wide)
- True Tone flash with Slow Sync
- Panorama (up to 63MP)
- Sapphire crystal lens cover
- 100% Focus Pixels (Wide)
- Night mode (Wide)
- Deep Fusion (Wide)
- Next-generation Smart HDR for photos
- Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos
- Advanced red‑eye correction
- Auto image stabilization
- Burst mode
- Photo geotagging
- Image formats captured: HEIF and JPEG
Video Recording
- 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
- 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
- 720p HD video recording at 30 fps
- Extended dynamic range for video up to 60 fps
- Optical image stabilization for video (Wide)
- 2x optical zoom out
- Digital zoom up to 3x
- Audio zoom
- True Tone flash
- QuickTake video
- Slo‑mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps
- Time‑lapse video with stabilization
- Cinematic video stabilization (4K, 1080p, and 720p)
- Continuous autofocus video
- Take 8MP still photos while recording 4K video
- Playback zoom
- Video formats recorded: HEVC and H.264
- Stereo recording
TrueDepth Camera
- 12MP camera
- ƒ/2.2 aperture
- Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control
- Portrait Lighting with six effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, High‑Key Mono)
- Animoji and Memoji
- 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
- 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
- Slo‑mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps
- Next‑generation Smart HDR for photos
- Extended dynamic range for video at 30 fps
- Cinematic video stabilization (4K, 1080p, and 720p)
- QuickTake video
- Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos
- Retina Flash
- Auto image stabilization
- Burst mode
Cellular and Wireless
Model A2111
- FDD‑LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 66, 71)
- TD‑LTE (Bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48)
- CDMA EV‑DO Rev. A (800, 1900 MHz)
- UMTS/HSPA+/DC‑HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
All models
- Gigabit-class LTE with 2×2 MIMO and LAA6
- 802.11ax Wi‑Fi 6 with 2×2 MIMO
- Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology
- Ultra Wideband chip for spatial awareness7
- NFC with reader mode
- Express Cards with power reserve
Location
- Built-in GPS/GNSS
- Digital compass
- Wi‑Fi
- Cellular
- iBeacon microlocation
Location
- Built-in GPS/GNSS
- Digital compass
- Wi‑Fi
- Cellular
- iBeacon microlocation
Video Calling
- FaceTime video calling over cellular or Wi‑Fi
- FaceTime HD (1080p) video calling over Wi‑Fi
- Share experiences like movies, TV, music, and other apps in a FaceTime call with SharePlay
- Screen sharing
- Portrait mode in FaceTime video
- Spatial audio
- Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum microphone modes
- Zoom with rear‑facing camera
Audio Calling
- FaceTime audio
- Voice over LTE (VoLTE)
- Wi‑Fi calling
- Share experiences like movies, TV, music, and other apps in a FaceTime call with SharePlay
- Screen sharing
- Spatial audio
- Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum microphone modes
Audio Playback
- Audio formats supported: AAC‑LC, HE‑AAC, HE‑AAC v2, Protected AAC, MP3, Linear PCM, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital (AC‑3), Dolby Digital Plus (E‑AC‑3), Dolby Atmos, and Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX, and AAX+)
- Spatial audio playback
- User‑configurable maximum volume limit
Video Playback
- Video formats supported: HEVC, H.264, MPEG‑4 Part 2, and Motion JPEG
- Supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG
- Up to 4K HDR AirPlay for mirroring, photos, and video out to Apple TV (2nd generation or later) or AirPlay 2‑enabled smart TV
- Video mirroring and video out support: Up to 1080p through Lightning Digital AV Adapter and Lightning to VGA Adapter (adapters sold separately)9
Siri
- Use your voice to send messages, set reminders, and more
- Activate hands‑free with only your voice using “Hey Siri”
- Use your voice to run shortcuts from your favorite apps
Size and weight
External Buttons and Connectors
Built-in apps
Free Apps from Apple
In the Box
iPhone 11 Pro
Finish
- Gold
- Space Gray
- Silver
- Midnight Green
Capacity1
- 64GB
- 256GB
- 512GB
Size and Weight
- Width: 2.81 inches (71.4 mm)
- Height: 5.67 inches (144.0 mm)
- Depth: 0.32 inch (8.1 mm)
- Weight: 6.63 ounces (188 grams)
Display
- Super Retina XDR display
- 5.8‑inch (diagonal) all‑screen OLED Multi‑Touch display
- HDR display
- 2436‑by-1125‑pixel resolution at 458 ppi
- 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (typical)
- True Tone display
- Wide color display (P3)
- Haptic Touch
- 800 nits max brightness (typical): 1200 nits max brightness (HDR)
- Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
- Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously
The iPhone 11 Pro display has rounded corners that follow a curved design. These corners are within a standard rectangle. When measured as a standard rectangular shape, the screen is 5.85 inches diagonally (the actual viewable area is less).
Splash, Water, and Dust Resistant
- Rated IP68 (maximum depth of 4 meters up to 30 minutes) under IEC standard 60529
Chip
- A13 Bionic chip
- Third-generation Neural Engine
Camera
- Triple 12MP Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto cameras
- Ultra Wide: ƒ/2.4 aperture and 120° field of view
- Wide: ƒ/1.8 aperture
- Telephoto: ƒ/2.0 aperture
- 2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; digital zoom up to 10x
- Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control
- Portrait Lighting with six effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, High-Key Mono)
- Dual optical image stabilization (Wide and Telephoto)
- Five‑element lens (Ultra Wide); six-element lens (Wide and Telephoto)
- Brighter True Tone flash with Slow Sync
- Panorama (up to 63MP)
- Sapphire crystal lens cover
- 100% Focus Pixels (Wide)
- Night mode
- Auto Adjustments
- Next‑generation Smart HDR for photos
- Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos
- Advanced red‑eye correction
- Photo geotagging
- Auto image stabilization
- Burst mode
- Image formats captured: HEIF and JPEG
Video Recording
- 4K video recording at 24 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
- 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps or 60 fps
- 720p HD video recording at 30 fps
- Extended dynamic range for video up to 60 fps
- Optical image stabilization for video (Wide and Telephoto)
- 2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; digital zoom up to 6x
- Audio zoom
- Brighter True Tone flash
- QuıckTake video with subject tracking
- Slo‑mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps
- Time‑lapse video with stabilization
- Cinematic video stabilization (4K, 1080p, and 720p)
- Continuous autofocus video
- Take 8MP still photos while recording 4K video
- Playback zoom
- Video formats recorded: HEVC and H.264
- Stereo recording
TrueDepth Camera
- 12MP camera
- ƒ/2.2 aperture
- Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control
- Portrait Lighting with six effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, High-Key Mono)
- Animoji and Memoji
- 4K video recording at 24 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
- 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps or 60 fps
- Slo-mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps
- Next-generation Smart HDR for photos
- Extended dynamic range for video at 30 fps
- Cinematic video stabilization (4K, 1080p, and 720p)
- Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos
- Retina Flash
- Auto image stabilization
- Burst mode
Face ID
- Enabled by TrueDepth camera for facial recognition
iPhone 11 Pro Max
Finish
- Gold
- Space Gray
- Silver
- Midnight Green
Capacity
- 64GB
- 256GB
- 512GB
Size and Weight
- Width: 3.06 inches (77.8 mm)
- Height: 6.22 inches (158.0 mm)
- Depth: 0.32 inch (8.1 mm)
- Weight: 7.97 ounces (226 grams)
Display
- Super Retina XDR display
- 6.5‑inch (diagonal) all‑screen OLED Multi‑Touch display
- HDR display
- 2688‑by-1242‑pixel resolution at 458 ppi
- 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (typical)
- True Tone display
- Wide color display (P3)
- Haptic Touch
- 800 nits max brightness (typical): 1200 nits max brightness (HDR)
- Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
- Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously
The iPhone 11 Pro Max display has rounded corners that follow a curved design. These corners are within a standard rectangle. When measured as a standard rectangular shape, the screen is 6.46 inches diagonally (the actual viewable area is less).
Splash, Water, and Dust Resistant
- Rated IP68 (maximum depth of 4 meters up to 30 minutes) under IEC standard 60529
Chip
- A13 Bionic chip
- Third-generation Neural Engine
Camera
- Triple 12MP Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto cameras
- Ultra Wide: ƒ/2.4 aperture and 120° field of view
- Wide: ƒ/1.8 aperture
- Telephoto: ƒ/2.0 aperture
- 2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; digital zoom up to 10x
- Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control
- Portrait Lighting with six effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, High-Key Mono)
- Dual optical image stabilization (Wide and Telephoto)
- Five‑element lens (Ultra Wide); six-element lens (Wide and Telephoto)
- Brighter True Tone flash with Slow Sync
- Panorama (up to 63MP)
- Sapphire crystal lens cover
- 100% Focus Pixels (Wide)
- Night mode
- Auto Adjustments
- Next‑generation Smart HDR for photos
- Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos
- Advanced red‑eye correction
- Photo geotagging
- Auto image stabilization
- Burst mode
- Image formats captured: HEIF and JPEG
Video Recording
- 4K video recording at 24 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
- 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps or 60 fps
- 720p HD video recording at 30 fps
- Extended dynamic range for video up to 60 fps
- Optical image stabilization for video (Wide and Telephoto)
- 2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; digital zoom up to 6x
- Audio zoom
- Brighter True Tone flash
- QuıckTake video with subject tracking
- Slo‑mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps
- Time‑lapse video with stabilization
- Cinematic video stabilization (4K, 1080p, and 720p)
- Continuous autofocus video
- Take 8MP still photos while recording 4K video
- Playback zoom
- Video formats recorded: HEVC and H.264
- Stereo recording
TrueDepth Camera
- 12MP camera
- ƒ/2.2 aperture
- Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control
- Portrait Lighting with six effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, High-Key Mono)
- Animoji and Memoji
- 4K video recording at 24 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
- 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps or 60 fps
- Slo-mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps
- Next-generation Smart HDR for photos
- Extended dynamic range for video at 30 fps
- Cinematic video stabilization (4K, 1080p, and 720p)
- Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos
- Retina Flash
- Auto image stabilization
- Burst mode