Apple iPhone 11 review
The Apple iPhone 11 is the most affordable model in the 11 series, succeeding last year's 10r. Despite being the budget option, it still boasts some impressive features. The phone's design has been slightly updated with new color options and a glossy finish, but it remains largely similar to its predecessor. The display is also unchanged from last year's model, featuring a 6.1-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2536 pixels. While not as vibrant as the OLED screens on higher-end models, it still provides good color accuracy and decent brightness levels. Performance-wise, the iPhone 11 delivers world-class results, thanks to Apple's A13 Bionic chip. Camera quality is also impressive, particularly in low-light conditions, where the phone's Night mode feature excels. The ultra-wide-angle camera, however, falls short of expectations, with poor image quality and lack of detail. Battery life has been improved, with the iPhone 11 offering a full day of use on a single charge. Stereo speakers are also a nice touch, providing decent sound quality for music and video playback. While it's not without its shortcomings – including no frosted glass back and the absence of a proper charger in the box – the iPhone 11 still delivers a top-notch experience at an affordable price point. Starting at $599 for a 64GB model, it's a compelling option for those looking for a feature-packed smartphone without breaking the bank. Overall, the iPhone 11 is a solid choice for those who want a reliable and capable phone without sacrificing too much in terms of features and performance.
Build Quality and Design
The iPhone 11 is the most affordable model in the latest series from Apple, succeeding last year's 10R. While it may not be the flashiest device, its build quality and design are still impressive. One of the standout features of the iPhone 11 is its sleek and sturdy build. The device feels solid in the hand, with a weighty presence that suggests high-quality materials have been used throughout. The aluminum frame and glass back provide a premium feel, while also being resistant to scratches and drops. Speaking of design, the iPhone 11 has undergone some subtle yet noticeable changes compared to its predecessor. The new color options add a touch of personality to an otherwise straightforward aesthetic, making it easy to find one that suits your style. However, some users may be disappointed by the lack of frosted glass on the back, which was a distinctive feature of previous iPhone models. In terms of design, the iPhone 11's screen is still top-notch, with crisp and vibrant visuals that make for an enjoyable viewing experience. The stereo speakers are also worth mentioning, providing clear and balanced sound that's perfect for music lovers and video enthusiasts alike. While it may not be as flashy as some of its pricier counterparts, the iPhone 11's build quality and design are still exemplary in many ways. Its solid construction, premium materials, and sleek aesthetics make it a device that's both functional and stylish, even if it doesn't necessarily scream "flagship" like some other iPhones on the market. Overall, the iPhone 11 is a well-designed device that offers excellent build quality at an affordable price point. While some users may lament the lack of frosted glass or the more premium design of pricier models, there's still plenty to appreciate about this iPhone's aesthetics and construction.
Battery Life
The iPhone 11's battery life is a notable improvement over its predecessor, the iPhone XR. With a 3,110mAh battery, it has slightly more power than last year's model, but what really stands out is its endurance rating. In our testing, the iPhone 11 achieved an impressive 94 hours of battery life, making it one of the longest-lasting iPhones to date. This means you can easily get through a day and a half without needing to recharge, even with moderate usage. The improved battery life is partly due to the optimized hardware and software combination in the new iPhone. Apple's efficient A13 Bionic chip and updated iOS 13 operating system work together to minimize power consumption while delivering impressive performance. Additionally, the iPhone 11's battery life is also helped by its relatively low screen resolution and brightness settings compared to some other iPhones. While this may not be a deal-breaker for everyone, it does contribute to the overall battery efficiency of the device. Overall, the iPhone 11's battery life is a significant upgrade over previous models, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a phone that can keep up with their busy lifestyle without needing to be constantly recharged.
Display
The iPhone 11's display is quite similar in appearance to its predecessors. It features an LCD screen with a pixel density of 326 PPI, which is identical to last year's model. The screen measures 6.1 inches and has a noticeable notch cutout at the top. While it may not be as sharp as the Pro models' OLED screens, the display is still quite good, offering rich colors and decent contrast. One notable feature of the iPhone 11's display is its ability to adjust its brightness based on ambient light conditions. This means that you'll get a good viewing experience whether indoors or outdoors. The screen also supports HDR (High Dynamic Range) content, which can enhance the visual quality of videos and photos. In terms of color accuracy, the iPhone 11's display performs well, but not outstandingly so. It tends to produce colors that are slightly muted compared to some other smartphones on the market. However, this is a minor quibble in an otherwise solid display experience. The LCD screen also has its own set of advantages, such as being more power-efficient and less prone to burn-in than OLED screens. This means that you can expect longer battery life from your iPhone 11, even with moderate usage. Overall, the iPhone 11's display is a decent effort from Apple, but it doesn't quite match up to some of its competitors in terms of sheer visual quality. However, it still provides a good viewing experience and is well-suited for everyday use.
Camera
The iPhone 11's camera is a significant improvement over its predecessor, the iPhone XR. While it still doesn't match the quality and features of the Pro models, it offers some impressive capabilities that make it a great option for those who want a reliable camera without breaking the bank. One of the standout features of the iPhone 11's camera is its ability to capture excellent photos in daylight conditions. The 12-megapixel main camera produces images with rich detail, impressively low noise, and excellent dynamic range. Colors are accurate, although some may find them a bit bland and washed out compared to other smartphones. The new addition of an ultra-wide-angle lens (also 12 megapixels) is a welcome feature, allowing users to capture more in their shots without having to physically move. However, the quality of photos from this camera is somewhat average, lacking the level of detail and noise reduction found on the main camera. The lack of optical image stabilization (OIS) and autofocus also hampers its performance. The selfie camera has been upgraded to 12 megapixels with a wider 23mm lens, which allows for more flexibility in terms of field of view. Smart HDR is used in selfies, resulting in images with plenty of detail, balance sharpening, and great dynamic range. Colors are accurate, although still a bit washed out. Nighttime photography is where the iPhone 11 truly shines. The phone will automatically switch to night mode, taking a pseudo-long exposure shot that produces excellent results. Photos taken with night mode have plenty of detail, balance sharpening, excellent colors, and contrast. This feature works seamlessly, producing sharp images even in low light conditions. The only disappointing aspect of the camera is the lack of night mode on the ultra-wide-angle lens and the average quality of photos taken with it in low-light situations. Portrait mode, which uses the main camera to create a depth effect, is also limited compared to the Pro models, resulting in some defects and inconsistencies. Overall, the iPhone 11's camera offers excellent performance in daylight conditions and impressive results at night, making it a solid choice for those who want a reliable camera without the high price tag.
Price and Value
The iPhone 11 is the cheapest model in Apple's 11 series, priced at $700 for a 64GB option. At first glance, this seems like a significant price drop from last year's iPhone XR, which cost around $750. But does this budget-friendly price compromise on value? In terms of features, the iPhone 11 is surprisingly well-equipped. It boasts a water-resistant design with plenty of color options, a bright LCD screen, and nice stereo speakers. The phone also offers world-class performance, making it a great option for everyday use. The camera system is another highlight, delivering impressive photo quality in daylight conditions. Nighttime photography is also excellent, thanks to the iPhone's ability to automatically switch to night mode and take pseudo-long exposure shots. While the ultra-wide camera is decent but not outstanding, it's still a useful addition. Battery life is also noteworthy, with the iPhone 11 easily lasting through a day of moderate use. Considering its price point, the iPhone 11 offers surprisingly good value. It's cheaper than last year's XR and delivers many of the same features at a lower cost. While it may not be as polished as more expensive iPhones, it's still a solid choice for those on a budget or looking for an affordable upgrade. Ultimately, the iPhone 11 is a great option for anyone who wants a reliable and feature-packed smartphone without breaking the bank. Its price and value are definitely worth considering if you're in the market for a new phone.
Performance
The Apple iPhone 11 boasts an impressive performance, thanks to the latest A13 Bionic chipset and 4GB of RAM. This powerhouse combination delivers outstanding results in various benchmarks, outperforming last year's model by a significant margin. In fact, it's unmatched by any Android device on the market. One of the key strengths of the iPhone 11 is its ability to handle demanding tasks with ease. Whether you're browsing multiple tabs, streaming high-quality content, or gaming, this phone can keep up with even the most demanding users. The A13 Bionic chipset ensures smooth performance and efficient power management, making it an ideal choice for those who value speed and responsiveness. In our tests, the iPhone 11 consistently delivered top-notch performance across various scenarios, including graphic-intensive games and video editing applications. Even with multiple apps running in the background, this phone remained snappy and responsive, never faltering or slowing down. Another notable aspect of the iPhone 11's performance is its ability to multitask seamlessly. Whether you're switching between apps, using the camera, or listening to music, this phone can handle it all without a hitch. The seamless integration with other Apple devices also makes it an ideal choice for those who value a cohesive and streamlined experience. Overall, the Apple iPhone 11's performance is nothing short of impressive. With its powerful A13 Bionic chipset, generous RAM, and efficient software, this phone is more than capable of handling even the most demanding tasks. Whether you're a power user or just looking for a reliable smartphone experience, the iPhone 11 delivers in every aspect of performance.
Pros
1. The iPhone 11 has a water-resistant design with plenty of color options, making it a great choice for those who want a durable phone.
2. The bright LCD screen is nice and vibrant, and the stereo speakers provide good sound quality.
3. The iPhone 11 offers world-class performance, making it a great option for those who need a fast and efficient phone.
4. The camera quality, especially at night, is superb, with plenty of detail and excellent colors.
5. The battery life is really good, and the phone can last a full day with heavy use.
6. The iPhone 11 has a great selfie camera, with a wider lens and 12 megapixel resolution.
7. Videos from the rear cameras look very good, with plenty of detail and low noise.
8. The price of the iPhone 11 is competitive, especially compared to the previous generation.
Cons
1. The lack of an OLED screen is a drawback, as it's not as vibrant as other high-end phones.
2. The telephoto camera that comes with the Pro versions is missing from the iPhone 11.
3. The glass on the back isn't frosted, which might be a minor issue for some users.
4. The lack of a proper charger in the box is kind of insulting, and it's not included at all.