The iPhone 11 was one of the best smartphones available in 2019. Over three years later, is Apple's aging handset still worth buying in 2023? The smartphone world is constantly moving forward. New phones are regularly released, even newer models are always on the horizon, and that leaves little time for looking back at older generations. If the iPhone 14 is out and the iPhone 15 is on the horizon, why should someone stop and think about the iPhone 11?
If you want a high-end smartphone but have a limited budget, buying an older model is enticing. This is a situation the iPhone 11 finds itself in. Released in September 2019, the no longer an iPhone Apple sells on its website, but it is available on other sites like Amazon, Walmart, and even carriers like Cricket Wireless.
Why You Should Buy The iPhone 11 In 2023
Despite being well over three years old, so much about the iPhone 11 holds up remarkably well in 2023. The biggest reason for this is its processor. Powering the iPhone 11 is Apple's A13 Bionic chip. The A13 has since been succeeded by the A14, A15, and A16. Even so, it continues to be a performance champ. With a 6-core U, 4-core GPU, and 8-core Neural Engine, everything on the iPhone 11 should still be more than fast enough.
The iPhone 11's camera system also holds up quite well in 2023. Like the iPhone 14, the iPhone 11 has a 12MP primary camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. It also has Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Portrait Mode, and Smart HDR for improved photo processing. And on the video side of things, the iPhone 11 s 4K recording at 60fps. Newer features like Photographic Styles and Cinematic Mode aren't available, but for casual sharing on Instagram, Snapchat, etc., the iPhone 11's camera setup remains a strong performer.
You'll also find plenty of other flagship goodies on the iPhone 11. It has Face ID, an IP68 dust/water resistance rating, Qi wireless charging, and is promised up to 17 hours of battery life. More important than all of that, Apple is still actively ing the iPhone 11. It's running the latest version of iOS 16, is fully expected to get iOS 17 later this year, and should keep getting updates through 2025. Apple's software remains the best in the industry, and it's one of the reasons why its older smartphones are still worth recommending years after release.
Why You Shouldn't Buy The iPhone 11 In 2023
But that's not to say it's all sunshine and rainbows for the iPhone 11. No smartphone ages perfectly, and the iPhone 11 isn't an exception. One area where this is most noticeable is the iPhone 11's display. On its own, the screen looks fine. It's a 6.1-inch LCD with a 1792 x 828 resolution, has a 1400:1 contrast ratio, and 625 nits of max brightness. For casual movie watching, playing games, and browsing Twitter, it's more than serviceable. But Apple's made considerable leaps forward since then — especially when compared to the iPhone 14's OLED display with 2532 x 1170 resolution, 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and 800 nits brightness.
The iPhone 11 also isn't the most durable iPhone available today. While it has IP68 water resistance, it only covers the phone for up to 2 meters of submersion. The iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 can both survive up to 6 meters, making them much more likely to survive being dropped in a deep pool or lake. Similarly, the iPhone 11 has weaker glass on its display. Newer iPhones have Apple's 'Ceramic Shield' glass, offering four times better drop protection than the iPhone 11. If you're particularly clumsy and drop your phone a lot, splurging for an iPhone 13 or iPhone 14 is money well spent.
There are a few other things to consider before picking up an iPhone 11. Unlike more recent iPhones, the iPhone 11 does not work with MagSafe. This means accessories like the iPhone Leather Wallet, MagSafe Charger, and MagSafe Battery Pack don't aren't compatible with the iPhone 11. The iPhone 11 also doesn't have 5G connectivity — instead topping out at 4G LTE. 4G LTE is still perfectly usable in 2023, but if you want a phone that s the fastest data speeds possible, you'll want to look elsewhere.
The iPhone 12 Is A Better Option In 2023
All things considered, if you're looking for a cheap iPhone in 2023, you'll be better off buying the iPhone 12 instead of the iPhone 11. The main reason is that Apple is still selling the iPhone 12 on its website. At $599, it's among the cheapest iPhones available, and comes with additional upgrades including an OLED display, 5G connectivity, MagSafe compatibility, harder ceramic glass, better cameras, and a newer A14 Bionic processor.
The iPhone 11 isn't officially sold by Apple anymore, which means you'll have to pick it up from a third-party website. Amazon and Cricket Wireless sell the iPhone 11 for $599, which is the same price as the iPhone 12. Walmart sells it for $249, but that's only if you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (A).
Additionally, Apple offers multiple affordable options on its website in 2023. Apart from the iPhone 12, you can also pick up the iPhone 13 mini ($599), iPhone 13 ($699), and iPhone SE 3 ($429). With so many similarly priced (and cheaper) options to choose from, the iPhone 11 just isn't a good purchase in 2023. If you're already using the iPhone 11, it's good for another couple of years, but if you want to buy a new iPhone, there are better options to consider.
Source: Apple