The iPhone 11 was released in September 2019, alongside the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. Offering high-end specifications and a rich feature set, the iPhone 11 is a great phone for anyone looking for a premium experience.
Despite being billed as Apple’s “affordable flagship,” the iPhone 11 isn’t exactly cheap. Starting at $699 for the 64GB model and creeping up to $849 for 256GB, Apple’s premium prices are out of reach for many — but the iPhone 11 can be had for several hundred less on Swappa.
With Apple’s recent iPhone 12 launch, iPhone 11 prices have dropped to an all-time low, making now the best time to buy. So keep reading, as we take a closer look at the iPhone 11 and see how it stacks up against other popular iPhones.
Table of Contents:
- iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12
- iPhone 11 vs 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 vs XR
- iPhone 11 vs XS
- iPhone 11 vs X
- iPhone 11 vs 8 Plus
- iPhone 11 vs 8
- iPhone 11 vs 7 Plus
- iPhone 11 vs 7
iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12
We’ll kick this list off with the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro. Officially announced at Apple’s October 2020 virtual iPhone launch event, the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro represent the absolute best that Apple has to offer in 2020. The entire iPhone 12 lineup offers similar features — you get an A14 Bionic chip with next-generation Neural Engine, 5G wireless connectivity, and class-leading camera hardware and software with support for Apple’s advanced computational photography such as Deep Fusion with Night Mode and Smart HDR 3. The iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max build on these camera features with Apple ProRAW and additional camera lenses. Learn more in our iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12 Comparison page.
| iPhone 11 | iPhone 12 | iPhone 12 Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | A13 Bionic | A14 Bionic | A14 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB | 6GB |
| Display | 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR |
| Cameras | Wide: 12MP f/1.8, 26mm Ultrawide: 12MP f/2.4, 13mm | Wide: 12MP f/1.6, 26mm Ultrawide: 12MP, f/2.4, 13mm | Wide: 12MP f/1.6, 26mm Tele: 12MP f/2.0, 52mm Ultrawide: 12MP, f/2.4, 13mm |
| Water Resistance | IP68 Certification | IP68 Certification | IP68 Certification |
| Battery | 3110 mAh | 2815 mAh | 2815 mAh |
| Price | Starting at $415 | $799 MSRP | $999 MSRP |
Performance
So what do these advancements mean in the real world? Not terribly much for the average consumer. The A14 Bionic chip is fast — roughly 20% faster than the outgoing A13. But the A13 is no slouch — and it will prove more than capable of handling any intensive app or game you throw at it for years to come. What’s more, the vanilla iPhone 12 features the same 4GB of RAM as the iPhone 11, so it won’t be any better at multitasking. To get 6GB, you have to step up to the more expensive iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max.
Camera
The iPhone 12 cameras are very similar to those found on the iPhone 11, but with a slightly faster aperture. The iPhone 12 Pro builds on this with an additional telephoto lens, and the 12 Pro Max offers larger pixels in the primary wide-angle lens — the latter point leading to better low light performance. But once again, the iPhone 11 is more than capable of holding its own when it comes to image and video quality compared to its newer siblings thanks to its versatile dual-camera setup and advanced computational photography toolbox.
Battery
Preliminary testing has shown that the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro actually have worse battery life compared to their predecessors — even when disabling 5G. There are many potential factors leading to the iPhone 12’s poor battery life, but perhaps the biggest clue is the paltry 2815 mAh battery capacity. So why pay nearly twice as much for less real-world endurance? Pick up a newish iPhone 11 for half the price or wait for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro to show up on Swappa for hundreds less.
START AT
iPhone 11 vs 11 Pro
Next up, we have the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. As the iPhone 11’s slightly more premium siblings, the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max are the logical next steps when considering an upgrade. Just like the iPhone 11, the 11 Pro and Pro Max offer the powerful A13 Bionic chip and 4GB of RAM — but they set themselves apart by offering even better displays and cameras. But just because they are Apple’s highest-end offerings, that doesn’t mean they’re always better. Learn more in our iPhone 11 vs iPhone 11 Pro Comparison page.
| iPhone 11 | iPhone 11 Pro | iPhone 11 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | A13 Bionic | A13 Bionic | A13 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB | 4GB |
| Display | 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD | 5.8-inch Super Retina XDR | 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR |
| Cameras | Wide: 12MP f/1.8, 26mm Ultrawide: 12MP f/2.4, 13mm | Wide: 12MP f/1.8, 26mm Tele: 12MP f/2.0, 52mm Ultrawide: 12MP, f/2.4, 13mm | Wide: 12MP f/1.8, 26mm Tele: 12MP f/2.0, 52mm Ultrawide: 12MP, f/2.4, 13mm |
| Water Resistance | IP68 Certification | IP68 Certification | IP68 Certification |
| Battery | 3110 mAh | 3046 mAh | 3969 mAh |
| Price | Starting at $415 | Starting at $713 | Starting at $715 |
Performance
Here, the three phones are identical. All three feature the powerful A13 Bionic chip backed by 4GB RAM. This means that the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max are able to make quick work out of any application or high-end 3D game you throw their way. And with 4GB of RAM, you can open dozens of applications and browser tabs without applications mysteriously quitting and reloading.
Cameras
Once again, the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro / Max are extremely similar. All three phones feature the same 12MP wide-angle f/1.8 and 12MP ultrawide f/2.2 camera modules. They also offer the same support for Portrait Mode, Smart HDR, Deep Fusion with Night Mode, and 4k video recording. The iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max take things a step further by packing in a third 12MP camera module with an f/2.0 telephoto lens. This means that most pictures will look the same, regardless of whether you’re using the 11 or 11 Pro / Max. But if you need to zoom in to capture distant details, the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max will produce sharper and higher quality images.
Display
The iPhone 11 has a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD with an 828 x 1792 resolution. The iPhone 11 Pro has a smaller 5.8-inch Super Retina XDR OLED at a resolution of 1125 x 2436. This means that although the iPhone 11 has a slightly bigger screen, the iPhone 11 Pro is sharper and more vibrant. The iPhone 11 Pro Max takes things up a notch with a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED at 1242 x 2688 resolution.
Size
The bigger screen and slightly bigger bezels mean that the iPhone 11 is a little bigger than the 11 Pro overall. In contrast, the iPhone 11 Pro has a smaller screen and smaller bezels, meaning that the display almost reaches all the way to the phone’s stainless steel border. The iPhone 11 and 11 Pro are on the smaller side and can fit in most pockets, whereas some may find the 11 Pro Max a bit harder to carry. All three phones are dust and water resistant with IP68 ratings under IEC standard 60529.
Battery
Battery life is relatively similar between the two smaller phones, and all three offer Qi Standard wireless charging and USB Fast Charge over Lightning Port. The iPhone 11 packs a 3110 mAh battery good for 17 hours of video playback, whereas the 11 Pro is a bit more efficient and can manage 18 hours from its 3046 mAh battery. The iPhone 11 Pro Max offers the best battery life, with a 3969 mAh battery good for 20 hours of video playback.
The last point to consider when comparing the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro / Max is price. If you buy from the Apple Store, the iPhone 11 starts at $699 and the iPhone 11 Pro starts at $999. The high price initially placed both phones firmly out of reach. Thankfully, you can get these phones for considerably less when buying newish on Swappa. Check out current prices below and continue reading in our full iPhone 11 vs 11 Pro comparison.
START AT
iPhone 11 vs Xr
The iPhone 11 is the successor to the iPhone Xr. Because of this, the two phones are practically indistinguishable at first glance. However, there are some differences beneath the surface, so let’s take a closer look at what makes them tick.
| iPhone 11 | iPhone Xr | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | A13 Bionic | A12 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 3GB |
| Display | 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD | 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD |
| Cameras | Wide: 12MP f/1.8, 26mm Ultrawide: 12MP f/2.4, 13mm | Wide: 12MP f/1.8, 26mm |
| Water Resistance | IP68 Certification | IP67 Certification |
| Battery | 3110 mAh | 2942 mAh |
| Price | Starting at $415 | Starting at $310 |
The iPhone 11 and Xr share the same 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display and external housing, giving them the same overall appearance. However, the iPhone 11 offers improved internals and camera capabilities. Stepping up to the newer iPhone 11 takes you from an A12 Bionic with 3GB RAM to the A13 Bionic with 4GB RAM. The added RAM lets you open more apps at the same time, and the processor bump leads to a smoother and snappier experience on the iPhone 11. Both phones feature a 12MP f/1.8 wide-angle primary camera, but the iPhone 11 also offers an additional 12MP ultrawide for more versatile photography. In addition, the iPhone 11 also improves on the camera’s software capabilities with Deep Fusion with Night Mode.
The iPhone Xr gives you most of the benefits of the iPhone 11 at a lower price. Whichever you choose, you’ll always get the best deal on Swappa. Compare current prices below and learn more on our iPhone Xr vs iPhone 11 Pro comparison page.
START AT
iPhone 11 vs Xs
Next up are the iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max. The XS and Xs Max are a year older than the iPhone 11, but they were Apple’s highest-end phone at the time. That means that in some areas, the iPhone 11 is better — but in others, the Xs and Xs Max come out on top. So how do these phones stack up?
| iPhone 11 | iPhone Xs | iPhone Xs Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | A13 Bionic | A12 Bionic | A12 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB | 4GB |
| Display | 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD | 6.5-inch Super Retina HD |
| Cameras | Wide: 12MP f/1.8, 26mm Ultrawide: 12MP f/2.4, 13mm | Wide: 12MP f/1.8, 26mm Tele: 12MP f/2.4, 52mm | Wide: 12MP f/1.8, 26mm Tele: 12MP f/2.4, 52mm |
| Water Resistance | IP68 Certification | IP68 Certification | IP68 Certification |
| Battery | 3110 mAh | 2658 mAh | 3174 mAh |
| Price | Starting at $415 | Starting at $384 | Starting at $439 |
The iPhone 11 has several noteworthy advancements over the Xs and Xs Max. Since the iPhone 11 is a year newer, it offers improved performance thanks to its A13 Bionic chip with third-generation Neural Engine. It also offers a larger 6.1-inch display and an improved camera with Deep Fusion and Night Mode. The iPhone 11 boasts substantially longer battery life thanks to its much larger 3110 mAh battery. The iPhone 11 is available in six different color options, up from three on the Xs.
On the other hand, the Xs has a couple of advantages over the 11 such as its higher resolution and more vibrant 5.8-inch Super Retina HD display. The same holds true for the Xs Max, with its 6.5-inch Super Retina HD OLED. In addition, the Xs and Xs Max offer slightly better build quality, with their more scratch-resistant stainless steel enclosures. Finally, the Xs and Xs Max offer a higher screen-to-body ratio because of their slightly thinner bezels. All three phones are dust and water resistant thanks to their IP68 ratings under IEC 60529.
All three options offer a phenomenal experience for anyone looking for a modern iPhone with all the bells and whistles. Whichever phone you choose, get the best deal on a gently used iPhone on Swappa. Learn more in our iPhone 11 vs iPhone Xs Comparison page.
START AT
iPhone 11 vs X
The iPhone X launched alongside the 8 and 8 Plus, and served as 2017’s flagship iPhone. The iPhone X was also the phone that ushered in the current era of gesture-driven UIs and nearly bezel-free smartphones. On the other hand, the iPhone 11 is 2019’s affordable flagship. This means that there will be a few areas where the iPhone 11 is better and others where the X is better. So which iPhone is better for you?
| iPhone 11 | iPhone X | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | A13 Bionic | A11 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 3GB |
| Display | 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD |
| Cameras | Wide: 12MP f/1.8, 26mm Ultrawide: 12MP f/2.4, 13mm | Wide: 12MP f/1.8, 28mm Tele: 12MP f/2.4, 52mm |
| Water Resistance | IP68 Certification | IP67 Certification |
| Battery | 3110 mAh | 2716 mAh |
| Price | Starting at $415 | Starting at $319 |
The main benefit the iPhone 11 offers over the iPhone X is the significantly faster A13 Bionic chip with third-generation Neural Engine. Because of the updated processor and 4GB RAM, the iPhone 11 can more easily handle demanding applications and heavy multitasking. The iPhone 11 also offers a more versatile camera with its new ultrawide lens and advanced computational photography features such as Smart HDR and Deep Fusion with Night Mode.
Things get a little less cut and dry when it comes to the screen. The iPhone 11 has a larger 6.1-inch display, compared to the 5.8-inch screen on the iPhone X. But even though the iPhone X has a smaller screen, its Super Retina HD is sharper and more vibrant than the Liquid Retina LCD found on the 11.
In the end, both the iPhone X and iPhone 11 are fantastic phones with great cameras and screens, so choosing one over the other will probably come down to price. You’ll find great deals on both phones on Swappa, but the X will generally be a fair bit cheaper. Learn more in our iPhone 11 vs iPhone X Comparison page.
START AT
iPhone 11 vs 8 Plus
The iPhone 8 Plus was released in 2017, alongside the smaller iPhone 8 and the flagship iPhone X. If you’re still hanging on to an 8 Plus, you’ve probably already started thinking about potential upgrade options. Here’s how the iPhone 11 stacks up and why it’s a worthy upgrade.
| iPhone 11 | iPhone 8 Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | A13 Bionic | A11 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 3GB |
| Display | 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD | 5.8-inch Retina HD |
| Cameras | Wide: 12MP f/1.8, 26mm Ultrawide: 12MP f/2.4, 13mm | Wide: 12MP f/1.8, 28mm Tele: 12MP f/2.8, 57mm |
| Water Resistance | IP68 Certification | IP67 Certification |
| Battery | 3110 mAh | 2691 mAh |
| Price | Starting at $415 | Starting at $260 |
The iPhone 11 offers many key improvements over the 8 Plus. For starters, the 11 ditches Touch ID fingerprint authentication in favor of Face ID. This allows Apple to get rid of the bezels and cram a larger 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display in a smaller overall package. The iPhone 11 is also considerably faster thanks to its A13 Bionic chip with third-generation Neural Engine and 4GB of RAM. The iPhone 11 also has improved front and rear cameras, with support for advanced features such as Smart HDR and Deep Fusion with Night Mode. Finally, the iPhone 11 also features a higher IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, compared to the IP67 rating on the iPhone 8 Plus. Learn more in our iPhone 11 vs iPhone 8 Plus Comparison page.
START AT
iPhone 11 vs 8
The iPhone 8 was Apple’s smallest phone in 2017. Although it doesn’t offer the massive size of the 8 Plus or the innovative gesture-based UI first seen on the iPhone X, it is a great “sweet spot” iPhone for people looking for a good, cheap phone. However, if you’ve had an iPhone 8 for a few years now, it’s probably time to think about upgrading — and the iPhone 11 is a great option.
| iPhone 11 | iPhone 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | A13 Bionic | A11 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 2GB |
| Display | 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD | 4.7-inch Retina HD |
| Cameras | Wide: 12MP f/1.8, 26mm Ultrawide: 12MP f/2.4, 13mm | Wide: 12MP f/1.8, 28mm |
| Water Resistance | IP68 Certification | IP67 Certification |
| Battery | 3110 mAh | 1821 mAh |
| Price | Starting at $415 | Starting at $180 |
Even though the iPhone 8 is still a great phone, the iPhone 11 is better in almost every way. For starters, the iPhone 11 features a nearly all-screen front face, thanks to the removal of the home button and Apple’s innovative navigation gestures. The iPhone 11 is also nearly twice as fast as the iPhone 8 in demanding apps and games because of its A13 Bionic chip and 4GB of RAM.
The iPhone 11 has a much larger 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display, compared to the 4.7-inch Retina HD display on the iPhone 8. Finally, the camera performance is improved all-around with an additional rear camera module and various computational photography tools such as Deep Fusion with Night Mode and Smart HDR.
While both phones are great, upgrading from the iPhone 8 to the iPhone 11 will substantially improve your overall user experience. Learn more in our iPhone 11 vs iPhone 8 Comparison page.
START AT
iPhone 11 vs 7 Plus
Released back in 2016, the iPhone 7 Plus was Apple’s flagship 10th-generation iPhone. Thanks to its quad-core A10 Fusion chip, the 7 Plus offered great performance for its day. But as games and apps have gotten considerably more demanding over the last few years, the 7 Plus can’t quite keep up as it once did. Here’s why you should consider upgrading to the iPhone 11.
| iPhone 11 | iPhone 7 Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | A13 Bionic | A11 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 3GB |
| Display | 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD | 5.8-inch Retina HD |
| Cameras | Wide: 12MP f/1.8, 26mm Ultrawide: 12MP f/2.4, 13mm | Wide: 12MP f/1.8, 28mm Tele: 12MP f/2.8, 56mm |
| Water Resistance | IP68 Certification | IP67 Certification |
| Battery | 3110 mAh | 2900 mAh |
| Price | Starting at $415 | Starting at $185 |
The iPhone 11 improves on the 7 Plus in every way. The iPhone 11’s bezel-free design means that it can pack in a larger and higher resolution 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display into a device that’s smaller overall. The iPhone 11 is also up to three times as fast thanks to its A13 Bionic chip with Neural Engine and 4GB of RAM. Camera performance is improved as well, thanks to its ultrawide lens and advanced computational photography features such as Smart HDR and Deep Fusion with night mode. Learn more in our iPhone 11 vs iPhone 7 Plus Comparison page.
START AT
iPhone 11 vs 7
Finally, we arrive at the iPhone 7. If you’ve been hanging on to your iPhone 7 for a few years now, it’s probably time for an upgrade. Here’s why the iPhone 11 is a great step up from the iPhone 7.
| iPhone 11 | iPhone 7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | A13 Bionic | A10 Fusion |
| RAM | 4GB | 2GB |
| Display | 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD | 4.7-inch Retina HD |
| Cameras | Wide: 12MP f/1.8, 26mm Ultrawide: 12MP f/2.4, 13mm | Wide: 12MP f/1.8, 28mm |
| Water Resistance | IP68 Certification | IP67 Certification |
| Battery | 3110 mAh | 1960 mAh |
| Price | Starting at $415 | Starting at $105 |
The first thing you’ll notice when upgrading from the iPhone 7 to the iPhone 11 is the large, 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display that takes up nearly the entire front face. Thanks to its bezel-free design, innovative gesture-driven UI, and Face ID; the iPhone 11 is able to shoehorn in a much larger screen in a similar overall size.
The next thing you’ll likely notice is how much faster the iPhone 11 is. Thanks to its A13 Bionic chip, the iPhone 11 is nearly three times as fast as the iPhone 7 in demanding apps and intensive 3D games. And since it packs twice the RAM, you’ll be able to open many more apps and browser tabs before any are automatically closed and reloaded to save memory. Finally, the iPhone 11 has a more versatile camera array with its additional ultrawide lens and support for Smart HDR, Deep Fusion with Night Mode, and 4k video.
If you’ve been holding out to upgrade your aging iPhone 7, now’s the perfect time to score a great deal on a used iPhone 11. Learn more in our iPhone 11 vs iPhone 7 Comparison page.
START AT
Snag the best deals on used iPhones wherever you go. Download the Swappa App today!
