iPhone 11 Vs iPhone 11 Pro Vs iPhone 11 Pro Max: The Flagship Apple Phones Compared
Which iPhone 11 is the right iPhone 11 for you?
While the iPhone 12 range is fast approaching and the iPhone SE is Apples newest current handset, the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max remain the companys top-end models, but they also all pack different features, prices, and screen sizes, among other things.
And looking beyond the specs, they also perform differently in some ways, as we found when we put each of them through a full review.
As such, while their designs are similar there is quite a lot to choose between them. With that in mind weve compared the three 2019 iPhone models, so you can see exactly whats the same and whats different.
Covering design, display, camera, specs, battery, price and more, heres a comparison of the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max.
- Read our in-depth iPhone 11 review
- Need a higher end new iPhone? Read our full iPhone 11 Pro review
What iPhone Is The Biggest
- Save
The biggest iPhone you can buy right now is the iPhone 12 Pro Max it has a 6.7in OLED display, the biggest ever fitted to an iPhone, and it measures in at 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm, making it the largest iPhone Apple has produced since the launch of the iPhone X.
However, the biggest iPhone overall, by sheer size, is the iPhone 8 Plus. Because it has a home button and large bezels at the top and bottom, it is both wider and taller than the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Apples biggest iPhone is always its Plus model , Max, or Pro Max models on its more modern iPhone releases. For instance, the biggest iPhone in 2019 was the iPhone 11 Pro Max. In 2018, the biggest iPhone was the iPhone XS Max. And in 2020, the biggest iPhone will be the iPhone 12 Pro Max which has a 6.7in OLED display.
This will remain the general rule of thumb going forwards until Apple changes how it brands its iPhone. Interestingly, we could see a return on the plus branding in 2021 with the release of the iPhone SE Plus which will replace the now-discontinued iPhone 8 Plus.
- Save
View All The Latest Deals & Contract Options For Apples iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro
Apples entry-level iPhones for the last couple of years have also been fairly large too the iPhone XR has a 6.1in LCD screen size and so too does the iPhone 11, again, this phone uses LCD instead of OLED which is currently reserved for Apples more expensive Pro and Pro Max models.
iPhone 11 Vs 11 Pro Vs 11 Pro Max: They’re Still Worth It In 2021
We compare the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max to help you decide which Apple phone makes the most sense for you.
Apple announced the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max in 2019 but they’re still worth considering in 2021. The iPhone 11 phones have wonderful cameras, a blazing fast processor and excellent build quality. If you don’t need 5G, you can probably pass on the newer iPhone 12 series. You can save some serious money, too. Apple sells the iPhone 11 for $599 which is $130 less than the iPhone 12. Apple doesn’t sell the iPhone 11 Pro or 11 Pro Max but many carriers and retailers still do. And before the impending release of the heavily rumored iPhone 13, let’s revisit the main differences among the iPhone 11 lineup.
It can be difficult to choose between the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max. All three phones have the same processor, same main, ultrawide and selfie cameras, and are compatible with iOS 15. In fact, the iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max are identical in nearly every way aside from price, size, weight, battery life and screen resolution. The iPhone 11 represents one of the best values for a flagship phone you can buy today, and has many of the same 11 Pro features. On the other hand, the iPhone 11 Pro has a few key additions that make it stand out. And you may not have to pay full price: Walmart sells it for $575, which is $24 less than what Apple charges.
Get the CNET Apple Report newsletter
You May Like: Remove Email Address From iPhone
Ram And Storage Space
The iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max appear to have 4GB of RAM that’s available to apps and the iOS system, but it is unclear if there is extra RAM that’s dedicated to the camera as rumors have been mixed. We’ll need to wait for more information to determine just what’s inside.
Leaked benchmarks have indicated that there’s 4GB RAM in the two devices, but benchmarks are able to be faked. A leak from a Chinese source has said there’s 6GB, but it won’t be long before we know for sure.
As for storage space, the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max are available in 64, 256, and 512GB capacities.
The A15 Bionic Is An Absolute Beast Of An Soc
Apples A15 Bionic chip really is a beast. For typical smartphone things like surfing the web or going on Instagram, its complete overkill. But for power users, its undeniably powerful. For example, take Cinematic Mode, the new software feature available on all four iPhone 13s. Its basically portrait mode for video, which other phone brands have tried, to mostly bad results. But on the iPhone 13 phones, the software-generated bokeh is actually not bad-looking. Sure, a trained eye, or a hardcore professional videographer will likely still scoff at the fake bokeh, but its convincing enough for me and Id bet most average smartphone users. The extra depth-of-field effect from the blurred background adds separation between subject and background for a more cinematic vibe.
But its not just that the A15 Bionic can produce this blur more convincingly than other phones, its also the fact that everything can be adjusted in real-time or after the shot. I can, for example, make the bokeh stronger or weaker, or remove it entirely. I can even change focus points after the fact. On top of that, the Neural Engine inside the A15 Bionic is so powerful it can even automatically track faces and movements.
For example, in the below footage, you can see that the focus is on my face, but when I turn to look at another face, the focus switches to that face. This requires an insane amount of real-time processing power that Im not sure any other SoC can pull off.
You May Like: Carrier Settings Update iPhone 2020
Water And Dust Resistance
The iPhone 11 Pro, like the prior-generation iPhone XS, has an IP68 water resistance rating, but it is more water resistant. It is rated to survive a depth of four meters for up to 30 minutes, which is an improvement over the two meter rating in the XS and the two meter rating in the current iPhone 11.
In the IP68 number, the 6 refers to dust resistance , while the 8 pertains to water resistance. IP6x is the highest dust resistance rating that exists.
With an IP68 water resistance rating, the iPhone 11 Pro can withstand splashes, rain, and brief accidental water exposure, but intentional water exposure should be avoided if possible. Apple warns that water and dust resistance are not permanent conditions and deteriorate as a result of normal wear.
Apple’s warranty does not cover liquid damage to iOS devices so it’s best to use caution when exposing the iPhone 11 Pro to liquids.
iPhone 11 Vs iPhone 11 Pro Vs iPhone 11 Pro Max Specs And Features
In news that will surprise no one, all three iPhone 11 handsets use Apples A13 Bionic chipset. This being the next generation after the A12 Bionic in the iPhone XS range.
According to Apple, the A13 has the fastest CPU and GPU ever used in a smartphone. What we didnt know at launch was how much RAM these phones have, as Apple never reveals this, but teardowns have shown that they each have 4GB, so theres no difference there. As youd expect, we found in our own tests that performance from all three models was very strong.
For software, youre of course getting iOS 13 on all three models, while for storage, the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max are available in 64GB, 256GB and 512GB sizes, while the iPhone 11 comes in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB capacities.
Don’t Miss: 8 Ball Cheats Imessage
iPhone 11 Pro Max Display And Audio: This Is Bright
If you’re on the fence between the iPhone 11 Pro Max and iPhone 11, don’t bring both phones outside. You’ll notice the huge difference in brightness that I did. In fact, the iPhone 11 Pro Max’s 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display vastly outshined the Galaxy Note 10 Plus, too, when I put both phablets side by side.
When watching the Star Wars Episode 9 Trailer: The Rise of Skywalker on both the iPhone 11 Pro Max and last year’s iPhone XS Max, I could make out more gradations of color in Princess Leia’s hair as she hugged Rey. This is likely thanks to the extended dynamic range offered by the improved panel on the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
Our lab results backed up my real-world impressions, as the iPhone 11 Pro Max turned in an average nit reading of 761 nits, compared with 652 nits for the iPhone 11 and 686 for the Galaxy Note 10 Plus.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max’s panel isn’t the most colorful, registering 118.6% of the sRGB color gamut, compared with 124.6% in the Note 10 Plus’ Natural screen mode. The OnePlus 7 Pro hit 180%. Regarding color accuracy, the iPhone 11 Pro Max’s display registered a Delta-E score of 0.28 . That’s stellar, but not quite as good as the Galaxy Note 10 Plus and OnePlus 7 Pro .
Which iPhone 11 Model Is Best
Having tested all three new iPhones, it’s clear that the iPhone 11 Pro Max was the best iPhone you can buy at the time and one of the best phones overall, thanks to its expansive screen and long battery life. It’s since been surpassed by Apple’s newer phones, and even with the iPhone 11 Pro Max’s price falling, it remains a pricey device.
Good thing, then, that the iPhone 11 is cheaper especially at its new price and offers comparable performance and good battery life of its own. In the end, that lower cost and the fact that Apple still sells the iPhone 11 may be the most important factors in deciding between the iPhone 11 vs the iPhone 11 Pro vs the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
Most upgraders will look to the iPhone 12 for their next handset, at least until the iPhone 13 arrives in the fall. But the iPhone 11 remains a compelling option since its features hold up well more than a year after its release.
Recommended Reading: Imessage Games Pool
iPhone 11 Vs iPhone 11 Pro Vs iPhone 11 Pro Max Camera
The iPhone 11 is the real odd one out when it comes to cameras as it has two lenses on the back, while the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max have three.
In all cases these are 12MP lenses, with the three phones all having standard f/1.8 and ultra-wide f/2.4 lenses, while the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max also get a f/2.0 telephoto one with 2x optical zoom.
The three phones all have a night mode, 4K video recording at up to 60fps, and a whole assortment of other modes that are mostly the same across the models.
While you get a better camera experience on the Pro models thanks to the extra lens, we were impressed with the photographic skills of all three handsets when we put them through our reviews, with low light shots even working well.
The addition of a telephoto lens on the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max definitely makes them feel like a more complete package, but youre also paying more, and the level of zoom on offer cant match, say, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra.
As for the front camera, thats 12MP too and as expected it powers Face ID . Speaking of which, Face ID has been improved on all three handsets – it’s now faster and works from more angles.
iPhone 11 Pro Max Features And Specs
| iPhone 11 Pro Max Basic Info | |
| Brand | |
| iOS 13, upgradable to iOS 14.4 | |
| iPhone 11 Pro Max Design & Materials | |
| Colors | Matte Space Gray, Matte Silver, Matte Gold, Matte Midnight Green |
| Materials | |
| 1242 x 2688 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio | |
| Display type | Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits , 1200 nits |
| Aspect Ratio | |
| iPhone 11 Pro Max Performance & Hardware | |
| Chipset/Processor Model | Apple A13 Bionic |
| CPU | Hexa-core |
| Processor nanometer | |
| 64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 512GB 4GB RAMNVMe | |
| iPhone 11 Pro Max Camera | |
| Camera |
- Pixel size
- —
Dual LEDYes, 240 fpsYes4K VideoDigital zoom
| Pixel size | — |
|---|
iPhone 11 Pro Max ConnectivityGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE802.11a , 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11n 5GHz, 802.11ac, WiFi 6 Dual band Wi-Fi Hotspot Bluetooth 5.0LELow energy consumptionA2DP LE GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, GalileoYesYesYesDual SIMDual Standby iPhone 11 Pro Max Battery & OthersMusic play: Li-Ion 3969 mAh, non-removable Charging: Fast charging 18W, 50% in 30 min USB Power Delivery 2.0Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSSRadio: NFC: Yes
You May Like: iPhone 12 Stuck On Loading Screen
iPhone 13 Pro Max: Hardware Overview
Weighing 240g, with dimensions of 146.7mm x 71.5mm x 7.65mm, and with flat sides with hard corners, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is built like a brick. But its a very polished, premium brick. Maybe its because the sides are completely flat and thick , but the stainless steel railing feels noticeably more dense than aluminum railings in the non-Pro iPhones or Android phones.
When you grab, say, a Galaxy S21 Ultra or a Vivo X70 Pro Plus, youre feeling mostly glass. When you grab an iPhone 13 Pro Max, a chunk of your palm is touching cold, hard metal. Its a different feeling the iPhone 13 Pro Max feels more tank-like.
For the most part, the iPhone 13 Pro Max looks identical to the iPhone 12 Pro Max of last year, with two noticeable changes the notch is a bit smaller, and the camera module is significantly bigger. The smaller notch doesnt so much, as Apple doesnt fill that extra space with more information, but the larger camera modules bring noticeable improvements. More on this later.
iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro Max
And just like the iPhone 13 Pro, the iPhone 13 Pro Max also supports high refresh rates of up to 120Hz and while the smoother animations are not as blatantly noticeable as a OnePlus or Xiaomi 120Hz panel, it happens enough here to bring a pleasurable scrolling experience.
iPhone 11 Pro Max Front Camera: Wider Selfies And Slofies
The front camera on the iPhone 11 Pro Max gets several upgrades from the iPhone XS Max, including a sharper sensor and a wider view to fit more subjects into your shots. A clever software trick automatically engages the wide view when you flip the phone to landscape mode.
To add some levity to video selfies, the iPhone 11 Pro Max lets you record slow-motion videos with the front camera at up to 120fps a feature Apple calls “slofies.”
I gave it a shot by recording myself in front of a trickling fountain, and the background effect is mesmerizing. So despite the groan-inducing name, this feature could prove viral as people get creative with it.
Don’t Miss: How To Play 8 Ball Pool Game Pigeon
If Size Is Important To You: The 11 Pro Max
Like last years iPhone XS and XS Max, the OLED displays on the 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max measure 5.8 inches and 6.5 inches, respectively. Also like last years XR, the iPhone 11 will have a 6.1-inch display. So if you want something thats nice and big, then the 11 Pro Max is going to be your choice.
Be aware that youre going to be dealing with a little more drag in your pocket this year, probably because of the phones additional battery power. While the iPhone 11 is no heavier than its predecessor at 6.84 ounces, the 11 Pro is 6.63 ounces , and the large 11 Pro Max is a hefty 7.97 ounces .
iPhone 11 Vs iPhone 11 Pro: Battery Life
This is nice and easy to follow: the more battery life you want, the bigger your iPhone 11 model needs to be! The smaller iPhone 11 Pro gets the shortest battery life, though it still gives you a day of use under normal conditions.
The iPhone 11 does better though, thanks to combining a bigger body with a lower-res screen. Youll get several extra hours of use as compared to the smaller 11 Pro.
But the iPhone 11 Pro Max does even better here, simply by cramming in the most battery capacity. If youre looking at this generation of iPhone and want the most longevity, its the one to go for with a careful touch, two days of use is entirely possible.
As with anything, this will vary wildly depending on use. Downloading files over 4G uses lots of battery. Taking a lot of pictures and video uses lots of battery. Editing multi-layer images uses you get the idea. The 11 Pro Max gives you the most flexibility to do that and still check Facebook before bed.
Recommended Reading: Itunes Update Carrier Settings