First Impressions And Design
Appearance wise, the new iPhones dont look drastically different from their predecessors, but there are some stylish new touches that set them apart.
Theyve still got the same rounded edge and glass backs that give a premium smartphone feel, but the glass of the iPhone 11 Pro now has a matte effect, which looks great in its new Midnight Green colour.
Its also available in Space Grey, Silver and Gold, with all four colours having a subtle, muted look.
The matte glass 11 Pro also feels less slippery and doesnt show any fingerprints, whereas the regular glass of the 11 does pick up a few as you’re using it. But that’s nothing a quick wipe can’t fix.
The 11 Pro has stainless steel edges to complete the premium phone feel. Weighing 188 grams, its actually a little bit heavier than the iPhone XS, but its really not something you’d notice. Its definitely still a very lightweight phone that feels great in hand and doesnt weigh down your pockets.
The iPhone 11 is a little bigger and bulkier than the 11 Pro, its glass back and brushed aluminium edges can feel a tad slippery when compared to the 11 Pro, but if you end up getting a case this wont be an issue. It weighs 194 grams so its a also heavier, but its not a hugely noticeable difference. And you do get more screen for your money.
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iPhone 11 Pro And iPhone 11 Pro Max
The iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max are the followups to the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. The iPhone 11 Pro measures in at 5.8-inches, where as the iPhone 11 Pro Max comes in at 6.5-inches.
The iPhone 11 Pro line uses OLED display technology, which means you get improved colors and deeper blacks. The display of the iPhone 11 Pro is 2436×1125, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max is 2688×1242. This comes out to 458 pixels-per-inch in both sizes.
Apple also says the iPhone 11 Pro lineup features a wider dynamic range display called Super Retina XDR, which should further improve color reproduction. The iPhone 11 Pro also features a new 800 nits max brightness 1200 nits max brightness display. This compares to the 625 nits max brightness display of the iPhone 11.
As mentioned earlier, the design of the iPhone 11 Pro is similar to the iPhone 11, but with a few key differences. For one, the iPhone 11 Pro features a new matte back glass design. Furthermore, the display stretches ever-so-slightly closer to the borders, while the edges are made out of stainless steel as opposed to aluminum.
The iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max feature the same A13 Bionic processor as the iPhone 11, and offer stellar improvements in battery life. The iPhone 11 Pro offers up to four hours longer battery life than the iPhone XS. That means you get up to 18 hours of video playback, 11 hours of streaming, and 65 hours of audio playback.
Best iPhone 11 Pro cases:
Are More iPhone Purchase Options Available At The Apple Store
All iPhone purchase options available on apple.com are also available at the Apple Store, except for SIM-free iPhone purchases with Apple Card Monthly Installments. Youll also find additional purchase options in the store, which will allow you to add a line or create a new line with your wireless carrier.*
* If Verizon is your wireless carrier, you can add a line or create a new line on apple.com.
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All Three New iPhones Have The Same Brains: Apple’s A13 Bionic Chip
This is a big deal. Apple’s chipset which contains the CPU, GPU, and neural engine to make your smartphone nimble and power-efficient is the same across all three iPhones. So you shouldn’t see any dip in performance by opting for the cheaper phone.
Also, the A13 Bionic is a monster.
- Apple’s A11 Bionic that powered the iPhone X was capable of 600 billion operations per second.
- The A12 Bionic inside the iPhone XS and XR could power 5 trillion operations per second.
- The new A13 Bionic, though, is capable of 8.5 trillion operations per second.
iPhone 12 Mini Battery Life
However, one area where the 12 Mini falls down compared to the iPhone 12 is in battery life.
As a result of its smaller size, the iPhone 12 Mini has to make do with a 2227 mAh battery, compared to the iPhone 12’s 2815 mAh unit. In practice, it means that while the iPhone 12 can manage up to 17 hours of video playback, the 12 Mini can only manage 15. When it comes to audio playback, the distinction is even starker the iPhone 12 can manage 65 hours but the iPhone 12 Mini can only stump up 50 hours.
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iPhone 12 Mini Screen And Size
The iPhone 12 Mini has a 5.4-inch screen almost 0.7-inches smaller than the regular iPhone 12. Fortunately, the 12 Mini still features a Super Retina XDR OLED display with HDR compatibility.
It has a 1080×2340 resolution, lower than the iPhone 12’s 1170×2532. However, thanks to its smaller screen, the iPhone 12 Mini has a higher pixel-per-inch count than its bigger brother 476 ppi compared to 460 ppi.
Perhaps more interesting is that the iPhone 12 Mini, despite being smaller and lighter than the iPhone SE, the new Mini features a screen that is 0.7-inches larger. If there’s one phone which demonstrates the benefits of removing the home button, it’s the iPhone 12 Mini.
Best Deal On An iPhone
The 2020 iPhone SE has the A13 processor inside, meaning it performs just as well as the iPhone 11 from 2019 that costs several hundred dollars more. It’s the iPhone with the smallest screen, at 4.7 inches, but it’s no longer the smallest iPhone . It is the only iPhone you can buy now that sticks with the design of Apple’s older phones: thick bezels, a home button, and Touch ID for secure unlocking. Sadly, the headphone jack didn’t make the cut.
It does have some modern amenities, like wireless charging, and you get a solid single-lens camera. Just keep in mind that it won’t match the photo quality of the iPhone 12 or 12 Pro, especially in low light because there’s no Night mode. As senior writer Lauren Goode notes in her review, battery life is lacking too, just about lasting a full day with average use. If you’re in the market for a new iPhone and you balk at their prices, this is the one for youespecially if you also hate big-screen phones that don’t fit in your pocket. Check out our Best Cheap Phones guide for other options if you don’t mind switching to Android.
Note: If you’re upgrading from an iPhone, you can trade it to Apple to get a small discount. Before you do that, check to see if you can sell it elsewhere for more money. Wehave a guidethat can help.
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Price And Budget: How Much Do You Want To Spend On An iPhone
As I said earlier, Apple is selling the nearly two-year-old iPhone 11 for $300 less now than when it was first launched, making it a great choice for those shopping on a budget. The iPhone 11 is also just $100 more than the current iPhone SE and offers more features like a larger screen, longer battery life and a dual-camera with wide and ultra-wide lenses. If it fits your budget, the iPhone 11 may be your best option for an affordable iPhone.
But, if you want the latest from Apple, phone carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile and AT& T offer the iPhone 13 Pro, standard 13 or 13 Mini for $0 with a trade-in. Just keep in mind that there are plenty of caveats to those deals.
About The iPhone 12 Pro Max
The 12 Pro Max has the best set of cameras ever put on an iPhone, and that comes down to its larger main sensor, ProRAW technology, and its sensor-shift capabilities.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has three cameras on the back the main wide-angle, telephoto, and ultrawide. Compared to the iPhone 11 Pro and the 12 Pro, the main wide-angle camera on the 12 Pro Max has a larger sensor, which means it can pick up on more light and perform much better in low light. The larger sensor also means you’re going to get a more natural depth of field straight from the regular shooting modes than Portrait mode, which can mess up edge detection on subjects.
The iPhone 12 Pro’s main selling point with this larger sensor is its sensor-shift abilities. Sensor-shift or IBIS , is commonly found in big DSLR or cine cameras, but being in a device as compact as the iPhone means that you’ll be able to capture incredibly smooth video with this model.
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iPhone 11 And 11 Pro Review: Thinking Differently In The Golden Age Of Smartphones
This is not your typical gadget review. Thats because it is time to rethink when to upgrade your iPhone.
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Over more than a decade of writing about technology, reviewing a new iPhone has long been one of my simplest assignments.
Year after year, the formula was this: I tested the most important new features of Apples latest smartphone and assessed whether they were useful. Assuming the newest iPhone worked well, I generally recommended upgrading if you had owned your existing smartphone for two years.
But with this review of the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max which Apple unveiled last week and will become available Friday Im encouraging a different approach. The bottom line? Its time to reset our upgrade criteria.
Thats because we are now living in the golden age of smartphones, when the gadgets improvements each year are far from seismic. Devices that debuted three years ago remain zippy and more than capable. Those with the iPhone 7 from 2016, for example, still have a very good phone with a stellar camera and fast speeds.
So now is the moment to ask: Do we really need to upgrade our iPhones every two years?
iPhone 11 Vs iPhone 11 Pro: Conclusion
When it comes to pure capability, theres no doubt that the iPhone 11 Pro is the better option for creatives, thanks to its more flexible triple-lens camera system and OLED screen thats superior for brightness and sharpness . The Max also offers the best battery life of the three, which is important for a day of intensive work.
However, both iPhone 11 Pro options are a lot more expensive, and given that the iPhone 11 offers the same colour accuracy on the screen, is just as capable at running apps and opening large files for viewing, and offers better battery life than the smaller 11 Pro, its still a really great buy. Also consider that the iPhone 11 Pro is no longer in production, which means a new, factory-sealed handset may be harder to come by if you care about that, of course.
Wed also suggest that people looking at the iPhone 11 Pro for its screen may be better served looking at the new iPhone 12, which has a 6.1-inch screen but with an OLED display and offers similar sharpness to the 11 Pro. The iPhone 12 is also more expensive than the iPhone 11, but cheaper than the 11 Pro, so if its just the screen that you were thinking of upgrading to an 11 Pro for, youre better off going with that.
We think most people will choose which to go for based on the budget they have in mind, and in all cases youll get a powerful phone with excellent screen quality and high-quality cameras.
See below for today’s best prices on the iPhone 11, iPhone Pro and iPhone Pro Max.
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iPhone 11 Vs iPhone 11 Pro Specs And Camera
While these new iPhones dont look too much different from their predecessors in terms of design, theres a lot of differences inside. All three are powered by Apples brand-newA13 chip, come with iOS 13 installed and boast loads of improvements to the cameras. Theres also 4GB RAM across all models.
The A13 chipset is the next-generation of Apples silicone and it provides absolutely fantastic performance across all Apples 2019 iPhones. Theres no obvious difference in terms of speed and graphical power between the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro though, so dont pick up the pricier model expecting it to run games faster.
Storage is a bit of an issue though, especially when you consider the iPhone 11 Pro costs more than £1000 and for that hefty outlay you only get 64GB. Of course you can pay more for 256GB or 512GB. Wed suggest ignoring the 64GB immediately and instead go for the 256GB option.
iPhone 11 Pro 5.8-inches vs iPhone 11 Pro Max 6.5-inches
The iPhone 11 also starts at 64GB and again wed suggest paying a bit more to get either the 128GB or 256GB option. Theres no 512GB iPhone 11.
Related:iPhone 11 features
The iPhone 11 has a dual 12-megapixel setup with a dedicated ultra wide lens sitting next to the more traditional 12-megapixel wide. That ultra wide camera is there for wider shots like landscapes and it adds an extra degree of versatility to the pictures you can capture.
iPhone 11
Related: Best iPhone Deals
How Can I Pay Using Apple Card Monthly Installments
If you already have Apple Card and want to purchase your iPhone with Apple Card Monthly Installments, select it as your payment option during checkout. Youll receive 3% Daily Cash back up front and pay for your new device over time, interest-free. If you dont have Apple Card yet, you can apply for one in as little as a minute when you select Apple Card Monthly Installments as your payment option and use it for your purchase. Learn more about Apple Card Monthly Installments
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About The iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 11 Pro Cameras
When we compare the iPhone 11 Pro series to the iPhone 12 Pro, the only difference is the faster f/1.6 aperture on the main wide-angle camera compared to f/1.8 on the 11 Pro models. Otherwise, the hardware is relatively similar.
The faster aperture means you’ll be able to capture slightly better photos and videos at night, but it’s not a big enough reason to upgrade to the 12 Pro over the 11 Pro series.
Overall, the iPhone 12 Pro Max offers the most powerful and versatile camera experience out of the four iPhones. While the iPhone 12 Pro follows in its footsteps, there isn’t a big enough reason to pick the 12 Pro over the iPhone 11 Pro series. If you want the best iPhone camera, get the iPhone 12 Pro Max otherwise, you’re going to be just as satisfied picking up the iPhone 11 Pro or 11 Pro Max.
iPhone 11 Pros & Cons A 2021 Perspective
Apples iPhone 11 is a killer phone. It was the best-selling iPhone in 2019 and because it will still be available to buy in 2020 and beyond, it will likely retain this status until well into 2021.
Apple is brilliant with software updates too, so if you dont need to worry about that the iPhone 11 will get iOS updates until well into the late-2020s. The only thing missing, really, is support for 5G. If you can live with 5G on your iPhone, the iPhone is still a great buy in 2021, if youre looking for great value for money.
Internally, you have all the specs and performance youll ever need. Apples A13 CPU is a monster even by 2021s standards. And while it isnt quite as potent as Apples newer A14 CPU, it will still very much take care of business. For the average user, the A13 is already WAY more than you need.
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Click Here For The Latest iPhone 11 Deals In The UK
My only slight issue with the iPhone 11 is its camera you do have better options available inside cheaper phones now like the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5, as well as the Samsung Galaxy S10e. And all of these phones run 5G too, so theyre slightly more future-proofed than the iPhone 11.
Apple has already discounted the iPhone 11 by $100 it now retails direct from Apple for $599. This is for the basic 64GB model. If you want more storage say, 128GB or 256GB youll have to pay $649 and £749, respectively.
You can now get discounted deals on the entire iPhone 11 range in the UK too.
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iPhone 13 Vs iPhone 13 Pro: Display
The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro feature 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR displays using OLED technology with a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels. This equals 460 pixels per inch. The iPhone 13 Pro, however, features a max brightness of 1000 nits, compared to the iPhone 13s at 800 nits. For HDR content, however, both can reach a max brightness of 1200 nits.
There is one major difference between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro displays: ProMotion technology. Exclusive to the iPhone 13 Pro, Apples ProMotion display technology brings adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz to the iPhone for the first time. This means the refresh rate of the iPhone 13 Pros screen can scale between 10Hz and 120Hz depending on what youre doing on your device.
In real-world usage, this should mean things like scrolling and animations are significantly smoother. ProMotion also makes the display more efficient because it can scale all the way down to 10Hz when youre doing something such as reading.
Other display features on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro include:
- 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio
- HDR display