iPhone 11 Review: Specs, Features & Pros

iPhone 11

Definition: The iPhone 11 is a mid-range flagship smartphone designed and marketed by Apple Inc., unveiled on September 10, 2019, alongside the premium iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. Positioned as the successor to the iPhone XR, it retained a similar LCD display and affordable price point while introducing a dual-camera system, faster performance, and extended battery life. Targeted at mainstream users seeking a balance of functionality and value, the iPhone 11 became one of Apple’s best-selling models, known for its colorful design, reliable camera performance, and long-term software support.

Core Technical Specifications

Component	Details
Display	6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD Display, 1792 × 828 resolution (326 PPI), IPS LCD, 16:9 aspect ratio, Haptic Touch (replaces 3D Touch), 625 nits brightness, oleophobic coating, True Tone technology (adjusts display color temperature to ambient light)
Processor	Apple A13 Bionic chip (6-core: 2 performance cores + 4 efficiency cores, 7 nm EUV fabrication process), Apple-designed 4-core GPU, 8-core Neural Engine for AI tasks (e.g., computational photography, Face ID)
Memory & Storage	4 GB LPDDR4X RAM; 64 GB/128 GB/256 GB non-expandable internal storage (no microSD card slot)
Camera System	Rear Dual Cameras: 12 MP Wide camera (f/1.8 aperture, optical image stabilization (OIS), 1.4 μm pixels) + 12 MP Ultra-Wide camera (f/2.4 aperture, 120° field of view, 1.0 μm pixels); supports 4K video recording (24/30/60 fps), 1080p slow-motion video (120/240 fps), Time-Lapse, and Night ModeFront Camera: 12 MP TrueDepth camera (f/2.2 aperture), 1080p video recording (30/60 fps), Portrait Mode with Depth Control, Animoji/Memoji support
Battery	Non-removable lithium-ion battery (3110 mAh); up to 17 hours of video playback, 10 hours of streaming video, 65 hours of audio playback; supports 18W wired fast charging (charger sold separately) and Qi wireless charging (up to 7.5W)
Connectivity	4G LTE Advanced (up to 1 Gbps), Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 GHz/5 GHz, MIMO), Bluetooth 5.0, GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/QZSS, NFC (for Apple Pay), Lightning port; no 5G support
Operating System	Initially shipped with iOS 13; upgradable up to iOS 17 (final update support confirmed, with iOS 18 compatibility excluded due to hardware constraints)
Design & Dimensions	Aluminum alloy frame, glass front/back (ion-strengthened); available in 6 colors (black, white, green, yellow, purple, (PRODUCT)RED); IP68 water and dust resistance (up to 2 meters for 30 minutes); 150.9 × 75.7 × 8.3 mm; weight 194 g
Biometrics & Sensors	Face ID (TrueDepth camera system for facial recognition), accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, barometer
Other Features	Stereo speakers, dual-microphone noise cancellation, no 3.5 mm headphone jack, Siri support, Emergency SOS, Crash Detection (added via software update)

Key Innovations & Selling Points

Dual-Camera System with Night ModeA major upgrade over the iPhone XR’s single rear camera, the iPhone 11 introduced a 12 MP Ultra-Wide lens (120° field of view) alongside the standard Wide lens, enabling users to capture broader landscapes, group photos, and architectural shots. The camera system also featured Night Mode—a computational photography feature that automatically captures multiple long-exposure shots and combines them to produce bright, detailed photos in low-light conditions without a flash. This made the iPhone 11 a standout for casual photography, even competing with premium models in low-light scenarios.
A13 Bionic Chip: Industry-Leading PerformanceThe A13 Bionic chip was the fastest smartphone processor at the time of release, delivering 20% faster CPU performance and 30% faster GPU performance than the A12 chip in the iPhone XR. The 7 nm EUV fabrication process improved power efficiency, while the 8-core Neural Engine accelerated AI tasks like Portrait Mode edge detection, real-time language translation, and ARKit applications. The chip’s efficiency cores also extended battery life by reducing power consumption during light tasks (e.g., web browsing, messaging).
IP68 Water Resistance & Durable BuildUnlike the iPhone XR (IP67 rating), the iPhone 11 achieved an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, allowing it to withstand submersion in up to 2 meters of water for 30 minutes. This made it more durable against accidental spills, rain, and pool submersion— a key selling point for everyday users. The device also featured an ion-strengthened glass front/back and aluminum frame, balancing durability with a lightweight design.
Haptic Touch & Colorful Design OptionsApple replaced 3D Touch (pressure-sensitive input) with Haptic Touch, a software-based alternative that uses long presses and haptic feedback to trigger contextual actions (e.g., app shortcuts, previewing messages). While less precise than 3D Touch, Haptic Touch reduced hardware complexity and improved battery efficiency. The iPhone 11 also retained the iPhone XR’s vibrant color lineup (including green, yellow, and purple), distinguishing it from the more muted color options of the iPhone 11 Pro series.
Extended Battery Life & Flexible ChargingWith a 3110 mAh battery (larger than the iPhone XR’s 2942 mAh), the iPhone 11 offered up to 17 hours of video playback—an hour longer than its predecessor. It supported 18W wired fast charging (capable of charging to 50% in 30 minutes) and Qi wireless charging, though Apple did not include a fast charger in the box (a cost-cutting measure that became standard for later iPhone models).

Limitations & Criticisms

No 5G SupportA key drawback of the iPhone 11 was its lack of 5G connectivity, as 5G networks began rolling out globally in 2019–2020. This made the device less future-proof compared to Android competitors and later iPhone models (e.g., iPhone 12 series), which added 5G support.
LCD Display vs. OLEDWhile the iPhone 11’s Liquid Retina LCD was bright and color-accurate, it lacked the deep blacks, higher contrast ratio, and HDR support of the OLED displays used in the iPhone 11 Pro series. It also had thicker bezels and lower resolution (326 PPI vs. 458 PPI on Pro models).
No Charger Included in the BoxStarting with the iPhone 11, Apple stopped including a power adapter in the retail box to reduce electronic waste. However, this forced users to purchase a fast charger separately, increasing the total cost of ownership for those without an existing compatible charger.
Limited Portrait Mode on Rear CameraUnlike the iPhone 11 Pro (which had a Telephoto lens), the iPhone 11 could only capture Portrait Mode photos using the Wide and Ultra-Wide lenses, resulting in less precise depth separation for subjects at a distance.

Release & Market Performance

Launch Date: September 20, 2019 (available in 30+ countries at launch, including the U.S., UK, China, and India).
Pricing: The 64 GB model started at $699 (unlocked), with 128 GB and 256 GB variants priced at $749 and $849, respectively—$50 cheaper than the iPhone XR at launch.
Sales: The iPhone 11 became Apple’s best-selling smartphone of 2019 and 2020, with strong demand driven by its affordable price, dual-camera system, and long software support. It was particularly popular in emerging markets and among users upgrading from older iPhone models (e.g., iPhone 7, iPhone 8).
Discontinuation: Apple discontinued the iPhone 11 in September 2022, replacing it with the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, though refurbished units remain available through Apple’s official store.

Legacy

The iPhone 11 is regarded as one of Apple’s most successful mainstream models, praised for its balance of performance, camera quality, and value. Its 5 years of iOS updates (from iOS 13 to iOS 17) set a benchmark for long-term software support in mid-range smartphones, making it a favorite among budget-conscious users who prioritize longevity. The device also popularized computational photography features like Night Mode for mainstream iPhone users, laying the groundwork for camera improvements in subsequent models. Even in 2025, the iPhone 11 remains a viable option for basic tasks (e.g., messaging, social media, casual photography) and is widely used in secondary device markets.