Is the iPhone 11 still worth buying in 2022?

Quick Answer:

Apple released the iPhone 11 in late 2019. We are now 2 generations forward with the iPhone 13 lineup which includes the following models: iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone Pro Max. But is it still worth buying an 11 seeing that another iPhone is right around the corner? Since the launch of theiPhone 11, so much of the current iPhone, including the iPhone Pro series, has been based on the same release pattern. Apple makes sure to cater to all phone users with small to big frames, and lower end to high end technology spread across all versions of that specific model. So how does the iPhone 11 still hold up today?

Let’s break down the value by model:

iPhone 11

We start with the base version. The iPhone 11. There are several colors that you can choose from. This is easily one of the most important physical features for a lot of users. It comes in Black, Red, Green, Purple, White, and Yellow. The base storage is 64GB which then bumps up to 128GB with 256GB being the highest storage. The size of the phone is roughly the same size as the iPhone XR. That will give you an idea of the size if you’ve upgraded from the XR. The iPhone 11 is a no-frills iPhone that holds up very well even now in 2022. When launched, the iPhone 11 was released with a dual 12 megapixel (wide and ultra-wide) camera. It was one of the best cameras released with a modern cell phone at the time and still takes gorgeous photos today. You will probably hear me say this more than once, but most people will find it hard to differentiate a photo taken with the iPhone 11 vs the iPhone 13. Is the 13 camera better? Of course, it is. Is it hundreds of dollars better? That’s for you to decide with your money. If you’re a professional photographer, you’re most likely not using your iPhone. For every other Insta-inspired photographer, the iPhone 11 shoots amazing photos. One downside that most users probably won’t even notice when looking at their phone, the HD screen is not quite the sharpest. It’s closer to 720P than 1080P. You will not be able to truly run 1080P without some type of digital down scaling of the video.

iPhone 11 Pro

Stepping up the specs without the larger size, I introduce you to the iPhone 11 Pro. (Not all of us have giant hands) The iPhone 11 Pro comes in the following colors: Midnight Green, Space Gray, Silver, and Gold. I have to say the Midnight green is something of a masterpiece even though it’s just a color. It’s easy just to get caught staring at it and admiring the frame. The storage gets a bump from the iPhone 11 once you pass the base. It starts at 64GB then jumps to 256GB (which is the max storage amount that you can get with the iPhone 11) then 512GB at the peak capacity. The iPhone 11 Pro introduces us to the telephoto camera while also keeping the wide and ultra-wide lens. It does come with a third lens. This camera is amazing for shooting fast action videos such as sports or even taking photos in low light environments. The camera also shoots video in 4K resolution. The screen resolution is also nicely increased to a much higher resolution than the standard iPhone 11. Again, I don’t think the average consumer would notice much, but for those who are particular about the resolution, it’s worth the upgrade.

iPhone 11 Pro Max

The iPhone 11 Pro Max is a larger version of the iPhone 11 Pro. A MUCH larger version. The way phone screens are measured is from one of the top corners to the opposite bottom corner. The iPhone 11 Pro comes in at 5.8 inches and the Pro Max is significantly extended to 6.5. It may not sound like such a significant difference on paper, but if you think about the measurements, the further up the screen is measured, it means that all sides of the iPhone are extended. They keep the same sequence with storage and color options. You still have my beloved Midnight Green, Space Gray, Silver, and Gold. As for storage, as you know with the iPhone 11 Pro, it comes in the following variety: 64GB, 256GB, and the 512GB variant. With the Pro Max model, you are essentially paying for the difference in size and battery life. (Bigger phone = Bigger Battery) All of the other specs are virtually the same.

Features of the iPhone 11 lineup:

All iPhone 11 models provide significant upgrades from the past generations. Apple brought fast charging to all iPhone 11 models. This is great for any time you are running low on charge and you’re also in a hurry. Apple claims that the device can be charged to 50% in just 30 minutes. They all come equipped with IP68 water resistant. The iPhone 11 Pro and the Pro Max are certified to be a bit better with their water resistance certification as seen below in this quick comparison diagram:

Future Compatibility Experience:

When buying an older used or refurbished device, some people worry that they might not receive the latest updates past a certain point. In this day and age, smartphones have reached a point where the new features are focused around the aesthetics (Such as Samsung’s curved display) and not so much on performance as the phones that we’ve had for the last few years are still holding strong on being able to perform with all of the apps that you run on a daily basis. To put it into perspective, Apple was still updating the iPhone 6s in 2021 even though it had launched in 2015. There are times that new apps come out that require an enormous amount of computing power, but it’s rare that it would be a standard app that most people use since the developer is making something for the masses. If you are in need of something with an enormous amount of power to run a specific app, you would most likely have known this, and you wouldn’t be here reading this article!

Missing Features (5G Connectivity and 120Hz Refresh Rate):

Some concerns are some of the missing features that the new line up has that the iPhone 11 line up is lacking. Two significant features for me are the lack of 5G connectivity and the 120Hz (hertz) refresh rate on the display. 5G connectivity is something that has not been rolled out in its most effective form yet. There are still “speedbumps” if you will in the real-world application of the 5G networks. The iPhone 11 family is all equipped with LTE which is much more stable and has been proven for a while now. You will hardly notice the difference in your typical activities such as browsing the web or watching YouTube. However, with 5G devices, the signal is much stronger and uses much more battery life than LTE. Unless you download large files or demand streaming in high resolutions for long periods of time, you will be fine without 5G for the next few years. As for the 120Hz refresh rate, this is simply something that makes transitions on your screen easier and more fluid. It’s more of a novelty and a nice to have but nothing that makes or breaks saving hundreds of dollars.

Our Conclusion

The iPhone 11 family of products still holds up quite well in 2022. If you just need a standard iPhone that can perform with the best of them and you’re not worried about the gadget side of the device, go with the iPhone 11. As of the middle of 2022, they will run you about $300. For me personally, the iPhone 11 Pro is worth the upgrade standing at about $360. You get the better color variety (in my humble opinion), the better battery life, the better resolution, a better water-resistant rating, and some would say most importantly, the better camera. If you want the upgrades and the size boost, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is sitting at about $440. It’s a significant jump for the size and battery upgrade, but it all boils down to personal preference and budget. Seeing that when new iPhones launch, they are priced closer to the $1000 range for the basic models, the iPhone 11 lineup is a very attractive offer in 2022. To make it easier for you, UpTrade allows you to compare prices and options from various certified sellers so that you can get the best deal of a Certified Used iPhone 11.

Used & Refurbished iPhone 11 for Sale