The iPhone 11 is a tempting alternative at its new $500 worth.
Angela Lang/CNET
Apple’s new iPhone 13, which launched Sept. 24, could also be getting all the consideration — nevertheless it’s solely a a part of the firm’s sprawling 2021 smartphone lineup. For these trying to pay much less, Apple’s 2-year-old iPhone 11 shouldn’t be ignoredWith its new beginning worth of $500, the 64GB iPhone 11 is about $300 inexpensive than the 128GB $800 iPhone 13 (with a provider activation low cost). Yes, it is $100 dearer than the $400 iPhone SE, however there are many upgrades that justify the further money. To be clear, there are a number of options you will be lacking out on by choosing the iPhone 11 over the iPhone 13 (and even final 12 months’s iPhone 12). The iPhone 11 lacks 5G help, newer digital camera options (like Cinematic mode), the iPhone 13’s improved battery life, MagSafe accent help and an OLED display screen with higher distinction. But in case you do not thoughts sacrificing these options, which other than the longer battery life are principally refinements than must-haves, the iPhone 11 is a wonderful alternative. However, in case you’re making an attempt to save cash, it is value trying out provider offers on the iPhone 13. Some carriers and retailers are providing a whole bunch of {dollars} off the new iPhone 13 lineup in case you have a qualifying machine to trade-in. But it is value remembering that these offers often include sure circumstances, and the value can fluctuate relying on the cellphone you are buying and selling in. Carriers additionally often apply the financial savings by way of month-to-month invoice credit moderately than offering the full low cost value up entrance. Read extra: Is the iPhone 13 value it? Before shopping for, see the way it compares to all the different iPhones
Find the finest telephones, apps and equipment with our CNET Mobile e-newsletter. (*13*) Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The iPhone 11 nails the fundamentals for a whole bunch of {dollars} lower than the iPhone 13The absence of 5G is most likely the iPhone 11’s largest omission. But the excellent news is that you do not essentially want 5G proper now. Widely-deployed 5G networks are solely marginally higher than 4G LTE. Even if super-fast 5G networks had been widespread, there aren’t new apps or providers designed to make the most of these speeds. Since most telephones now include 5G at no further price, it isn’t a dangerous thought to purchase a 5G cellphone. But you additionally will not be lacking out on something by skipping 5G for now.Otherwise, the iPhone 11 has lots to supply relating to the fundamentals. If you are upgrading from an older mannequin like the iPhone 8 or earlier, the iPhone 11’s A13 Bionic processor will certainly really feel like a huge pace increase. Apple simply launched a new iPad that runs on the similar processor, offering extra proof that the A13 Bionic has a lot of life left in it. The iPhone 11 was additionally Apple’s first smartphone to come back with its U1 chip, which allows it to make use of the ultrawideband wi-fi protocol. In plain English, the U1 chip provides the iPhone extra spatial consciousness for options like quicker AirDrop, turn-by-turn instructions when discovering misplaced AirTags, and simpler handoff capabilities when transferring music and calls between your iPhone and HomePod Mini. The iPhone 11 was the first iPhone to get Apple’s U1 chip, which allows turn-by-turn instructions for locating misplaced gadgets with AirTags.
Sarah Tew/CNET
You may not end up utilizing any of these options. But the U1 chip’s presence in the iPhone 11 supplies some assurance that you simply will not be left behind ought to Apple launch new capabilities that require it in the future. The iPhone 11’s 6.1-inch display screen is not as crisp as that of the iPhone 12 or iPhone 13, and the distinction is not as excessive because it makes use of an LCD panel as a substitute of OLED. But it is still sharp sufficient to enjoyably watch motion pictures and browse Instagram. Battery life is not so long as the iPhone 13’s, nevertheless it needs to be about the similar as the iPhone 12’s in response to Apple’s estimates. Again, you will still see a noticeable increase in case you’re upgrading from an older cellphone. A brand new iPhone XS, for instance, can final for an estimated 14 hours throughout video playback, whereas the iPhone 11 ought to be capable to endure 17 hours. Another vital issue to think about is storage. If you do not hold a lot of information, motion pictures and images regionally in your cellphone and principally lean on iCloud, the 64GB in the entry-level iPhone 11 is most likely high quality. The most cost-effective iPhone 13 comes with twice the storage, however you possibly can still save a lot by choosing the 128GB iPhone 11 as a substitute in case you want extra space. The iPhone 11 has a lot of the vital digital camera options in the iPhone 12 and 13The iPhone 11’s cameras are additionally greater than sufficient for anybody who needs to take high-quality images with their cellphone, however does not want the most superior digital camera accessible. Its digital camera system contains a 12-megapixel sensor with a wide-angle lens that has an aperture of ƒ/1.8, and an ultra-wide-angle lens with an ƒ/2.4 aperture. That means you’ve the choice of taking commonplace images or pictures with a a lot wider area of view, permitting you to seize extra of a scene with out having to step backward. The aperture (i.e. quantity of sunshine the digital camera can take in) on this extra-wide lens is additionally the similar as these of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13. So you should not see a lot of a distinction in picture high quality when capturing pictures in this ultra-wide mode.You’ll additionally get options like night time mode — which permits for higher picture high quality in dim eventualities with out having to make use of flash — and deep fusion, which improves element and reduces noise. There’s additionally a 12-megapixel entrance digital camera for taking selfies and making FaceTime calls, the similar as the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13. The iPhone 11 has a great digital camera with an ultra-wide lens and Night mode.
Angela Lang/CNET
If you are upgrading from an older cellphone, you are certain to see a noticeable enchancment in picture high quality. The iPhone XS, which solely got here out one 12 months earlier than the iPhone 11, does not have Night mode and likewise lacks an ultrawide lens for broader photographs. (The iPhone XS has a telephoto zoom lens as a substitute, not like the iPhone 11). The largest pictures options you will be lacking out on by not choosing Apple’s latest iPhones are Cinematic mode for video, which Apple simply launched on the iPhone 13. This mode mechanically shifts the focus in order that it stays locked on the topic and supplies a shallow depth of area to create a extra film-like aesthetic. Apple additionally launched Photographic Styles on the iPhone 13, a characteristic that allows you to save custom-made preferences for use throughout totally different images that mechanically regulate as wanted. While these options are great for cellular photographers and video producers, you do not want them to take a great picture along with your iPhone. In reality, the profitable shot in this 12 months’s iPhone Photography Awards was taken on an iPhone 7, a cellphone that is now 5 years outdated. The iPhone 11 has a lot extra to supply than the iPhone SEThe iPhone 11 (left) has a a lot bigger display screen and a dual-lens digital camera in comparison with the iPhone SE (proper).
Angela Lang/CNET
The $400 iPhone SE is the most cost-effective smartphone Apple presently sells. But there are solely two causes why you must select it over the iPhone 11: you do not need to half with Touch ID, or $500 is past your funds.Otherwise, the iPhone 11 is superior to the iPhone SE in nearly each means. It has a dual-lens digital camera with Night mode and Deep Fusion, whereas the iPhone SE simply has a single-lens digital camera with out these options. The 6.1-inch display screen is noticeably bigger than that of the 4.7-inch iPhone SE, which most individuals will possible discover extra comfy for studying and watching video. The iPhone 11’s battery life is additionally for much longer at an estimated 17 hours throughout video playback in comparison with the iPhone SE’s 13 hours. The iPhone SE’s finest qualities are its low worth and speedy A13 Bionic chip. But now that the iPhone 11 is getting nearer to the iPhone SE in phrases of worth, it is tougher to justify recommending the iPhone SE. Even if you’re selected Apple’s smaller funds cellphone, it is most likely finest to attend if doable since a new iPhone SE is anticipated to launch in early 2022, in response to Nikkei Asian Review.All instructed, the iPhone 11 comes with a lot of the most vital updates you will need in a new iPhone — particularly in case you’re upgrading from an older mannequin like the iPhone 8 or earlier. You will not get a few of the nuances that Apple has launched over the previous two years, however the iPhone 11 is still a wonderful value. At $500, it could be Apple’s finest funds cellphone but.
iPhone 11 vs. iPhone 13, 12, and SE
iPhone 11
iPhone 12
iPhone 13
iPhone SE (2020)
Display dimension, decision,
6.1-inch LCD Liquid Retina; 1,792×828 pixels
6.1-inch OLED; 2,532×1,170 pixels
6.1-inch OLED; 2,532×1,170 pixels
4.7-inch Retina HD; 1,334×750 pixels
Pixel density
326ppi
460ppi
460 ppi
326ppi
Dimensions (Inches)
5.94×2.98×0.33 in
5.78 x 2.82 x 0.29 in
5.78 x 2.82 x 0.3 in
5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in
Dimensions (Millimeters)
150.9×75.7×8.3 mm
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm
147 x 72 x 7.65 mm
138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm
Weight (Ounces, Grams)
6.84 oz; 194g
5.78oz; 164g
6.14 oz; 174g
5.22 oz; 148g
Mobile software program
iOS 15
iOS 15
iOS 15
iOS 15
Camera
12-megapixel (huge), 12-megapixel (ultra-wide)
12-megapixel (huge), 12-megapixel (ultra-wide)
12-megapixel (huge), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)
12-megapixel
Front-facing digital camera
12-megapixel with Face ID
12-megapixel
12-megapixel
7-megapixel
Video seize
4K
4K
HDR video recording with Dolby Vision as much as 4K at 60 fps
4K
Processor
Apple A13 Bionic
Apple Bionic 14
Apple A15 Bionic
Apple A13 Bionic
Storage
64GB, 128GB, 256GB
64GB, 128GB, 256GB
128GB, 256GB, 512GB
64GB, 128GB, 256GB
RAM
Undisclosed
Undisclosed
Undisclosed
Undisclosed
Expandable storage
None
None
None
No
Battery
(*11*) 17 hours of video playback
(*11*) 17 hours of video playback
(*11*) 19 hours of video playback
(*11*) 13 hours of video playback
Fingerprint sensor
None (Face ID)
No (FaceID)
No (Face ID)
Home button
Connector
Lightning
Lightning
Lightning
Lightning
Headphone jack
No
No
No
No
Special options
Water resistant (IP68); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wi-fi charging
5G enabled; MagSafe; water-proof (IP68); wi-fi charging; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM)
5G enabled; MagSafe; water-proof (IP68); wi-fi charging; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM)
Water resistant (IP67); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wi-fi charging
Price off-contract (USD)
$499 (64GB), $549 (128GB)
$699 (64GB), $749 (128GB), $849 (256GB)
$799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB)
$399 (64GB), $449 (128GB)
Price (GBP)
£365 (64GB), £401 (128GB)
£511 (64GB), £547 (128GB), £620 (256GB)
£779 (128GB), £879 (256GB), £1,079 (512GB)
£419 (64GB), £469 (128GB)
Price (AUD)
AU$687 (64GB), AU$756 (128GB)
AU$962 (64GB), AU$1,031 (128GB), AU$1,169 (256GB)
AU$1,349 (128GB), AU$1,519 (256GB), AU$1,869 (512GB)
AU$749 (64GB), AU$829 (128GB)
