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iPhone Q&A
Update Published October 19, 2022
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What are all the differences between the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max? How many versions of each are there? Which is best for me?
Please note that the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max all have been discontinued. This Q&A has been updated subsequently with current iOS support details and more and can be quite helpful for anyone buying one of these models on the used market.
There are nine different iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max models (three of each), but this EveryiPhone.com Q&A mostly compares the collective differences to make it easy for you to determine which is best for your needs.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Left: iPhone 11; Right: iPhone 11 Pro & iPhone 11 Pro Max)
The iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro/iPhone 11 Pro Max, pictured above, are so similar that they are easy to mistake for one another (as well as for earlier iPhone models). However, there are some significant differences as well as many similarities that are important to understand, also.
External Design & Functionality Differences
The iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max models look practically identical -- rounded rectangles with a glass front and back and nearly edge-to-edge displays with a "notch" at the top to hold cameras and sensors -- but there are notable differences in design and functionality.
The iPhone 11 uses a case that is primarily aluminum with a modest black "lip" around the edge of its display whereas the 2 million:1 iPhone 11 Pro/iPhone 11 Pro Max models use a mostly stainless steel case. The iPhone 11 Pro/iPhone 11 Pro Max also use textured glass with a matte finish that feels a bit less slippery than the entry-level model.
Both lines are waterproof to the IP68 standard (IEC standard 60529) for up to 30 minutes of water exposure, but the iPhone 11 is waterproof to a depth of two meters whereas the iPhone 11 Pro/iPhone 11 Pro Max are waterproof to a depth of four meters.
As mobile devices go, each are rather large and heavy. The iPhone 11 is slightly heavier than the iPhone 11 Pro, but lighter than the notably larger iPhone 11 Pro Max.
All three models also have stereo speakers, a Lightning connector, and a side-mounted access panel on the right side for one or two Nano SIMs (China-only models have two physical Nano SIMs, other models have one physical Nano SIM and one virtual eSIM). All support "wireless" -- really inductive -- charging with an optional charging base, as well.
 iPhone 11 |
 iPhone 11 Pro |
iPhone 11 Pro Max |
|
| Material: | Aluminum/Glass | Steel/Glass | Steel/Glass |
| Water Resistance: | 2 meters | 4 meters | 4 meters |
| Height x Width (In.): | 5.94 x 2.98 | 5.67 x 2.81 | 6.22 x 3.06 |
| Depth (In.): | 0.33 | 0.32 | 0.32 |
| Weight (Oz.): | 6.84 | 6.63 | 7.97 |
Display Differences
The displays are one of the most substantial differences between the iPhone 11 and its more expensive iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max brethren.
The iPhone 11 has a pleasant 6.1" LCD "Liquid Retina HD" display (1792x828, 326 ppi, 625 nits typical max brightness, 1400:1 contrast ratio). The iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max models, on the other hand, have beautiful OLED HDR "Super Retina" displays (458 ppi, 800 nits typical max brightness, 1 million:1 contrast ratio). The smaller iPhone 11 Pro has a 5.8" (2436x1125) display and the larger iPhone 11 Pro Max has a massive 6.5" (2688x1242) display:
iPhone 11 |
iPhone 11 Pro |
iPhone 11 Pro Max |
|
| Display Type: | LCD | OLED | OLED |
| Dimensions: | 6.1" | 5.8" | 6.5" |
| Resolution: | 1792x828 | 2436x1125 | 2688x1242 |
| Pixel Density: | 326 ppi | 458 ppi | 458 ppi |
| Max Brightness: | 625 nits | 800 nits | 800 nits |
| HDR Brightness: | -- | 1200 nits | 1200 nits |
| Contrast Ratio: | 1400:1 | 1 million:1 | 1 million:1 |
The OLED screen in the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max are not only better quality, but also have a larger viewable area in a comparatively smaller housing.
Housing Color Differences
All three of these iPhone models have a black front, but different back colors are offered. The iPhone 11 is available in six colors whereas the iPhone 11 Pro/iPhone 11 Pro Max are available in four:
iPhone 11 |
iPhone 11 Pro |
iPhone 11 Pro Max |
| White | Gold | Gold |
| Black | Silver | Silver |
| Green (Pastel) | "Space Gray" | "Space Gray" |
| Yellow (Pastel) | "Midnight Green" | "Midnight Green" |
| Purple (Pastel) | ||
| (PRODUCT) RED |
Color is clearly one way that Apple is trying to differentiate between the entry-level option, which has more playful colors, and the "professional" models, which use a more subdued color palette.
Camera Differences
The cameras in the iPhone 11 and the iPhone 11 Pro/iPhone 11 Pro Max are one of the most notable points of differentiation. The front cameras are the same, but the rear cameras in the iPhone 11 Pro/iPhone 11 Pro Max are more capable.
Front Cameras
The front-facing camera on all three of these devices -- which Apple refers to as "TrueDepth" -- supports "Advanced Face ID" authentication, augmented reality (AR), still photos, and 4K video recording:
iPhone 11 |
iPhone 11 Pro |
iPhone 11 Pro Max |
|
| Megapixels: | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Aperture: | f/2.2 | f/2.2 | f/2.2 |
| Video: | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| Portrait Mode: | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Portrait Lighting: | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Rear Cameras
The iPhone 11 rear camera has dual 12 megapixel ultra wide and wide angle lenses that shoot still photos and 4K video with a variety of filters and processing options.
The iPhone 11 Pro/iPhone 11 Pro Max models are even better and have rear triple lens camera systems. It has the ultra wide and wide functionality from the entry-level iPhone 11, but also add a third telephoto camera. As you would expect from a traditional telephoto lens, the iPhone telephoto system simulates this capability and makes distant shots higher quality:
iPhone 11 |
iPhone 11 Pro |
iPhone 11 Pro Max |
|
| Megapixels: | 12 MP x2 | 12 MP x3 | 12 MP x3 |
| Ultrawide Angle: | f/2.4 | f/2.4 | f/2.4 |
| Wide Angle: | f/1.8 | f/1.8 | f/1.8 |
| Telephoto: | None | f/2.0 | f/2.0 |
| LED Flash: | True Tone with Slow Sync | True Tone with Slow Sync | True Tone with Slow Sync |
| Digital Zoom: | 2x-5x* | 2x-10x* | 2x-10x* |
* By combining an image from multiple cameras, these models all emulate a 2x optical zoom and provide an enhanced digital zoom (up to 5x for the iPhone 11 and up to 10x for the iPhone 11 Pro/iPhone 11 Pro Max).
The iPhone 11, and especially the iPhone 11 Pro/iPhone 11 Pro Max have significantly better cameras than earlier iPhone models because of a combination of hardware and software improvements. For the capability of the iPhone 11 Pro in the hands of a professional photographer, you may find this C|Net evaluation -- shot in the Scottish highlands -- worthwhile.
Identification Differences
Some entry-level iPhone 11 models can be identifiable by color, and at the time of release, iPhone 11 Pro/iPhone 11 Pro Max models are easy to spot by the third camera lens, but these are not good long-term methods of differentiation. It is not possible to identify specific iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max models by appearance alone, either.
One relatively easy way to uniquely identify these models is by the Model Number listed on the cardboard shipping box and within the iOS "Settings" app.
Consequently, for the purpose of this Q&A, it is sufficient to note that the following model numbers refer to these iPhone devices:
iPhone Model |
Model Number |
EveryiPhone.com's Ultimate iLookup feature also can precisely identify these iPhone models by Order Number (referred to as "Model" within the iOS "Settings" app under General > About), and their Serial Numbers, as well.
Battery Life Differences
The iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max models all have impressive battery life, but the largest iPhone 11 Pro Max provides the longest runtime of the three:
iPhone 11 |
iPhone 11 Pro |
iPhone 11 Pro Max |
|
| Local Video: | 17 Hours | 18 Hours | 20 Hours |
| Streamed Video: | 10 Hours | 11 Hours | 12 Hours |
| Audio Playback: | 65 Hours | 65 Hours | 80 Hours |
Apple boasts that all three of these devices provide longer runtime than their predecessors, but the company also changed its criteria to no longer report talk time.
Wireless Connectivity & Data Differences
The iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max models all provide much of the same connectivity. For example, all three provide Gigabit-class LTE, 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 with 2x2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0, Ultra Wideband "for spatial awareness," NFC capability, and more.
Furthermore, all configurations of all three models support FDD-LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, and 66; TD‑LTE bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, and 48; UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz); and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz). However, there are other LTE bands that are supported by some models and not others.
Supported cellular networks between specific models varies accordingly:
iPhone Model |
Model |
Differing Connectivity |
iPhone 11 (US/Canada) |
FDD-LTE 14, 71 CDMA EV-DO Rev. A |
|
iPhone 11 (Global) |
FDD-LTE 11, 21, 28, 32 | |
iPhone 11 (China/Hong Kong) |
CDMA EV-DO Rev. A TD-SCDMA 1900 (F), 2000 (A) |
It also is important to note that each of these models support dual SIMs, but only the China/Hong Kong models -- the A2223, A2217, and A2220 -- have dual hardware Nano SIMs. The other models have one hardware Nano SIM and one eSIM in software.
Internal Differences
Although specific parts often are different, the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max models have effectively the same specs apart from storage capacity:
iPhone 11 |
iPhone 11 Pro |
iPhone 11 Pro Max |
|
| Clockspeed: | 2.66 GHz | 2.66 GHz | 2.66 GHz |
| Processor: | A13 Bionic | A13 Bionic | A13 Bionic |
| Cores: | Six | Six | Six |
| RAM: | 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Architecture: | 64-Bit | 64-Bit | 64-Bit |
| Neural Engine: | 3rd Gen | 3rd Gen | 3rd Gen |
| Storage: | 64/128/256 GB | 64/256/512 GB | 64/256/512 GB |
| Apple Pay (NFC): | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Note that from a performance standpoint, there is no meaningful difference between these models at all.
iOS Support Similarities
The iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max all originally shipped with iOS 13. All three models fully support iOS 14 and iOS 15, as well.
The iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max also support the current version of the iOS -- iOS 16 -- with the exception of the minor Accessibility Detection and improved Depth of Field features.
iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro & iPhone 11 Pro Max Comparison Chart
These differences, as well as other details and pricing info, are summarized below:
iPhone 11 |
iPhone 11 Pro |
iPhone 11 Pro Max |
|
| Introduced: | Sep 2019 | Sep 2019 | Sep 2019 |
| Discontinued: | Sep 2022 | Oct 2020 | Oct 2020 |
| RAM: | 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Orig. Storage: | 64/128/256 GB | 64/256/512 GB | 64/256/512 GB |
| Battery Life: | 10-65 Hours | 11-65 Hours | 12-80 Hours |
| Display Type: | LCD | OLED | OLED |
| Display Size: | 6.1" | 5.8" | 6.5" |
| Resolution: | 1792x828 | 2436x1125 | 2688x1242 |
| Pixel Density: | 326 ppi | 458 ppi | 458 ppi |
| Contrast Ratio: | 1400:1 | 1 million:1 | 1 million:1 |
| Brightness: | 625 nits | 800 nits | 800 nits |
| Front Camera: | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Rear Camera: | 2 (12 MP) | 3 (12 MP) | 3 (12 MP) |
| Material: | Aluminum/Glass | Steel/Glass | Steel/Glass |
| Water Resist.: | 2 meters | 4 meters | 4 meters |
| Colors: | 6 Colors | 4 Subdued | 4 Subdued |
| SIM Card: | Nano/eSIM | Nano/eSIM | Nano/eSIM |
| Gigabit LTE: | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Original iOS: | iOS 13 | iOS 13 | iOS 13 |
| Maximum iOS: | iOS 16 | iOS 16 | iOS 16 |
| Orig. Price* (US): | US$699 US$749 US$849 |
US$999 US$1149 US$1349 |
US$1099 US$1249 US$1449 |
| Orig. Price* (UK): | £729 £779 £879 |
£1049 £1199 £1399 |
£1149 £1299 £1499 |
| Orig. Price* (CA): | C$979 C$1049 C$1189 |
C$1379 C$1589 C$1859 |
C$1519 C$1729 C$1999 |
| Orig. Price* (AU): | A$1199 A$1279 A$1449 |
A$1629 A$1879 A$2199 |
A$1799 A$2049 A$2369 |
| Orig. Price* (JP): | ¥74,800 ¥79,800 ¥90,800 |
¥106,800 ¥122,800 ¥144,800 |
¥119,800 ¥135,800 ¥157,800 |
| Orig. Price* (CN): | RMB 5,499 RMB 5,999 RMB 6,799 |
RMB 8,699 RMB 9,999 RMB 11,799 |
RMB 9,599 RMB 10,899 RMB 12,699 |
* Note that these prices are for devices unlocked and paid in full upfront. Carrier subsidized options, leases, and trade-in discounts also were available. On October 13, 2020, Apple dropped the price of the iPhone 11 models to US$599, US$649, and US$749, with 64 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB of storage and discontinued the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. On September 14, 2021, Apple discontinued the 256 GB iPhone 11 configuration and cut the price of the remaining 64 GB and 128 GB iPhone 11 configurations to US$499 and US$549, respectively. Finally, on September 7, 2022, Apple discontinued the remaining iPhone 11 options entirely.
For pricing in dozens of countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each iPhone as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section of EveryiPhone.com.
So, which is for me? Should I buy an iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, or iPhone 11 Pro Max?
Just comparing one another, and ignoring subsequently introduced models, the entry-level iPhone 11 already is an impressive device. It effectively is (1) the same speed, (2) has the same LTE capability, and (3) has the same amount of RAM as the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. The iPhone 11 originally cost at least US$300 less, though.
Compared to the iPhone 11, the iPhone 11 Pro/iPhone 11 Pro Max have (1) a stronger steel frame and textured glass for less slippery handling, (2) higher quality displays, (3) better waterproofing for underwater photography, (4) a more advanced rear camera, (5) modestly better battery life, and (6) the option of more storage.
Although the value proposition may have changed somewhat on the used market, for what was originally an extra US$300 or more, the higher quality displays and more advanced camera systems were well worth the price alone for those with an ample budget, but the entry-level iPhone 11 was a solid choice for just about anyone, too.
In the US, site sponsors Other World Computing and JemJem sell used and refurbished iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max models with free shipping. On the other hand, if you need to sell an iPhone, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPhone with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In Australia, site sponsor Mac City likewise has a variety of used iPhone models sold at low prices and available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.
Please also see EveryiPhone.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPhone model to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad.
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