What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max compared to another? Is one the right iPhone 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 with the latest iOS support details and more and can be quite useful to anyone buying one of these devices on the used market.

At the end of the day, only you can decide if an iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, or iPhone 11 Pro Max is the right iPhone for you, but the below objective pros and cons can help.

EveryiPhone.com also provides an iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max comparison that can be better for those who prefer a more detailed evaluation. For those who would rather have a quick to read summary, the following can be ideal.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 11 - Colors)

iPhone 11 Pros:

• Inexpensive compared to the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max and cheaper than its predecessor at the time of introduction.
• Just as fast performance, same RAM, and the same cellular capabilities, as the more expensive iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max.
• Great battery life.
• Playful color options; purple and green seem to be crowd favorites.
• Waterproof to two meters for up to 30 minutes.
• Fast, Face ID authentication makes security easy and AR (augmented reality) shows great promise.
• Integrated inductive (Qi) charging capability.
• Quality dual lens rear cameras.
• Dual SIM standard (one Nano SIM and one eSIM on most models).
• Support for the current version of the iOS, iOS 18.

iPhone 11 Cons:

• Relatively interior "Liquid Retina HD" display (but still quite good).
• Stronger glass than previous models, but the glass front and back are fragile compared to many kinds of metal, plastic, or other materials.
• Large size makes it difficult, even impossible, to comfortably use with one hand.
• Somewhat awkward "camera notch" at the top of the display.
• Larger "lip" or bezel around the display than the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max.
• Face ID could prove to be a security concern (but it can be disabled, if desired).
• Storage tops out at 256 GB (and current models at 128 GB).
• When running iOS 18, the Apple Intelligence (AI), Messages via Satellite, Live audio transcriptions, Eye Tracking, and Music Haptics features are not supported.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 11 Pro)

iPhone 11 Pro & iPhone 11 Pro Max Pros:

• Beautiful, high-quality, high-resolution HDR OLED displays. Both provide a large viewing area relative to their physical dimensions. The iPhone 11 Pro Max has the largest display available on a new iPhone.
• Fast performance and 4 GB of RAM.
• Excellent battery life, the highest of any iPhone models at the time of its introduction.
• Attractive subdued colors and textured glass for easier handling.
• Fast, Face ID authentication makes security easy and AR (augmented reality) shows great promise.
• Waterproof to four meters for up to 30 minutes.
• Integrated inductive (Qi) charging capability.
• Impressive, high-quality triple lens camera system -- ultrawide angle, wide angle, and telephoto.
• Gigabit-class LTE.
• Dual SIM standard (one Nano SIM and one eSIM on most models).
• The option of as much as 512 GB of storage.
• Support for the current version of the iOS, iOS 18.

iPhone 11 Pro & iPhone 11 Pro Max Cons:

• Very expensive when introduced (but less expensive now on the used market).
• Large cases are difficult, even impossible, to handle with one hand. The larger iPhone 11 Pro Max is almost a tablet.
• Glass front and back are stronger than previous models, but still relatively fragile compared to more durable materials.
• Somewhat awkward "camera notch" at the top of the display takes getting used to.
• Face ID could prove to be a security concern (but it can be disabled, if desired).
• When running iOS 18, the Apple Intelligence (AI), Messages via Satellite, Live audio transcriptions, Eye Tracking, and Music Haptics features are not supported.

So, should I buy an iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, or iPhone 11 Pro Max?

Compared just to one another, and ignoring subsequent iPhone models, EveryiPhone.com originally suggested that most users should purchase the entry-level iPhone 11 instead of the more expensive iPhone 11 Pro or iPhone 11 Pro Max. The iPhone 11 is the same speed and originally cost at least US$300 less.

However, compared to the entry-level option, the iPhone 11 Pro/iPhone 11 Pro Max models have (1) a stronger steel frame and textured glass for easier handling, (2) higher quality displays, (3) better waterproofing, (4) a much more advanced rear camera, (5) even better battery life, and (6) the option of more storage.

Although the value proposition may have changed somewhat on the used market, when it was first introduced, the display and triple lens camera alone were well worth the US$300+ upgrade for the iPhone 11 Pro or iPhone 11 Pro Max for those with the budget, but the iPhone 11 is such a solid device that it was more than adequate for most users.

In the US, site sponsor Other World Computing 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.