EDITOR'S NOTE:
Since its release in 2019, the iPhone 11 Pro has been replaced by newer iPhone models. Although several years old, the iPhone 11 will continue to support the latest iOS software updates.
The information below reflects the data and pricing at the time of the device's release, and availability will differ from when we first reviewed it. You can upgrade to a newer iPhone, or you may still be able to find refurbished models of this device through retailers such as Amazon or eBay.
The iPhone 11 Pro is truly deserving of its "Pro" moniker. The device's triple camera setup, A13 processor and vivid Super Retina XDR display are all arguably industry-leading.
Our Dream Job winner Ian Deboo put the iPhone 11 Pro through its paces and has a lot to say about it. What follows is Ian's detailed take on Apple's flagship.
iPhone 11 Pro Review: Verdict
The iPhone 11 Pro, as its name suggests, is nothing less than a pro-grade product. The new triple lens system is its flagship feature, and the greatest incentive for those looking to upgrade. Meanwhile, the new A13 Bionic chip that drives the device is far more powerful than the previous year's model sporting an A12. Overall, the iPhone 11 Pro offers a decent amount of new or refreshed features that give consumers a decent reason to consider upgrading.
What we love
- Triple camera setup delivers the goods
- Great battery life
- Next-level speed and performance via A13 chip
What we don't love
- Sky-high price
- Display not a marked improvement on predecessor
- Not an essential upgrade if you have the iPhone X or newer
The essentials
- Performance: Top tier driven by the new A13 chip
- Battery: 14 hours of use, and the best battery life you'll find on an iPhone.
- Screen: Super Retina XDR is a slight step up from predecessor
- Camera: Industry-leading
90/100
iPhone 11 Pro: Camera
The iPhone 11 Pro's cameras are the star of the show. The triple camera system on the back gives you a wide range of photographic perspectives. The ultra-wide camera captures a more true-to-life image, and excels with up-close objects and people (see image).
Night mode is a new feature on the iPhone 11 Pro and is truly one of my favorite parts of using the camera. It used to be nearly impossible to take decent photos in low-light conditions, but Night Mode can take an amazing long-exposure shot that makes pitch darkness look like an overcast day. Another interesting feature is Audio Zoom, which enhances the sound of whatever your subject is and quiets the surrounding audio.
The cameras on the iPhone 11 Pro get a five-star rating because of the amazing new ultra-wide lens, the ever-so necessary night mode, and the improved image and video quality of the selfie camera. It's my pick for the best smartphone camera on the market at the moment.
iPhone 11 Pro Camera:
iPhone 11 Pro: Display
The iPhone 11 Pro’s Super Retina XDR display is impressive. Color accuracy is nearly perfect, brightness is great even under direct sunlight, and image quality is exceedingly sharp. Yet when comparing it side by side with the previous two generations of iPhone, I’m hard-pressed to notice much difference. On paper it may have double the contrast ratio and 30% higher brightness, but I’m just not sure I would go so far as to say that it is a noticeable improvement over the iPhone Xs or iPhone X, which is why I gave it four stars.
iPhone 11 Pro Display:
iPhone 11 Pro: Battery Life
Apple announced this year that the new iPhone 11 Pro would have 4 more hours of battery life than the iPhone XS. The iPhone XS had an average of about 10 hours of battery life with moderate use, so I expected 14 hours out of the iPhone 11 Pro—and after 5 consecutive days of testing it came pretty close.
With what I would expect to be average consumer usage (internet browsing, streaming some music, streaming a TV show, taking some photos, texting) I got a bit over 12 hours of screen-on time. With a light day of usage (no video streaming or gameplay) I achieved a whopping 14 hours of screen-on time!
The battery life gets four and a half stars because of the tremendous increase to screen time and Apple’s dedication to reducing power consumption throughout the device.
iPhone 11 Pro Battery Life:
iPhone 11 Pro: Build and Design
The build of the new iPhone 11 Pro feels extremely premium, as well it should at its price point. The iPhone 11 Pro is heavier than the previous generation and I actually think it’s slight enough that it adds to premium feel without making it seem bulky. It still has the same IP68 water resistance with an improved submergible depth of 4 meters instead of 2 meters.
It’s nice to see Apple continuously improving the durability and resistance of their products. The iPhone 11 Pro gets five stars on build because of its premium quality materials and elegant design. In my opinion, it's one of the best looking smartphones on the market today.
iPhone 11 Pro Build and Design:
iPhone 11 Pro: Software and Apps
The most obvious Apple software update to discuss is the camera app. It offers several new features including Night mode, a new portrait filter called High Key Light Mono, and the ability to take portrait shots of inanimate objects. The app acts as a great built-in camera control.
The new maps app has a feature called Look Around that is currently only available in San Francisco, but is something worth checking out. There is also a new Shortcuts app that allows you to create or use customizable routines that can be activated through Siri.
These are just a few of the major updates to this year’s iPhone software, but there are improvements throughout the entire operating system. The Apple software gets four and a half stars because of the exciting new features added this year, and their seamless integration with the new iPhone 11 models.
iPhone 11 Pro Software and Apps:
iPhone 11 Pro: Who It's For
The iPhone 11 Pro's name would suggest that this new flagship phone is designed for “pro” users, but what exactly defines a “pro” cell phone user? I think it’s safe to assume they are referring to consumers who use their iPhones mainly for photography and videography. This is also who I believe the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max are really meant for. I think the iPhone 11 Pro is best for users who create a lot of digital media with their phones and want the best photography experience possible on a mobile device.
Explore the iPhone 11 Pro Range
The iPhone 11 Pro comes in three different storage capacities.
Chris Holmes
Staff Writer
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