Apple’s strategy change is good news for users. In the following review of the Apple iPhone 11, we are going to discuss the following features:

• Display and design
• Performance
• Camera
• Battery

As the promoter of the first smartphone in history, Apple continues to be among the top phone manufacturers and the iPhone one of the best-selling devices. In 2019, Apple decided to slightly change the strategy and the move is proving to be an excellent one for end-users.

For the first time, the basic model iPhone 11, has an affordable price compared to rivals. There is also the Pro and Pro Max versions with some additional features. But, for most users, the iPhone 11 has all the necessary features and it is a good reason to upgrade.

We put the phone on tests and were happy to name it one of the best smartphones on the market, taking into account all aspects. Nonetheless, there are also some weaknesses of the phone, especially compared to competitors like Samsung or Huawei.

Display and design

With a 6.1-inch screen, the iPhone 11 has the standard size of a phone since 2019. It is waterproof, IP68 certified. As for the display, here’s the first compromise Apple has made on the phone to be priced lower: it’s just a Liquid Retina IPS LCD screen, unlike older brothers that come with OLED screens. For a user switching from an OLED screen phone, the difference is noticeable. However, the screen is excellent, with a brightness of 625 nits. Unfortunately, Apple preserved the notch from the iPhone X, which results in a display of 79%. The 19.5:5 display comes with a resolution of 1792×828, which is not impressive at all.

Another bold choice by Apple is the design of the rear cameras. The iPhone 11 has two sensors on the back, placed in a square that protrudes. It is a brave choice because there will be users who are not happy with this design, but it is a subjective aspect.

These are the specifications that tell a story. In fact, the level reached by smartphones in 2019 makes the differences unnoticeable when it comes to the differences in specifications. The user experience is excellent, and the new iPhone feels “premium” in use. It’s a little harder, at 194 grams, but this gives the impression of a solid phone that won’t crack at the first stroke.

The headphone jack is history; at the bottom of the phone is the Lightning slot for charging and using the headset. The buttons are positioned the same as in last year´s version.

iPhone 11 comes in 6 color variants and has the back made of solid glass, while the square around the camera has a matte surface.

Performance

If in some respects Apple has lagged behind rivals, when it comes to performance Apple does not fail. The new A13 Bionic chip is powerful and efficient; the phone handles all the tasks in everyday life without fail. The phone is fast, the only thing missing is a 90Hz refresh rate screen, a detail that would improve the phone experience. However, the phone is very fast even when using only one application, but especially in multitasking. There is no difference to the Pro version in terms of performance, being the same chip and 4GB of RAM.

The new iOS 13 is present on all models and offers new features. Unfortunately, the iPhone 11 does not benefit from the new Dark Mode, as it has an LCD screen, not an OLED one.

If the notch on the front is a disadvantage in appearance, it brings benefits to Face ID which is faster than ever.

The basic version comes with 64GB of storage space, without the possibility of using a card to increase capacity. As the phone comes with 4K recording capabilities, the memory can fill up fast. There are also 128GB and 256GB variants.

iPhone 11 has impressive benchmark scores, surpassing Android phones with the Snapdragon 855 processor.

The camera

The new iPhone 11 is one of the best phones on the market when it comes to the main camera. It has two sensors on the back, an upgrade from the 2018 iPhone XR. In addition to the 12MP main sensor with f/1.8, there is the second 120-degree ultrawide sensor. Unlike the Pro versions, there is no third sensor – the telephoto.

The 12MP sensor is the one used in most cases. Autofocus is extremely fast regardless of brightness conditions and the Smart HDR delivers impressive results. The phone takes several underexposed photos at the same time and one overexposed, to be processed altogether for a final result.

The main camera on the iPhone 11 has a few flaws. The color accuracy is excellent and the temperature is always good even in difficult situations. The ultrawide camera offers a new perspective and the results can often be spectacular. The main disadvantage is the lack of autofocus, so the distance to the subject must be ideal for it to be in focus.

Big progress is represented by the night mode, compared to last year’s models. There is no dedicated mode like in other phones, but it becomes active when the sensors detect poor light conditions. The user can disable the feature, choose the automatic version or select the maximum one for longer exposure. This may vary, but can take up to 28 seconds if the phone is on a tripod. Unfortunately, the night mode is not available on the ultrawide camera or in the selfie mode. The portrait mode can now be used not only if the subject being photographed is a human, so the bokeh effect can exist in different situations. The effect is delightful, as the camera manages to separate the subject from the background elements in a pleasant way.

The selfie camera is solid, impressing with the new mode called Slofies: slow-motion clips are captured at 120 frames per second at 1080p resolution.

When it comes to video, the iPhone 11 is unbeatable.

Optical stabilization is excellent, the colors are natural and there is no distortion of the image. Focus is always the right one and the option to shoot at 4K resolution with 60 frames per second is ideal.

Battery

A chapter that Apple had some problems with for many years was the battery. Fortunately, this becomes part of the past. iPhone 11 offers more than one day of average use thanks to the new chip and larger battery capacity – 3046 mAh for iPhone 11.

Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t offer the 18W charger in the package, but the 5W charger. Thus, for fast charging, this charger must be purchased separately. However, the differences are substantial: with the standard charger, it takes more than 2 and a half hours for charging from 0% to 100%, while fast charging can provide 50% battery life in just half an hour.

iPhone 11 also comes with wireless charging, so it can be a convenient way to charge your phone during the day or in the car.

Conclusions

Apple’s new strategy makes the iPhone 11 the successor of the 2018 XR, not the XS. For Apple phone users, it won’t be difficult to make the choice. iPhone 11 is cheaper than the XR when it was launched and the phone is an upgrade over last year’s phones.

The iPhone 11 also offers a great user experience, with no big compromises compared to the Pro versions. The camera is of excellent quality; it is the one that the user can rely on in any situation. And in terms of video, the iPhone 11 is unbeatable. Battery life is better than ever, and performance is flawless.

What Apple has achieved with the iPhone 11 is something that has not been characteristic to the American company so far: to offer a version where the value for money is truly impressive.