Apple constantly turns out new devices, but fans of this smartphone brand might look to the past for more affordable alternatives when it's time for an upgrade. Let's break down the iPhone 11 Pro in a detailed review.
iPhone 11 Pro Overview
The iPhone 11 Pro is the most powerful phone in Apple's 2019 lineup. It's not too expensive for most buyers, has a good camera set, and comes in a reasonably comfortable size for your hand and pocket. However, the battery life could be better, and the phone doesn't always have the best storage space.
What’s the Cost of the iPhone 11 Pro?
Depending on your retailer, you might find the iPhone 11 Pro available for as little as $450 or as much as $900. Generally, the price depends on how much storage space you want, and the iPhone 11 Pro starts at just 65 GB.
Who Is the iPhone 11 Pro Best For?
The iPhone 11 Pro is best for budget-minded shoppers who want a reasonably powerful and flexible mobile device. It may also be suitable for college students who like to take photos and run specific robust programs but can't justify spending nearly $1000 on a smartphone.
Breaking Down the iPhone 11 Pro in 2022
Let’s take a look at the details of the iPhone 11 Pro and break down its significant features.
Price
The iPhone 11 Pro, being a 2019 device, is usually available for anywhere between $500 and $999, depending on the retailer and the storage size you choose. It’s cheaper than at its launch; for example, the iPhone 11 Pro originally cost $999 for the base 64 GB version. You can often find it among great phone deals.
Specs
The iPhone 11 Pro is a reasonably sized device that weighs 188 g. Its screen is 5.8 inches across and displays images at 2436 x 1125 P resolution. With dimensions of 144 x 71.4 x 8.1 mm, it can easily fit in your pocket and sit comfortably in your hand without being overly heavy or too light compared to what you may be used to.
You can someones find this phone in colors like black, silver, midnight green, and similar shades. However, black and white remain the standard and most common colors for this phone.
Design
The iPhone 11 Pro doesn't reinvent the wheel in any capacity. It looks very similar to the iPhone XS (which came before) and the iPhone X (which came after). You'll notice Apple's signature smooth and streamlined design with curved edges.
However, the iPhone 11 Pro does come with a frosted matte back finish. It's slightly improved from the highly reflective glass you might use from other iPhone models.
With new software updates, the 11 Pro is easy to use. Long press commands, easy connectivity to Bluetooth systems, and other elements make “last year’s” model one of the best iPhones on the market today.
Display
The iPhone 11 Pro's 5.8-inch display is brighter than earlier iPhone models. Users can easily watch HDR video content on this device, especially on the maximum brightness setting.
With 2436 x 1125 P resolution, the iPhone 11 Pro offers reasonably good picture quality without genuinely knocking it out of the park.
Camera
F 11 Pro comes with a front-facing 12-megapixel camera, which provides tons of detail for every picture you snap. However, it could be brighter compared to other mobile devices.
The front and back 11 Pro cameras record 60 FPS and 4K video. Also nice are the cinematic video stabilization software and the Audio Zoom feature, which accurately hones in on sounds emanating from more distant subjects.
The camera system overall is well designed, offering a good field of view no matter which camera you use. The back lens is the best camera, and it works the best with the included Dark Mode setting that works in low-light settings and in conjunction with the camera app.
Other significant features in models like the iPhone 12, such as face ID and telephoto lenses, are also present here. While the system isn’t as good as the average Google Pixel’s, it’s still an effective setup overall.
Battery Life/Charging
Compared to the iPhone XD, the 11 Pro lasts for more than four hours long. You can use the low power mode to extend its battery life.
Most notable is this device's generally fast charge rate. You can usually charge from 0% to 100% power in less than an hour. This is partially due to the 18 W charger and the lightning USB-C cable included with your purchase (should you buy the phone with a new box).
Wireless charging is a bit spottier, and Android phones usually do better than the 11 Pro.
Video and Audio
The iPhone 11 Pro's video quality is enjoyable, offering excellent detail and deep colors no matter what type of media you wish to view.
In terms of audio, the iPhone 11 Pro comes with Dolby Atmos sound support. This can effectively simulate surround sound using the inbuilt stereo speakers.
While using your AirPods is still recommended, the phone sounds good enough through its speakers for either phone calls or viewing media.
Performance
Should you purchase a modern iPhone 11 Pro, you can install iOS 13, iOS 14, or iOS 15 if you want to upgrade from the original software. IOS 15 is recommended since it includes FaceTime improvements, notifications, a redesigned Safari browser, and many other features.
Regardless, the A13 Bionic chipset used for this phone provides snappy, smooth, and consistent performance whether you run several apps simultaneously or want to take advantage of the inbuilt video editing tools. Note that there is a slowdown when you first boot up the camera before a picture-taking session.
iPhone 11 Pro: Pros
- Brilliant OLED Display
- Durable Glass Front and Back
- Accessible Night Mode
- Incredibly fast A13 Bionic Processing Chip
Brilliant OLED Display
The Apple iPhone 11 Pro’s display is most noticeable thanks to its brightness. For example, the phone can produce a maximum brightness of 12,000 nits when you view HDR video content. This ensures you can watch your media no matter the ambient light environment.
Durable Glass Front and Back
Also nice is the phone’s durable glass surface on both front and back. You should still get a case for this phone, though. Like the iPhone 11 Pro Max, the 11 Pro looks deceptively durable, but you don’t want to miss out on precious pixels from your new iPhone just because the glass looks super tough.
Accessible Night Mode
The Apple iPhone 11 Pro’s night mode is perfect for taking photos in less than stellar light conditions. When night mode is active, you can brighten up dark scenes and take pictures without having to worry about everything looking shadowy or blurry.
Incredibly Fast A13 Bionic Processing Chip
The above-mentioned A13 Bionic processing chipset is a pretty good set for a phone of this age. As noted above, most apps and software run smoothly because of this chipset, especially if you upgrade the phone to the modern iOS 15 operating system.
iPhone 11 Pro: Cons
- It starts at 64GB of Storage
- Shorter Battery Life than Other Phones
- Heavier than iPhone XS, with the Same Design
It Starts at 64GB of Storage
Unfortunately, the base version of the iPhone 11 Pro comes with only 64 GB of storage. That’s not enough for many modern apps you may want to install, to say nothing of all the pictures you may want to take.
Shorter Battery Life Than Other Phones
Battery life, although four hours longer than the iPhone XS, still only clocks in at about 12 hours in total. That’s not comparable to the super long battery life you can find on phones like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra or even other iPhones like the iPhone X.
Heavier Than iPhone XS, With the Same Design
Although the 11 Pro improves upon the iPhone XS in many ways, it’s a little heavier but sports the same major design and look. That could be a major downside for folks looking to upgrade their mobile devices and get a new experience through and through.
Should You Buy the iPhone 11 Pro?
Yes, but make sure the cost fits your needs.
The iPhone 11 Pro is a reasonably decent and potentially budget-friendly "do it all" phone, especially if you want a device with a good camera set and fast processing speed. However, you may need to shell out more than you intend to get a phone with enough storage space for your liking.
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