If it’s time to start thinking about upgrading your iPhone, then chances are, you’ll want to start with the iPhone 11 trio. With upgraded cameras, new displays, and a new charging functionality, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max keep the same formula as their XR and XS counterparts with a few updates. In this article, we’ll go over those updates in detail and figure out which of the three models will be best for you.
iPhone 11 vs. 11 Pro vs. Pro Max: What’s the difference?
Using the previous models for reference, iPhone 11 is the upgraded iPhone XR, while iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max are more comparable to iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. And similar to those models, the big thing you’ll notice upfront is the price jump between iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro — a $300 difference. But aside from the sticker shock, you’ll see all the usual distinctions between the iPhone 11 models.
Here’s how iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone Pro Max differ from iPhone 11:
- A third lens on the rear camera.
- A better screen.
- Different casing design.
- More water-resistant.
The camera in iPhone 11 vs. 11 Pro and Pro Max
Across the board, all of the iPhone 11 models feature upgraded rear cameras. In fact, not only were the cameras improved, but they were all given an extra lens. That means iPhone 11 has two lenses (wide and ultra-wide), while both iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone Pro Max have three lenses (wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses).
That being said, aside from the third lens, the 12-megapixel cameras on iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max are identical. And they all boast the impressive new feature, Night mode. In low-light conditions, you can now use a long exposure to take incredibly bright pictures without hardly any noise, or graininess in the image.
iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max: The display
Something you might not notice unless you’re comparing these phones side-by-side is their different displays. Like iPhone XR, iPhone 11 has a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display, or, put simply, an LCD screen, which gives you a super crisp image, while iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone Pro Max have a 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch Super Retina or OLED display, respectively. The quality of these displays is simply stunning.
Is the difference between these two types of displays noticeable? Unless you’re a heavy user or someone who pays specific attention to image quality and color calibration, you probably won’t notice the difference. Only by holding an iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro next to each other are you likely to see a distinction between the two. But, at the end of the day, the Liquid Retina and Super Retina are both incredible. Unless you’re one of the people described above, then we wouldn’t recommend basing your decision solely on the display.
iPhone 11 vs. 11 Pro and Pro Max: The case
All three iPhone 11 models use glass in their case design. The difference is, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone Pro Max use a textured matte glass for the rear case, which gives it a flatter, less shiny finish. Both iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone Pro Max pair the matte glass with stainless steel to help prevent scratches sustained inside your pocket, while iPhone 11 uses an aluminum casing to complement the glossy glass back.
iPhone size comparison: iPhone 11 vs. 11 Pro vs. 11 Pro Max
“Pro” doesn’t always mean bigger, and this is true for iPhone 11 Pro. It has the smallest screen of all three models, but the device itself is also smaller and lighter all around. iPhone 11, with its 6.1-inch screen, sits in the middle of the lineup in terms of physical size and weight, while iPhone 11 Pro Max comes out on top. Here are a couple of specs to help you see the variations between all three.
iPhone 11
- Height: 5.94 inches (150.9 mm)
- Width: 2.98 inches (75.7 mm)
- Weight: 6.84 ounces (194 grams)
iPhone 11 Pro
- Height: 5.67 inches (144.0 mm)
- Width: 2.81 inches (71.4 mm)
- Weight: 6.63 ounces (188 grams)
iPhone 11 Pro Max
- Height: 6.22 inches (158.0 mm)
- Width: 3.06 inches (77.8 mm)
- Weight: 7.97 ounces (226 grams)
Which should you get: iPhone 11, 11 Pro, or Pro Max?
Let’s get the obvious recommendation out of the way first; if you want an iPhone with a large screen, then iPhone 11 Pro Max is your phone. At 6.5 inches, the display is large and incredible-looking, but those are the only true advantages it has over iPhone 11 Pro.
If you’re looking for your first iPhone, or you’re upgrading from anything newer than iPhone X, then iPhone 11 Pro is where you’ll notice the most improvements. The new ultra-wide lens is a game-changer, and if you already have a phone with a Super Retina OLED display, it’s going to be hard to go back to an LCD screen.
That said, if you want a new iPhone but can’t justify $300 for the telephoto lens, iPhone 11 is still fantastic. And if you’re currently using an iPhone 8/8 Plus or earlier, it’s going to be a massive upgrade. You can get all the performance perks of this iPhone lineup at a much lower price.
Apple didn’t stray too far from its formula with iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max, but the upgrades to these models represent a definite improvement. Their incredible displays and improved cameras, combined with incredible new features like Night mode, truly make these phones feel new and fresh.
