The iPhone 11, once hailed as Apple’s most value-focused flagship, continues to stay in the conversation even in 2025. Launched globally on September 20, 2019, it was designed as the direct successor to the iPhone XR. Apple positioned it to bridge the gap between affordability and premium performance — but years later, does it really hold up?
Let’s explore everything from specifications and colors to camera defects, performance issues, and how it compares to previous models like the iPhone X.
đź“… Release Date and Overview
The iPhone 11 was officially released on September 20, 2019, alongside the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max. It was introduced at a lower price point, aiming to bring flagship features to a broader audience.
- Chipset: A13 Bionic (7nm+)
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage Options: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
- Battery: 3,110 mAh
- Display: 6.1″ Liquid Retina IPS LCD
- Operating System: Originally iOS 13, now upgradable to iOS 17
🎨 Available Colors
The iPhone 11 offered a vibrant palette, including:
- Black
- White
- Product(RED)
- Green
- Yellow
- Purple
This colorful lineup was a clear marketing shift from the more muted tones of the iPhone X and XS.
📷 Camera Performance – Surprisingly a Step Back?
Despite having a dual-camera setup (12MP wide + 12MP ultra-wide), the iPhone 11’s camera struggles in some important areas — especially when compared to its older sibling, the iPhone X.
- The telephoto lens is missing, which means no optical zoom. iPhone X had this advantage back in 2017.
- In low-light conditions, the iPhone 11’s ultra-wide camera introduces more grain and less sharpness than expected.
- Portrait mode is inconsistent and lacks edge detection accuracy.
- Detail reproduction is often softer, especially in indoor environments.
While Night Mode is a welcome addition, the overall dynamic range and depth sometimes fall behind the iPhone X, which still benefits from more advanced Smart HDR processing and a higher-quality telephoto lens.
⚙️ Performance & Other Drawbacks
The A13 Bionic chip is still fast in 2025 for casual usage — but compared to newer models, it’s beginning to show signs of aging.
Defects / Drawbacks Include:
- No 5G support
- LCD display feels outdated, especially when placed beside OLED screens like that of the iPhone X
- Thicker bezels, which affect the immersive experience
- Battery drains faster with new iOS updates
- Slower Face ID in low light
- Only 18W fast charging, which is no longer competitive
🔚 Final Verdict
The iPhone 11 had its moment — and while it’s still usable in 2025, it’s not aging as gracefully as Apple fans might hope. Camera compromises, outdated screen tech, and lack of 5G make it a tough sell compared to even the iPhone X in some use cases.
If you’re choosing between the iPhone 11 and X today, the X surprisingly offers better photography, a sharper OLED screen, and sleeker design, even though it’s older.
Unless you’re buying it used at a major discount, the iPhone 11 in 2025 feels like a device best suited for basic users — not for those seeking flagship-level performance or pro-grade photography.
