PROS
- Reasonable price.
- New wide-angle camera option.
- Fastest processor available.
- Accurate
- display colors.
CONS
- No big increases in wireless performance.
- Next year’s iPhone will likely mark a major change.
In a year that Apple’s new phones aren’t particularly exciting, the most compelling thing about the new iPhone 11 is its price: $699 for a 64GB model, $749 for 128GB, and $849 for 256GB. If you’re upgrading from a slower, older iPhone, that’s the best deal you’re going to get with the latest processor and a super-bright screen, considering the next step up to a Pro model is (gulp) $300 more. The iPhone 11 blows older models like the iPhone 6 away, though newer than that, and the biggest difference is that the iPhone 11 has more cameras. There’s nothing wrong with more cameras (they’re very good), but if you can hold out, we’re almost certain to see a lot more innovation next year.
Physical Form and Display
The iPhone 11 is a sleek, slightly slippery, glass-backed phone that comes in six compelling colors: black, green, purple, red, white, and yellow. The new dual-camera bump on the back is a rounded square near the top left edge, with slightly sharp-feeling edges. The phone is gorgeous, but the glass back looks eminently breakable; I prefer the matte back on the Pro phones. All three models are waterproof.
At 5.94 by 2.98 by 0.33 inches (HWD) and 6.84 ounces, the iPhone 11 is the exact same size and weight as the iPhone XR, and noticeably wider than the iPhone 8, or iPhone 11 Pro. That makes a difference, at least in my hand. It’s difficult to find narrow, one-handed phones these days, but if that width is a killer for you, it’s time for the $300 Pro upcharge.