The iPhone 11 test: Performance and camera review

iPhone 11 overview

The iPhone 11 was initially overshadowed by its siblings, the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, when it was released. But appearances are deceptive: nowadays it's considered the secret star of Apple's 2019 smartphone line-up. A look at the technical data reveals why this is so:

• Display size: 6.1 inches (approx. 15 cm)

• Resolution: 828 x 1,792 pixels

• Type: LCD

• Pixel density: 324 ppi

• Housing format: 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm

• Weight: 194 g

• Processor: A13 Bionic six-core CPU with up to 2.66 GHz

• Memory / RAM: 4 GB

• Battery capacity: 3,110 mAh

• Camera: Dual camera with ultra-wide angle

• Water protection: up to 30 minutes at a depth of 2 metres (IP 68)

• No dual SIM card

For a comparatively low price, the iPhone 11 offers a strong performance that doesn't have to be hidden next to the Pro models - on the contrary. An enormous working speed stands next to a strong battery life, which is further optimised thanks to the perfect interplay of CPU, battery and RAM. The A13 Bionic CPU lets apps whiz through and is supported by 4 GB of RAM.

Three options for the iPhone 11: Which variant is yours?

Apple released the iPhone 11 in three storage variants:

• iPhone 11 64 GB 

• iPhone 11 28 GB

• iPhone 11 256 GB

Which storage capacity do you need for the iPhone 11?

If you mainly use online services, the mini storage version with 64 GB is probably enough for you: Exchanging messages via WhatsApp, using Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, taking a photo now and then - the smallest configuration is easily sufficient for this.

Is your smartphone your memory storage, where you keep photos, videos and music? Then the 128 GB version is likely better for you. If you also use a lot of apps, need your phone for e-mails and don't want to use the cloud, the iPhone 11 with 256 GB is what you need.

Extra tip: For little money, you can add iCloud storage and maximise the storage space by practically endless gigabytes.

In which colours is the iPhone 11 available?

The smartphone is available not only in the classic Apple colours but is also in purple, yellow, a cool mint green and product red. In addition, there are the basic colours white and black, which are absolute classics.

Fast-as-an-arrow performance

Apple's unmistakable hallmark is the interplay of hardware and software. That's why the technical data of the iPhone 11 doesn't read that strong compared to many other smartphones of the same generation - but it is. The smartphone scores top marks in benchmark tests.

The A13 Bionic processor works around 20 percent faster than its predecessor, the A12. The Neural Engine lets apps and processes run in real time - and thus practically without delay. This means that the iPhone 11 works just as fast as its larger colleague, the iPhone 11 Pro.

Power battery for iPhone lovers

Remember the first iPhones - and their main criticism? Bingo, it was the batteries which didn't exactly deliver a top performance even when new. Fortunately, those days are over now. Already in the predecessors of the iPhone 11 series, the X models, Apple integrated its own chips, real power packages.

However, it must also be said that the iPhone 11 performs a little weaker in the test here than the iPhone 11 Pro models: The battery lasts around 7.5 hours during intensive use - that is still about an hour longer than the iPhone XR, the direct predecessor of the iPhone 11.

Bright times: The Liquid Retina Display

Of course, there's one thing that can't be left out of an iPhone 11 review: the display! Behind the name "Liquid Retina HD Display" is an LCD screen with 1,792 x 828 pixels and a density of 326 ppi. This is noticeably lower than in the Pro models - but the price difference has to come from somewhere and Apple did not save in the wrong places here. Thanks to the strong brightness of up to 635 cd/m², you can see everything that is important on the screen.

The colour display supports True Tone technology: the brightness adjusts to the ambient light. The iPhone 11 compensates for the lower pixel density with an expanded amount of colours, following the sRGB and DCI-P3 standards. In this way, the display differentiates different tones particularly well - and ultimately even achieves a better display than the Pro versions.

The camera of the iPhone 11

Photo fans should be thrilled about the camera features of the iPhone 11. The dual camera does great things - quite literally. Here is an overview of the technical data of the dual camera with the ultra wide angle and wide angle lenses:

• Ultra wide angle: ƒ/2.4 aperture

• Wide angle: ƒ/1.8 aperture

• Zoom: 2x optical, 5x digital

• True Tone flash

• Smart HDR

• 4K video recording

• Optical image stabilisation for photos and videos

• Portrait light

• Cinematic video stabilisation

Thanks to its 13-millimetre focal length the ultra wide angle camera allows a 120-degree view. This lets you take extremely realistic photos that practically correspond to your own field of vision. Ultra wide angle cameras are nothing new on the smartphone market but the one in the iPhone 11 convinced us with its ease of use.

The preview in "normal" mode is particularly impressive: What would happen if you took the same photo with the ultra wide angle? The iPhone 11 secretly saves a shot at the next highest angle of view. So you can still choose the other shot later. If you wish, you can shoot in a 16:09 format which makes presentations on a TV more impressive.

When it comes to image quality, the camera of the iPhone 11 also performs well. In the daytime, it even achieved better values in the test than the camera in the Pro models. Apple also improved a weakness of the previous iPhone cameras: the night vision mode. Here, many users were annoyed by strong image noise and a low light yield. Now you can look forward to a new night mode that is automatically activated in the dark. This means that quick snapshots at night are no longer a problem.

This might interest you: Our iPhone 11 Pro test -camera, price and performance

Lights on! How the night vision mode works

Apple's camera uses a trick in the dark: when you press the shutter button, it shoots several photos and combines them into one with the best possible exposure. The exposure times increase depending on the ambient light - try to stand as still as possible or use a tripod.

Unfortunately, the night mode is only available for the wide angle main camera, not for the ultra wide angle lens. If you're looking for a smartphone that takes extremely good photos at night, then you should take a look at the iPhone 12 Pro which impresses with its optimal night mode.

Conclusion: Buying an iPhone 11 refurbished - is it worth it?

But what does the iPhone 11 test reveal? With the iPhone 11 you buy a powerful smartphone with cool features and a high operating speed. In terms of price, it is in the lower range of the iPhone 11 series but scores with numerous great features. The camera is of a high standard and only lacks a separate telephoto lens. The processor virtually races away and runs apps in real time. Of course, you can charge the device wirelessly which has been possible since the iPhone 8 Plus. At Back Market, you can currently get the iPhone 11 refurbished* for about £219 with a storage capacity of 64 GB (May 2023). You can find a more detailed insight into the iPhone 11 prices in our guide. 

Take a look at our iPhone 11 vs iPhone 11 Pro test if you aren’t sure which smartphone to get.

2023: Is the iPhone 11 still worth it?

Technically, the Apple iPhone 11 is already somewhat outdated, but that doesn't mean it's no longer worthwhile for everyday use. The refurbished price is definitely worth it: You can currently get the iPhone 11 64 GB for £219 at Back Market. Therefore, a definite yes from me, it's still worth it.

I recently bought an iPhone 11 (as a successor to the iPhone 7) and am very happy with it. The size is right, the performance is good and I'm also happy with the camera. Since I don't shoot professional films in my free time or only take photos for Instagram, the camera is completely sufficient. And that's probably how most people feel. If you want more power and have a bigger budget, you should buy the iPhone 12 or even the iPhone 13.