iPhone 11 Review 2025: Worth the Money?
The iPhone 11 still surprises with its impressive performance, even after several years on the market. In daily use, we can confirm that the A13 Bionic chip still handles both gaming and photography remarkably well. The 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display with 625 nits brightness also delivers clear and vibrant images, despite newer models having been released.
For those considering a refurbished iPhone 11 or a used iPhone 11, it's worth knowing that the battery still supports up to 17 hours of video playback. Additionally, it has an IP68 rating, meaning it can withstand immersion in water up to 2 meters for 30 minutes – an important feature for a phone that has already been used. Dual 12 MP cameras with Night mode and 4K video recording actually make it an interesting option even in 2025. But is it really worth the money today? We'll examine that further.
iPhone 11 (64GB/128GB/256GB): Specifications and Design
At first glance, the iPhone 11 stands out with its elegant design and robust construction. Available in three storage options – 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB – this model offers flexibility for various user needs without compromising on performance.
Display: 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD
The 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display provides an impressive visual experience with its resolution of 1792 x 828 pixels and a pixel density of 326 ppi. Despite using LCD technology instead of OLED found in newer models, the display still delivers vibrant colors with its P3 color gamut and 1400:1 contrast ratio.
The True Tone feature automatically adjusts the screen's color temperature based on the surrounding environment, making viewing more comfortable in different lighting conditions. With a maximum brightness of 625 nits, the iPhone 11 performs well even in bright sunlight, something I particularly appreciated during summer outdoor activities.
Build Quality: Aluminum and Tempered Glass
The iPhone 11's frame is made from aerospace-grade aluminum (7000 series) with Corning-manufactured tempered glass on both the front and back. This combination gives the phone a premium feel while also being resistant to everyday wear and tear. Unlike newer models, the iPhone 11 has rounded, pebble-like edges that make it comfortable to hold.
With dimensions of 150.9 mm height, 75.7 mm width, and 8.3 mm thickness, the phone feels comfortable in the hand. Its weight of 194 grams provides a solid feel without being heavy during prolonged use.
IP68 Rating: Water-resistant up to 2 meters
One of the iPhone 11's most practical features is its IP68 rating, which means it is dustproof and can withstand immersion in water up to 2 meters deep for 30 minutes. This provides good protection against everyday accidents such as spills of coffee, soda, beer, and juice.
However, it is important to note that water resistance may decrease over time due to normal wear and tear. For those considering a refurbished iPhone 11, it's important to be aware that water damage is not covered by Apple's warranty, which is worth keeping in mind when purchasing a used device.
Color Options and Handfeel
The iPhone 11 is available in six different color options: black, green, yellow, purple, (PRODUCT)RED, and white. The unique green and purple colors give the phone a soft, creamy finish that sets it apart from more traditional options.
The phone's rounded edges and smooth surface make it comfortable to hold, while the tactile buttons contribute to overall user satisfaction. The oleophobic (fingerprint-resistant) coating on the screen also keeps the phone looking good for longer, even with frequent use. For a used iPhone 11, this is an important detail that affects the aesthetic impression over time.
A13 Bionic and iOS 18:
The A13 Bionic chip in the iPhone 11 continues to impress with stable everyday performance. Although this chip was launched in 2019, it still handles today's apps and games without major problems. Let's see how it performs with iOS 18 in practice.
App Management and Multitasking
The A13 Bionic chip with its 6 cores (2 Lightning cores at 2.65 GHz and 4 Thunder cores at 1.6 GHz) handles multitasking remarkably well even with iOS 18. In daily use, there's hardly any noticeable delay when switching between apps or using features like "Picture-in-Picture" for video playback while other apps are in use.
During intensive use, it can sometimes be noticed that a refurbished iPhone 11 might need a little extra time to load content-rich apps compared to newer models. However, the difference is marginal for most users. App management is still fast and responsive, especially after a restart.
Gaming Performance and Graphics
For gaming enthusiasts, the iPhone 11 still delivers impressive performance. According to benchmark tests, it can run PUBG Mobile at 57 FPS on Ultra settings and Call of Duty: Mobile at 60 FPS on Ultra. For Fortnite, stable 60 FPS is achieved on high settings.
The A13 chip's graphics processor handles these demanding titles well, but after longer gaming sessions, the phone can get warm and performance may drop slightly. This is most noticeable on the standard iPhone 11 model compared to the Pro versions. During prolonged gaming sessions, performance degradation can reach approximately 50%, which is something to consider for serious mobile gamers contemplating a used iPhone 11.
Updates and Future-Proofing
One of the iPhone 11's strengths is its long-term software support. With iOS 18, the phone still runs smoothly without noticeable performance issues. This is remarkable as many Android phones from the same period no longer receive major updates.
According to assessments, the iPhone 11 is likely to receive one more major iOS update, followed by continued security updates. This makes the phone a sustainable choice even in 2025, especially for users who value long-term usability.
Furthermore, the A13 chip still offers sufficient performance for everyday tasks such as social media, streaming, and lighter games. For more demanding use like photo editing, it performs stably but does not match the capacity of the latest models.
Camera in Practice: How Good Is It in 2025?
The camera system in the iPhone 11 continues to perform surprisingly well even in 2025, despite the technology now being several years old. Taking photos with the camera actually handles most everyday situations.
Main Camera: 12 MP Wide and Ultra Wide
The iPhone 11 is equipped with a dual camera system consisting of a 12 MP wide-angle camera (26 mm equivalent) with an f/1.8 aperture and a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle camera (13 mm equivalent) with an f/2.4 aperture. The wide-angle camera has optical image stabilization (OIS) which contributes to sharper images, especially in low light. The ultra-wide-angle camera offers an impressive 120-degree field of view, perfect for landscapes and tight spaces.
In daylight, both cameras deliver sharp images with balanced lighting and vibrant colors. However, there is a clear quality difference between the two lenses – the main camera produces significantly more detailed images than the ultra-wide-angle lens. For close-ups, the main camera works well, although the iPhone 11 lacks the dedicated macro function found in newer models.
Night Mode and Deep Fusion in Everyday Use
Night mode activates automatically in low light and works wonders for evening photography. The technology takes multiple exposures and combines them to create brighter images without disruptive noise. Compared to newer models, the iPhone 11 lacks some of the refinement, especially when it comes to stabilization in night shots.
Deep Fusion technology, introduced with iOS 13.2, works in the background to improve detail in medium-light scenes. The feature analyzes images pixel by pixel, and the results are most noticeable in textured surfaces like clothing and facial hair, where details become significantly sharper. For the everyday photographer, this is a significant advantage, meaning even a refurbished iPhone 11 still delivers impressive photos.
TrueDepth Selfie Camera and Face ID
The front 12 MP TrueDepth camera takes sharp and natural selfies. Portrait mode with background blur works surprisingly well even on this older model, with good edge detection and natural bokeh effect. However, it should be mentioned that the selfie camera does not perform as well in low light as newer iPhone models.
The Face ID function, which uses the same TrueDepth camera, still works reliably. The system requires the eyes, nose, and mouth to be fully visible to the camera, which can sometimes be problematic with certain sunglasses or if the phone is held at the wrong angle. Additionally, I have noticed that Face ID on a used iPhone 11 can sometimes be slightly slower than on newer models.
4K Video Recording and Slow Motion
The video features in the iPhone 11 are still impressive. The phone records 4K video at 24, 25, 30, or 60 frames per second (fps). Optical image stabilization provides smooth videos even with handheld recording, although some "jello effects" may occur when walking.
Slow motion offers 1080p HD recording at 120 or 240 fps, allowing for dramatic effects for action scenes. However, these high-resolution videos consume a lot of storage space, which is something to consider if you're looking at a 64GB model.
Battery Life and Charging: Does It Still Hold Up?
Battery life is a crucial factor for many when considering a refurbished or used iPhone 11. With its 3,110 mAh battery, the iPhone 11 still offers impressive endurance even after extended use.
Battery information: Refurbished
Apple designed iPhone 11 batteries to retain 80% of their original capacity after 500 complete charging cycles under ideal conditions.
In normal use, an iPhone 11 with good battery health can still last a full day with around 4-5 hours of screen-on time for typical activities like email, browsing, and video playback. However, intensive use with graphic-heavy games or video streaming at high brightness requires more frequent charging.
Fast Charging and Wireless Charging
The iPhone 11 supports fast charging up to 18 watts when used with a compatible USB-C power adapter. Additionally, the phone is compatible with Qi standard wireless charging, which offers charging speeds up to 7.5 watts.
Wireless charging is convenient but slightly slower compared to wired charging. A complete wireless charge typically takes 2-3 hours. However, you should avoid placing anything between the phone and the charger as it can reduce performance.
Comparison with Newer Models
Compared to newer iPhone models, the iPhone 11's battery still holds up, but with some limitations. Later models have significantly larger battery capacities – almost double from iPhone 8 to iPhone 16. Newer iPhone 15 models are also designed to retain 80% capacity after 1000 charging cycles instead of 500.
Another difference is that the iPhone 11 uses a Lightning port instead of USB-C, which is found on newer models. For long-term use, it's worth considering a battery replacement cost of approximately SEK 600-700 if battery health drops below 80%.
Conclusion
In summary, the iPhone 11 continues to impress even in 2025, despite being several years old. It offers excellent value for money, especially for those considering a refurbished or used model. The A13 Bionic chip still handles everyday tasks and most games without issues, while iOS 18 runs surprisingly smoothly on this older hardware.
The camera system with dual 12 MP sensors actually still delivers high-quality images, especially in good lighting conditions. Night mode works wonders in low light, although newer models naturally offer some improvements. Furthermore, the battery still lasts a full day with normal use, although capacity can sometimes be worse compared to a brand new phone.
Although newer iPhones offer better specifications and features, the iPhone 11 is overall a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable smartphone without having to pay premium prices. The IP68 rating and robust construction contribute to the device's long-term value, making it a wise purchase even in 2025. Therefore, we still recommend the iPhone 11 to those seeking an affordable Apple device with good performance and a usable lifespan of at least a couple more years.