iPhone 11 Review 2025: Worth the Money?
The iPhone 11 still surprises with its impressive performance, even after several years on the market. In everyday use, we can see that the A13 Bionic chip still handles both gaming and photography remarkably well. The 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display with 625 nits of brightness also delivers clear and vivid images despite the launch of newer models.
For those considering a refurbished or used iPhone 11, it's worth knowing that the battery can still last up to 17 hours of video playback. It's also IP68-rated, meaning it can withstand being submerged in water up to 2 meters for 30 minutes - an important feature for a phone that's already been used. Dual 12MP 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 take a closer look.
iPhone 11 (64GB/128GB/256GB): Specifications and Design
At first glance, the iPhone 11 stands out with its sleek design and robust construction. Available in three storage options – 64GB, 128GB and 256GB – this model offers flexibility for different user needs without compromising on performance.
Display: 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD
The 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display delivers an impressive visual experience with its 1792 x 828 pixel resolution and 326 ppi pixel density. Despite using LCD technology instead of the 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 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 especially appreciated during summer outdoor activities.
Build quality: Aluminum and tempered glass
The iPhone 11's frame is made of aircraft-grade aluminum (7000 series) with Corning-made tempered glass on both the front and back. This combination gives the phone a premium feel while also being durable against everyday wear and tear. Unlike newer models, the iPhone 11 has rounded, silicon-like edges that make it comfortable to hold.
With its dimensions of 150.9 mm height, 75.7 mm width and 8.3 mm thickness, the phone fits comfortably in the hand. The weight of 194 grams gives a solid feel without feeling 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's dustproof and can withstand immersion in water up to 2 meters deep for 30 minutes. This provides good protection against everyday accidents like spills of coffee, soda, beer, and juice.
However, it's important to note that water resistance may decrease over time due to normal wear and tear. For those considering a refurbished iPhone 11, be aware that water damage is not covered by Apple's warranty, which is worth keeping in mind when buying a used device.
Color options and feel in the hand
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 the overall satisfaction of use. The oleophobic (fingerprint-resistant) surface treatment on the screen also keeps the phone looking good for longer, even with heavy 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 solid everyday performance. Despite being launched in 2019, this chip still handles today's apps and games without much trouble. 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 is hardly any noticeable lag when switching between apps or using features such as "Picture-in-Picture" for video playback while using other apps.
With intensive use, you may notice that the iPhone 11 refurbished may take a little longer to load content-rich apps compared to newer models. However, the difference is marginal for most users. App handling is still fast and responsive, especially after a restart.
Game performance and graphics
For gaming enthusiasts, the iPhone 11 still delivers impressive performance. According to benchmark tests, it can handle PUBG Mobile at 57 FPS on Ultra settings and Call of Duty: Mobile at 60 FPS on Ultra. For Fortnite, it achieves a stable 60 FPS on High settings.
The A13 chip's graphics processor handles these demanding titles well, but after extended periods of gaming, the phone can get warm and performance can drop slightly. This is most noticeable on the standard iPhone 11 compared to the Pro versions. During extended gaming sessions, the performance degradation can be around 50%, which is something to keep in mind for serious mobile gamers considering 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 any noticeable performance issues. This is remarkable since many Android phones from the same time period no longer receive major updates.
According to estimates, the iPhone 11 will likely receive another major iOS update, as well as continued security updates thereafter, making the phone a viable choice even in 2025, especially for users who value long-term usability.
Additionally, the A13 chip still offers sufficient performance for everyday tasks like social media, streaming, and light gaming. For more demanding uses like photo editing, it works stably, but doesn't reach the capabilities of the latest models.
Camera in practice: How good is it in 2025?
The iPhone 11 camera system continues to perform surprisingly well in 2025, even though the technology is now a few years old. Taking pictures with the camera can actually handle most everyday situations.
Main camera: 12 MP wide angle and ultra wide angle
iPhone 11 features a dual-camera system consisting of a 12 MP wide-angle camera (26mm equivalent) with an f/1.8 aperture and a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle camera (13mm equivalent) with an f/2.4 aperture. The wide-angle camera features optical image stabilization (OIS) to help capture 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 automatically activates in low light and works wonders for evening photography. The technology takes multiple exposures and combines them to create brighter images without distracting noise. However, 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 mid-light scenes. The feature analyzes images pixel by pixel and the results are most noticeable in textured surfaces like clothing and facial hair, where detail is noticeably sharper. For the everyday photographer, this is a significant advantage that means that even a refurbished iPhone 11 still delivers impressive photos.
TrueDepth selfie camera and Face ID
The front-facing 12MP TrueDepth camera takes sharp, natural selfies. The Portrait mode with background blur works surprisingly well even on this older model, with good edge detection and a natural bokeh effect. However, it should be noted that the selfie camera doesn't perform as well in low light as newer iPhone models.
Face ID, 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've noticed that Face ID on a used iPhone 11 can sometimes be a bit slower than on newer models.
4K and slow motion video recording
The iPhone 11's video capabilities are still impressive. The phone records 4K video at 24, 25, 30, or 60 frames per second (fps). Optical image stabilization ensures smooth videos even when shooting handheld, although some "jello" effects can occur when walking.
The slow motion feature offers 1080p HD recording at 120 or 240 fps, allowing for dramatic effects for action scenes. However, these high-resolution videos use up a lot of storage space, something to keep in mind if you're considering a 64GB model.
Battery life and charging: Does it still last?
Battery life is a deciding 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: Reconditioned
Apple has designed iPhone 11 batteries to retain 80% of their original capacity after 500 full charge cycles under ideal conditions.
Under normal usage, an iPhone 11 with good battery health can still last a full day of use with around 4-5 hours of screen-on time for typical activities like email, browsing, and video playback. However, intensive usage with graphics-heavy games or high-brightness video streaming will require more frequent charging.
Fast charging and wireless charging
iPhone 11 supports fast charging at up to 18 watts when used with a compatible USB-C power adapter. Additionally, the phone is compatible with Qi-standard wireless charging, offering charging speeds of up to 7.5 watts.
Wireless charging is convenient but slightly slower than wired charging. A complete wireless charge usually takes 2-3 hours. However, you should avoid placing anything between your phone and the charger as this may reduce performance.
Comparison with newer models
Compared to newer iPhone models, the iPhone 11's battery still holds up, but with some limitations. The later models have significantly larger battery capacity - almost double the capacity from the iPhone 8 to the iPhone 16. Newer iPhone 15 models are also designed to retain 80% capacity at 1,000 charge cycles instead of 500.
Another difference is that the iPhone 11 uses a Lightning port instead of the USB-C found on newer models. For long-term use, it's worth considering a battery replacement cost of around SEK 600-700 if the battery health drops below 80%.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the iPhone 11 continues to impress even in 2025, despite being several years old now. 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 a hitch, while iOS 18 runs surprisingly smoothly on this older hardware.
The dual 12MP sensor camera system still delivers high-quality images, especially in good lighting conditions. The night mode works wonders in low light, although newer models obviously offer some improvements. Plus, the battery still lasts a full day with normal use, although the capacity can sometimes be worse compared to a brand new phone.
Despite newer iPhones offering better specs and features, the iPhone 11 is overall a solid choice for those looking for a reliable smartphone without having to pay a premium price. The IP68 rating and rugged construction contribute to the device's long-term value, making it a wise purchase even in 2025. That's why we still recommend the iPhone 11 to those looking for an affordable Apple device with good performance and a useful lifespan of at least a couple more years.