Hands-On With the New iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro Max

[PrecisionGem]

I don't know what "real cameras" you use, but my Nikon D7200 weighs 23.9 oz. without a lens. The iPhone 11 Pro Max weighs 7.97 oz. And, while my iPhone X can't do everything my DSLR does, it has the advantage of virtually always being at hand, including some places where larger cameras aren't. I've taken many shots that I otherwise would have missed that way, and I've seen many photos shot on mobile devices that rival anything a "real camera" could do. Being in the right place at the right time, composition, lighting, and other factors count more than tech specs.

Watching the NFL games today, I didn't see any of the photographers on the sidelines using phone cameras. For the type of photography I do, there is no phone camera that would be acceptable. I don't take selfies, never have, so for me, the larger cluster and bump on the back is of no value. The camera on the iPhone 4 was fine for my needs.

 

[PrecisionGem]

You are mistaken. Multiple people did, in fact, complain that 64gb was useless for anyone.

My iPhone X is 64gb, and I have over 20gb available. 64 is fine for me.

 

[mannyvel]

Watching the NFL games today, I didn't see any of the photographers on the sidelines using phone cameras.me, the larger cluster and bump on the back is of no value. The camera on the iPhone 4 was fine for my needs.

Those same photographers aren't going to be bringing their 400mm lenses to a birthday party, a bar, or downtown for some street photography. You use the right tool for the job.

 

[PrecisionGem]

Those same photographers aren't going to be bringing their 400mm lenses to a birthday party, a bar, or downtown for some street photography. You use the right tool for the job.

I have never come across the shot where the iPhone was a better tool than one of my real cameras. I would just rather have a thinner lighter phone.

 

[Emtbill]

Apple's decision to not continue to support older phones like my 6 isn't appreciated but it got the results they wanted in that I updated to be able to continue to get security updates and the other benefits of iOS13 and later. I am indeed a photographer and am looking forward to the new camera(s) but I do think it would be better for Apple to continue to support older hardware. 256gb 11 Pro Max is on the way. Wanted red. Got grey .

It be nice, but for how long. Think Apple does a really good job for supporting their devices. with the release of the 11's the 6 is like 6 devices back.

 

[legacyb4]

It is a no brainer and it appears to cost me $1000 extra (Canadian $) per year to have the latest. $3.00 per day.

Worth it? Should I save the $3.00 per day and do something with that money?

It's just a choice and an opinion and it's been beaten up every year for many years.

You choose.

Agreed; for something that gets picked up probably hundreds of times a day (work & play), is probably my single most used access point to the internet (information, entertainment), not to mention the photography stuff, it's hard to put a price on that functionality; $3.00/day? In a heartbeat...

 

[mi7chy]

Verdict is in. iPhone 11 Pro is slower than previous iPhone Xs.

 

[ErikGrim]

Seems like the touted FaceID improvements are 100% iOS13. With my XS and 11 Pro side by side both on a flat table, the XS consistently would unlock first as I moved towards them no matter where I placed them side by side. Of course this is probably down to the XS having more time to study my face, but I am really not seeing any differences out of the box in a positive direction here :/

 

[AshleyHredone]

Please be honest and let us know if those who bought one feel it is true value for the money spent.

Well 'value' is often relative to the buyer. But for me - hmmm, I think the price is shocking really but I crossed that yellow river bridge two years ago with the 'X'. I bought the Pro Max and 256GB this time as 64GB was too small BUT 128GB isn't an option which would have been more than enough.
Moving from an 'X' the 11 has huge speed improvements and the cameras are absolutely superb both in execution and picture quality. No regrets there.
Having had a 6-plus a couple of years ago I opted for the max but I think the smaller Pro would have been better as the Max is a hefty thing. In fairness this is only a temporary model till next September - I just couldn't wait another year.
One thing - the rear is beautiful and will not be hidden in a case this year. I can cope with the odd back mark but I am disappointed at how soft the front coating seems to be. My 'X' - two years on and no marks. The 11 Pro - scratched within an hour - my fault I guess - I placed the 'X' on it to see the size difference but I was surprised how easy the Pro marked. Revenge of the outgoing phone? lol

The biggest pain for me - and not necessarily limited to the 11 Pro, - transferring from 'X' to 11 with the quick side by side transfer seemed very quick and efficient UNTIL I tried to Cloud backup the 11 and was informed I hadn't enough C;oud space. This was becasue a glitch meant the Cloud backup was set to upload ALL 10,000 photos! A call to Apple Support (2nd tier, 1st was useless of course) showed where to turn this off and all was okay - except the phone then had to 'upload' all 10,000 photos just so the Cloud could match them. This is not just time consuming but if not careful could have used all dat in the plan. Just something to be aware of.

 

[0989382]

The new iPhones are stunning. Seen one in person on Saturday, subtle changes physically but overall a huge upgrade for those on the 6S/7/8 bandwagon. I picked up the 8 and I'm ashamed to say it, but the top and bottom black bits were like looking through a letterbox, it's mad how used to the XR I've gotten - but it's all for the better.

 

[Radon87000]

Even a broken clock is right twice a day. Long press, is a poor man's substitute for 3DT. Not as polished, not as on the mark and can't do everything 3DT can do as fast as 3DT can do some of those things. But I give Apple props for their implementation.

If you believe the 6s is an upgrade from the 11, I'd like to see you sporting it.

What Apple’s implementation? It’s the same long press from Android given a new buzzword. 3DT is dead and buried.

6s is an upgrade in some respects. It has a higher resolution display, a headphone jack and 3DT.

 

[laurieballard]

Picked up an 11 on Friday, not from the Apple store though as they had a queue even to buy it so went elsewhere where there was no queue.

Seems a decent upgrade from the 8, I like the bigger screen and the camera seems a good step from the pictures I shot over the weekend. I can live with the Face ID, it seems to work ok but I preferred the fingerprint thing on the 8, I could then unlock it easily at night and press buttons without needing to pick the phone up fully.

Is it faster? Perhaps a touch its not that noticeable for me personally.

Considering its size already, I was hoping to do without a rear case as I am not overly concerned about marking the rear but where the 2x cameras stick out, I am going to have to case it or I see them getting knocked/scratched fairly easily.

 

[one more]

Great iPhones, but I would still like a smaller and lighter one, ideally not bigger or heavier than iPhone 7. The 5.4” iPhone, rumoured for 2020, is the one I will be waiting for.

 

[gnasher729]

I have never come across the shot where the iPhone was a better tool than one of my real cameras. I would just rather have a thinner lighter phone.

I've seen plenty. Where someone had an iPhone in their pocket and no "real" camera hanging on their shoulder. You are in a tiny minority.

 

[RichHI]

Disappointed. I love my iPhones as communication devices and for me all the Camera stuff is a complete irrelevance. SO going to skip this year. The extra battery life will be cool but I have adoted to iphone batteries with a mophie power bank and endless leads in cars and elsewhere to recharge. The increased LTE speed is a minor winner but on comparison I find carriers vary with VZW showing best increase and AT&T not much. Wishes for 2020? Got to be good support for mmWave, improved weak signal response on calls and data (it is a phone after all) and get rid of the display notch completely. Thing I do not want to see is foldable screen. Sony tried that with tablet years ago and it is just irritating.

 

[wyarp]

iPhone users who have an older iPhone like a 5, 6, or 7 model will see more satisfying changes, and for these models, the $699 iPhone 11 is the most logical and cost effective update.

Completely disagree with this, I'm one of those people, but the iPhone 11 like the XR is too damn big. Baffled as to why on earth app made there budget phone the middle size... and way bigger that the 5, SE etc. It will only be the biggest seller due to price, not size!

 

[I7guy]

What Apple’s implementation? It’s the same long press from Android given a new buzzword. 3DT is dead and buried.

6s is an upgrade in some respects. It has a higher resolution display, a headphone jack and 3DT.

My max has 3dt, will last 5 years. By then 3dt will be back...just like in display FPS will be in Apple devices. 3dt is waaaaay superior time android long press.

 

[JustForward]

It’s within your “right” note to be impressed, however there is plenty of innovation. “New innovation” is an oxymoron.

Using the 11 shouldn’t be different than the Xs.

Since the revealed of first-generation iPhone in 2007,  never comprise a product design for newer kind of technology and work out a solution to implement it as flawless as possible and iPhone X as a whole did not follow that fundamental principle at all.

So what the customer buy such as iPhone 11 lineup is a subpar device that looked somewhat dated from a certain point of view.

 

[Radon87000]

My max has 3dt, will last 5 years. By then 3dt will be back...just like in display FPS will be in Apple devices. 3dt is waaaaay superior time android long press.

Why was it removed if it was superior?

 

[xDKP]

I’m guessing you didn’t buy one. If you did, you knew the specs and features well ahead of time. Can’t folks get therapists to vent their resentments on here? The grandstanding is tiresome. And where are these phones produced by all these innovative “competitors”? Ever tried navigating a clumsy Android phone? If you prefer exploding Samsungs or arcane manufacturers with folding keyboards, then why are you posting on an Apple-based forum?

Must be honest - I have had my 11 Pro since Friday and still can't put it down... It's simply amazing... The wide angle is just stunning as well!

 

[skitidetdu]

It works very well, but you have to buy 9 phones.

Ha!

 

[mscice]

waste of money ... wait for new design with 5G next iphone

 

[FreeSpeech1st]

waste of money ... wait for new design with 5G next iphone

Most people agreed that the notch screen was the worst thing ever happened to the iPhone. No other smartphone prior to 2017 look that bad compared to iPhone 11.

 

[oodsigma]

Quick poll:

Hands up if you're employed by Samsung?

 

[Abazigal]

My max has 3dt, will last 5 years. By then 3dt will be back...just like in display FPS will be in Apple devices. 3dt is waaaaay superior time android long press.

I don't see either coming to the iPhone, to be honest. I think 3D-touch was removed because it wasn't catching on the way Apple had hoped, and took up precious space which could otherwise have been used for a larger battery. Between all the emphasis on photography and people holding on to their phones longer, battery life matters more than ever.

It's probably also cheaper to include a larger battery than the Taptic engine.

As with in display fingerprint sensors, I think what many people don't realise is that the issue here isn't about speed or accuracy, but about removing a layer of interaction between you and your phone. FaceID takes care of all the security stuff behind the scenes so you don't have too. It removes having to think about authenticating to access something because faceID has already detected that it is you.

What you're left with is a phone that is as easy to access as one without a passcode. No longer do you have to go through security checks because it is all done automatically. No matter how good the fingerprint sensor is, it still requires a conscious action on the user's part to active, which goes against the whole spirit of Face ID.

That's how I see it, at least.