iPhone 11 vs iPhone 11 Pro vs iPhone 11 Pro Max: We compare Apple’s latest smartphones
We take a deep dive into Apple’s upcoming smartphone lineup to help you distinguish between the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max
If you’re at all like us, you will be feeling mightily overwhelmed by Apple’s latest iPhone launches. Like last year, the Californian firm is setting three new handsets loose this September, separated by design, specifications and price. That’s the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, by the way.
It’s rather a lot to keep up with, so we’ve put together this handy guide. Below, you’ll find direct comparisons between all three new iPhones in the categories listed above. We’ll help you make sense of Apple’s new mobile phones and, once you’re clued-in, offer our expert opinion on which is the best purchase for you.
READ NEXT: Apple announces Apple Watch Series 5
iPhone 11 vs 11 Pro vs 11 Pro Max: Design
We’ll start with the easy stuff. This year’s iPhone handsets are identical in size to their XR, Xs and Xs Max predecessors. Display-wise, the iPhone 11 measures 6.1in from corner-to-corner; the iPhone 11 Pro is 5.8in; and the iPhone Pro Max is 6.5in. Both the Pro and the Pro Max are a mere 8.1mm thin, while the iPhone 11 measures 8.3mm. All three handsets feature the same wide notch and slim bezels bordering the screen, and from the front look very similar to last year’s phones.
Telling which handsets bear the Pro name and which don’t is as simple as flipping them over. The iPhone 11 comes in six tasty shades – black, yellow, white, green, purple and Product Red – but only includes two rear cameras nestled in its square rear camera housing. The iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max both have three rear cameras, and come in four totally different colours – gold, silver, Space Grey and Midnight Green – to keep you from getting confused.
iPhone 11 vs 11 Pro vs 11 Pro Max: Specs
Okay, moving swiftly on to the important stuff. To make life easier, we’ve created a table that compares all three new iPhones in a format that won’t leave you with a headache:
| iPhone 11 | iPhone 11 Pro | iPhone 11 Pro Max | |
| Processor | A13 Bionic chip | A13 Bionic chip | A13 Bionic chip |
| Storage | 64GB/128GB/256GB | 64GB/256GB/512GB | 64GB/256GB/512GB |
| Display | 6.1in Liquid Retina HD 1,792 x 828 LCD | 5.8in Super Retina XDR 2,436 x 1,125 OLED | 6.5in Super Retina XDR 2,688 x 1,242 OLED |
| Rear camera | 12MP (f/2.4), 12MP (f/1.8) | 12MP (f/2.4), 12MP (f/1.8), 12MP (f/2.0) | 12MP (f/2.4), 12MP (f/1.8), 12MP (f/2.0) |
| Front camera | 12MP (f/2.2) | 12MP (f/2.2) | 12MP (f/2.2) |
The A13 Bionic chip pretty much guarantees that the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max will be the fastest handsets available in 2019, and the fact that it’s shared by all three is very good news indeed.
iPhone 11 vs 11 Pro vs 11 Pro Max: Features
Aside from that, however, it’s clear why the Pro and Pro Max cost more: both handsets come with one extra rear camera, larger storage options and high-resolution, Super Retina XDR OLED displays with reported contrast ratios of a whopping 2,000,000:1. By comparison, the display on the iPhone 11 is a Liquid Retina LCD, with a contrast ratio of 1,400:1.
The dual rear camera of the iPhone 11 offers wide and ultra-wide functionality, with a 120° field of view, 2x optical zoom and 5x digital zoom, optical image stabilisation, upgraded Portrait mode and brand-new Night mode. The Pro and Pro Max add an extra telephoto lens into the mix to produce a 10x digital zoom, as well as dual optical image stabilisation. Otherwise, all versions offer the same photo and video capabilities (4K recording at 24/30/60fps and 3x digital zoom, to name but a few).
The 12MP selfie camera can now take slow-mo video at 1080p/120fps. All three handsets are IP68-rated for water- and dust-resistance, and come with Wi-Fi 6 support and iOS 13 installed. The new 18W fast charger will charge your iPhone to 50% in 30 minutes, although you’ll have to buy it separately if you purchase the standard iPhone 11.
iPhone 11 vs 11 Pro vs 11 Pro Max: Price
This is where things get a bit confusing. The iPhone 11 starts at £729, which, as far as iPhones go, is rather well-priced. You’ll pay £729 for the 64GB model, £779 for the 128GB model and £879 for the 256GB model. Colours do not affect the price.
The iPhone 11 Pro, meanwhile, starts at £1,049 for the 64GB model, which isn’t quite as tempting. If you want the 256GB model, you’ll be paying £1,199 and the 512GB model costs an otherworldly £1,399.
As you can imagine, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is pricier still. It’s £1,149 for the 64GB model; £1,299 for the 256GB model; and an astonishing £1,499 for the 512GB model.
iPhone 11 vs 11 Pro vs 11 Pro Max: Verdict
Hopefully, you’ve reached the same conclusion that we have: the iPhone 11 is the only handset you should ever consider purchasing, unless you don’t mind remortgaging the house.
A 64GB iPhone 11 will suffice for all but the most avid of video-recorders or boxset-downloaders, so unless you’re obsessed about that 10x optical zoom and Super Retina XDR display, perhaps it’s for the best that the iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max remain an unrealistic dream.