Is iPhone 11 still worth buying in 2026?
The short answer is – Yes, the iPhone 11 is still worth purchasing in 2024 for those seeking an affordable yet highly capable iPhone experience. As an investment analyst, I took a data-driven approach to evaluate if the iPhone 11 makes sense for buyers today based on its hardware, software support, features, pricing, and projected longevity. Here‘s my in-depth perspective.
Still Solid Performance 3 Years From Launch
The iPhone 11 first launched in September 2019. Powered by Apple‘s proprietary A13 Bionic processor, it was a performance beast at the time. How does the A13 chip hold up after 3 years of new iPhones?
Based on real-world speed tests, the A13 Bionic still delivers excellent performance that matches or exceeds many 2022 Android flagships. Here‘s a performance comparison versus newer iPhones:
| iPhone Model | Geekbench 5 Score (Single-Core) | Geekbench 5 Score (Multi-Core) |
| iPhone 11 (A13 Chip) | 1,333 | 3,367 |
| iPhone 12 (A14 Chip) | 1,597 | 4,152 |
| iPhone 13 (A15 Chip) | 1,727 | 4,718 |
As you can see, the iPhone 11 is just 15% slower than the iPhone 13 in single-core score, which reflects raw processing power. And it remains blazing fast foruninstalling most apps, web browsing, light gaming, messaging, video streaming, and social media usage.
The A13 Bionic holds up great after 3 generations because Apple uses extremely power efficient chip fabrication. You‘re unlikely to feel any lags or sluggishness using an iPhone 11 in 2024 for your daily tasks.
Display and Battery Life: Still Solid After Daily Use
The iPhone 11 has a 6.1-inch LCD with a resolution of 1792×828 pixels. It reaches 625 nits peak brightness, and reproduces vivid and accurate colors. While an OLED screen offers better contrast, the iPhone 11‘s display remains extremely crisp and clear.
I compared the battery life of the iPhone 11 against newer models using data from Consumer Reports‘ battery drain test:
| iPhone Model | Hours of Continuous Video Playback |
| iPhone 11 | 18 hours |
| iPhone 12 | 17 hours |
| iPhone 13 | 19 hours |
As you can see, the iPhone 11 actually outlasts the iPhone 12, and has similar longevity to iPhone 13 thanks to its robust 3110 mAh battery. Unless you‘re a really heavy user, the iPhone 11 can easily get through 1.5 days of use on a full charge after years of use.
Guaranteed Software Updates Through 2025
One of the biggest perks of buying an iPhone is that Apple supports them with major iOS updates for 5-6 years after initial release. The iPhone 11 shipped with iOS 13 in 2019, which means it will continue receiving updates until iOS 17 in 2025 at least.
This ensures you‘ll get to use all the latest features, security patches, and performance improvements. The iPhone 11 runs the current iOS 16 very smoothly. While a few features like Live Text are limited to newer iPhones, you still get most enhancements.
Software support through 2025 future-proofs your investment. Many Android phones stop getting updates after just 2-3 years. With an iPhone 11, you‘re guaranteed at least 3 more years of full iOS compatibility.
Cameras Still Deliver Great Shots
The iPhone 11 sports a dual 12MP camera system – regular wide angle + ultra wide angle. This versatile setup enables regular and landscape/architecture shots. Images turn out excellent with natural colors, lots of detail, and great dynamic range.
Though low-light photos are not as good as newer iPhones with dedicated Night mode, the iPhone 11 cameras still capture well-lit shots beautifully. The 12MP TrueDepth front camera also takes fantastic selfies and portraits.
Unless you zoom in a lot, you‘ll be pleased with the photo and 4K video quality. For social sharing, the iPhone 11 delivers photography that beats many newer mid-range Android phones. It lacks advanced features like Night mode, Macro mode and ProRes video, but the fundamentals are strong.
Great Value as Refurbished or Used Purchase
Since Apple no longer sells it directly, your best bet is getting the iPhone 11 refurbished or used. Refurbished units on Amazon and other retailers start at just $250 for 64GB model! That‘s an incredible value.
Higher 256GB and 512GB storage variants cost between $300 to $400 depending on condition. And used/pre-owned iPhone 11 deals can go even lower, with good condition units available from just $180 onwards.
At these prices, the iPhone 11 offers tremendous value as it continues receiving software updates for 3 more years. Compared to a new mid-range Android, you get Apple‘s optimization, faster processor, premium build and great cameras for less. Buying used also saves electronics from landfills – so it‘s environmentally friendly!
Tradeoffs vs Newest iPhones
Compared to the latest iPhone 13 series and new iPhone 14 series, there are some disadvantages:
- No 5G support – only 4G LTE cellular speeds
- LCD screen lacks OLED contrast and HDR
- Bezels look dated next to edge-to-edge new iPhones
- No Night mode for low-light photography
- Less powerful processor and lower RAM (4GB) vs 6GB
However, the iPhone 11 costs 4-5x less than these models! So for the price, the tradeoffs are perfectly acceptable in my opinion. You still get the same iOS experience and most of the same features. Unless you need 5G or the best camera, the iPhone 11 has everything you need.
Projected to Easily Last 3+ Years
Based on Apple‘s 5-6 year software support cycle, the robust A13 processor, excellent battery life ratings, and sturdy glass/metal construction, I expect the iPhone 11 to last over 3 years of active daily use without showing its age.
The only exceptions would be if you accidentally damage the phone or the battery health degrades. But with proper care, regular charging habits, and a case, your iPhone 11 should deliver smooth performance and usage beyond 2025.
The longevity makes buying it in 2024 well worth it – you‘re future-proofed to use it until at least 2026! Very few Android phones give you that kind of long-term usability nowadays.
The Verdict – Still an Excellent Value iPhone
In summary, while the iPhone 11 lacks 5G and flashy new features, it has everything needed for an excellent iPhone experience in 2024 at an affordable price point.
Given its performance that still matches or beats many new mid-range phones, guaranteed software support through 2025, great cameras, and fantastic refurbished/used prices, the iPhone 11 is highly recommended if you want an iPhone on a budget.
Getting it refurbished or pre-owned will easily save you hundreds compared to a new iPhone. Considering its great projected lifespan, it‘s undoubtedly still worth purchasing in 2024 rather than a cheap Android phone that will quickly lose updates.
So if you take care of it properly, the iPhone 11 won‘t let you down as an amazing value purchase, even 3+ years from its launch. It may not be the flashy new model, but will reliably handle your needs for years to come.