Apple iPhone 11 iPhone 11 Review
The iPhone 11 is five years old, but at $160, it delivers a premium iOS experience for peanuts. Just be ready to compromise on storage and screen quality.
The 30-Second Version
A five-year-old iPhone for $160 is a steal. It's fast, takes great photos, and runs the latest iOS. Just don't expect a fancy screen or tons of storage.
Overview
Look, the iPhone 11 is a five-year-old phone. But here's the one thing to know: for $160, it's a shockingly good deal if you just need a solid, reliable phone that works. The A13 Bionic chip is still fast, the cameras are still great, and it runs the latest iOS. It's not flashy, but it gets the job done without any fuss. We see a lot of refurbished phones in our database, and this one consistently punches above its price tag.
Performance
The performance is the biggest surprise here. That A13 Bionic chip lands in the 85th percentile, which means it's still faster than most mid-range phones you can buy new today. Apps open quick, scrolling is smooth, and it handles iOS 18 without breaking a sweat. For basic tasks and even some light gaming, this old chipset is still a little powerhouse.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Incredible value for the performance you get. 90th
- Camera system is still excellent, especially in good light. 86th
- Build quality feels premium and durable. 84th
- Runs the latest iOS software without issue. 83th
Cons
- The LCD display looks dated next to modern OLED screens. 24th
- Only 64GB of storage, which fills up fast.
- Battery life is just okay by today's standards.
- It's a 4G-only phone in a 5G world.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Screen Size | 6.2 |
| Resolution | 828 x 1792 |
Performance
| Processor | A13 Bionic chip |
| Processor Model | Apple A13 Bionic |
| CPU Cores | 6 |
| CPU Speed | 2.65 |
| Storage | 64 GB |
| Expandable | No |
Camera
| Main Camera | 12 |
| Camera Count | 2 |
| Front Camera | 12 |
| Video | 4K |
Battery & Charging
| Battery | 3110 Wh |
| Connector | 2.0, proprietary reversible conn |
Connectivity
| 5G | No |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | 2.0, proprietary reversible conn |
| SIM | Nano SIM |
Design & Build
| Face Recognition | Yes |
| OS | iOS |
| Headphone Jack | Yes |
Value & Pricing
At $160, the value is undeniable. You're getting 90% of the core iPhone experience for about a quarter of the price of a new model. If your budget is tight and you don't need the latest specs, this is one of the smartest ways to get into the Apple ecosystem.
Price History
vs Competition
Compared to a new budget phone like the Motorola Moto G, the iPhone 11 feels more polished and will get software updates for longer. Against a newer refurb like an iPhone 12, you're saving money but giving up the better OLED screen and 5G. Your real choice is between this and something like the Google Pixel 10. The Pixel will have a better camera and screen, but the iPhone 11 offers that seamless iOS experience if that's what you're after.
| Spec | Apple iPhone 11 iPhone 11 | Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26 SM-S948UZKEXAA | Motorola Motorola G Stylus PB6V0014US | Google Google Pixel 10 GA10091-US | OnePlus OnePlus 15 5011116281 | Apple CPO Apple iPhone 16 A3083 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.2 | 6.9 | 6.7 | 6.4 | 6.8 | 6.3 |
| Display Type | - | OLED | OLED | OLED | OLED | OLED |
| Refresh Rate | - | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 |
| Processor | Apple A13 Bionic | Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 | Tensor | 8 Elite Gen 5 | Apple A18 Pro |
| RAM (GB) | - | 12 | 8 | 16 | 16 | 8 |
| Storage (GB) | 64 | 512 | 256 | 256 | 512 | 128 |
| Rear Camera Mp | 12 | 200 | 50 | 48 | 50 | 48 |
| Front Camera Mp | 12 | 12 | 32 | 10 | 32 | 12 |
| Battery Capacity Mah | 3110 | 5000 | 5000 | 5015 | 7300 | 3582 |
| Charging Wattage | - | 60 | 68 | - | - | - |
| Wireless Charging | - | true | true | - | - | true |
| Five (g) | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Water Resistance | - | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP69 | IP68 |
| Operating System | iOS | Android 16 | Android 15 | Android 16 | Android 16 | iPadOS 18 |
Common Questions
Q: Is 64GB of storage enough?
Not really, unless you're super careful. Plan on using iCloud or streaming everything. It's the biggest compromise at this price.
Q: How's the battery life?
It's fine for a day of light use, but heavy users will need to charge by dinner. A new battery in a refurb helps a lot.
Q: Does it support 5G?
Nope. It's a 4G LTE phone. If you live in an area with great 5G coverage, you'll be missing out on those faster speeds.
Who Should Skip This
If you're a mobile gamer, a photography enthusiast who shoots in low light, or someone who absolutely needs the sharpest screen, skip this. Look at a newer refurbished iPhone 13 or a Google Pixel instead.
Verdict
We recommend the iPhone 11 if you're on a strict budget, need a reliable backup phone, or are buying for someone who just needs something that works. It's a no-brainer at this price. Just be ready to live with the smaller storage and that older screen.