iPhone 11 Pro Max vs iPhone 7 Plus: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Stuck in the Apple ecosystem and wondering if it’s time for an upgrade? The iPhone 7 Plus, a phone that once ruled the market, is now facing off against the powerhouse that is the iPhone 11 Pro Max. This comparison will delve into the key differences and help you decide if a switch is right for you.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max boasts cutting-edge features and a significant leap in technology compared to its predecessor. From camera capabilities to processing power, the differences are substantial. However, the iPhone 7 Plus still holds its own, offering a familiar user experience and a more budget-friendly option.
We’ll explore everything from display quality and camera performance to battery life and overall user experience. This detailed comparison of the iPhone 11 Pro Max vs iPhone 7 Plus will help you make an informed decision and choose the phone that best suits your needs and budget. Let’s dive in!
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | iPhone 11 Pro Max | iPhone 7 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 6.5 inches | 5.5 inches |
| Display Resolution | 2688 x 1242 pixels | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| Processor | Apple A13 Bionic | Apple A10 Fusion |
| RAM | 4GB | 3GB |
| Internal Storage | 64/256/512GB | 32/128/256GB |
| Main Camera | Triple 12MP | Dual 12MP |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 7MP |
| Video Recording | 4K up to 60fps | 4K up to 30fps |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP67 |
| Operating System | iOS 13, upgradable | iOS 10, upgradable |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 | Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Release Year | 2019 | 2016 |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Display
- iPhone 11 Pro Max: 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display with a resolution of 2688 x 1242 pixels. Offers significantly improved brightness, contrast, and color accuracy compared to its predecessor. The larger screen is excellent for media consumption.
- iPhone 7 Plus: 5.5-inch Retina HD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. While still a decent display, it lacks the vibrancy and clarity of modern displays. Limited brightness in direct sunlight.
- Winner: iPhone 11 Pro Max
Processor
- iPhone 11 Pro Max: A13 Bionic chip with a Neural Engine. Provides exceptional performance for demanding tasks, including gaming and video editing, and is optimized for power efficiency. Offers significant performance improvements.
- iPhone 7 Plus: A10 Fusion chip with a Neural Engine. Still capable for everyday use, but noticeably slower when compared to newer devices. Can struggle with demanding apps and games.
- Winner: iPhone 11 Pro Max
Camera System
- iPhone 11 Pro Max: Triple 12MP camera system (Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto) with Night mode and Deep Fusion. Delivers incredible photos and videos in various lighting conditions. Offers superior versatility.
- iPhone 7 Plus: Dual 12MP camera system (Wide and Telephoto). Produces good quality photos in well-lit conditions. Lacks advanced features like Night mode and the ultra-wide lens.
- Winner: iPhone 11 Pro Max
Battery Life
- iPhone 11 Pro Max: Offers significantly improved battery life, easily lasting a full day of heavy use. Provides hours of additional usage compared to the iPhone 7 Plus.
- iPhone 7 Plus: Battery life is decent but can deplete quickly with heavy use. Often requires charging during the day.
- Winner: iPhone 11 Pro Max
Design and Build Quality
- iPhone 11 Pro Max: Stainless steel frame and textured matte glass back. Offers a premium feel and better durability. The design is modern but can be bulky.
- iPhone 7 Plus: Aluminum unibody design. Feels sturdy but lacks the premium feel of newer iPhones. Can be prone to scratches.
- Winner: iPhone 11 Pro Max
Operating System & Software
- iPhone 11 Pro Max: Runs the latest iOS versions, offering the newest features, security updates, and a smoother user experience. Longer software support.
- iPhone 7 Plus: Receives updates, but will eventually be phased out of major iOS updates. Software is less optimized compared to newer devices.
- Winner: iPhone 11 Pro Max
Water Resistance
- iPhone 11 Pro Max: IP68 water resistance (up to 4 meters for 30 minutes). Provides increased protection against water damage.
- iPhone 7 Plus: IP67 water resistance (up to 1 meter for 30 minutes). Offers limited protection against water damage.
- Winner: iPhone 11 Pro Max
Price and Availability
- iPhone 11 Pro Max: No longer sold by Apple new but still available as refurbished. Generally more expensive due to its superior features.
- iPhone 7 Plus: Widely available as a used or refurbished device, typically at a lower price point. More affordable option.
- Winner: Tie (Consider price sensitivity)
Winner by Category:
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Display Quality | iPhone 11 Pro Max |
| Performance | iPhone 11 Pro Max |
| Camera | iPhone 11 Pro Max |
| Battery Life | iPhone 11 Pro Max |
| Design | iPhone 11 Pro Max |
| Value | iPhone 7 Plus |
What They Have in Common:
- Operating System: Both phones run on iOS, providing a user-friendly interface and access to the App Store. Both phones are upgradeable to the latest iOS versions.
- Build Quality: Both devices feature premium build materials, offering a solid and durable feel in hand. Both devices feature aluminum frames.
- Ecosystem: Both phones seamlessly integrate with the Apple ecosystem, including iCloud, Apple Music, and other Apple services.
- App Support: Both devices have access to the vast library of apps available on the App Store, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of applications.
- Touch Id: Both phones feature Touch ID for secure unlocking and authentication.
iPhone 11 Pro Max vs iPhone 7 Plus Buying Guide
Performance and Speed
The iPhone 11 Pro Max boasts a significantly faster A13 Bionic chip, offering a considerable performance leap compared to the iPhone 7 Plus’s A10 Fusion. This translates to quicker app loading times, smoother multitasking, and enhanced gaming experiences. The 11 Pro Max handles demanding tasks with ease, whereas the 7 Plus might show signs of slowing down with newer software and resource-intensive applications. Consider how you’ll use your phone daily to assess the importance of this performance difference.
Camera Capabilities
The iPhone 11 Pro Max features a triple-lens camera system, providing vastly superior versatility and image quality compared to the iPhone 7 Plus’s dual-lens setup. The 11 Pro Max offers ultrawide and telephoto lenses, enabling a wider range of shots and improved zoom capabilities. Night mode on the 11 Pro Max also significantly improves low-light photography. While the 7 Plus still takes decent photos, the 11 Pro Max delivers a professional-grade camera experience.
Display Quality
The iPhone 11 Pro Max’s Super Retina XDR display offers a more vibrant and detailed viewing experience compared to the iPhone 7 Plus’s Retina HD display. The 11 Pro Max has a higher peak brightness, making it easier to see in direct sunlight, and supports HDR content for richer colors and contrast. The 7 Plus’s display, while still functional, appears comparatively dim and less sharp. The difference is most noticeable when watching videos or playing games.
Battery Life
The iPhone 11 Pro Max provides significantly improved battery life compared to the iPhone 7 Plus. You can expect a full day or more of use on the 11 Pro Max, even with heavy usage. The 7 Plus, however, may require charging before the end of the day, particularly with demanding apps or games. Battery performance is crucial for everyday convenience, and the 11 Pro Max excels in this area, offering extended usage time.
Software and Updates
The iPhone 11 Pro Max will continue to receive software updates from Apple for several more years, ensuring you have access to the latest features and security patches. The iPhone 7 Plus, while still receiving some updates, is nearing the end of its software support cycle. This means you may miss out on new features and potentially face security vulnerabilities sooner. Considering future-proofing is an important factor in your decision.
Design and Build Quality
The iPhone 11 Pro Max features a more modern design with a stainless steel frame and a textured matte glass back, providing a premium feel. The iPhone 7 Plus has an aluminum build, which is still durable, but feels less premium. The 11 Pro Max also offers water resistance, which the 7 Plus lacks. Both phones are well-built, but the 11 Pro Max offers a more refined design and improved durability features.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy iPhone 11 Pro Max If…
- You want the latest and greatest iPhone with cutting-edge features.
- You prioritize a significantly improved camera system for photos and videos.
- You desire a larger, higher-resolution display.
- You need the best possible performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
Buy iPhone 7 Plus If…
- You are on a tighter budget.
- You still want a large-screen iPhone with a dual-camera system.
- You don’t need the absolute latest features and performance.
- You’re upgrading from an older iPhone and want a familiar experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which phone has a better camera?
The iPhone 11 Pro Max has a significantly better camera system. It includes a triple-lens setup with ultrawide and telephoto lenses, plus Night mode. This results in superior image quality, more versatile shooting options, and improved low-light performance compared to the iPhone 7 Plus’s dual-lens camera.
Which phone is faster?
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is considerably faster due to its A13 Bionic chip. It handles demanding tasks, apps, and games much more efficiently than the iPhone 7 Plus’s A10 Fusion chip. This translates to smoother multitasking, quicker app loading, and an overall more responsive user experience.
Which phone has better battery life?
The iPhone 11 Pro Max has superior battery life. It can easily last a full day or more with moderate to heavy usage. The iPhone 7 Plus, on the other hand, may require charging before the end of the day, especially with more demanding applications or gaming sessions.
Which phone has a better display?
The iPhone 11 Pro Max features a Super Retina XDR display, which offers a more vibrant, detailed, and brighter viewing experience than the iPhone 7 Plus’s Retina HD display. The 11 Pro Max also supports HDR, providing richer colors and contrast. This makes the 11 Pro Max display better for media consumption.
Which phone is more water-resistant?
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is water-resistant, with an IP68 rating, which means it can withstand submersion in water up to a certain depth for a certain amount of time. The iPhone 7 Plus does not have any official water resistance rating, making the 11 Pro Max the better choice if you are concerned about water damage.
Which phone is better for gaming?
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is better for gaming due to its faster processor, better display, and longer battery life. The A13 Bionic chip provides smoother gameplay, and the brighter display enhances the visual experience. The improved battery life will also allow for longer gaming sessions without needing to charge.
Which phone will receive software updates for longer?
The iPhone 11 Pro Max will receive software updates for a longer period. Apple typically supports its iPhones with updates for several years after their release. The iPhone 7 Plus is older and nearing the end of its software support cycle, so it will receive fewer updates going forward.
Final Verdict
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is the clear winner, offering superior performance, camera capabilities, display quality, and battery life. While the iPhone 7 Plus remains a functional device, the 11 Pro Max provides a significantly enhanced user experience for modern needs. It’s a noticeable upgrade in nearly every key area.
Winner: iPhone 11 Pro Max