iPhone 11 vs iPhone 11 Pro – Detailed Comparison

Choosing between older iPhone models can be tricky, especially when the lineup was as impactful as the 11 series. When looking at the iPhone 11 alongside the iPhone 11 Pro, you are essentially deciding between an excellent standard experience and a more refined, premium feel with enhanced camera capabilities. While both phones share the same powerful processor and core software experience, the differences lie in the display technology, build materials, and that critical third camera lens.

The iPhone 11 was designed as the “phone for everyone,” offering great battery life and solid performance at a more accessible price point. The 11 Pro, however, targeted users who wanted the absolute best display Apple had to offer at the time and more versatility in photography. This guide breaks down every specific detail to help you decide which device still holds up best for your specific needs today.

Feature-by-Feature Breakdown

Display Quality

• iPhone 11: Features a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display. This is an LCD panel with a resolution of 1792 x 828 pixels. While color accurate, it lacks the deep blacks and high contrast ratios of OLED screens.
• iPhone 11 Pro: Sports a 5.8-inch Super Retina XDR display. This is an OLED panel with a resolution of 2436 x 1125 pixels, offering significantly sharper text, true blacks, and much higher brightness levels for outdoor use.
• Winner: iPhone 11 Pro

Camera System

• iPhone 11: Comes with a Dual 12MP camera system featuring Ultra Wide and Wide lenses. It includes Night mode and Deep Fusion but lacks optical zoom capabilities beyond 0.5x (zoom out).
• iPhone 11 Pro: Boasts a Triple 12MP camera system (Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto). The addition of the Telephoto lens allows for 2x optical zoom in and better portrait mode performance.
• Winner: iPhone 11 Pro

Build Materials

• iPhone 11: Constructed with aerospace-grade aluminum edges and a glossy glass back. It feels lightweight but slightly less premium than the Pro model.
• iPhone 11 Pro: Built with surgical-grade stainless steel edges and a textured matte glass back. The matte finish is excellent at repelling fingerprints and feels more luxurious in the hand.
• Winner: iPhone 11 Pro

Battery Life

• iPhone 11: Offers up to 17 hours of video playback. It has a physically larger battery than the Pro due to the larger chassis, resulting in very impressive all-day endurance.
• iPhone 11 Pro: Rated for up to 18 hours of video playback. Despite being smaller, the efficiency of the OLED screen helps it last slightly longer in specific media consumption tests.
• Winner: iPhone 11 Pro

Water Resistance

• iPhone 11: Rated IP68 (maximum depth of 2 meters for up to 30 minutes). This is sufficient for accidental drops in the pool or spills.
• iPhone 11 Pro: Rated IP68 (maximum depth of 4 meters for up to 30 minutes). It offers double the depth protection compared to the standard model.
• Winner: iPhone 11 Pro

Processor & Performance

• iPhone 11: Powered by the A13 Bionic chip with a third-generation Neural Engine. It handles iOS updates and gaming smoothly.
• iPhone 11 Pro: Also powered by the exact same A13 Bionic chip. There is no difference in raw processing power or speed between the two devices.
• Winner: Draw

Size and Weight

• iPhone 11: Measures 5.94 inches in height and weighs 6.84 ounces. It sits in the middle ground of sizing—not too big, but not compact.
• iPhone 11 Pro: Measures 5.67 inches in height and weighs 6.63 ounces. It is significantly more compact and easier to use with one hand.
• Winner: iPhone 11 Pro (for one-handed use)

Storage Options

• iPhone 11: Originally available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB configurations.
• iPhone 11 Pro: Originally available in 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB configurations. The 512GB option is exclusive to the Pro line.
• Winner: iPhone 11 Pro

Color Options

• iPhone 11: Available in six fun, pastel-leaning colors: Purple, Yellow, Green, Black, White, and Product(RED).
• iPhone 11 Pro: Available in four serious, metallic finishes: Midnight Green, Silver, Space Gray, and Gold.
• Winner: iPhone 11 (for variety)

Connectivity

• iPhone 11: Supports 4G LTE Advanced, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0. It includes the U1 chip for Ultra Wideband.
• iPhone 11 Pro: Matches these specs exactly with Gigabit-class LTE, Wi-Fi 6, and the same U1 chip capabilities.
• Winner: Draw

Specs at a Glance

Feature	iPhone 11	iPhone 11 Pro
Display	6.1″ Liquid Retina LCD	5.8″ Super Retina XDR OLED
Processor	A13 Bionic	A13 Bionic
Rear Camera	Dual 12MP (Wide, Ultra Wide)	Triple 12MP (Wide, Ultra Wide, Telephoto)
Zoom	Digital Zoom up to 5x	2x Optical Zoom In; Digital up to 10x
Front Camera	12MP TrueDepth	12MP TrueDepth
Body Material	Aluminum & Glossy Glass	Stainless Steel & Matte Glass
Water Resistance	IP68 (2 meters)	IP68 (4 meters)
Storage Max	256GB	512GB
Battery (Video)	Up to 17 hours	Up to 18 hours
Security	Face ID	Face ID

What They Have in Common

• A13 Bionic Chip: Both devices run on the exact same processor, meaning apps load just as fast on the cheaper model as they do on the Pro.
• Front-Facing Camera: The selfie camera on both phones is a 12MP TrueDepth camera capable of 4K video recording and slow-motion selfies (“slofies”).
• Face ID: Both utilize the same generation of Face ID technology for secure authentication and Apple Pay.
• Charging: Both support wireless charging (Qi) and fast charging capabilities (up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with a 20W adapter).
• Software Support: Both devices currently run the latest version of iOS and are expected to receive updates for the same duration.

Who Should Buy What?

Buy iPhone 11 If You…

• Want to save money while still getting the core Apple experience and excellent performance.
• Prefer a slightly larger screen (6.1 inches) for watching videos or gaming compared to the smaller Pro.
• Enjoy colorful, glossy aesthetics and want more personality in your device’s look.
• Don’t care about optical zoom or having the absolute deepest blacks on your screen.

Buy iPhone 11 Pro If You…

• Demand the best possible screen quality for media consumption, specifically OLED contrast and brightness.
• Need a Telephoto lens for portrait photography or zooming in on distant subjects without losing quality.
• Prefer a smaller, more compact phone that is easier to handle with one hand.
• Want the premium durability and feel of stainless steel and matte glass.

Winner by Category

Feature	Winner
Display	iPhone 11 Pro
Camera	iPhone 11 Pro
Battery	iPhone 11 Pro
Performance	Draw
Design/Build	iPhone 11 Pro
Value	iPhone 11
Size (Compact)	iPhone 11 Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the iPhone 11 have 5G?

No, neither the iPhone 11 nor the iPhone 11 Pro supports 5G connectivity; they are limited to 4G LTE.

Do old iPhone 11 cases fit the iPhone 11 Pro?

No, the iPhone 11 is physically larger (6.1 inches) than the iPhone 11 Pro (5.8 inches), so the cases are not interchangeable.

Which phone takes better photos at night?

The iPhone 11 Pro generally takes slightly better night photos, particularly when using the Telephoto lens, though the main wide lens performance is very similar on both.

Is the iPhone 11 Pro waterproof?

It is water-resistant, not waterproof, but it has a better rating (4 meters) compared to the standard iPhone 11 (2 meters).

Does the iPhone 11 have an OLED screen?

No, the standard iPhone 11 uses an LCD “Liquid Retina” panel, while the Pro model uses an OLED screen.

Can both phones run iOS 17 or later?

Yes, both phones are supported by recent iOS updates and share the same longevity in terms of software support.

Final Verdict

When summarizing the iphone 11 vs iphone 11 pro debate, the Pro model is technically the superior device. It offers a stunning OLED display, a more versatile triple-camera system with optical zoom, and a premium stainless steel build that feels luxurious. If you consume a lot of media or take photography seriously, the upgrades in the Pro are noticeable.

However, for the average user, the standard iPhone 11 remains an incredible value. It shares the same brain (A13 Bionic) and main camera sensor as its more expensive sibling. If you can live without the OLED screen and the telephoto lens, the iPhone 11 delivers 90% of the experience for a lower price, making it the smarter buy for budget-conscious shoppers.