The new iPhones are here — all three of them — and they're called the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max. The most basic model is the iPhone 11, this year's iPhone XR in that it's the budget, entry-level option missing some of the fancier touches of its two Pro siblings.
So now the question is, should you upgrade? The answer to that of course depends on what kind of device you have now. If you're still using, say, an iPhone 7, or perhaps an Android device from several years past, it may be time to upgrade. It gets a little trickier if you have a new-ish phone. Below, we've compiled a list of questions to ask before jumping into the iPhone 11 Pro hype train. Hopefully they can help you re-assess if an upgrade is really necessary.
What Phone Are You Using Right Now?
Again, whether or not you should upgrade depends on how good your phone is, still. Are you using a device released recently, such as the Galaxy S10? Or is it a device from last year, such as the iPhone XS? If you're using a top-tier smartphone released from 2018 to present, it's probably not a good idea to upgrade. Heck, some phones from 2017 are still by current standards.
It's a whole different story if you're using a mid-range phone, such as the iPhone XR or something from Xiaomi or Huawei's excellent portfolio of cheap mid-tier devices. If you can afford the iPhone 11 Pro, go for it. If you can't, the base iPhone 11 is an excellent pick. It's got nearly the same things the iPhone 11 Pro has but at a price closer to mid-range territory. Heck, it's even cheaper than the iPhone XR's original starting price — $699 vs. $749.
Are You An Android User Looking To Jump Over To iOS?
Regardless if you have a recently released top-tier smartphone, there are several things to consider before jumping over the fence and switching to iOS if you've been a longtime Android fan. You surely have your own reasons why you want to make the switch, but consider that if you just want to jump back to iOS and not necessarily get the latest device, you will still be able to take full advantage of Apple's mobile operating system, even if you get an older device.
The iPhone 8 is now just $449, and while the design looks terribly outdated by today's standards, it's still a remarkable phone. The iPhone XR, too, is now just $599, a whopping $150 reduction.
What Makes You Want The iPhone 11 Pro?
Is the screen? The triple-camera system? The fancy new colorways? Or just the feeling of having something new? Before you upgrade, ask yourself the "thing" that makes the iPhone 11 so appealing. Then try to determine if you that "thing" is present on your current phone or on much cheaper options on the market. Even if you determine that only the iPhone 11 Pro has this "thing," try to look for similarities on your phone and other options and see if the differences actually matter.
The Best And Worst Features Of The iPhone 11 Pro
Best Features
If you're still unsure even after considering all the above-mentioned factors, maybe a concise summary of the iPhone 11 Pro's best and worst features will help you reach a decision.
The iPhone 11 Pro, on paper, is a pretty powerful device, made even better by the fact that it's got a longer-lasting battery this time around even with all the added computing power. It lasts four hours longer than the iPhone XS before it, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max gets an hour more on top of that.
Another highlight is the new triple-camera system as opposed to last year's dual-camera setup. You get one ultra-wide lens, one standard wide lens, and a telephoto lens, all of them at 12 megapixels. These new shooters enable a bunch of new photography tricks absent on the standard iPhone 11 and previous iPhones, such as Deep Fusion, audio zoom, better low-light photography, and more.
Worst Features
With highs come lows, however. The iPhone 11 Pro, despite its name, just doesn't have enough "Pro" elements to help it stand out. Especially when compared to the standard iPhone 11, the Pro model doesn't seem that much of a step up. Sure, you get a nicer, crisper OLED display instead of the Liquid LCD Retina screen of the iPhone 11, but the base model's dual-camera system and the Pro's triple-camera system don't seem radically different to warrant a full step up.
Also, quick note — 3D Touch is a goner. Plus, the triple-camera layout is rather questionable. Apple is usually very meticulous when it comes to design, so it's difficult to imagine this ever getting approval. It also still uses Lightning instead of USB Type-C even though the iPad Pro uses the latter now.
In the end, it's up to you. Do you think the iPhone 11 Pro is a wise upgrade option? Or should you stick to your current phone? Alternatively, is the standard iPhone 11 actually the better fit for your needs? As always, if you have any thoughts, sound off in the comments section below!
