In September 2019, Apple released the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max. That’s several flagship phones, we know. With this move, Apple attempts to appeal to a wider range of consumers by offering various features at different price points.
We know that choosing the right iPhone in 2020 might be somewhat confusing. In this article, we break down all the differences between the three smartphones and their prices. Here, we analyse the differences between the three phones based on price, design and size, cameras and displays.
If you don’t want to be bogged down by the details, here’s a table comparing the three phones and how they fare against each other.
Model | iPhone 11 | iPhone 11 Pro | iPhone 11 Pro Max |
Starting Price | N319,000 to N415,000 | N540,000 – N725,000 | N595,000 – N775,000 |
Screen Size (Resolution) | 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD (1792 x 828) | 5.8-inch Super Retina XDR (2436 x 1125) | 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR (2688 x 1242) |
CPU | A13 Bionic | A13 Bionic | A13 Bionic |
Storage | 64GB, 256GB, 512GB | 64GB, 256GB, 512GB | 64GB, 256GB, 512GB |
Rear Cameras | 12-MP wide (f/1.8), 12-MP ultra-wide (f/2.4) | 12-MP wide (f/1.8), 12-MP ultra-wide (f/2.4), 12-MP telephoto (f/2.0) | 12-MP wide (f/1.8), 12-MP ultra-wide (f/2.4), 12-MP telephoto (f/2.0) |
Front Camera | 12-MP (f/2.2) | 12-MP (f/2.2) | 12-MP (f/2.2) |
Battery Life (Hrs:Mins) | 11:16 | 10:24 | 11:54 |
Water Resistance Rating | IP68 (2 meters up to 30 minutes) | IP68 (4 meters up to 30 minutes) | IP68 (4 meters up to 30 minutes) |
Size | 5.9 x 3 x 0.33 inches | 5.7 x 2.8 x 0.32 inches | 6.2 x 3.1 x 0.32 inches |
Weight | 6.84 ounces | 6.63 ounces | 7.97 ounces |
Colours | Black, Green, Yellow, Purple, White, Product RED | Gold, Space Gray, Silver, Midnight Green | Gold, Space Gray, Silver, Midnight Green |
Pricing: Expensive or Just the Right Price?
If like many other people, your major concern here is the price, you are best suited to the iPhone 11 which costs between N319,000 to N415,000 ($1000-$1070), depending on the memory size. For its price, the iPhone 11 offers considerable value for your money, although it is not as feature-rich as its two other counterparts. Find it here on Jumia and Konga
If you’re willing to shell out a bit more money for more features, the iPhone 11 Pro is available for N540,000 – N725,000 ($1390 -$1870), available on Jumia and Konga. While not on the same level as the iPhone 11 Pro Max, the iPhone 11 Pro offers more features than the iPhone 11 and contains some of the innovation crammed into the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
Finally, if you would like to experience the best of Apple’s innovation for 2020, prepare to pay about N595,000 – N775,000 ($1535- $2000) for the iPhone 11 Pro Max, if you want Apple’s best product in the phone category. With this device, Apple submits its superior showing for the year, and with all the features it boasts of, the Pro Max is a must-have. Find it here on Jumia and Konga.
Design and Size: iPhone 11 Series Opt For A Classy Finish
Depending on your tastes, differently-sized phones all have their pros and cons. This year, Apple varies its product offering by design and size quirks.
The iPhone 11 comes in the classic aluminium and glass body, available in colours such as black, green, yellow, purple, white or red. Apple places a premium on the durability of their phones this year. Hence, the iPhone 11 is both dust and water-resistant, boasting of an IP68 rating, allowing it to stay submerged for up to 30 minutes in two meters of water without any damage. Quite impressive. It is also the heaviest of the three phones, weighing in at 193.9 grams. It is moderately sized at 5.9 inches tall, slightly longer than the 11 Pro.
The iPhone 11 Pro opts for a more luxurious look with its stainless steel frame. The glass at the back of the phone also has a matte finish, giving it a sleek look. The 11 Pro is also water- and dust-resistant, allowing it to stay submerged in water for 30 minutes in 4 meters of water. This phone weighs in at 187.9 grams and is 5.7 inches tall, the smallest of the three phones.
The king of the pack, iPhone 11 Pro Max, also sports a stainless steel and matte black glass finish. It is similarly water and dust-resistant and can stay submerged for 30 minutes in 4 meters of water (hopefully without you submerged with it). Being the biggest phone (6.2 inches), it weighs in a hefty 229.9 grams.
The iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max sport Apple’s new 3-camera set up which causes an obvious bump on the back of the phone. Also, headphone jacks are absent in all three phones.
Display and Audio: Top of the Line
This year, Apple put in the work, offering spatial audio in all three phones. The audio quality is just as solid as it is immersive, making it ideal for movie watching and videos.
The display is one area where the differences between the three phones are remarkable.
The iPhone 11 offers the usual LCD panel display. The 6.1-inch Liquid Retina is also quite improved from the previous year’s model, showing a brighter LCD screen that can be easily used outdoors. The brightness measures at 652 nits, creating impressive display capabilities.
For the iPhone 11 Pro, an OLED display allows you to see a wider range of colours. Incredibly bright, the 5.8-inch screen measures in at 752 nits, making it ideal for outdoor use.
Meanwhile, iPhone 11 Pro Max also comes with an OLED display. This phone is the brightest of all 3 with 761 nits. The 6.5-inch screen is also designed to be less colour-saturated offering super clean and clear display functionality.
Cameras: State-of-the-Art
Now, the one you’ve been waiting for. Apple’s cameras often set the yardstick with which the majority of users measure other phone cameras. This year is no different.
A feature common in all three phones is the 2-megapixel front camera which offers the ability to take slow-motion videos. Similarly, they can also shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second, making the 11 series a favourite among hobbyist moviemakers.
The camera functionality is probably the biggest gap between the three phones. The iPhone 11 offers two rear cameras; a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens with an f/1.8 aperture and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens with an f/2.4 aperture. In addition, the camera is also capable of wide-angle photography, allowing you to capture a wider view of your surroundings.
The 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max feature three cameras, with a third 12-megapixel camera added to the usual two. This makes for better phone photography as it allows in 40% more life than the usual telephoto lens.
This year, Apple includes the Night Mode in all three phones which were already a feature in other flagship brands such as OnePlus and Samsung. This allows you to take better quality pictures in poorly lit environments.
Picking an iPhone 11 to Buy in Nigeria
After reviewing all three phones and their features, it is apparent that the Pro Max is the Magnus opus of Apple’s offerings of 2020. Yet, it is admittedly pricey. The other variants offer nearly as many functionalities in varying degrees, allowing you to choose whichever price tag makes you comfortable. Similarly, your choice might also be influenced by other factors such as camera quality, memory size or size of the device. Whatever iPhone 11 you choose to buy, you’re assured of the highest quality of Apple craftsmanship.
If you’re looking for something more affordable, you should check out our review of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8.