iPhone 11: Still the Best Budget iPhone for Americans in 2024

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Dropped my Android in a puddle during a rainy walk to campus—RIP.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Wanted something that could handle Spotify, TikTok, and study apps without dying by noon.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Researched for weeks! Almost got the XR for the price, but the 11’s night mode and extra year of updates convinced me.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Amazon Renewed—got a "like new" one for $300 less. Came flawless with 92% battery health.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Was nervous about refurbished quality, but it looked brand new! Set up with my Starbucks email in minutes.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

The white model is so clean. A bit heavier than my old phone, but the rounded edges made it comfy to hold during long study sessions.

⭐ First Week Usage

Battery anxiety disappeared—it lasts through double shifts and late-night cramming. Group selfies with roommates turned out shockingly good.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Perfect for splitting Uber fares, scanning textbook pages, and mobile orders at work. The Wallet app stores my employee discount card.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Dark Mode saves my eyes during 3AM essay crises, and the spatial audio makes my AirPods sound like a concert.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

iMessage confused me at first (why are texts blue vs green?!). Also, no fingerprint reader for quick logins at work.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

My old phone felt like a toy next to this. Apps don’t reload when I switch between them, and the haptic keyboard is weirdly addictive.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Tips: filming latte art videos boosted my Instagram tips jar. For class, scanning whiteboards with Notes is a lifesaver.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Joined the "iPhone squad" in my friend group—finally in those blue-bubble chats. Also, Find My saved me when I left it at the library.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Cheap clear case with glitter (duh), a knock-off MagSafe charger, and a waterproof pouch for rainy days.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

For broke students: get refurbished! Zero regrets. 9/10 only ‘cause charging could be faster.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

My ancient iPhone 6S finally died during a Zoom parent-teacher conference—embarrassing!

📌 Purchase Motivation

Needed something durable for classroom use with good battery life and a decent camera for recording lessons.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Almost went for the SE (2020) for the price, but the 11’s better battery and water resistance sealed the deal.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Best Buy—they had a back-to-school promo with a free $100 gift card, which I used for a sturdy case.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Kinda missed the home button at first, but swiping up felt natural after a few tries. Loved the purple color—subtle but fun.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Solid build, and the glass back made it feel fancier than my old phone. The 6.1" screen was perfect for reading student essays.

⭐ First Week Usage

Battery lasted through a full school day plus grading at home. Used the wide-angle lens to film lab experiments—kids loved it.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Great for email, Google Classroom, and quick photo scans of paperwork. The speakers are loud enough for playing TED Talks in class.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Screen Recording for tutorials, water resistance (survived a coffee spill!), and the "Hey Siri" hands-free feature during commutes.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Had to Google how to force-restart it when an app froze. Miss the headphone jack for my old car aux cable.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Like going from a bicycle to a Tesla. Everything loads instantly, and the display is so much easier on my tired eyes.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Saved me hours—scanning documents with Notes is magic, and sharing files via AirDrop with colleagues is effortless.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

My daughter taught me to use Memoji, and now we send silly animations instead of texts. Family group chats got way more lively.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

OtterBox Defender case (teen-proof!), a pop socket for one-handed use, and a Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter for my car.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

Perfect for educators who need reliability. Only gripe? Wish it had Touch ID for mask days at school. Still, 9.5/10.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

My old Android phone was lagging badly, and I needed a reliable device for work and personal use.

📌 Purchase Motivation

I wanted a phone with a great camera for capturing design inspirations and a smooth performance for multitasking.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

I compared the iPhone 11 with the Samsung Galaxy S10 and Pixel 4. The iPhone’s A13 Bionic chip and iOS ecosystem won me over.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

I bought it from the Apple Store downtown because I wanted to trade in my old phone and get AppleCare+ for peace of mind.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Unboxing felt so premium! The setup was super easy with Quick Start—just held my old iPhone near it, and everything transferred wirelessly.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

The matte finish on the back felt so nice, and the size was perfect—not too big, not too small. The display looked vibrant right away.

⭐ First Week Usage

I was blown by how fast everything loaded. The battery lasted all day, and Night Mode on the camera was a game-changer for low-light shots.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

It’s become my go-to for sketching ideas on Procreate, editing photos in Lightroom, and even quick video edits. Face ID is so seamless.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Night Mode, Face ID, and the ultra-wide camera. Also, the haptic feedback feels so satisfying when typing or navigating.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Took a day to adjust to iOS gestures after years on Android, and iCloud storage filled up faster than I expected.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Way smoother than my old Galaxy S8—no more app crashes or lag when switching between design apps.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

A total workhorse. Clients love the high-quality mockups I send directly from my phone, and my Instagram feed has never looked better.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Friends keep asking me to take group pics because of the camera quality. Even my mom noticed how crisp our FaceTime calls are.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Got a clear case to show off the color and a magnetic car mount. Might invest in a MagSafe charger later.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

10/10—it’s been a flawless upgrade. I’d tell anyone in creative fields to grab one, especially if you find a refurbished deal.

Benchmark Scores

The iPhone 11 still holds up surprisingly well in benchmarks, scoring around 1,300 in single-core and 3,300 in multi-core on Geekbench 5. That’s comparable to some mid-range 2023 Android phones! For everyday tasks, it feels snappy—apps launch fast, and multitasking is smooth. The A13 Bionic chip is

Build Quality & Materials

Apple nailed the build quality here—the glass back and aluminum frame feel premium, though a bit slippery. I’ve dropped mine twice (oops), and the glass survived thanks to Apple’s dual-ion exchange process. The IP68 rating means it can handle spills, but I wouldn’t push it. It’s sturdy but invest in

Display Quality

The 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD isn’t OLED, but colors are vibrant, and brightness hits 625 nits—great for outdoor use. Side-by-side with an OLED phone, blacks aren’t as deep, but for most people, it’s a non-issue. True Tone is a lifesaver for late-night scrolling.

Camera System & Performance

The dual 12MP cameras (wide + ultra-wide) deliver crisp photos with great dynamic range. Night Mode was a game-changer in 2019—it’s not Pixel-level, but low-light shots are usable. Video stabilization is stellar; I shot a concert video, and it looked surprisingly steady.

Software & User Experience

iOS 17 runs smoothly, and Apple’s 5+ years of updates mean this phone isn’t obsolete. The lack of an app drawer still bugs me, but Face ID is lightning-fast. Widgets and Shortcuts add nice customization without Android-level complexity.

Battery Life & Charging

A full day of use (6-7 hours screen-on time) is doable, but heavy users might need a top-up. The 18W fast charger (sold separately) gets you to 50% in 30 mins—why Apple didn’t include it in the box still baffles me.

Gaming & Graphics Performance

PUBG Mobile runs at 60fps on high settings—no stutters. The A13 handles demanding games well, though it warms up after 20+ minutes. Not quite flagship-level in 2023, but way better than budget phones.

Connectivity & Ports

No 5G (obviously), but LTE speeds are solid in most areas. The Lightning port feels outdated, and the lack of USB-C is annoying. Wi-Fi 6 would’ve been nice, but Wi-Fi 5 is still reliable.

Durability & Protection

The IP68 rating saved my phone from a coffee spill, but the glass is prone to scratches—I’d recommend a screen protector. Apple’s repair program is pricey; third-party fixes can void warranties, so tread carefully.

Price & Value Proposition

At $300-$400 used, it’s a steal for iOS fans. Newer SE models have better chips, but the 11’s battery and screen size make it the better buy. Android alternatives offer more features, but Apple’s ecosystem is hard to beat.

Benchmark Scores

Geekbench 5 scores show the iPhone 11’s A13 Bionic outperforming many 2022 mid-rangers—1,320 single-core, 3,350 multi-core. Real-world? Apps load instantly, and Safari tabs don’t reload as aggressively as on cheaper Androids. It’s not the fastest, but it’s far from slow.

Build Quality & Materials

The glossy glass back and matte aluminum frame scream premium, but they’re fingerprint magnets. I’ve babied mine, and it still looks new after 2 years. The weight (194g) feels balanced—not too heavy, not too light.

Display Quality

The LCD lacks OLED’s contrast, but color accuracy is spot-on. I edited Instagram photos on this screen, and they looked consistent on other devices. Brightness is solid—I could read texts under direct sunlight at the beach.

Camera System & Performance

Daylight photos are sharp with natural colors. The ultra-wide lens distorts edges, but it’s fun for landscapes. Night Mode needs steady hands—my shots were grainy but usable. Video? Still one of the best in its price range.

Software & User Experience

iOS 17 runs flawlessly—no lag, no crashes. iMessage and AirDrop are killer features if you’re in the Apple ecosystem. The lack of always-on display hurts, but battery savings are a trade-off.

Battery Life & Charging

On moderate use (social media, calls, music), I hit bedtime with 20% left. Heavy gaming drains it by 4 PM. The 18W fast charger helps, but wireless charging is slower (7.5W)—Qi pads work fine, though.

Gaming & Graphics Performance

Genshin Impact runs at medium settings without throttling for the first 15 minutes. Casual games like Among Us? Butter smooth. The GPU is aging but still competent for non-hardcore gamers.

Connectivity & Ports

LTE speeds hit 100Mbps in my area—good enough for streaming. The Lightning port is a pain when all my gadgets use USB-C. No headphone jack, but Bluetooth 5.0 is stable with AirPods.

Durability & Protection

My iPhone 11 survived a 3-foot drop onto concrete (with a case). The screen is scratch-resistant but not invincible—I’ve got micro-scratches from keys in my pocket. AppleCare+ is pricey but worth it for clumsy folks.

Price & Value Proposition

At $350 refurbished, it’s a bargain for iOS lovers. The Pixel 6a beats it in cameras, but the 11’s video and software support make it a better long-term buy. Android switchers will miss customization, though.