iPhone 11 Pro: Still a Powerhouse in 2024 for US Users

⭐ Reason for Purchase

My "rugged" Android couldn’t survive Texas heat and dust. Blueprint PDFs took forever to load.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Needed something that could handle PlanGrid app, survive jobsite drops, and be visible in bright sunlight.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Almost got the CAT rugged phone but needed iOS for subcontractor coordination. The 11 Pro’s IP68 rating sealed the deal.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

AT&T corporate store—their business account includes priority network access for job sites with poor reception.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Unboxed it in my truck—the box smelled like fancy new tools! Used my hard hat as a stand during setup.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Sleeker than I expected for a worksite phone. The OLED screen is readable even at high noon. Buttons have a satisfying click.

⭐ First Week Usage

Marked up blueprints directly on the phone—no more miscommunications. Survived a 6-foot drop onto concrete (thanks, OtterBox!).

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Hotspot keeps my iPad with construction apps online. The wide-angle lens captures entire site progress in one shot. Siri reads my texts aloud.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Screen recording for safety walkthroughs, LiDAR for quick measurements, and the flashlight is brighter than my actual work light.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Gloves make the screen unresponsive. Wish it had a physical mute switch for sudden client calls mid-yelling at crews.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

No more waiting for CAD files to render. Subcontractors actually reply to my iMessages now instead of "Android texts don’t go through."

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Time-lapse videos of projects impress clients. Use the compass more than expected for orienting sites.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

My crew calls it "the boss phone"—they know when I’m serious because the triple camera looks intimidating.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Pelican Shield case with belt clip, tempered glass screen protector, and a dust plug for the charging port.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

8.5/10—almost indestructible with the right case. Worth every penny for reducing construction headaches.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

My Android couldn’t handle the 10+ study apps I need for labs and lectures. Group chats kept crashing too.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Wanted iMessage for class collaborations, a phone that fits in tiny leggings pockets, and something that wouldn’t die during all-nighters.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Compared with iPhone 12 mini but chose the 11 Pro for better battery. Android friends mocked me until they saw the camera samples.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Amazon Renewed—got a "like new" model for $300 off. Prime shipping meant I had it before midterms!

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Was shocked it looked brand new—not a scratch! Setup took 15 minutes thanks to Move to iOS app transferring my Spotify playlists.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

The size is perfect—big enough for eBooks but not bulky in gym shorts. The gold back makes it feel fancier than my ramen budget.

⭐ First Week Usage

Used Night Shift mode during late-night study sessions—way easier on my eyes. The haptic keyboard feels like my MacBook.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Split-screen between Labster and Notes app is clutch. Storage is tight with all my lab videos, so I offload to iCloud.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Screen Recording for virtual lab demos, Live Photos to capture fleeting microscope images, and Find My for locating my phone in the library stacks.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Group iMessages get chaotic with 20+ pre-med students. Wish it had USB-C like my laptop. Low-light selfies in the dorm could be better.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

No more app reloads when switching between Canvas and PubMed. Miss the fingerprint sensor for quick unlocks during lab work.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Scanning textbook pages with Notes app saves $$$. TikTok lectures look pro with the cinematic stabilization.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

My "study with me" YouTube channel gained 1K subs thanks to the 4K60 video. Sorority sisters borrow my phone for Instagram pics.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Magnetic wallet case for student ID/credit card, tempered glass screen protector, and a lanyard for football games.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

9/10—ideal for broke-but-busy students. Get the 256GB model if you’re in STEM like me.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

My flip phone finally gave up after 12 years. Grandkids refused to video call me anymore.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Needed something simple but modern to stay connected with family across three time zones. Bigger text was a must.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Almost got overwhelmed by choices. Verizon store rep suggested the 11 Pro over newer models for its proven reliability.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Costco—their 90-day return policy gave me peace of mind. Also got a free accessory bundle with a stand charger.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Had my tech-savvy neighbor help. He laughed when I asked where the keypad was. The "Hey Siri" feature felt like magic.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Heavier than expected but solid. The silver color looks professional. Display is bright enough for my cataracts.

⭐ First Week Usage

Zoomed with my granddaughter in Taiwan—she said I looked clearer than her dad’s Android. Still accidentally take screenshots all the time.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Use "Display Zoom" to make icons bigger. The heart rate app syncs with my doctor’s portal. Weather widget is my morning ritual.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Emergency SOS (tested it once—very reassuring), Medical ID for my prescriptions, and the magnifier tool for reading menus.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Still can’t figure out how to delete apps. Face ID fails when I wake up groggy. Too many notifications at first—had to ask grandson to disable them.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Like going from a bicycle to a spaceship. Miss the tactile buttons but love seeing grandkids’ faces clearly now.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Book club uses WhatsApp for discussions—no more being left out. Photos of my garden finally do my roses justice.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Joined a senior iPhone users group at the community center. We trade tips and complain about software updates together.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

OtterBox Commuter case (survived two drops already), stylus for precise tapping, and a neck strap for walks.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

7/10—steep learning curve but worth it. Other retirees: get the Apple Store’s free senior workshops!

⭐ Reason for Purchase

My old iPhone 7 was lagging badly, especially when running design apps like Adobe Illustrator and Procreate.

📌 Purchase Motivation

I needed a phone with a better processor, longer battery life, and a superior display for color accuracy.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

I compared the iPhone 11 Pro with the Samsung Galaxy S10 and Google Pixel 4. The A13 Bionic chip and OLED display won me over.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Apple Store in downtown Austin—I wanted hands-on experience and AppleCare+ support.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

The matte finish felt premium, and setup was seamless with Quick Start. The midnight green color was stunning!

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

The weight felt balanced, and the stainless steel frame gave it a luxurious feel. The notch didn’t bother me as much as I thought.

⭐ First Week Usage

Battery life blew me away—I could finally ditch my power bank. The triple-camera system was a game-changer for snapping project references.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Smooth multitasking between Slack, Zoom, and design apps. Face ID is faster than my old Touch ID, though it struggles with masks.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Night mode for low-light photography, True Tone display for accurate colors, and the U1 chip for precise AirDrop sharing.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Adapting to the lack of a home button was tricky at first. Also, the glossy back is a fingerprint magnet.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Massive upgrade—no more app crashes, and the wider screen helps with design previews. Miss the headphone jack sometimes, though.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Clients love the high-res mockups I send from my phone. Personal photos look gallery-worthy with minimal editing.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Friends keep asking me to take their pics with the portrait mode. I’ve become the unofficial group photographer!

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Got a Spigen clear case to show off the color and a Belkin wireless charger for my desk. Considering a lens kit for more creative shots.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

9.5/10—only docking points for the slippery back. Would tell any creative pro to grab one, especially refurbished deals.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

My Samsung kept overheating in the truck and Square payments would glitch during lunch rushes.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Needed a workhorse that could handle cashless payments, social media marketing, and survive kitchen grease splatters.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Almost chose the iPhone SE for price but needed the 11 Pro’s battery for all-day GPS and hotspot use.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

T-Mobile store—their small business plan includes free Netflix (my only downtime entertainment).

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Unboxed it between taco orders! The grease-resistant oleophobic coating is legit—wipes clean with my apron.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Slippery without a case but fits perfectly in my truck’s phone mount. The speakers are loud enough to hear over the fryer.

⭐ First Week Usage

Used the ultra-wide camera to shoot my entire menu board in one frame. Customers love Apple Pay—transactions are 3x faster now.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Hotspot keeps my iPad Mini (for orders) online. The water resistance saved it from a soda spill. Dark mode helps when checking supplies at 5AM.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Shortcuts app automates my daily social media posts. "Hey Siri, set timer for empanadas" is my most-used command.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Gloves mode should work better—I often have to remove my kitchen gloves to swipe. Wish it had Touch ID for greasy fingers.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Square runs smoother, and Instagram food pics get 2x more likes. No more "device too hot" warnings in summer.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Created a loyalty program using Passbook. Yelp reviewers mention my "pro-quality food photos" now.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Other food truck guys ask me to take pics of their setups. My TikTok burrito tutorials hit 50K views with the 4K video.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Lifeproof FRĒ case (handles flour dust and rain), magnetic vent mount, and a waterproof Bluetooth speaker for music.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

10/10—paid for itself in faster transactions alone. Street vendors: get AppleCare+ for accidental damage coverage.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

My iPhone 8 Plus finally died after surviving three years of being dropped by students during tech demos.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Needed durability (hello, matte glass!), all-day battery for parent-teacher conferences, and a better Zoom experience.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Almost went for the cheaper XR, but the 11 Pro’s water resistance and smaller size won out—fits better in my blazer pocket.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Best Buy—they had a trade-in bonus and same-day pickup. Also snagged their Geek Squad protection plan.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Kids helped me unbox it—they were more excited than I was! Loved the included 18W fast charger (unlike the new models).

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

The 5.8” screen felt compact after my Plus model, but text was sharper. The frosted back doesn’t slide off desks like the glossy ones.

⭐ First Week Usage

Recorded crystal-clear lecture videos with the improved mics. Battery lasted through back-to-back classes without a charge.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Using Screen Time to limit social media during school hours. The wide-angle camera is perfect for capturing entire classroom whiteboards.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Memoji for engaging reluctant students, QuickTake for spontaneous lesson recordings, and the louder stereo speakers.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Wish it had Touch ID for masked faculty meetings. Also, the smaller keyboard took getting used to for grading essays.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Faster response when mirroring to classroom Apple TV. Miss the home button when wearing gloves during winter recess duty.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Game-changer for remote parent meetings—no more "can you hear me?" moments. Kids think my Animoji feedback on their essays is hilarious.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Started a teacher tech tips Instagram using the phone’s editing tools. Even the janitor asked me about the camera specs!

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

OtterBox Defender case (non-negotiable in a school), PopSocket for one-handed use, and a waterproof pouch for field trips.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

8/10—deducted for no fingerprint option. Perfect for educators who need reliability. Buy during back-to-school sales.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

My iPhone X couldn’t handle the constant travel—battery degraded fast, and low-light hospital photos were unusable.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Needed better battery for 12-hour shifts, durable build for cross-country moves, and a great camera for telemedicine consults.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Compared with Pixel 5 for night shots but chose the 11 Pro for iOS continuity with my iPad (for patient charts).

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Apple website—custom engraving says "STAT" with a heartbeat line. Shipped to my current assignment in Denver.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Unboxed it in a call room between shifts! The surgical green case I bought matches our scrubs. eSIM setup was painless.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Perfect weight—heavy enough to feel premium but light in my scrub pocket. The steel edges survived an encounter with a bed rail.

⭐ First Week Usage

Used Night mode to document wound progress. Battery lasts a full shift even with Epic EMR app running constantly.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Face ID works with masks if I tilt my head just right. Use the Measure app to estimate wound sizes. Dictation is accurate for charting.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Medical-grade PDF annotations, Zoom integration for remote rounds, and the water resistance for sanitizing it constantly.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Wish it had in-screen Touch ID for gloved use. The white coat pocket test is iffy—nearly lost it during a code blue once.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Photos of patient conditions (with consent) are clear enough for specialist reviews. No more charging during lunch breaks.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Telehealth visits look professional. Nurses at each new assignment ask about my camera settings for documentation.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

My travel nurse blog’s engagement skyrocketed with better photos. Use Find My to track my phone across huge hospital campuses.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Clip case that attaches to my badge reel, UV sanitizer box, and a rugged power bank for rural assignments.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

9.5/10—almost perfect for healthcare. Get the matte finish—hides germophobe-level wipe downs better.

Benchmark Scores

The iPhone 11 Pro still holds up impressively in benchmarks, scoring around 3500 in Geekbench 5’s multi-core test. That’s close to some mid-range 2023 Android phones! In real-world use, apps launch instantly, and multitasking feels smooth—no hiccups even with heavy social media, Spotify, and Safari

Build Quality & Materials

The stainless steel frame and matte glass back scream premium—it feels like a luxury device even today. The smaller 5.8-inch size is perfect for one-handed use, and the weight (188g) strikes a balance between solidity and comfort. My only gripe? The glossy stainless steel edges attract fingerprints

Display Quality

The 5.8-inch Super Retina XDR OLED is still gorgeous—blacks are ink-deep, and HDR content pops. Brightness (800 nits typical) is great for outdoor use, though newer iPhines beat it in direct sunlight. The 60Hz refresh rate feels dated next to 120Hz Android phones, but color accuracy is top-tier.

Camera System & Performance

The triple 12MP cameras (wide, ultra-wide, telephoto) deliver consistent, natural colors. Night mode (added via iOS 13) works decently, but newer iPhones crush it in low light. The ultra-wide’s distortion is noticeable, but the telephoto’s 2x optical zoom remains useful for portraits.

Software & User Experience

iOS 17 runs flawlessly, proving Apple’s long-term support is unmatched. Features like Focus Mode and Live Text work seamlessly. The lack of an always-on display feels like a miss, though, especially since the OLED panel could handle it.

Battery Life & Charging

The 3046mAh battery surprised me—it still lasts a full day with moderate use (4-5 hours screen-on time). Fast charging (18W) refuels 50% in ~30 mins, but the lack of MagSafe is a bummer for wireless charging fans.

Gaming & Graphics Performance

Genshin Impact runs at medium settings smoothly, though it heats up after 20 mins. The A13’s GPU handles most games well, but demanding titles show their age compared to newer iPhones’ thermal management.

Connectivity & Ports

No 5G (expected for its era), but LTE speeds are reliable in urban areas. The Lightning port feels archaic in 2023—switching to USB-C would’ve future-proofed it. Wi-Fi 6 support is a nice bonus for fast home networks.

Durability & Protection

IP68 rating means it survives spills and dunches, but the glass back is prone to cracks if dropped. A case is a must—I learned this the hard way after a waist-high tumble cracked my back panel.

Price & Value Proposition

At ~$400-$500 used, it’s a steal for iOS fans who want premium build and cameras without breaking the bank. Just know you’re sacrificing 5G, 120Hz, and newer chip efficiencies.

Benchmark Scores

In 2023, the iPhone 11 Pro’s A13 Bionic still punches above its weight—scoring ~1300 single-core and ~3400 multi-core in Geekbench 5. That’s faster than a Snapdragon 778G! Real-world takeaway? Apps like Lightroom and CapCut run without stutters, proving Apple’s silicon ages like fine wine.

Build Quality & Materials

The frosted glass back and surgical-grade steel frame feel elite—no creaks or flex. At 5.8 inches, it’s a rarity in today’s phablet world. Pro tip: Go for the Midnight Green color; it hides smudges better than Space Gray.

Display Quality

This OLED panel spoiled me—text is razor-sharp, and colors are calibrated perfectly for photo editing. The lack of ProMotion (120Hz) is noticeable when scrolling Instagram, but the 60Hz is buttery compared to cheaper LCD iPhones.

Camera System & Performance

The telephoto lens is the star here—2x optical zoom captures flattering portraits without distortion. Night Mode saves dimly lit shots, but don’t expect iPhone 14 Pro-level detail. Video stabilization? Still class-leading for vloggers.

Software & User Experience

Five years of updates (iOS 17 confirmed!) mean you’re covered till 2024. Features like Spatial Audio and Memoji work flawlessly. Downsides? No customizable Lock Screen widgets like newer iOS versions.

Battery Life & Charging

After 500+ cycles, my battery health is at 82%—still gets 4.5 hours of screen time. The 18W charger (sold separately, ugh) juices it to 50% fast, but wireless charging is sluggish without MagSafe.

Gaming & Graphics Performance

PUBG Mobile runs at ‘HD’ settings with zero frame drops, but ‘Ultra HD’ pushes the A13 to its limits. Thermal throttling kicks in after 15 mins—keep a cooler handy for marathon sessions.

Connectivity & Ports

Wi-Fi 6 is future-proof, but the Lightning port is a relic—I’ve cursed it daily while searching for cables. LTE speeds hit 150Mbps in NYC, but 5G’s absence hurts in crowded areas.

Durability & Protection

IP68 rating saved it from my coffee spill, but the glossy steel edges scratch easily. Invest in a skin—my dbrand one preserved the finish through two years of abuse.

Price & Value Proposition

At $450 refurbished (with warranty), it’s the best entry into Apple’s ecosystem. You lose 5G and ProMotion, but gain a pro-grade camera and updates for years.