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

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Wife insisted I upgrade from my flip phone for grandkid videos

📌 Purchase Motivation

Big screen for my bad eyesight, and simple iOS interface

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Almost got the SE, but grandkids said I’d regret the small screen

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

AT&T store—salesperson was patient with my questions

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Took me an hour to set up Face ID, but the grandkids cheered me on via Zoom

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Felt like holding a TV remote—sleek but scared I’d drop it

⭐ First Week Usage

Discovered I could zoom in on grandbaby pics—game changer

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Siri reads my texts aloud, and the flashlight is brighter than my old one

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Magnifier for reading pills, and Emergency SOS for peace of mind

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Too many steps to delete apps—had to ask my neighbor for help

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Like going from a typewriter to a spaceship

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Finally see family photos clearly, and my VA app loads faster

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Joined a seniors’ iPhone tips group at the community center

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Lanyard case so I don’t lose it, and a screen magnifier

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

7/10—steep learning curve, but now I can’t live without it

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Needed a reliable GPS and hotspot for passengers

📌 Purchase Motivation

Big screen for maps, and battery to last a double shift

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Almost got a cheap Android, but iOS updates last longer

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Swappa—found a mint used one for $600

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Previous owner left a screen protector on—nice surprise!

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Heavy in my dash mount, but the screen brightness helps in sunlight

⭐ First Week Usage

Survived a 14-hour shift with 15% left—GPS didn’t glitch once

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

CarPlay is seamless, and passengers charge via my phone’s hotspot

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Do Not Disturb while driving, and Siri shortcuts for frequent routes

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Overheats in summer if charging and GPS run too long

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Samsung J7 lagged with Uber app—this flies

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Fewer missed turns, and 5-star ratings went up

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

My kids FaceTime me during breaks—camera quality impresses them

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Magnetic vent mount, and a battery pack for emergencies

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

8/10—would pay extra for a cooling feature, but it’s a beast

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Wanted durability for classroom chaos and a big screen for grading

📌 Purchase Motivation

Rugged design (with a case) and long battery life for parent-teacher marathons

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Almost got the iPhone 11 for cost, but splurged for the Max’s battery

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Best Buy—had a trade-in deal for my old iPhone 7

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Kids in class oohed over the unboxing, setup took 20 mins thanks to Quick Start

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Felt huge in my small hands, but the OLED screen made reading essays easier

⭐ First Week Usage

Survived a coffee spill thanks to my case, battery lasted through back-to-back Zoom meetings

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Screen Time keeps me honest, and the mic quality is great for recording lectures

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Screen Recording for tutorials, and the Files app for organizing student work

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Reaching the top corner one-handed is a workout—popsocket helped

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

iPhone 7 felt like a toy next to this—way faster loading Google Classroom

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Fewer charger hunts, and the kids think I’m “tech-savvy” now

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Joined a teacher tech-share group to swap iOS tips

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

OtterBox Defender for drops, and a stylus for grading PDFs

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

8.5/10—wish it had Touch ID for mask days, but zero regrets

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Needed a reliable phone with an excellent camera for on-the-go shoots

📌 Purchase Motivation

The triple-camera system and Night Mode were huge selling points

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Compared it with the Samsung Galaxy S20 but preferred Apple’s color accuracy

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Apple Store downtown—wanted hands-on experience before buying

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Felt premium unboxing it, loved the matte finish, setup was smooth with iCloud transfer

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Heavier than expected but solid, screen was stunning, loved the Midnight Green

⭐ First Week Usage

Battery life blew me away—lasted a full shoot day, camera needed some getting used to

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Quick access to pro-level edits in Lightroom, Face ID is seamless, speakers are crisp

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Night Mode, Deep Fusion, and the wide-angle lens for landscapes

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Had to buy a separate dongle for my SD cards—annoying but not a dealbreaker

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Upgraded from iPhone 8—huge leap in speed and camera versatility

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Clients love the raw image quality, and I can edit drafts on the fly

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

More Instagram posts thanks to the camera, friends ask me to take their pics now

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Got a Moment lens case for extra creativity, plus a rugged case for outdoor shoots

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

9/10—only docked for the lack of USB-C. Would tell any photographer to grab one

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Needed a workhorse for orders, social media, and food pics

📌 Purchase Motivation

Heard the battery could handle a 12-hour shift, and it does

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Looked at Pixel 5 but needed iOS for Square compatibility

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Amazon—got same-day delivery during a promo

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Unboxed it in the truck between rushes, almost dropped it—slippery!

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Felt like a “boss phone,” but fingerprints showed instantly

⭐ First Week Usage

Battery didn’t die even with hotspot on all day, camera made my tacos look gourmet

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Square app runs smoother, and Siri helps when my hands are greasy

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

QuickTake for snapping tacos mid-rush, and water resistance for spills

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Slippery without a case, and Face ID fails with my sweatband on

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Upgraded from iPhone 6S—like switching from a bicycle to a Tesla

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Instagram engagement up 30%, and no more payment app crashes

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Regulars now ask which filter I use for menu pics

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Wallet case for cards, and a waterproof pouch for rainy days

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

10/10—paid for itself in a month with smoother orders

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Needed 4K video for workout tutorials and a durable build

📌 Purchase Motivation

Stabilization for squat videos, and water resistance for sweaty shoots

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Debated iPhone 12 but got this refurbished to save cash

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Back Market—certified refurbished with warranty

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Smelled like new! Had to restart twice for iCloud backup

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Slippery without a case, but the Space Gray hid smudges well

⭐ First Week Usage

Filmed a HIIT video—auto-focus kept up even with fast moves

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

QuickTake lets me film alone, and editing in iMovie is a breeze

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Slow-mo for form checks, and the wide lens for small home gyms

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Storage filled fast—had to offload to iCloud

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Upgraded from iPhone X—way better in low-light gyms

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Sponsors noticed my improved video quality—landed two new deals

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Followers ask what camera I use—they’re shocked it’s a phone

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

GorillaPod tripod, and a sweatproof armband for runs

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

9.5/10—only missing ProRAW for advanced edits

⭐ Reason for Purchase

My Samsung died before finals—needed reliability ASAP

📌 Purchase Motivation

Group iMessage chats and AirDrop for study notes

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Compared iPhone 11 prices but wanted the Max’s battery for library days

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Apple website—student discount and free AirPods deal

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Roommate helped me set up—we geeked over the cinematic video tests

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Bigger than I’m used to, but the gold back is *chef’s kiss*

⭐ First Week Usage

Survived all-nighters at 20% battery, and Notes app saved my term paper

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Split-screen multitasking is clutch, and Memoji make lectures less boring

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Screen recording profs’ slides, and Dark Mode for late-night studying

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

iOS file management felt weird at first—had to Google how to zip folders

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Samsung had better emojis, but iOS just works with my MacBook

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

No more “green bubble” shame, and my study group shares docs faster

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Got roped into filming friends’ TikTok dances—4K is too good

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

PopSocket for texting, and a clear case to show off the color

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

9/10—Android had more customization, but I’m team Apple now

Benchmark Scores

The iPhone 11 Pro Max still holds up impressively in benchmarks, scoring around 450,000 on AnTuTu and 1,300 single-core on Geekbench. For a phone from 2019, it’s still snappy—apps launch instantly, and multitasking feels smooth. It’s not the fastest anymore, but unless you’re comparing side-by-side

Build Quality & Materials

The stainless steel frame and matte glass back give this phone a premium feel—no creaks or flex. It’s hefty (226g), but the weight feels balanced. The frosted glass resists fingerprints better than glossy finishes. Apple’s build quality here is still top-tier, even by 2024 standards.

Display Quality

The 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED is stunning—bright (800 nits), with deep blacks and accurate colors. It lacks 120Hz, but the 60Hz panel is so well-optimized it rarely feels sluggish. Outdoor visibility is excellent, and True Tone makes reading easy on the eyes.

Camera System & Performance

The triple 12MP setup (wide, ultra-wide, telephoto) takes sharp, vibrant photos. Night mode (added via iOS updates) works surprisingly well. Video stabilization is still class-leading—footage looks cinematic. The front 12MP camera holds up for selfies, though newer iPhones handle skin tones better.

Software & User Experience

iOS 17 runs flawlessly, proving Apple’s long-term support. The A13 Bionic still handles everything without lag. Features like Dark Mode and Memoji work smoothly. App optimization is perfect—no crashes or slowdowns in daily use.

Battery Life & Charging

The 3,969mAh battery is a champ—easily lasts a full day with heavy use. Fast charging (18W) gets you to 50% in 30 mins, but the included 5W charger is painfully slow. Wireless charging is convenient, though.

Gaming & Graphics Performance

The A13 Bionic and 4GB RAM handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at medium-high settings without throttling. Graphics are smooth, though newer iPhones offer higher frame rates. The lack of a high refresh rate is the only downside.

Connectivity & Ports

Wi-Fi 6 and Gigabit LTE are future-proof, but no 5G. The Lightning port feels outdated in 2024, and the lack of USB-C is frustrating. Bluetooth 5.0 works flawlessly for headphones and accessories.

Durability & Protection

IP68 rating means it survives drops in water (tested mine in a pool—no issues). The glass is prone to scratches without a case, though. A screen protector is a must—the oleophobic coating wears off over time.

Price & Value Proposition

At around $500-$600 used, it’s a steal for Apple’s build quality and performance. Newer mid-range Androids might offer more features, but iOS optimization and camera consistency make this a great value.

Benchmark Scores

In Geekbench 5, the A13 Bionic scores 1,330 (single-core) and 3,400 (multi-core)—still competitive in 2024. Real-world performance is buttery smooth; apps like Lightroom and Procreate run without hiccups. It’s not the fastest, but it’s far from slow.

Build Quality & Materials

The surgical-grade stainless steel frame and textured matte glass scream luxury. It’s slippery without a case, but the weight distribution feels perfect. After years of use, my unit shows minimal wear—proof of Apple’s craftsmanship.

Display Quality

The OLED panel’s 2M:1 contrast ratio makes Netflix binges immersive. HDR10/Dolby Vision support is a bonus. Colors pop without oversaturation, and the 60Hz refresh rate feels smoother than some 90Hz Android phones thanks to iOS optimizations.

Camera System & Performance

The telephoto lens is clutch for portraits—natural bokeh, great edge detection. Ultra-wide distortion is minimal. Smart HDR balances shadows/highlights perfectly. Video shoots in 4K/60fps with studio-grade stabilization.

Software & User Experience

Five years of iOS updates mean it’s running iOS 17 flawlessly. The lack of bloatware and consistent animations make it feel faster than specs suggest. Face ID is lightning-quick, even with masks (thanks to iOS updates).

Battery Life & Charging

Even after 500+ cycles, mine still hits 85% capacity—a full day’s use is doable. The 18W fast charging is decent (0-50% in ~35 mins), but MagSafe compatibility (with third-party adapters) is a nice perk.

Gaming & Graphics Performance

PUBG Mobile runs at 60fps on high settings with zero drops. The GPU throttles slightly after 30 mins of intense gaming, but thermal management is better than many 2024 Android flagships.

Connectivity & Ports

Wi-Fi 6 is a lifesaver for large downloads, but the Lightning port is a pain—dongles for everything. Bluetooth 5.0 has solid range (tested with AirPods Max across a crowded room).

Durability & Protection

Dropped mine on concrete twice—only minor scuffs on the steel frame. The glass back survived thanks to Apple’s dual-ion exchange process. IP68 means rain or spills are no worry.

Price & Value Proposition

At ~$550 refurbished, it’s a bargain for a former flagship. Cheaper than the iPhone SE but with better battery, cameras, and display. Android rivals at this price can’t match iOS longevity.