iPhone 11

Papelbon's Poutine

Homeland Security
SoSH Member
Dec 4, 2005
19,615
Portsmouth, NH
Surprised to not see anything on the new iPhone 11 series.

We were due for an upgrade and switching from ATT to Verizon, we got $500 for trade in and a $200 Mastercard debit card (all x2).

We got the 11Pro at 256GB; hers in gold, mine in hunter green. I was a bit disappointed they jumped over 128 GB, but 64 is pushing it for us.

New features I've been able to glean:
- Third camera on the back, allows for an ultra wide landscape photo.
- front facing camera is now 12 megapixels and has "slofie" mode
- low light camera that brightens and also eliminates red eye
- bunch of other camera stuff
- Super HDR display, OLED
- A13 Bionic dual chip, designed by Apple; 20-30% faster, 30-40% less power
- up to 4 more hours of battery life and bundled cable is fast charging, they're claiming 50% charge in 30 mins
- stainless steel design, stronger glass and now water resistant to 4 meters for up to 30 mins
 

canderson

Mr. Brightside
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
39,430
Harrisburg, Pa.
Just anecdotally among people I’ve talked with, most are waiting until the expected 5G model next year, unless they're on a much-older platform and just cant wait.
5g is years away for the majority of America (those outside like 30 large cities), unfortunately.
 

IpswichSox

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
2,792
Suburbs of Washington, DC
5g is years away for the majority of America (those outside like 30 large cities), unfortunately.
The nationwide 5G build out is definitely years away, and even in some cities where 5G is available today, it's online only in portions of the city. My point was that 2020 is expected to be the first year 5G is available on an iPhone, and people I've talked with say that's a selling point with them (even if it's mostly based on the carriers' marketing) and therefore a reason to pass on an iPhone 11 upgrade.
 

NortheasternPJ

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 16, 2004
19,271
How many people even need 5g on a cell phone? I think the real use of 5g now is in displacing the cable companies for home internet. 5g range is awful so you’ll be on LTE most of the the anyways. I’m a very heavy user of mobile for work and never say damn I wished 4g/LTE was faster!

Yes we need to get to 5g but for most in the next few years it’s a gimmick.
 

canderson

Mr. Brightside
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
39,430
Harrisburg, Pa.
The nationwide 5G build out is definitely years away, and even in some cities where 5G is available today, it's online only in portions of the city. My point was that 2020 is expected to be the first year 5G is available on an iPhone, and people I've talked with say that's a selling point with them (even if it's mostly based on the carriers' marketing) and therefore a reason to pass on an iPhone 11 upgrade.
Gotcha, I misread your post. 5G on cell seems pretty pointless to me, the money is for home networks to eliminate cable needs.

Years ago we used Clear and loved it since it required no wire connection,
 

mauf

Anderson Cooper × Mr. Rogers
Moderator
SoSH Member
Breaking this out of the iPhone X thread.

I was a relatively early adopter of the X and am debating what to do with my nearly 2-year old phone. The battery life sucks. I could replace the battery and get another year out of my X, but then I’ll be looking to replace both my phone and my son’s a year from now. I’m wondering if I should upgrade to an 11 instead and hand my X down to my son, who will probably get 2 years out of it (and might not even notice the crappy battery, as he isn’t a heavy user).

Sounds like the 5G version that’s expected in 2020 isn’t a reason to wait — I only get 2-3 years out of a cell phone, so if I buy a phone in the next 3-6 months I’ll likely be ready to replace it before lack of 5G becomes a nuisance.

Any other arguments for/against buying now vs. later, based on expected developments in the next couple years or anything else?

Edit: Does the iPhone 11 look materially different than the X? My son probably won’t miss a lack of functionality, but if the X looks like an old phone a year from now, my plan to have him get two years out of the X might not work. It certainly helps that the XS is indistinguishable from the X (assuming you have a case on it).
 

Seven Costanza

Fred Astaire of SoSH
SoSH Member
Apr 11, 2007
3,016
The 11 is an analogue to last year’s XR, while the 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max are similar to last years XS and XS Max. Each of this year’s new models sports one additional camera than the previous year’s model, so they will be distinguishable visually on the back of the phone. Front looks the same as last year.
 

The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 9, 2006
7,874
SS Botany Bay
It's the greatest iPhone ever, they even said so :rolleyes: What more does one need to know?

I'm on the wait for 2020 bandwagon and see what they come up with, not so much because of 5G, but for whatever design changes they make, including the possibility of adding TouchID back onto the phone onscreen TouchID. I have many instances in a day where I wish to access my phone but I could not access my phone via FaceID and could not input the passcode. So that is a big one for me. I would also like a headphone jack but I know that ain't gonna happen. I'm still clinging to my 6s+ which allegedly has a 94 battery health rating but has been draining more quickly over the last several months than ever before. It has also gotten really slow at opening stuff and responding to key commands, just enough of a lag to be frustrating. All of this is undoubtedly caused by iOS sabotage to get me to do my duty and buy a new phone...
 

Senator Donut

post-Domer
SoSH Member
Apr 21, 2010
5,500
My phone is also from the 6s generation and I thought it was certainly going to be time to upgrade (battery performance has greatly deteriorated even after one replacement) but I was really let down by Apple’s announcement. The flagship 11 still has exactly the same pixel density of my 6s (although the 11 has almost no bezel) which seems completely crazy for five-year-old phone. The faster processor and better battery (1,715 mAh vs. 3,110 mAh) make a compelling case for the 11, but I might just wait it out a year. I’ll also miss force touch, but it probably takes up too much real estate and was a big reason why the 6S actually had worse capacity that its predecessor.
 

bohous

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 21, 2005
4,419
Framingham
I was looking forward to seeing what would happen with the pricing/availability for the current gen. I feel like the Xr is still probably $100 too high at $599. However it does make the 11 more appealing at only $100 more than the Xr. I'll probably just keep my eye open for whatever deals come up for free upgrades or B1G1. My wife is probably ready to upgrade her 7 and I think I'll be jumping back to Apple after my year with the Pixel 3.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

Homeland Security
SoSH Member
Dec 4, 2005
19,615
Portsmouth, NH
I don't get why people would wait for 2020. Their pattern is every two years for major changes, with minor tweaks in between. 5G, as noted, isn't ubiquitous yet and will take some time.

Toting around a 4-5 year old phone and complaining about battery life or that they're baiting you via software updates seems foolish to me, but enjoy your brick gentlemen.
 

bowiac

Caveat: I know nothing about what I speak
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 18, 2003
12,945
New York, NY
It's a pretty minor upgrade, but the camera improvements look material (although not massive). As the father of a toddler, who takes 50+ photos a day of her on weekends, even moderate improvements to camera quality make the upgrade worth it.
 

Murderer's Crow

Dragon Wangler 216
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
23,476
Garden City
Yea, do not wait for 5g. Not only is it going to be a slow rollout, but apple tends to wait a year longer than everyone else before rushing new tech into their phones. No guarantee whatsoever that the next phones have it.

For me, the 11 series are the perfect iPhones. Better batteries, better cameras, faster, unbelievable screens, and beautiful looking. I see no reason to wait if you're due, especially when you can just trade up if you truly love next year's.
 

sox311

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 30, 2004
1,753
That's what she said.
My earpiece is out on my iPhone X from water damage. I would rather pay the insurance deductible, $150, and get a replacement X than get either of the 11, or 11Pro at this point. The phone works with my airpods, or car bluetooth, or on speaker phone. So, not a deal breaker.

But, I'll get my wife the 11 soon. May have to switch to Verizon though so I can get my kid a Gizmo watch.
 

uncannymanny

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 12, 2007
9,079
Gotcha, I misread your post. 5G on cell seems pretty pointless to me, the money is for home networks to eliminate cable needs.

Years ago we used Clear and loved it since it required no wire connection,
I eagerly await Apple dropping the WiFi chip a year earlier than everyone else.

The flagship 11 still has exactly the same pixel density of my 6s (although the 11 has almost no bezel) which seems completely crazy for five-year-old phone.
I don’t think that’s technically true, but it is close. With resolutions approaching (or exceeding depending on who you ask) the limits of the human eye and Apple’s concern with battery life, marginal upgrades to displays probably aren’t a priority.
 

BlackJack

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 11, 2007
3,456
Still isn't quite as good as the Pixel imo, but it's leaps ahead of my Xs.
And even further ahead of my 7.

I am scheduled to pick up my 11 pro max (and my wife's) at the Apple store on Friday morning and after watching those videos I'm very excited for the camera updates. There was a WSJ review that popped up in the recommended videos where the reviewer took the 11's to a renaissance fair in NY. Lots of good stuff that I'm looking forward to.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMsT0hM6GVU
 

BlackJack

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 11, 2007
3,456
Grrr - my phone (11 pro max, midnight green) is delayed and the store doesn’t really know when they’ll have it.

I’m in line to pick up my wife’s phone which is here but this is pretty annoying.
 

canderson

Mr. Brightside
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
39,430
Harrisburg, Pa.
Grrr - my phone (11 pro max, midnight green) is delayed and the store doesn’t really know when they’ll have it.

I’m in line to pick up my wife’s phone which is here but this is pretty annoying.
UPS lost mine Xs from last year and I pretty much vowed to never preorder again.
 

BlackJack

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 11, 2007
3,456
UPS lost mine Xs from last year and I pretty much vowed to never preorder again.
I figured that in-store pickup would be reasonably safe. When I got to the front of the line I was told that they are expecting a shipment at some point today and they are hopeful that the missing phones will be on it but they don't know for certain.
 

mostman

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 3, 2003
18,739
I picked up my 11 pro on launch day. I do the upgrade program, so it’s a new phone every year. I had the XS last year. Here’s what I think. The battery improvement is quite noticeable. My XS still had about 92 percent battery health and, yet, this 11 pro is routinely ending the day above 50 percent where my XS would be at 10. The camera is a massive upgrade and probably (perhaps until the new Pixel hits) the best on the market. Again, I had the XS, so I’m talking year over year improvement here. I take a lot of photos (young kids) so I have a lot to compare to. The wide angle addition is a big plus. The build quality is about the same as the XS except that the back is more grippy. I don’t use a case, so that’s a nice add. Performance improvements are negligible. Hard to notice, unlike the 9 7 to X/8 which was significant.

This is probably the time to upgrade if you have a phone older than a X.
 
Last edited:

Seven Costanza

Fred Astaire of SoSH
SoSH Member
Apr 11, 2007
3,016
I picked up my 11 pro on launch day. I do the upgrade program, so it’s a new phone every year. I had the XS last year. Here’s what I think. The battery improvement is quite noticeable. My XS still had about 92 percent battery health and, yet, this 11 pro is routinely ending the day above 50 percent where my XS would be at 10. The camera is a massive upgrade and probably (perhaps until the new Pixel hits) the best on the market. Again, I had the XS, so I’m talking year over year improvement here. I take a lot of photos (young kids) so I have a lot to compare to. The wide angle addition is a big plus. The build quality is about the same as the XS except that the back is more grippy. I don’t use a case, so that’s a nice add. Performance improvements are negligible. Hard to notice, unlike the 9 to X which was significant.

This is probably the time to upgrade if you have a phone older than a X.
Do you mean performance improvements from the 7 to X? 8 and X came out at the same time (8 actually a month earlier) and had the same internals. There was no iPhone 9.
 

canderson

Mr. Brightside
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
39,430
Harrisburg, Pa.
Anyone upgraded to 13 and used Google Maps in CarPlay yet?

It’s not displaying on-screen navigation guidance or the blue map guidance. It’s just a plain map screen with the arrow moving. Audio guidance comes through but nothing on screen.

Apple Maps works as intended.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

Homeland Security
SoSH Member
Dec 4, 2005
19,615
Portsmouth, NH
I used everything Apple Mobile but for fuck's sake I feel dirty doing so

https://www.macrumors.com/2019/09/25/iphone-11-non-genuine-display-warnings/
Their push to lock people into exorbitant crap that doesn't necessarily have to be proprietory is insane
Is that including a screen replacement at somewhere like BatteryPlus? I’m not seeing that which is all I really worry about. Seems more like going after the store for a license fee than the consumer, but of course I’m sure that gets passed down.
 

Caspir

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
6,886
So due to a recent job change, I've got to abandon my Pixel, and ten years of faithfulness to Android. I ordered an iPhone 11 Pro Max and it'll be here in a week or so. I've never used an Apple product in my life, so I am going to have an adjustment period.

Question for people experienced with the change in OS. Will the Google apps for iPhone mirror the Android versions? I'm expecting some subtle differences, but nothing major.

Perhaps a bigger question. Do I want Google apps on my iPhone, or would I be better off looking my Google account to the native apps (assuming this is possible)?

Also, what do I need to know? Little apple eccentricities and perks that Android didn't offer, etc. I'm technologically devastated at this change, because I live Android, but I don't have another option so over to the dark side I go.

Any help is appreciated!
 
Last edited:

uncannymanny

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 12, 2007
9,079
Google apps are great and should feel very familiar to an Android user. As for OS-level things, you’ll get used to it in time. Apple trades complexity and customization for ease of use.
 

BlackJack

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 11, 2007
3,456
Anyone upgraded to 13 and used Google Maps in CarPlay yet?

It’s not displaying on-screen navigation guidance or the blue map guidance. It’s just a plain map screen with the arrow moving. Audio guidance comes through but nothing on screen.

Apple Maps works as intended.
I have and it’s working normally for me. I have upgraded to 13.1 but it was working normally with 13 as well. I have a Subaru if that makes any difference.
 

canderson

Mr. Brightside
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
39,430
Harrisburg, Pa.
I have and it’s working normally for me. I have upgraded to 13.1 but it was working normally with 13 as well. I have a Subaru if that makes any difference.
Thanks. 13.1 it is broken too, in fact it wasn’t working even walking around well in DC today, was off by a block or two and it’s navigation was way off.
 

mostman

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 3, 2003
18,739
Thanks. 13.1 it is broken too, in fact it wasn’t working even walking around well in DC today, was off by a block or two and it’s navigation was way off.
I use Waze, which appears to be working fine in CarPlay on 13.
 

Caspir

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
6,886
So after making the switch, and finding a few minor annoyances with simple tasks that I feel android handles better, I have to admit I love this phone. The Max Pro battery is no joke. Screen time of over six hours, took it off the charger at 6:30 this morning and I’m over 50% with Spotify on most of the day, a bunch of emails, Facebook, web browsing, a few YouTube videos. It’s incredible. The botch doesn’t bug me and I am anxiously awaiting my case.

Question for those with more experience. Is Apple care a no brainer because it seems like a great deal.
 

canderson

Mr. Brightside
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
39,430
Harrisburg, Pa.
So after making the switch, and finding a few minor annoyances with simple tasks that I feel android handles better, I have to admit I love this phone. The Max Pro battery is no joke. Screen time of over six hours, took it off the charger at 6:30 this morning and I’m over 50% with Spotify on most of the day, a bunch of emails, Facebook, web browsing, a few YouTube videos. It’s incredible. The botch doesn’t bug me and I am anxiously awaiting my case.

Question for those with more experience. Is Apple care a no brainer because it seems like a great deal.
Depends on your view of insurance and how clumsy you are. I don’t get it (I self-insure) but it is a good deal and provides peace of mind.
 

Caspir

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
6,886
Seems like a way better play than carrier provided insurance which I never get. I have some coverage via my Chase Sapphire but I need to do more research first. Apple care seems like a solid deal even though I’m generally very good about my devices not getting banged up. Thanks to both of you!
 

uncannymanny

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 12, 2007
9,079
One other point in favor of Applecare over other providers: it’s almost always a quick swap for a new device at the Apple Store.
 

Bongorific

Thinks he’s clever
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
8,433
Balboa Towers
Good case suggestions? I’m coming off a 6, so I keep my phones for awhile. But I do t want anything super bulky as I keep it in my pocket a lot.
 

CodPiece XL

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 4, 2007
2,422
Scottsdale, AZ.
Good case suggestions? I’m coming off a 6, so I keep my phones for awhile. But I do t want anything super bulky as I keep it in my pocket a lot.
I can't speak specifically about what case to use other than using a hard plastic/metal rather than rubber. However, my main point is to suggest purchasing a good screen protector such as tempered glass. In my case I have a Bodyguardz. I may have told this story in another thread but a couple of years ago I was going on vacation. I decided that I wanted to get some gum and went to the local gas station down the street before heading off to the airport. I also decided to take both trash wheelie bins in since they were now empty by the side of the road. When I got back home from the gas station I noticed that I couldn't find my phone and all panic set in. To cut a long story short, when I decided to take the trash bins in I had placed my iphone on the trunk of the car to free up both hands and had then driven about a mile to the gas station. I traced my route and saw my phone sitting in the middle of a busy intersection where I had to make a hard left and right to get into the gas station. I parked the car and helplessly watched at least 6 cars run over my phone in the space of 20 seconds. I can't imagine how many times it must have been run over in the preceding 15 minutes. I ran out and managed to get my phone and sat back in the car. The screen protector had a couple of cracks especially at the edges. I took the case off , peeled off the screen protector expecting my phone to be all messed up. It was in perfect condition, just like the day I bought it. I couldn't believe it. They are a bit pricey and I have never carried insurance but I gladly went out to the local AT&T store and bought another screen before my flight. I told my story to the staff in the store and they couldn't believe how tough that sucker was.

Edit: Correction: In fact I never bought another screen protector, the staff gave me a new one without charge since it was a lifetime guarantee. I questioned did it cover getting run over by mutiple cars and they just said take the new screen, but can we use your story?
 
Last edited:

canderson

Mr. Brightside
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
39,430
Harrisburg, Pa.
I have a pretty dumb question but I’ve confused myself.

I have the Xs, my wife just got the 11 Pro. Hers cage with the USB C to lightning cable for fast charging.

On trips we take an Anker PowerPort 4 so we can charge our phones and our iPads together - usually though just two devices on at a time. But it’s not fast charging of course.

Is there anything that has multiple ports that will quick charge our phones?