The iPhone 11 series remains one of the best-selling iPhones, likely due to its significantly reduced price. I still see many people, even within my circle, using the iPhone 11. Among the series, I would still recommend the iPhone 11 Pro Max, even in 2025. Want to know why?
Here are 5 reasons why, in my opinion, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is still a great buy today, compared to other iPhones.
Of course, I’ll also cover the cons or considerations you should keep in mind before making a purchase. And don’t worry—I won’t get too technical, so this review will be easy to follow, even for those who aren’t too tech-savvy.
1. Superb Camera Performance
First on the list is the camera. When comparing the iPhone 11 Pro Max to the iPhone 12 or 13 series, the difference in image quality and camera features is not that significant. Most people, except perhaps professionals or content creators, won’t notice a drastic difference. For casual users, the camera is still excellent, especially for video.
One of my favorite features is the telephoto lens, which remains incredibly useful, particularly when you need to capture photos or videos from a distance.
Speaking of video, the iPhone’s video performance is still unrivaled. Even though the iPhone 11 Pro Max was released back in 2019, it still offers smoother video recording compared to many of the latest Android flagship and mid-range phones.
If you’re an aspiring content creator, this isa great budget-friendly option, especially since it supports 4K@60fps, a feature that’s hard to find in phones at a similar price point.
Whether you’re planning to create content like reels or vlogs, the iPhone 11 Pro Max remains one of the best affordable choices for that.
2. Powerful and Reliable Performance
Next is performance. Similar to the camera, the performance of the iPhone 11 Pro Max isn’t far behind its successors. Based on my experience, it still runs most of the apps I use, including social media, productivity tools, and even editing software like CapCut, Adobe Premiere Rush, and Adobe Lightroom, without any issues.
The only area where I have concerns is gaming. Even though it has a powerful chipset, I did experience lag when playing Mobile Legends. I suspect game developers may not be offering as much support for older iPhone models, pushing users to upgrade to newer iPhones, which ultimately benefits both Apple and developers.
However, games like Genshin Impact, which are resource-heavy, run smoothly. In fact, this device performs better in gaming than many mid-range phones at a similar price point. Just be aware that it tends to heat up quickly during intensive gaming sessions. If you’re in an air-conditioned environment, you should be fine. For multitasking, the iPhone 11 Pro Max still excels thanks to its optimized apps and software.
3. Ongoing Software Support
Another key reason to consider the iPhone 11 Pro Max is its software support, which is one of Apple’s standout features. Despite being five years old, it is still compatible with iOS 18. What’s even better is that it’s likely to receive iOS 19 support, meaning you could keep using it for several more years.
I’ve been using iOS 18 since its stable release, and I haven’t encountered any issues so far. I might write a separate article detailing my experience with iOS 18—stay tuned for that!
For content creators, the iPhone’s software stability and excellent app support are major advantages. Social media apps run more smoothly on iPhones, with minimal bugs and better optimization.
While some apps or games, like Mobile Legends, may not receive as much support, the majority of commonly used apps remain well-optimized on the iPhone 11 Pro Max. For business professionals, content creators, or even casual users who aren’t tech-savvy, iOS remains a powerful and user-friendly platform. Plus, security is a major advantage. With consistent software updates come regular security patches, which makes iPhones feel more secure compared to many Android devices.
Still, remember that no device is invulnerable, so always be cautious when clicking links online.
4. Impressive Display Quality
Another reason to consider the iPhone 11 Pro Max is its high-quality display. Since it was a flagship phone, it boasts flagship-quality features, and opting for the Pro Max variant gives you a larger screen.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max features a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, which is nearly identical to what you’d find on newer iPhones.
One downside is that it lacks ProMotion or a high refresh rate. But if you’re upgrading from an older iPhone, you probably won’t notice the difference since both have 60Hz displays. I personally enjoy editing photos on the iPhone 11 Pro Max because the colors are vibrant and accurate.
It’s also a great device for watching videos, thanks to its dual speakers that deliver premium audio quality—better than most Android phones in the same price range.
5. Excellent Value for Money
Finally, one of the biggest reasons why the iPhone 11 Pro Max is still a good buy is its current price. Since I purchased mine in March 2023, the price has dropped significantly. The 512GB variant, which used to cost around PHP 30,000 to PHP 32,000, now goes for about PHP 18,000 to PHP 25,000, depending on the condition. For that price, I think it still offers excellent value compared to similarly priced Android phones.
Cons to Consider
Despite its strengths, the iPhone 11 Pro Max has a few drawbacks. It lacks a high refresh rate, fast charging, and 5G support. Additionally, the battery life isn’t what it used to be. My current battery health is down to 78%, and I can really feel the shorter battery life compared to last year when it was still at 83%.
Nowadays, it only lasts about half a day before I need to charge it again. The solution is to replace the battery, but doing so can be quite expensive.
For context, I also own the HONOR 200, which costs just PHP 25,000 and offers impressive specs, especially the camera. I’m considering selling this iPhone to upgrade to a higher-end iPhone model or maybe buy an iPad or tablet instead.
Is the iPhone 11 Pro Max still worth buying?
While I still believe the iPhone 11 Pro Max is a solid purchase, it’s essential to carefully weigh your options. You can get some excellent Android phones with great specs in the same price range.
That said, I’d recommend this phone to aspiring content creators, people already within the Apple ecosystem who are on a budget, or anyone wanting to try iOS.
If you do decide to buy one, I suggest setting aside some money for a battery replacement and original Apple accessories like chargers to keep the phone in top condition.
So, what do you think? Will you be buying the iPhone 11 Pro Max, or are you looking elsewhere? Let me know in the comments!
