My Three-Year Journey with the Apple iPhone 11 Pro: All the Pros and Cons
I purchased a Space Gray Apple iPhone 11 Pro when it launched back in September 2019, and it was my daily driver all the way through 2022.
I still keep it around as a backup phone, especially for shooting video or messing around with apps I wouldn’t want to risk on my main device.
Having lived with this phone for over three years (and still finding it useful years later) I figured it’s time to share my honest thoughts on what I loved and what could have been better.
Pros of the iPhone 11 Pro
- Durability That Lasts
I can’t say enough about how tough this phone is. Over the years, I’ve dropped it more times than I can count, yet the screen and back show virtually no scratches. I never even put a screen protector on it, and it’s still in great shape. It was so much more durable than my old iPhone XS (which also featured an all glass back). - Camera Quality—Especially Video
The “Pro” in iPhone 11 Pro really shows when it comes to the camera. I was shooting a lot of video back when I got this phone, and the image stabilization blew me away. The video footage is silky smooth, making it a joy to capture moments on the go. Even now, when I use it as a backup camera, it still holds its own against newer devices. The photo quality is solid too, making it a versatile tool for casual photographers. - Software Stability and Smooth Performance
Despite being over five years old, the iPhone 11 Pro still runs iOS smoothly. Scrolling, opening apps, and multitasking remain quick and responsive, which is pretty impressive for a device that’s been through years of use. Apple’s software updates have kept it running well, and I haven’t experienced any major slowdowns or bugs. - Excellent Voice Quality
Whether I’m on a call or recording audio, the sound quality is clear and crisp. It was a noticeable upgrade from my previous phone, and it’s made conversations and recordings much more pleasant. This is a subtle but important feature that often gets overlooked. - Perfectly Sized for One-Handed Use
In an era where phones just keep getting bigger, the iPhone 11 Pro hits a sweet spot in size. It fits comfortably in my hand, and I can reach all corners of the screen with my thumb without much effort. If you prefer a phone that’s not a giant slab, this one still feels just right. - Wireless Charging Support
The iPhone 11 Pro was among the first iPhones to support wireless charging, and I’ve loved having that convenience. I rarely use the charging port these days because wireless chargers are so easy to use. It’s a small feature that makes daily life just a bit smoother.
Cons of the iPhone 11 Pro
- Screen Brightness Could Be Better
One thing I noticed over time is that the screen isn’t always bright enough, especially outdoors on sunny days. The auto-brightness setting sometimes keeps it a bit dim, so I often have to manually crank it up in the settings. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it can be annoying when you’re trying to see something clearly in bright light. - Slippery Design
The sleek stainless steel edges and rounded design make the phone feel a little slippery in the hand (even worse than my iPhone 6s). I think this is why I kept it in a silicone case for its entire life – without it, I’d probably have dropped it even more. It’s a beautiful phone, but you definitely have to be careful holding it. - Storage Space Was Expensive
I went with the 256GB model, which was pretty pricey back in the day. If you don’t rely heavily on cloud storage, the cost of higher-capacity models can add up quickly. For me, having enough local storage was important to keep all my photos and videos handy, but it’s something to consider if you’re on a budget. - Lightning Port Instead of USB-C
Apple stuck with the proprietary Lightning port on the iPhone 11 Pro, which felt outdated back in 2019. I often found myself hunting for the right cable, and it’s less convenient compared to devices that use USB-C. Thankfully, wireless charging helps mitigate this a bit, but it would have been nice to have a more universal charging option. - Low-Light Video and Image Quality Could Be Better
While the camera is great overall, low-light video and photos sometimes fall short compared to newer devices or dedicated action cameras like GoPros. It’s not terrible, but if you shoot a lot in dim environments, you might notice some graininess or less detail. - Design Felt a Bit Dated (Even Long Ago)
Although I liked the size, the rounded design of the iPhone 11 Pro felt a bit old-fashioned at the time. Especially after the iPhone 12 Pro was announced.
