iPhone 11 vs iPhone 16 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

iPhone 16 & iPhone 11 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the iPhone 16 rather than the iPhone 11.

Why Do I Recommend The iPhone 16

  • The iPhone 16 features the A18 Bionic chip for faster processing, smoother multitasking, and advanced AI-driven features, whereas the iPhone 11 uses the older A13 Bionic chip with slower performance.
  • iPhone 16 has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with higher resolution and up to 2000 nits brightness for sharper detail and improved outdoor visibility, while the iPhone 11 has a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD display.
  • It includes a 48MP main camera with pixel binning for more detailed low-light photography, whereas the iPhone 11 features a 12MP main camera that captures less detail in night or dim environments.
  • The iPhone 16 supports USB-C with faster data transfer and universal accessory compatibility, while the iPhone 11 uses the older Lightning port with slower transfer speeds and fewer compatible accessories.
  • iPhone 16 has a larger ~3561 mAh battery with up to 22 hours of video playback for extended daily use, whereas the iPhone 11 has a smaller ~3110 mAh battery with only about 17 hours of video playback.
  • It supports 5G connectivity for faster downloads, lower latency, and more reliable streaming, while the iPhone 11 uses 4G LTE with slower internet speeds.
  • The iPhone 16 comes with MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging for quicker alignment and improved charging efficiency, whereas the iPhone 11 only supports basic Qi wireless charging without magnetic stability.
  • iPhone 16 features improved Face ID with a smaller notch and faster recognition for seamless unlocking, while the iPhone 11 has an earlier version of Face ID with a larger notch and slightly slower recognition.

Maybe the iPhone 11 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPhone 16. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

Side By Side Comparison

FeatureiPhone 16iPhone 11
ChipsetA18 BionicA13 Bionic
RAM8 GB LPDDR5X4 GB
Display Technology6.1″ Super Retina OLED6.1″ Liquid Retina LCD
Resolution2556 × 1179 pixels1792 × 828 pixels
Rear Main Camera48 MP Fusion w/ sensor-shift OIS12 MP
Rear Ultra-wide Camera12 MP with auto-focus12 MP fixed-focus
Optical Zoom2× optical zoom rangeNone
Camera Control ButtonYesNo
Action ButtonYesNo
Wireless StandardMagSafe + Qi 2Qi only
PortUSB-CLightning
Connectivity5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.34G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0
Memory/Storage Options128, 256, 512 GB NVMe64, 128, 256 GB
Water Resistance DepthIP68 up to 6 m for 30 minIP68 up to 2 m for 30 min
Weight~170 g~194 g
Battery Capacity & Life~3561 mAh; up to 22 hrs video~3110 mAh; lower video playback
AI Features (Apple Intelligence)On-device generative AI tools + Visual IntelligenceNone
Thermals / Sustained PerformanceImproved thermal design for sustained performanceStandard thermals
PriceCheck iPhone 16 PriceCheck iPhone 11 Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Form Factor & Notch Design: Both models maintain the same 6.1-inch screen size and employ a notch at the top center. This design preserves one-handed usability and keeps front-camera mechanisms located in a familiar spot for users upgrading between models.
  • Face ID: Both use Apple’s biometric facial recognition. Despite internal improvements in Face ID accuracy and speed in newer models, the core unlocking experience—secure, instant—you’re already used to remains consistent.
  • Dual-SIM Support: Both phones support dual-SIM through a combination of an eSIM and a physical nano-SIM. This continues to offer flexibility for users managing personal and work lines on a single device.
  • Sound System: Both have stereo speakers—one at the bottom and one near the front camera—giving immersive, balanced audio for calls, videos, and music without needing external accessories.
  • Fast & Wireless Charging: They share compatibility with fast charging using approximately 18–20 W adapters, and both support Qi wireless charging. This means you’ll get similar charging convenience, even if iPhone 16 adds newer MagSafe or Qi2 enhancements.
  • IP68 Water Resistance: Both models are rated IP68 for dust and water protection, giving confidence near splashes or rain. While depth capabilities differ slightly, general usability around water remains on par.
  • Internal Layout & Component Access: They share a comparable internal layout style, which can aid in repairs or refurbishing processes, especially for technicians familiar with Apple’s standard design approach.
  • iOS and Retina Display
    Both devices support Apple’s latest iOS versions and feature Retina-level display sharpness, ensuring bright, crisp visuals, rich optically optimized font rendering, color accuracy, and longevity of software support.
  • Button & Accessory Compatibility: Side buttons for volume and power are similarly placed, making protective cases and accessory transition smoother. The magnetic support lets you use compatible mounts and accessories interchangeably.
  • True Tone & Haptics: Both displays adapt ambient lighting for better tone accuracy, and both devices include the Taptic Engine for rich, tactile feedback when interacting with the UI.
  • Core Sensors: Essential sensors—accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity—are present in both devices and operate consistently for gaming, auto-orientation, and gesture-based features.
  • Performance at Launch: Both offer fast app launching and responsiveness, thanks to modern flash storage architectures. While the underlying chipsets differ, users still enjoy smooth day-to-day navigation and app performance at launch.

Common Features

FeatureiPhone 16iPhone 11
Form Factor6.1-inch display size6.1-inch display size
Notch DesignFront camera notchFront camera notch
Face IDFace ID facial recognitionFace ID facial recognition
Dual-SIM SupporteSIM + physical SIMeSIM + physical SIM
Stereo SpeakersFront and bottom stereo speakersFront and bottom stereo speakers
Fast Charging18–20 W fast-charge capable18 W fast-charge capable
Wireless ChargingQiQi
IP68 Water ResistanceIP68 water resistanceIP68 water resistance
Equal Internal VolumeSimilar internal component layoutSimilar internal component layout
iOS Software SupportSupports latest iOSSupports latest iOS
Retina-Rated DisplayRetina-level sharpnessRetina-level sharpness
Volume & Power ButtonsSimilar side button placementSimilar side button placement
Magnet Array (for accessories)Magnetic accessory supportMagnetic accessory support
True Tone DisplayAdaptive color temperature featureAdaptive color temperature feature
Haptic FeedbackTaptic Engine for hapticsTaptic Engine for haptics
Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity SensorsBuilt-in with same functionalityBuilt-in with same functionality
Lightning-Fast App LaunchFast app launching speedFast app launching speed
Price Check iPhone 16 Price Check iPhone 11 Price

FAQ

Is the iPhone 16 display better than the iPhone 11?
Yes, the iPhone 16 has a Super Retina OLED display with higher resolution and brightness, while the iPhone 11 uses a Liquid Retina LCD that is less sharp and less bright outdoors.

Do both phones have Face ID?
Both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 11 use Face ID for secure authentication, but the iPhone 16 has faster and more reliable scanning compared to the iPhone 11.

Which phone has the better camera system?
The iPhone 16 has a 48MP main sensor with improved low-light and detail performance, while the iPhone 11 only has a 12MP main sensor, so photos and videos are much sharper on the iPhone 16.

Is the iPhone 16 faster than the iPhone 11?
Yes, the iPhone 16 uses the A18 Bionic chip, which is several generations ahead of the iPhone 11’s A13 Bionic, providing stronger performance and efficiency for demanding apps and AI tasks.

Do both iPhone 16 and iPhone 11 support 5G?
No, only the iPhone 16 supports 5G connectivity, while the iPhone 11 is limited to 4G LTE speeds.

What about storage options on both devices?
The iPhone 16 starts at 128GB and goes up to 1TB, while the iPhone 11 started at 64GB and only went up to 256GB, giving the iPhone 16 more flexibility for users with larger storage needs.

Do both models have wireless charging?
Yes, both phones support Qi wireless charging, but the iPhone 16 adds MagSafe and Qi2 compatibility for stronger magnetic attachment and faster charging speeds.

How different is the battery life between them?
The iPhone 16 lasts longer with a bigger battery and improved efficiency, offering around 22 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 11 manages about 17 hours.

Are the phones water resistant to the same degree?
Both phones have IP68 water resistance, but the iPhone 16 is rated for up to 6 meters for 30 minutes, while the iPhone 11 is rated for only 2 meters.

Do both phones run the latest iOS version?
Yes, both can run the latest iOS updates, but the iPhone 16 will continue receiving updates for several more years compared to the iPhone 11, which is nearing the end of its support cycle.

What charging port do the two phones use?
The iPhone 16 uses USB-C, which allows faster data transfer and wider accessory compatibility, while the iPhone 11 still relies on Apple’s older Lightning connector.

Is there a difference in weight between the two models?
Yes, the iPhone 16 is slightly lighter at around 170 grams compared to the iPhone 11, which weighs about 194 grams.

Do both have a front-facing camera with the same resolution?
Both use a 12MP front camera, but the iPhone 16 adds autofocus and improved low-light performance, while the iPhone 11 uses a fixed-focus system.

Do both devices have stereo speakers?
Yes, both have stereo speakers that deliver balanced sound from the top and bottom, making them good for video, music, and gaming without headphones.

Is the design of the phones similar?
Both are built with aluminum frames and glass backs, but the iPhone 16 has a more modern look with the Action button, Camera Control button, and smaller bezels, while the iPhone 11 has a simpler, older design.

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