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
| Feature | iPhone 16 | iPhone 11 |
| Chipset | A18 Bionic | A13 Bionic |
| RAM | 8 GB LPDDR5X | 4 GB |
| Display Technology | 6.1″ Super Retina OLED | 6.1″ Liquid Retina LCD |
| Resolution | 2556 × 1179 pixels | 1792 × 828 pixels |
| Rear Main Camera | 48 MP Fusion w/ sensor-shift OIS | 12 MP |
| Rear Ultra-wide Camera | 12 MP with auto-focus | 12 MP fixed-focus |
| Optical Zoom | 2× optical zoom range | None |
| Camera Control Button | Yes | No |
| Action Button | Yes | No |
| Wireless Standard | MagSafe + Qi 2 | Qi only |
| Port | USB-C | Lightning |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 | 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Memory/Storage Options | 128, 256, 512 GB NVMe | 64, 128, 256 GB |
| Water Resistance Depth | IP68 up to 6 m for 30 min | IP68 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 Intelligence | None |
| Thermals / Sustained Performance | Improved thermal design for sustained performance | Standard thermals |
| Price | Check iPhone 16 Price | Check 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
| Feature | iPhone 16 | iPhone 11 |
| Form Factor | 6.1-inch display size | 6.1-inch display size |
| Notch Design | Front camera notch | Front camera notch |
| Face ID | Face ID facial recognition | Face ID facial recognition |
| Dual-SIM Support | eSIM + physical SIM | eSIM + physical SIM |
| Stereo Speakers | Front and bottom stereo speakers | Front and bottom stereo speakers |
| Fast Charging | 18–20 W fast-charge capable | 18 W fast-charge capable |
| Wireless Charging | Qi | Qi |
| IP68 Water Resistance | IP68 water resistance | IP68 water resistance |
| Equal Internal Volume | Similar internal component layout | Similar internal component layout |
| iOS Software Support | Supports latest iOS | Supports latest iOS |
| Retina-Rated Display | Retina-level sharpness | Retina-level sharpness |
| Volume & Power Buttons | Similar side button placement | Similar side button placement |
| Magnet Array (for accessories) | Magnetic accessory support | Magnetic accessory support |
| True Tone Display | Adaptive color temperature feature | Adaptive color temperature feature |
| Haptic Feedback | Taptic Engine for haptics | Taptic Engine for haptics |
| Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity Sensors | Built-in with same functionality | Built-in with same functionality |
| Lightning-Fast App Launch | Fast app launching speed | Fast app launching speed |
| Price | Check iPhone 16 Price | Check iPhone 11 Price |
FAQ
Is the iPhone 16 display better than the iPhone 11? Do both phones have Face ID? Which phone has the better camera system? Is the iPhone 16 faster than the iPhone 11? Do both iPhone 16 and iPhone 11 support 5G? What about storage options on both devices? Do both models have wireless charging? How different is the battery life between them? Are the phones water resistant to the same degree? Do both phones run the latest iOS version? What charging port do the two phones use? Is there a difference in weight between the two models? Do both have a front-facing camera with the same resolution? Do both devices have stereo speakers? Is the design of the phones similar? |
