The iPhone 11 series launched in September 2019 and nearly 6 years later, many users still have no intention of upgrading in the near future.
1. Excellent Apple software support
One reason many people have yet to upgrade their devices is Apple’s long support period. While the company doesn’t guarantee that any of its devices will be supported for a certain amount of time, Apple typically provides at least five years of major iOS updates and six years of security updates.
However, the company has exceeded this threshold in the past. For example, the 2018 iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max have received six major iOS updates so far.
The iPhone 11 is among the iPhones eligible for iOS 18 , Apple's latest smartphone operating system, as of this writing. Given Apple's track record, it's likely that there will be another major iOS update this year, bringing the total to six, as the 2018 trio is still getting iOS 18. That means users can still use their iPhone 11 for another year without worrying.
If you're a techie, you know how important software updates are. They ensure your device has the latest security patches and can still run the latest apps.
Sure, you'll miss out on some features found on newer iPhones, like Apple Intelligence, but overall, many people don't need them.
2. Excellent quality
Apple devices are some of the best-built smartphones out there, and the iPhone 11 is no exception. The company’s continued focus on making its devices durable is why many people are still using its 2019 flagship.
The device features glass on the front and back, just like the latest iPhone 16 series . It has an aluminum frame, which was only available on high-end models at the time. It also has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, which is still found on some high-end phones, like the 2024 iPhone 16 series.
Overall, this phone still works very well, many people still use it as their main phone. However, it is necessary to use an additional phone case and tempered glass screen protector to protect the phone from drops and scratches.
3. Performance is maintained
Apple's A13 Bionic processor may be an old chip from 2019, but when it launched it was one of the best processors on the market, so it's no surprise that it also powered the company's flagship iPhone 11 Pro at the time.
Years later, after hundreds of hours of use, the chip still performs well and can handle demanding apps and games. Multitasking is no problem either, and you won’t experience any performance issues with regular use, scrolling through social media, playing puzzle games, taking photos, and browsing the web.
It's not all sunshine and roses, though. The chip will show its age when you take a lot of photos in quick succession, causing the device to heat up a bit. The same goes for when you try to play resource-intensive games like Genshin Impact.
But that's not the typical usage for many people, so the device still serves them well for their normal everyday tasks.
4. Great camera system
Another reason people haven’t upgraded to the iPhone 11 is its excellent camera system. It includes a dual-camera setup with 12MP wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle lenses, which means photo quality remains exceptional to this day. It takes sharp, vibrant photos and can shoot video up to 4K.
5. Not much change between iPhone lines
With each new iPhone launch, Apple brings changes to its product line, but many of those changes are incremental rather than revolutionary.
Some might argue that it’s time for Apple to stop releasing iPhones every year, since there aren’t huge leaps between models. For example, newer models only include slightly better battery life, faster processors, and improved camera features like Dolby Vision, ProRAW, and Cinema Mode.
6. Consider the environmental impact
An environmentally conscious person will try to keep their old but still working devices for as long as possible, because it is the responsible choice. By doing so, you are doing your part to help reduce the e-waste problem in two ways.
First, you’ll help reduce the time it takes for that device to be recycled or sent to landfill. Second, by extending your upgrade cycle, you’ll reduce the need for new devices, ultimately reducing the need for companies to produce more gadgets.
7. Many people still have a spare Android smartphone
In addition to using an iPhone as a primary device, many people also have a second phone as a backup. For example, a Pixel 6a would complement an iPhone 11, as the 6a's camera system is better than the iPhone 11's in some situations, such as low light. Combined, the two devices give users plenty of reasons not to upgrade.
Despite the availability of newer and better models, many users will still be using the iPhone 11 in 2025 because it still meets their needs. The device's build quality, ongoing software support, performance, and excellent camera system make it worth keeping. It's also better for the environment.
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