You’re looking at it. That massive triple-lens stove-top camera design that basically changed how every smartphone looks today. When the iPhone 11 Pro Max dropped back in late 2019, it was the "flex" of the century. It was the first time Apple slapped the "Pro" label on a phone, and honestly, people thought it was just marketing fluff. It wasn't.
Buying one now feels like a gamble. Or is it?
Most people think a phone that’s over six years old belongs in a museum or a junk drawer. Tech moves fast. Usually, by year four, a lithium-ion battery is screaming for mercy and the processor is choking on modern app updates. But the iPhone 11 Pro Max is a bit of a weird outlier in the Apple timeline. It’s the "tank" of the lineup. It’s heavy. It’s stainless steel. It’s got that matte glass back that still feels more premium than the grainy finishes on some newer base models.
👉 See also: Why April 24 2025 is the Date Everyone in Tech is Watching
The A13 Bionic isn't dead yet (But it's feeling the heat)
Let’s talk about the brain. Inside this thing is the A13 Bionic chip. Back in the day, Apple bragged that this was years ahead of anything Android had. They weren't totally lying. Even in 2026, the A13 can still scroll through TikTok, handle a chaotic group chat, and edit a 4K video without catching fire.
However, we have to be real.
The A13 was built on a 7-nanometer process. For context, newer chips are pushing 3nm or even 2nm. This means the iPhone 11 Pro Max has to work harder—and get hotter—to do the same tasks a newer iPhone 15 or 16 does while idling. If you’re a heavy gamer playing Genshin Impact or Zenless Zone Zero, you’re going to see frame drops. You're going to feel that stainless steel frame get toasty. It's not a dealbreaker for most people who just want to use Instagram, but the "Pro" performance is definitely showing its age.
One thing that really hurts? No 5G. The 11 Pro Max was the last flagship Apple made before they transitioned to 5G with the iPhone 12. If you live in a crowded city like NYC or London, you’re stuck on 4G LTE. In 2026, those 4G lanes are getting narrower and slower as carriers prioritize 5G bands. You’ll notice it when you’re trying to load a map in a crowded stadium. It just takes... longer.
That OLED Screen: Still beautiful, with one massive catch
Apple used a Super Retina XDR display here. It’s bright. 800 nits typical, 1,200 nits peak. The colors are punchy. Honestly, if you put it next to a modern iPhone 15, most people wouldn't see a massive difference in color accuracy.
But you’ll feel the difference.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is stuck at 60Hz. Once you use a phone with a 120Hz ProMotion display—which started with the 13 Pro—going back to 60Hz feels like you’re dragging your finger through molasses. It’s choppy. It’s not "broken," it’s just old tech. If you’ve never used a high-refresh-rate screen, you won’t care. But if you're coming from a newer device, this will feel like a downgrade.
💡 You might also like: How Do I Reboot: When to Tap the Button and When to Unplug Everything
Also, let's address the notch. It's huge. Compared to the Dynamic Island on newer models, the notch on the 11 Pro Max feels like a giant headband across the top of your content. It houses the original Face ID sensors, which, weirdly enough, are still incredibly fast and reliable.
The Cameras: Why influencers still hunt for this phone
Here is where it gets interesting. The iPhone 11 Pro Max has a triple 12MP setup: Wide, Ultra-Wide, and Telephoto.
- The Wide (Main) sensor: Great in daylight. Still has that "Apple look"—natural skin tones, not too much sharpening.
- The Ultra-Wide: Kinda soft around the edges. It doesn't have Night Mode on this specific lens, which is a bummer.
- The Telephoto: 2x optical zoom. It's fine for portraits, but it lacks the reach of the 5x zoom we see on the 15 Pro Max or 16 Pro Max.
Why do people still want it? Because the video quality is still better than 90% of mid-range Android phones released this year. Apple’s stabilization on the 11 Pro Max was a turning point. If you’re a budding YouTuber or TikToker on a budget, grabbing a used 11 Pro Max for $300 is a much smarter move than buying a brand-new "budget" phone with a plastic build and terrible sensors.
Night Mode was the "big new thing" for this model. It’s still solid. It won't beat a modern flagship in a pitch-black room, but for a dinner party or a street-lit sidewalk, it holds its own. It doesn't over-process images into looking like daytime; it keeps the mood.
Battery Life: The Legend and the Reality
When this phone launched, reviewers were losing their minds. It was the first iPhone that could actually last two days for a light user. Apple made the phone slightly thicker than the XS Max and crammed in a 3,969 mAh battery.
But here’s the catch for 2026: Physics.
If you buy a used iPhone 11 Pro Max today, that battery has been through the ringer. Chemical aging is real. If the battery health is below 80%, the phone will "throttle," meaning it slows down the CPU to prevent the phone from shutting off randomly. If you buy one, you basically have to factor in the cost of a battery replacement from Apple or a reputable shop. Once you get a fresh cell in there, the endurance is still impressive, but the A13 chip is less efficient than newer ones, so don't expect the "two-day" legendary status it once had.
🔗 Read more: Cybertruck Inside Tesla Truck: What Most People Get Wrong
The Software "End of Life" Wall
This is the part nobody wants to talk about. Apple usually supports iPhones with iOS updates for about 6 to 7 years. The iPhone 11 Pro Max came out with iOS 13. We are deep into the 2020s now.
You are likely looking at the final year or two of major iOS updates.
Once the updates stop, you’ll still get security patches for a while, but you’ll miss out on the new features. More importantly, developers eventually stop supporting old iOS versions. We aren't there yet, but you're buying into a platform that is closer to its sunset than its sunrise. If you plan to keep a phone for four years, this isn't the one. If you need something to last you 18 months? It's a steal.
What about the "Max" size?
It’s big. 6.5 inches. But it feels bigger because of the rounded edges. Newer iPhones have flat edges, which actually make them easier to grip. The 11 Pro Max is a bit of a "soap bar"—it’s slippery. You need a case. Also, it’s heavy. 226 grams. That stainless steel isn't light. If you wear loose sweatpants, this phone will try to pull them down.
Real-World Comparison: 11 Pro Max vs. iPhone 15 (Base)
If you're looking at a used 11 Pro Max, you're probably also looking at a newer base-model iPhone.
- Build Quality: The 11 Pro Max wins. Stainless steel and frosted glass feel way more expensive than the aluminum on the base 15.
- Screen: The 15 wins. It's brighter and has the Dynamic Island, even though it's also 60Hz.
- Charging: The 15 wins because of USB-C. The 11 Pro Max is one of the last "Lightning cable" soldiers. In a world moving to one cable for everything, Lightning is becoming a chore.
- Cameras: It's a toss-up. The 15 has a 48MP main sensor that captures more detail, but the 11 Pro Max has that dedicated Telephoto lens for better portraits.
What most people get wrong about "Refurbished" models
You’ll see "Renewed" or "Refurbished" iPhone 11 Pro Max listings all over Amazon and Back Market. Be careful. A lot of these have third-party screens. If the screen has been replaced with a cheap LCD instead of the original OLED, the phone is ruined. The blacks won't be deep, the battery will drain faster, and Face ID might be wonky.
Always check the "Parts and Service History" in the settings. If it says "Unknown Part" next to the Display or Battery, walk away. You want a device that hasn't been butchered by a mall kiosk.
Actionable Steps for Potential Buyers
If you’re still leaning toward picking up this classic, don't just hit "buy" on the first cheap listing you see. You need a game plan to make sure you aren't buying a paperweight.
- Check the Battery Health immediately: Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. If it’s under 85%, budget $89 for a genuine Apple battery replacement. It transforms the phone’s speed.
- Audit your carrier: Call your provider. Ask if they are phasing out 4G/LTE bands in your area. If you live in a rural area, the lack of 5G on the iPhone 11 Pro Max might actually be a massive headache.
- Inspect the "Green" color: The Midnight Green was the hero color for this year. It's iconic. If you're buying for resale value later, the Green and Gold models tend to hold a bit more "collector" appeal than the Space Gray.
- Storage matters: Avoid the 64GB model. Seriously. Between iOS system files and modern app sizes, 64GB will be full in three weeks. Aim for the 256GB version. It gives the phone enough breathing room to actually function as a "Pro" device.
- Test the speakers: The 11 Pro Max has surprisingly loud spatial audio. If they sound muffled, the mesh is likely clogged with five years of pocket lint. A quick clean with a soft toothbrush can usually fix it, but check for "crackling" which indicates blown hardware.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is essentially the "old Mercedes" of the phone world. It’s built incredibly well, it looks classy, and it still runs smooth. But the maintenance is starting to catch up. As long as you know you're buying into 4G speeds and a 60Hz screen, it remains one of the best-valued used devices on the market for people who value build quality over the latest gimmicks. Just don't expect it to keep up with a brand-new Pro model when it comes to AI features or heavy processing tasks. It's a workhorse, not a racehorse.