Apple launched the iPhone 11 series in the month of September in 2019, but the fever doesn’t seem to have worn off just yet. But is it worth purchasing in 2021? Let’s find out.
What is the value of an iPhone 11 in 2021?
All of Apple’s phones have one thing in common – they all provide excellent life cycles. Whether you have an iPhone XR, an iPhone 11 Pro or Pro Max, or the latest iPhone 12, they are all certified in terms of durability and are crafted to last 5 to 6 years, at the very least.
As a matter of fact, there is a huge market for pre-owned iPhones. So much so that old iPhones that are no longer in production have a really high value in the second hand market. A few good examples are the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 Plus.
So, what makes the iPhone 11 so special? Well, it’s the immediate predecessor to the latest iPhone out now, which is the 12 series. Now, due to the 12 being launched, all variants of iPhone 11 have seen a decline in price. This has opened up doors for iPhone enthusiasts with a budget to get their hands on the 11. But which variant would be best suited for you? That depends what you plan to use it for the most.
iPhones are excellent camera phones and the 11 Pro Max is a great example of that. The 12’s camera features were based on the 11’s so one would get a pretty sweet deal on this camera phone if they were to buy it right now.
As of now the going rate for a refurbished iPhone 11 is anywhere between $520 and $680, depending on memory capacity, date purchased and availability. Keep in mind that these factors play a crucial role in setting a price on iPhones aside from the exterior condition of the phone and the pre-installed carrier. SmartphonesPLUS has a wide range of refurbished iPhones for sale that have passed rigorous quality tests and come with a warranty.
So, should you buy used iPhones?
Absolutely! 2020 has witnessed the launch of many great phones but Apple has yet again swept the competition off their feet with not only the 12 series amassing millions of dollars in sales but the 11 variants adding to their cascading victory. But why is the 11 so sought after?
Let’s look at some of its key factors of the iPhone 11 one by one:
1. Camera – Honestly, one of the best cameras in an iPhone so far. Stunning low light images, magnificent portrait mode photos and with wide AND ultra-wide 12 MP lenses? What more could you ask for. This phone tends perfectly to any regular phone user and can make for an excellent camera phone for a photography beginner. Not only do the pictures come in breath-taking detail but it also allows you to record 4K videos in 60 fps!!! Of course, there are areas of improvement as we know now, (in comparison to the 12 series) but a stunning camera phone nonetheless.
2. Hardware and Body – Apple had taken some serious steps to future-proof the 11 with the A13 bionic chip that can compete with many Snapdragons even today! Glitch-free gaming, seamless streaming and running multi-operational highly demanding apps are some of its well-known features. Owing to these facts, the iPhone 11 is still a great buy, and will continue to be even in the coming years. And how can we forget about its sleek, anodized aluminum and glass design, which Apple claims is the toughest ever smartphone glass; a modern marvel in the world of smartphone aesthetics even today.
3. Software and Updates – Apple makes sure that their users can use their phones for as long as they need to without getting bored or losing out on efficiency. This has led them to provide routine updates on their OS and keep their phones feeling fresh.
The same OS that powers the iPhone 11 is used on the 12 series – iOS 14. This is somewhere Android fails since they barely maintain consistency when it comes to software updates, giving iPhones a clear edge. So yes, the iPhone 11 is unquestionably worth the buy even from a software standpoint.
When is the best time to buy the iPhone 11?
Any tech enthusiast would give you the same answer – right before or after the launch of a new iPhone series. And there’s a reason behind that. When new iPhones are about to drop the market focus shifts to it since everyone from iPhone lovers to Android enthusiasts are focused on it. People want to know what the new standard in smartphones is going to be and thanks to the image Apple has created for itself over the years, they usually have all eyes on them.
At such a time, owners of older iPhone models are looking to upgrade and tend to sell their current phones in order to get some cash to put towards their new purchase. This is a great move on their part and it also helps the market move along. Not to mention, it also benefits the environment since people looking to get an older version can now do so in an active market with an additional slash on original selling prices.
As of now, tension is beginning to build around the release of the iPhone 13 series and tech gurus all over the internet are leading forum discussions and enthusiasts to a more revved up market. Strike the iron while it’s hot and look for deals that can help you get closer to your budget iPhone 11.
The 11 series comes in 3 different models and 3 different memory capacities. Here’s a quick note of their current prices.
The only downside, in my opinion, would be that the 11 does not support 5G. In many parts of the world 5G still hasn’t made a debut and 4G cellular can still run most operations smoothly. And if you really need high-speed internet on your phone you can always switch over to Wi-Fi from cellular data. This may be a deal-breaker for some but for the most part, the iPhone 11 is a great phone all in all and is definitely worth the buy.
