Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Build Quality

The Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max, launched on September 20, 2019, presents a robust build, characterized by a stainless steel frame and a textured matte glass back. It measures 158 mm in height, 77.8 mm in width, and 8.1 mm in depth, weighing a considerable 226 grams. The phone is available in four matte finishes: Space Gray, Silver, Gold, and Midnight Green. This substantial construction gives it a premium feel and a durable presence, though it's also one of the heavier phones available in its class.

Screen Quality

The iPhone 11 Pro Max features a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2688 x 1242 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 458 ppi. The screen supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, offering high dynamic range content with excellent contrast, with a contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1. It achieves a typical brightness of 800 nits and a peak brightness of 1200 nits. The display also features wide color gamut coverage (DCI-P3), and Apple's True Tone technology, which adjusts color temperature to ambient lighting. It is protected with scratch-resistant glass, also boasting an oleophobic coating that minimizes fingerprint smudges. The screen is not an LTPO panel, and does not feature a variable refresh rate. The large "notch" on the display houses the front-facing camera and Face ID sensors.

Camera Performance

The camera setup on the iPhone 11 Pro Max is a triple 12MP system. The primary camera has an f/1.8 aperture and 1.4µm pixel size, while the ultrawide lens has an f/2.4 aperture, and the telephoto lens an f/2.0 aperture. It includes dual optical image stabilization on the main and telephoto lenses. The phone offers a 2x optical zoom in and out, along with a digital zoom up to 10x. Video recording capabilities are extensive, including 4K recording at 24, 30, and 60fps with HDR and stereo sound, as well as 1080p recording up to 240fps for slow-motion effects. Additional features include Night mode, and a "QuickTake" feature for video capture while in photo mode. The front-facing 12MP camera is also capable of recording 4K video at 60fps and 1080p slow-motion at 120 fps. DxOMark scores place the mobile camera system at 122 overall (126 for photo, 124 for video) and the selfie camera at 122 overall (115 for photo, 134 for video).

Software Experience

The iPhone 11 Pro Max launched with iOS 13 and has received subsequent updates, with a maximum supported version of iOS 18. The operating system offers smooth performance, an intuitive user interface, and integration with Apple’s ecosystem. It incorporates features like Face ID for secure authentication, haptic feedback, and access to a range of apps via the App Store.

Battery Performance

The device is powered by a 3969 mAh lithium-ion battery, supporting 18W fast charging. The battery is non-removable. It also supports wireless charging, but no wireless reverse charging. Fast charging allows for quicker replenishment of battery power.

Value for Money

Categorized as a "medium price" phone, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is available in multiple configurations of RAM and storage with the global version and those specific to North America and China. The different storage options include 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB. There is no SD card slot for expandable storage. Pricing fluctuates based on retailer and storage variant. While now several generations old, it still provides a balanced mix of premium features and performance. Its price bracket, however, places it against more recent devices with newer technologies, which might make the cost of this particular device seem less competitive in today's market. The 4GB/256GB version currently sells in the $285 to $391.93 USD range while the 4GB/512GB version can be found at prices ranging from $341.96 to $423.68 USD.

Additional Notes

The iPhone 11 Pro Max includes a variety of connectivity options, such as Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 with LE, NFC, and dual-SIM capability (nano-SIM and eSIM). It also features stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos audio. The phone is equipped with sensors like Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, and barometer. It does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack, opting for the proprietary Lightning port for audio and data transfer.