You remember 2019. It feels like a lifetime ago, right? That was the year Apple finally leaned into the "Pro" moniker for its flagship phones, and the iPhone 11 Pro Max was the absolute king of that hill. Honestly, it was a massive shift. Before this, "Max" just meant a bigger screen. With the 11 series, Apple started arguing that the extra cash bought you a legitimate production tool.
It’s weird looking back. People actually made fun of the "fidget spinner" camera layout when the first leaks dropped. Now? That triple-lens triangle is basically the industry standard for what a "premium" phone looks like.
But here’s the thing: tech moves fast. Like, scary fast. We’re sitting here years later, and the question isn't just "was it good?" but "is it still usable?" Most people see an older model and think it’s a paperweight. They’re usually wrong. The iPhone 11 Pro Max specifically has this weird staying power that some of the newer, flashier models actually lack. It was over-engineered in the best way possible.
The A13 Bionic: More Muscle Than You’d Think
Apple’s silicon team is basically playing a different sport than everyone else. When the A13 Bionic chip launched, it was leagues ahead of the Snapdragon 855. It’s a 7-nanometer process chip, which sounds ancient in a world of 3nm transistors, but the raw performance is still snappy.
If you’re just scrolling TikTok, firing off emails, or even playing Genshin Impact on medium settings, you probably won't notice a massive difference between this and a 13 or 14. Seriously. The bottleneck isn't the CPU anymore; it's the RAM. The iPhone 11 Pro Max has 4GB of RAM. In 2026, that’s where you start to see the cracks. Apps might reload more often when you're multitasking. You might jump from Instagram to Spotify and realize Instagram has to "cold start" again.
It’s annoying, sure. But it isn't a dealbreaker for most.
Why the Battery Life Became Legendary
Let's talk about the weight. This thing is a tank. It weighs 226 grams. That’s because Apple, for the first time in years, actually made the phone thicker than the previous model (the XS Max) to cram in a massive battery. It was a 3,969 mAh cell.
At the time, reviewers like MKBHD and the team at The Verge were losing their minds because it was the first iPhone that could legitimately last two days for a light user. Even now, if you find a unit with decent battery health, it holds up. Efficiency matters. The A13 chip was designed to sip power during low-intensity tasks.
If you're buying one used today, though, check that battery percentage. If it’s under 80%, the "peak performance capability" will throttle the CPU to prevent the phone from shutting down. Basically, a $50-$80 battery replacement can make an old 11 Pro Max feel like a brand-new device. It’s the cheapest speed upgrade you’ll ever find.
That Camera System and the 4K Obsession
The iPhone 11 Pro Max was the debut of Night Mode. Remember those side-by-side comparisons where the iPhone finally stopped taking pitch-black photos in a dark bar? It was a revelation.
The setup:
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- A 12MP Wide (the main one)
- A 12MP Ultrawide (120-degree field of view)
- A 12MP Telephoto (2x optical zoom)
Modern iPhones have moved to 48MP sensors and 5x or even 10x periscope zooms. Does the 11 Pro Max feel "old" here? Kinda. The Ultrawide lens on this model doesn't have Deep Fusion or Night Mode support—that only worked on the main lens back then. So, if you take an ultrawide shot at a concert, it’s going to look grainy. Just being honest.
However, the 4K video is still incredible. Apple’s video processing handles dynamic range in a way that most mid-range Android phones from this year still can't touch. If you’re a budding YouTuber or just want high-quality clips of your kids, the 11 Pro Max shoots video that looks professional. It doesn't have "Cinematic Mode" (the fake blurry background for video), but most people don't use that anyway because it still looks a bit "uncanny valley."
The Screen: OLED Excellence Before the 120Hz Era
This phone uses what Apple called the "Super Retina XDR" display. It’s an OLED panel with a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio. It gets bright, too—800 nits typical and 1,200 nits peak for HDR content.
The big "but" here is the refresh rate.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is a 60Hz phone. Modern "Pro" iPhones use ProMotion, which is 120Hz. If you’ve never used a 120Hz screen, you won't care. Ignorance is bliss. Everything looks fine. But if you’re coming from a newer iPad Pro or a recent flagship, the 11 Pro Max is going to feel "slow." It’s not actually lagging; the screen just isn't updating fast enough to make the animations look fluid.
Also, the notch. It's the big, classic notch. No Dynamic Island here. It eats into your movies, but you get used to it in about three minutes.
The 5G Elephant in the Room
This is the biggest hurdle. The iPhone 11 Pro Max is an LTE (4G) phone. It does not have a 5G modem.
Does that matter? It depends on where you live. If you’re in a major city like New York or London, 5G is everywhere. But here’s a secret: 5G often drains battery faster and, in many areas, isn't actually faster than a good 4G LTE-Advanced signal.
If you have consistent Wi-Fi at home and work, you won't miss 5G. If you’re a digital nomad or someone who relies on cellular data for massive file uploads, the 11 Pro Max might feel like it's stuck in the slow lane. You’re capped at Intel’s XMM 7660 modem. It’s fine, but it’s not the future.
Durability and the "Matte" Revolution
This was the first year of the matte glass back. Thank God. The glossy backs on the older iPhones were fingerprint magnets and felt greasy after five minutes. The midnight green 11 Pro Max is still, in my opinion, one of the best colors Apple ever produced.
The stainless steel frame makes it incredibly rigid. It doesn't bend. It doesn't creak. It feels like a piece of jewelry. However, stainless steel is heavy. If you drop it on your face while reading in bed, it’s going to hurt. A lot.
Software Support: The End of the Road?
Apple is famous for long-term support, but the clock is ticking. Historically, iPhones get about 6 to 7 years of major iOS updates. The 11 Pro Max started on iOS 13.
We are approaching the point where this phone will eventually stop getting the latest "flashy" features. It’ll still get security patches for a while after that, but you’re likely looking at another 2 years of "prime" software life. If you're looking for a phone to keep for the next five years, this isn't the one. If you need something to get you through the next 24 months, it’s a steal.
How to Get the Best Value from an iPhone 11 Pro Max
If you are looking at one of these today, don't buy it brand new (if you can even find one). The refurbished market is where the 11 Pro Max shines.
- Check the storage: Avoid the 64GB model if you can. 4K video files are huge. One long video of a graduation will eat 10% of your storage. Look for the 256GB version.
- Inspect the screen: Because it’s an OLED, older units might have "burn-in" where ghost images of the status bar or keyboard stay on the screen. Turn the brightness up and look at a solid grey image to check.
- Verify Face ID: If the screen was ever replaced by a cheap third-party shop, Face ID often breaks. It’s a nightmare to live without it once you’re used to it.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max represents the last of an era before the flat-edge design of the iPhone 12. It’s curvy, comfortable to hold, and incredibly reliable. It’s the "Old Reliable" of the smartphone world.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re considering buying or keeping an iPhone 11 Pro Max in 2026, here is your checklist to ensure it stays functional:
- Audit your Battery Health: Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. If it's below 85%, go to an Apple-authorized service provider and pay for a fresh battery. It will solve 90% of "slow phone" complaints.
- Optimize Storage: Since this phone doesn't have the lightning-fast NVMe speeds of the newest models, keeping your storage under 80% capacity helps the file system stay snappy. Use iCloud Photos to offload large files.
- Case Choice: Because it's a glass sandwich with a heavy steel frame, the kinetic energy in a drop is high. Use a case with reinforced corners.
- Update with Caution: When a new iOS drops, wait a week. Read the forums (like MacRumors or Reddit) to see if people are complaining about slowdowns on the A13 chip before you hit "install."
This phone isn't a relic yet. It’s a high-performance machine that has aged gracefully. For a student, a parent, or someone who just wants a big, beautiful screen without a $1,200 price tag, it remains one of the smartest used purchases in the tech market. It’s basically the "used Lexus" of phones—comfortable, slightly older tech, but it’ll probably outlast the cheap new stuff.
Don't let the lack of 5G or a 120Hz screen scare you off if the price is right. Quality is quality, regardless of the year it was released.