Is the iPhone 11 still a performant phone over 5 years after its release? We've put together a complete guide for you to know if the iPhone 11 is still a good choice for you in 2026.
In this guide we will cover how the key features and specs of the iPhone 11 hold up against newer models, software compatibility, camera specs and battery health in order to help you make an informed decision on whether the iPhone 11 is a good phone for you.
How does the iPhone 11 compare to a more recent model, the iPhone 14 released in 2022?
Let's look at the key differences between the iPhone 11 and 14 in the table below:
 |
 |
|
| iPhone 11 | iPhone 14 | |
| Release Date | September 20 2019 | September 16 2022 |
| Display | 6.1" Liquid Retina HD Display | 6.1" Super Retina XDR Display |
| Chip | A13 Bionic chip, 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, 8-core Neural Engine | A15 Bionic chip, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine |
| Camera | Dual cameras 12MP Main & Ultra Wide Portrait mode with Depth Control
0.5x, 1x optical zoom
|
Dual cameras 12MP Main & Ultra Wide
Portrait mode with Focus and Depth Control
0.5x, 1x optical zoom
|
| Battery |
Up to 17 hours of video play back when new |
Up to 20 hours of video play back when new Mag Safe wireless charging |
| Splash, Water, and Dust Resistant | Rated IP68 (maximum depth of 2 meters up to 30 minutes) under IEC standard 60529 | Rated IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes) under IEC standard 60529 |
| Network Speed | 4G/LTE | 5G |
| Current iOS Updates | iOS 26 (September 2025) is still supported. | iOS 26 (September 2025) is still supported. |
| Last compatible iOS | We expect the iPhone 11 to be dropped in 2026 | We expect the iPhone 14 to be dropped in 2027 |
Do the iPhone 11's specs and features still hold up in 2026?
The iPhone 11 remains a very functional phone in 2026. While it might lack some of the more recent models' updates like 5G capabilities and higher resolution cameras, its core functionalities still perform today.
The iPhone 11's A13 chip allows for smooth multitasking and its battery should last you throughout a typical day of usage (Orchard guarantees this when you buy an iPhone 11 from us).
Its screen has good resolution and renders images vividly. The camera of the iPhone 11 allows you to take sharp photos and videos with various settings such as portrait mode and night mode.
Does the iPhone 11 support iOS 18 and future software updates?
The iPhone 11 is able to run the latest software update, iOS 26 released in September 2025. While it is challenging to predict the exact lifespan of future iOS updates, we expect September 2025 to be the last year the iPhone 11 will be able to upgrade to the latest iOS.
Older phones like the iPhone X will progressively lose compatibility with apps since they are not compatible with iOS18. If you need more info on iOS18, we explained everything you need to know here.
Verdict: The iPhone 11 is decent choice in 2026
The iPhone 11 continues to be a fully functional phone for those looking for a dependable and budget-friendly smartphone. Despite being a few years old, it boasts robust hardware, ongoing software updates, and impressive camera performance.
However, software support for the iPhone 11 is expected to end at the end of the year so if you're looking for longer software support, a better camera, faster performance or 5G compatibility we recommend newer models such as the iPhone 13, iPhone 14 or iPhone 15.
