The iPhone 11 verdict is in: It’s a winner
Last week Apple announced the iPhone 11 lineup, and although the design hasn’t changed much since last year’s iPhone XR, they sport some impressive new camera tech.
Now the reviews of the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro are pouring in, and the verdict is overwhelmingly positive. Here’s what reviewers are saying, broken down by device.
iPhone 11: The one you should get
The entry iPhone lineup’s biggest change this year is its price, which is the lowest of any new iPhone in more than three years. It will be available to purchase on September 20.
The phone lacks in storage space and out-of-the-box fast charging but makes up for it with fantastic low-light camera performance and exceptional battery life.
- The Verge’s Nilay Patel was impressed with the device, writing “most people don’t need to overthink it: just get an iPhone 11. You’ll be happy.”
- Wired’s Lauren Goode recommended the device as well, but noted that the LCD screen doesn’t cut it in 2019, and the only size offered is a bit too big for small-handed people.
- Engadget’s Chris Velazco agreed that the iPhone 11 was the one to get. “There are advantages to splurging on the Pros, but after getting a feel for what the iPhone 11 is capable of, those benefits won't always justify spending the extra $300.”
- TechRadar’s Gareth Beavis notes that although the device shares the design of the iPhone XR, it no longer feels like a secondary device.
iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max: Premium cameras, premium price
While the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max are the most powerful devices in the lineup, reviewers were hesitant to recommend it over the iPhone 11.
The triple camera setup and excellent battery life are real selling points, but they simply don’t justify the increase in price for most users.
- Engadget’s Chris Velazco noted that although the cameras are great, “the differences in actual day-to-day use can be so subtle that you'd be hard-pressed to really notice them.”
- The Verge’s Nilay Patel had high praise for the iPhone 11 Pro’s night mode, which finally rivals and even surpasses Google Pixel devices.
- The New York Times’ Brian Shen praised the device, but doesn’t see much of a need to upgrade. “So here’s what I ultimately suggest: You should definitely upgrade if your current device is at least five years old.”
- Cnet’s Scott Stein liked the extra battery life and cameras, but noted that for the price, the device is only for those who want to use their phone as a professional camera.
Round Up:
📸The Galaxy Note 10 Plus is a seriously powerful device, but at this price the camera should be better (Android Authority). With low-light performance improved across the board by competitors, Samsung’s latest just doesn’t deliver.
🎵Move over Tidal, because Amazon Music is jumping into the hi-res audio game. The tech giant is hoping that even non-audiophiles will appreciate the bump in quality, plus it’s significantly cheaper than alternatives.
💔Tinder is making an apocalyptic choose-your-own adventure series to be released next month (Variety). Isn’t that just Tinder though?
🌞A Michigan State research team has developed a truly transparent solar panel (Physics and Astronomy Zone). This means that your windows could be generating power (and be significantly more expensive to replace).
📱Here’s what the OnePlus 7T will actually look like (Android Authority). OnePlus’ latest is set for release later this month, but the image confirms a triple camera setup that might trigger any trypophobics out there.
💰Thanks but no thanks. Apple says it would rather not pay back $14.3 billion in back taxes to the EU (Gizmodo). To be fair, I wouldn’t either.
📡Google Fi finally has an unlimited plan (Android Authority). The plan includes data, calls, and texts at $70 for one line or $45 per line for 4-6 lines. Data is throttled after 22GB, but at that point you should probably go outside (or inside, with Wi-Fi).
🎮Cloud gaming is still controversial, but the Google Stadia Founders Edition is selling out worldwide (GamesRadar). For those who still want in, there’s a new Premier Edition with a non-limited edition white controller.
🔨Valve is dropping the ban hammer on bad actors in their hit MOBA, Dota II (Valve). There’s also a new system to detect smurfs, so you no longer have an excuse for getting smashed in low MMR.
✏This is a pen. Starbucks is selling pens with NFC wallets in Japan (The Verge). It uses the same ubiquitous tech as the transport card PASMO and countless other RFID cards in the country. Remember when you had to sign with pens to buy things? Me neither.
🚀All of this has happened before, and all of this will happen again. Because literally, that’s what they’re doing, they’re rebooting Battlestar Galactica again (Gizmodo).
🔊Pocket Casts, one of the most popular podcasts apps around, is now free. The company keeps the lights on with a subscription service, plus some cash from their non-profit owners at NPR. Go download it if you don’t already have it, because it’s the best podcast app out there.
Weirdness Wednesday
Did you know that cashews grow on a tree? They sprout out of the bottom of a “cashew apple” in one of the goofiest culinary images since the rambutan.
- Despite the name the cashew is the real fruit (no, it's not a nut).
- Cashew apples taste terrible.
- In parts of India the apples are used to make a liquor called Feni.
Thanks for reading! Tomorrow you'll be joined by the infamous Scott Gordon.
Nick Rowan Fernandez, Senior Writer