Wondering whether to purchase the iPhone 11 Pro or the newer iPhone 13 Pro? As an avid smartphone analyst, let me walk you through all the key similarities and differences between these two flagship iPhones. I‘ll compare their specs across various categories and help recommend which Pro model suits your needs best!
Overview
First up, the iPhone 11 Pro came out in September 2019 while the iPhone 13 Pro released two years later in September 2021.
The 11 Pro was powered by the fast A13 chip, triple camera setup, compact 5.8" OLED screen and sleek rounded design. It sold very well for professionals seeking advanced camera and video features.
In comparison, the 13 Pro sports an even faster A15 chip with improved neurons for image processing, battery optimizations, Cinema Mode for cinematic videos and a larger 6.1” display with smoother 120Hz refresh rates.
While the 13 Pro leads in new technologies, photography and horsepower, the 11 Pro remains reasonably on par in many areas despite its age. And it is almost 50% cheaper to buy today!
Let‘s dive deeper across various phone attributes to understand real world differences and help recommend the better purchase choice as per your needs…
In-Depth Design & Display Comparison
(table comparing size, weight, materials, protection rating)
I really like how Apple retained the stainless steel + glass sandwich design across both models for a durable yet premium in-hand feel. However, the 11 Pro‘s curved edges descend into completely flat sides on the 13 Pro reminiscent of the iPhone 5 era for added grip.
For displays, while the 11 Pro was limited to 60Hz refresh rates, the iPhone 13 Pro‘s LTPO screen can scale anywhere from 10Hz to 120Hz fluidly based on content shown. This is perfect when scrolling webpages or feeds – you instantly notice lesser blur.
Plus the newer phone simply provides more real estate with its 6.1 inch size. So streaming movies and gaming sees a visible boost in immersion. But at the expense of one-handed comfort which remains better on the compact 11 Pro body.
Performance and Hardware Breakdown
(insert table comparing processor, benchmarks, RAM, battery life, charging speeds)
Let‘s address raw compute and number crunching potentials. As per trustedSites, the 13 Pro scores 30% higher on average in CPU tests versus the 11 Pro. And graphics rendering is up to 2x quicker thanks to the potent 5-core GPU.
What does this mean for you? Buttery smoothness no matter how many apps you juggle simultaneously! The 13 Pro is unlikely to face slowdowns even 3-4 years down the line thanks to its processing headroom.
Gaming enthusiasts will also clearly notice faster load times and richer effects in titles like Genshin Impact on the newer iPhone. And battery life sees a healthy 20% extension despite similar rated capacities. Thanks to efficiencies from Apple‘s silicon and display refinements.
So if peak iPhone performance matters above all else, the 13 Pro certainly holds an commanding edge here. But fret not, the 11 Pro remains extremely speedy for lighter iOS needs even today.
Camera and Video Features Face-off
(image showcasing photo and video modes)
Let‘s move onto the cameras which arguably witness the biggest updates across these generations.
While Apple retained the 3 camera layout on both models, the sensors and lenses get meaningful improvements in aperture, stabilization and resolution. Enabling next-gen photography like macro and ProRes recording.
In fact, the iPhone 13 Pro debuts Apple‘s remarkable Cinematic Mode which automatically racks focus between people and objects seamlessly like in the movies. Making your home videos shine like they were shot on professional equipment!
And Night Mode now activates quicker in dark locations. Ensuring your memories lit by candlelight still pop beautifully. Stuff that remains impossible to capture decently on the 11 Pro.
For shutterbugs and video bloggers seeking to step up their creative game, the advances bring tremendous artistic flexibility otherwise missing on the older device.
Of course the 11 Pro is no slouch either – its images impress with true-to-life colors and dynamic range. You‘ll still nail social media ready shots every time in perfect lighting. But creative ceilings do exist which the 13 Pro gleefully transcends.
Software Support and Updates Over Time
iPhones tend to age slower than Android phones over 3-5 years thanks to Apple‘s tremendous software optimization prowess. This ensures your investment into their ecosystem keeps feeling modern for longer.
And with iPhones, software upgrades are guaranteed for at least 5 years after launch. Based on that policy, the 11 Pro will likely receive updates up till iOS 18 in late 2024.
Comparatively, just launched in 2021, expect the 13 Pro to stay fresh with updates for 7-8 years up to iOS 27 or 28! That‘s future proofing at its finest.
So if you intend on retaining your premium iPhone for the longest stretch possible, the 13 Pro makes better sense overall. Since it will officially be supported for software features and security patches a couple of years longer at least.
Big updates like iOS 16, 17, 18 are still slated for the 11 Pro. But its older hardware may start stuttering at some point. At which point the 13 Pro will keep sailing smoothly for daily use cases.
And the Best iPhone Is…
We‘ve now compared both powerful iPhones across critical parameters. When should you prefer one over the other?
The iPhone 13 Pro clearly leads in virtually every category – be it new camera tricks like Macro mode and Cinematic video focus tracking or pure processing grunt allowing desktop class tasks on the go.
It feels decisively more modern thanks to conveniences like buttery smooth 120Hz scrolling, significantly better battery optimization and 5G data connectivity. Plus upcoming software support roadmaps further cement its future-proofing appeal.
So if you seek the ultimate no compromise iPhone experience with cutting edge features, grabbing the 13 Pro over 11 Pro is highly recommended. Yes, it remains 30-40% pricier, but delivers meaningful technological leaps to justify the spend.
However, the iPhone 11 Pro punches well above its aged weight. The versatile triple camera setup and A13 Bionic processor effortlessly handle everyday usage like messaging, social media and web browsing without breaking a sweat for years.
And priced at under $400 now across renewed sellers, it offers tremendous value retaining over 85% capabilities of the newer model. If chasing every bleeding edge feature isn‘t a priority, you simply can‘t go wrong with the 11 Pro for under half the price! It remains a tech and photography enthusiast‘s delight even in 2023 for lighter needs.
So that concludes my detailed face-off between the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro! Let me know if you have any other questions. Have a nice day!
