The iPhone 11 came out in 2019, and plenty of Australians are still carrying one, or are being offered one cheaply by a friend or on a marketplace. So is the iPhone 11 still good enough in 2026? The short version: it is better than its age suggests, but there are now a few things it simply cannot do. This long-term look covers what still works, what has fallen behind, and what we would point a budget buyer towards instead.
The quick answer
Yes, for basic use, with caveats. The iPhone 11 still runs the latest iOS: Apple's iOS 27, released in September 2026, supports the whole iPhone 11 family. Its A13 Bionic chip still handles messages, maps, banking and video calls comfortably. But it is a 4G-only phone with an LCD screen, it misses out on Apple Intelligence, and any iPhone 11 you buy today has a battery that has been through years of charging. If you already own one that works, keep it. If you are buying, a refurbished iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 costs little more and lasts longer. We have no iPhone 11s in stock right now.
iPhone 11 long-term review: what still holds up
Software support. This is the big one. Apple's iOS 27 compatibility list includes the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max, the same set of phones that ran iOS 26. That means current security fixes and app compatibility for at least another year. Apple has not said when support will end, so do not assume it will last much longer.
Performance. The A13 Bionic was a flagship chip in 2019, and for everyday apps it still feels responsive. Where you notice its age is in heavy games, editing long videos, and the second or two longer it takes some apps to open.
Cameras. Two 12MP rear cameras (wide and ultra wide) and a 12MP front camera. In daylight, photos still look good on social media. Low-light shots and zoom are where newer phones have pulled well ahead.
Build. The iPhone 11 is rated IP68, to a depth of 2 metres for up to 30 minutes, and the aluminium and glass design has aged well.
Where the iPhone 11 has fallen behind
- No 5G. Apple's specifications list Gigabit-class LTE only. That is fine for most Australians today, but every iPhone from the 12 onwards supports 5G.
- LCD screen. The 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display runs at 1792 by 828 pixels. It is perfectly usable, but next to the OLED screen on an iPhone 12 or 13 it looks softer, and blacks look grey.
- No Apple Intelligence. Apple's AI features, including the new Siri, need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer. The iPhone 11 will run iOS 27, but not those features.
- Battery age. Apple rates the iPhone 11 at up to 17 hours of video playback when new. Any iPhone 11 on sale now is six to seven years old, so check the Battery Health figure before you buy one from anyone.
Buying an iPhone 11 privately? Check these five things
If someone is offering you an iPhone 11, or you are browsing a marketplace listing, it can still be a sensible cheap phone. Run through these checks before you hand over any money:
- Battery Health. Go to Settings, Battery, Battery Health and look at Maximum Capacity. Apple says older iPhones are designed to keep 80 per cent of their original capacity at 500 complete charge cycles. Below 80%, budget for a battery replacement on top of the price.
- Face ID. Set it up in front of the seller. A phone that has been opened and repaired badly can lose Face ID, and it is expensive to fix.
- Screen. Open a plain white page and a plain dark page, and look for marks, patches or lines.
- Cameras and speakers. Take a photo on each rear camera and a selfie, and make a short call on speaker.
- Signed out and erased. Make sure the seller has signed out of their Apple Account and erased the phone, so it is not locked to them.
A phone that passes all five is a reasonable buy at the right price. Just remember that a private sale usually comes with no warranty, so if the battery or a component fails next month, the cost is yours.
iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12 vs iPhone 13: what we would buy instead
We do not have any iPhone 11s in stock at the moment. Rather than wait, here is what a budget iPhone buyer gets for a little more, as at 12 October 2026:
- Apple iPhone 12: 256GB from $359 in Good. You get 5G, an OLED Super Retina XDR display and the A14 Bionic chip, plus double the storage of most budget phones.
- Apple iPhone 13: 128GB from $419 in Good, or $439 in Excellent. The A15 Bionic, an OLED display and up to 19 hours of video playback, against 17 on the iPhone 11.
The iPhone 13 is the one we would pick for most people: it is the newest of the three, it gets the longest runway of software updates from here, and our refurbished iPhone 13 guide goes through it in detail. If you are deciding between the 13 and the next step up, see iPhone 13 vs iPhone 14.
Where Mobile Federation fits
Every iPhone we sell is tested and graded in Sydney, with at least 80% battery health, and on many models you can choose a New Battery option for a little extra. Whichever iPhone you end up with, it ships with a 24-month warranty: two full years of cover for manufacturing faults and hardware failures. It does not cover accidental damage, so a case is still worth having. You also have 30 days from delivery to return it for a full refund if it is not right. If you are new to buying refurbished, start with what a refurbished phone actually is.
Frequently asked questions
Is the iPhone 11 still supported in 2026?
Yes. The iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max all support iOS 27, which Apple released in September 2026. Apple has not announced when support will end.
Does the iPhone 11 get Apple Intelligence?
No. Apple Intelligence features, including the new Siri, need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer.
Does the iPhone 11 have 5G?
No. The iPhone 11 supports 4G (LTE) only. The iPhone 12 was the first iPhone with 5G.
Should I buy an iPhone 11 or an iPhone 13?
If you are buying today, the iPhone 13 is the better long-term choice: a faster A15 Bionic chip, an OLED screen, 5G and longer battery life. As at 12 October 2026, a refurbished iPhone 13 started at $419 at Mobile Federation.
Our verdict
If your iPhone 11 still works and the battery still gets you through the day, there is no rush to replace it. If you are shopping for one, spend a little more: have a look at the refurbished iPhone 13 or the iPhone 11 page, where stock will show when it returns.
