The best iPhone 11 model for most buyers is the standard iPhone 11, KSh 25,000 to KSh 33,000 depending on storage. It runs the same A13 Bionic chip as the Pro models for KSh 4,000 to KSh 18,000 less. Choose the iPhone 11 Pro (KSh 37,000) if you want an OLED screen and a telephoto zoom lens in a smaller body, or the iPhone 11 Pro Max (KSh 43,000) if screen size and battery life matter more than pocketability.
This page compares all three iPhone 11 models in full so you can decide with confidence. All three of these iPhone 11 models ship Ex-UK or refurbished, quality tested, with a 6-month warranty, from iPhone Deals in Nairobi CBD. Prices checked on 5 October 2026.
If you’re asking which iPhone 11 is best, the short answer is that it depends on what you use the phone for, and the longer answer is below. There are exactly three iPhone 11 models: the iPhone 11, the iPhone 11 Pro and the iPhone 11 Pro Max. Apple released all three on 20 September 2019 and never made an “iPhone 11 mini” or an “iPhone 11 Plus.” If a listing uses either of those names, it is describing something else.
Table of Contents
iPhone 11 models at a glance
The three iPhone 11 models, side by side, before the detail below.
| iPhone 11 | iPhone 11 Pro | iPhone 11 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price at iPhone Deals | KSh 25,000 to KSh 33,000 | KSh 37,000 | KSh 43,000 |
| Screen | 6.1″ Liquid Retina LCD | 5.8″ Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.5″ Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Chip | A13 Bionic | A13 Bionic | A13 Bionic |
| Rear cameras | Dual 12MP, wide and ultra-wide | Triple 12MP, adds telephoto | Triple 12MP, adds telephoto |
| Battery life (video playback) | Up to 17 hours | Up to 18 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Frame | Aluminium, glass back | Stainless steel, matte glass | Stainless steel, matte glass |
| Water resistance | IP68, 2 metres for 30 minutes | IP68, 4 metres for 30 minutes | IP68, 4 metres for 30 minutes |
| Weight | 194g | 188g | 226g |
| Storage at iPhone Deals | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 256GB | 256GB |
Every row in that table holds on its own. If you only read one line, read this: all three run the identical A13 Bionic chip, so none of them is faster than the others for everyday use. What changes is the screen, the camera system, the size and the price.
Which iPhone 11 model should you buy
Match your priority to a model here, then read the longer breakdown below for the reasoning.
| If this matters most to you | Buy | Price | Because |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible on a current-software phone | iPhone 11, 64GB | KSh 25,000 | Same chip as the Pro, a third of the Pro Max’s price |
| Enough storage without paying Pro prices | iPhone 11, 128GB | KSh 28,500 | The storage size most buyers end up wishing they had |
| A smaller phone with a sharper screen | iPhone 11 Pro | KSh 37,000 | 5.8″ OLED in the lightest body of the three |
| The biggest screen and the longest battery life | iPhone 11 Pro Max | KSh 43,000 | 6.5″ OLED, up to 20 hours of video playback |
| Zoomed-in photos, portraits, low light | iPhone 11 Pro or Pro Max | From KSh 37,000 | Only these two have the telephoto lens |
| A newer phone for close to the same money | iPhone 12 | From KSh 30,000 | 5G and OLED for KSh 5,000 more than the base iPhone 11 |
There is no single answer to which iPhone 11 is best, because the three models are built around different trade-offs rather than a simple upgrade ladder.
Google’s own AI Overview for best iPhone 11 model searches currently names the iPhone 11 Pro as the strongest all-rounder, for its OLED screen, telephoto lens and compact stainless steel build, and calls the Pro Max the pick for screen size and battery life. That lines up with what the table above shows. One caveat: the Pro’s display and camera upgrade is only worth KSh 8,500 to KSh 12,000 over the base iPhone 11 if you will actually use the telephoto lens or notice LCD versus OLED. If you mostly use WhatsApp, M-Pesa, social media and the camera’s main wide lens, the standard iPhone 11 does the same job for less.
iPhone 11 vs iPhone 11 Pro: the real difference
The iPhone 11 Pro costs KSh 8,500 more than the 256GB iPhone 11 at iPhone Deals (KSh 37,000 against KSh 33,000), or KSh 12,000 more than the 128GB iPhone 11. Three things change for that money.
The screen. The iPhone 11 has a 6.1 inch LCD. The 11 Pro has a 5.8 inch OLED, which produces true blacks, better contrast and higher brightness outdoors, the kind of difference that shows up immediately the first time you hold both side by side in sunlight.
The camera. The iPhone 11 has two rear lenses: wide and ultra-wide. The 11 Pro adds a third, a telephoto lens for 2x optical zoom, which the standard iPhone 11 cannot do optically at all. If you photograph people from a few steps back, or zoom in often, this is the upgrade that matters most.
The size and material. The 11 Pro is physically smaller (5.8″ against 6.1″) and 6 grams lighter, with a stainless steel frame instead of aluminium. Stainless steel looks and feels more premium, and also shows fingerprints more and scratches somewhat more easily than aluminium, a fair trade either way depending on whether you use a case.
What does not change: the processor, the RAM, Face ID, 4G connectivity, and the lack of 5G. Buying the Pro does not make the phone faster, which is worth repeating because it is the single most common misunderstanding about this iPhone 11 vs iPhone 11 Pro comparison.
iPhone 11 Pro vs iPhone 11 Pro Max: the real difference
Once you’ve ruled out the standard iPhone 11, the iPhone 11 Pro vs iPhone 11 Pro Max choice comes down to size and battery rather than features. The Pro Max costs KSh 6,000 more than the Pro at iPhone Deals (KSh 43,000 against KSh 37,000) and the two share every spec except three: screen size, battery and weight.
Screen. 6.5 inches on the Pro Max against 5.8 inches on the Pro. Both are the same Super Retina XDR OLED panel technology, just a different size.
Battery. Apple rated the Pro Max for up to 20 hours of local video playback against 18 hours on the Pro, a real and noticeable difference if you are a heavy user, less so if you charge nightly regardless.
Weight. 226 grams against 188 grams. The Pro Max is genuinely harder to use one-handed and heavier in a pocket, which is the main reason people choose the smaller Pro over it despite the better battery.
There is no camera, chip or storage difference between the two. If you have held both in your hand and one feels right, that feeling is a reliable guide here, because the spec sheet gives you little else to decide on.
How to tell which iPhone 11 you have
Useful if you already own one of the iPhone 11 models and are not sure which model, or if you are buying second-hand from somewhere other than a shop that states it clearly.
- Open Settings, General, About, and look at Model Name. This is the fastest and most reliable check, and it works on every iPhone 11 regardless of region.
- Count the rear cameras. One camera lens means neither iPhone 11 model, two lenses in a square housing means the standard iPhone 11, three lenses means either Pro model.
- Check the frame material and screen size if the box or listing is unclear. A shinier, rounder-edged aluminium frame around 6.1 inches is the standard iPhone 11. A matte, squared stainless steel frame is one of the two Pro models; 5.8 inches is the Pro, 6.5 inches is the Pro Max.
- Look up the model number for certainty. Settings, General, About, Model Number gives a code starting with A, for example A2221 on a global iPhone 11. Apple’s own model number lookup page confirms exactly which device and region a number belongs to, which also tells you whether a phone was sold as US, UK or another region’s unit, useful information for anyone comparing Ex-UK listings.
iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12: is the newer phone worth it
A fair question once you are already comparing three iPhone 11 models: for not much more money, is the iPhone 12 the better buy?
At iPhone Deals, the 64GB iPhone 12 is KSh 30,000, which is KSh 5,000 more than the 64GB iPhone 11 and KSh 1,500 more than the 128GB iPhone 11. For that gap the iPhone 12 adds 5G, an OLED screen at the same size as the standard iPhone 11, MagSafe for wireless charging and accessories, and the newer A14 Bionic chip.
If your budget stops at KSh 30,000, the honest comparison across these iPhone 11 models and the iPhone 12 is 128GB on an iPhone 11 against 64GB on an iPhone 12, not the storage sizes that happen to share a generation. Buyers who want the biggest screen for the least money should stay with the iPhone 11. Buyers who want 5G and are comparing storage sizes they will actually use should look at the iPhone 12 page.
iPhone X vs iPhone 11: should you upgrade
If you currently own an iPhone X and are deciding whether an iPhone 11 is worth the move, the honest case for upgrading rests on three things. Face ID and camera performance both improved meaningfully between the X and the 11. The iPhone 11’s A13 chip and battery outlast the X’s ageing A11 by a wide margin. And Apple’s iOS 27, released 14 September 2026, supports the iPhone 11 series but does not support the iPhone X, which dropped off the supported-device list in an earlier iOS release.
An iPhone X is no longer on current iOS, which means no current security updates. That is the strongest single reason to move, ahead of any camera or screen comparison.
That gap in software support is the core of the iPhone X vs iPhone 11 decision. We do not currently buy iPhone X trade-ins against new stock on this page, but our trade-in service covers most Apple devices. Ask us to value yours.
What’s the best iPhone to get on a budget in Kenya
If your question is really about the best iPhone 11 model for the least money rather than the best model outright, the answer changes. Under KSh 30,000, the realistic field of current-software iPhones narrows fast. At iPhone Deals specifically:
- KSh 25,000: iPhone 11, 64GB. The least you can spend here and still buy a phone running this year’s iOS.
- KSh 28,500: iPhone 11, 128GB. The best value in the shop by most buyers’ measure, more storage for KSh 3,500.
- KSh 30,000: iPhone 12, 64GB, the cheapest route to 5G and OLED if you want to spend to the edge of this budget.
Current software support matters more here than the lowest price tag on the shelf. Below KSh 25,000, expect older iPhones that have either already lost iOS support or are close to losing it. Check that before anything else on a phone advertised as a “budget iPhone” in Kenya.
What you get at every price point
Every one of the iPhone 11 models above comes with the same baseline.
| Included at every price | What it’s worth |
|---|---|
| Ex-UK or refurbished unit, condition confirmed before order | The difference between a working phone and a loss |
| Pre-sale testing, done in front of you before you pay | Catches battery, screen and camera faults before they’re your problem |
| 6-month warranty on network, charging, earpiece, microphone, speaker and non-third-party software faults | Phone Place Kenya charges KSh 6,300 to add 6 months to a similar phone |
| Trade-in valuation against your current device | Lowers what you pay today |
| Repairs at published prices after the warranty ends | A screen replacement is KSh 6,500 on the iPhone 11, KSh 7,500 on the Pro, KSh 9,500 on the Pro Max, no surprise quote |
| Nationwide delivery, charge confirmed before you pay | Covers buyers outside Nairobi |
That applies across all the iPhone 11 models we sell. One limit, stated plainly rather than buried: our warranty does not cover the screen, and goods once sold are not re-accepted. That is exactly why every unit is tested with you present before money changes hands. Full terms are on the warranty page.
Where to buy, in Nairobi CBD
iPhone Deals, Kimathi House, 4th Floor, Suite 404, Kimathi Street, Nairobi CBD. Open Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Sunday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Call or WhatsApp 0700 555 507. M-Pesa accepted.
See and test any of the three iPhone 11 models in person before paying, which matters most on a Pro or Pro Max purchase where the screen and camera differences are the entire reason to spend more. Outside Nairobi, order through the site or WhatsApp for nationwide delivery, charges confirmed before you pay.
Best iPhone 11 model: frequently asked questions
Questions buyers ask most often about the iPhone 11 models.
How many iPhone 11 models are there? There are three iPhone 11 models in total: the iPhone 11, the iPhone 11 Pro and the iPhone 11 Pro Max, all released on 20 September 2019. There is no iPhone 11 mini or iPhone 11 Plus.
Which iPhone 11 is best, out of the three models? The iPhone 11 Pro is the strongest all-rounder, with an OLED screen, a telephoto lens and a compact stainless steel body. The standard iPhone 11 is the best value, since it shares the same A13 chip for thousands of shillings less. The Pro Max wins only if screen size and battery life matter more to you than pocketability.
How do I tell if I have an iPhone 11 or 11 Pro? Check Settings, General, About, Model Name, or count the rear cameras: two means the standard iPhone 11, three means either Pro model. The Pro also has a matte stainless steel frame against the iPhone 11’s glossier aluminium one.
What are the different models of the iPhone 11 Pro? There are no sub-versions of the 11 Pro itself, only storage options (64GB, 256GB and 512GB at launch) and four colours. “Models of the iPhone 11 Pro” usually means the three-phone iPhone 11 family as a whole, and the question is really asking about iPhone 11 models in general rather than variants within the Pro line specifically.
Is the iPhone 11 or 11 Pro bigger? The standard iPhone 11 has the larger screen of the two at 6.1 inches against the Pro’s 5.8 inches, because the Pro trades screen size for a smaller, lighter body. The Pro Max, at 6.5 inches, is the largest of all three.
Can I still use my iPhone 11 after 2026? Yes. iOS 27, released 14 September 2026, still supports the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max, so all three continue to receive current features and security updates.
Is the iPhone 11 waterproof? Water resistant, not waterproof. The iPhone 11 is IP68 rated to 2 metres for 30 minutes, and the Pro and Pro Max to 4 metres. Seals weaken with age on a 2019 phone, so treat this as splash protection, and note that water damage is not covered under any warranty.
What model number is the iPhone 11? Global units are commonly A2221, though the exact number varies by region. Check Settings, General, About, Model Number on the specific unit, then confirm it against Apple’s own model number lookup page.
Is the iPhone 11 Pro or iPhone 12 better? They cost about the same at iPhone Deals (KSh 37,000 against a 128GB iPhone 12 at KSh 35,000). The iPhone 12 adds 5G, MagSafe and a newer A14 chip; the 11 Pro keeps its telephoto lens and a smaller, lighter body. Neither is a clear win for everyone. It depends on whether 5G or the zoom lens matters more to you.
What’s the best iPhone to get on a budget in Kenya right now? At iPhone Deals, the 128GB iPhone 11 at KSh 28,500 is the strongest budget pick: current iOS support, enough storage for most people, and a price well under both Pro models. Anything advertised well under KSh 25,000 should be checked carefully for iOS support before buying.
If you have read this far and still aren’t sure which of the three iPhone 11 models suits you, come in and compare them side by side at the shop; that’s usually faster than any spec table.
Compare and buy: iPhone 11 | iPhone 11 Pro | iPhone 11 Pro Max | iPhone 12
Whichever of the iPhone 11 models you land on, the next step is the same: come and test it before you pay.
Read next: iPhone 11 price in Kenya 2026, our full price breakdown with the 8 checks to run before buying any used iPhone 11. Buying Ex-UK? See what to check on the unit itself.
Services: Trade in your old phone | Screen and battery repairs | Warranty terms | Visit the shop
Sources: iPhone 11 series specs, EveryMac. iOS 27 device compatibility, MacRumors, 14 September 2026. Apple model number lookup, Apple Support. Prices confirmed on iphone-deals.com, 5 October 2026.
Related: Thinking about the iPhone 12 as well? Compare iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12.
