With Apple reaching the end of its current three-year product cycle, we aren’t expected to get a brand new iPhone redesign until 2020. But that doesn’t mean the new iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max aren’t packing some important upgrades like Apple’s first triple camera module, a faster A13 chip (and a new motion co-processor), and some clever new photo modes, along with a batch of fresh new colour options.
So let’s dive in and explore all the new changes and additions Apple has included on the iPhone 11 Pro.
Models
Like last year, Apple’s new lineup of iPhones is split between three models: the 6.1-inch iPhone 11, along with the 5.8-inch iPhone 11 Pro and 6.5-inch iPhone 11 Pro Max, the latter two being Apple’s new high-end flagship phones.
The iPhone 11 Pro will be available in midnight green, space grey, silver and a new shade of gold.
Performance and design
Featuring the new 7nm A13 Bionic processor, Apple claims the iPhone 11 has the fastest CPU and GPU in any smartphone, boasting 20 per cent faster processing and 20 per cent better graphics performance, along with a neural processing engine that’s 20 per cent faster than the A12 Bionic.
However, one nice addition to the new iPhone lineup is support for Wi-Fi 6, which should allow for faster wireless networking, especially when paired with some of the next-gen third-party routers slated for release later this spring.
As for the iPhone 11 Pro’s construction, Apple says it’s using a new combination of stainless steel and a matte glass panel on the back. In fact, Apple is touting a bunch of other small improvements like stronger glass, better IP68 water-resistance, a brighter overall display (up to 1,200 nits), and more.
Cameras and photos
For the standard iPhone 11, Apple has moved up to a 12-MP dual camera setup with primary and ultra-wide lenses. Additionally, Apple says it has updated its photo processing pipeline with semantic rendering, which makes it easier to adjust lighting on the fly.
Meanwhile the iPhone 11 Pro will come with a third 12-MP 2x telephoto camera to create Apple’s first triple rear camera module
When it comes to new photo abilities, Apple’s portrait mode has been upgraded to work with the iPhone 11’s wide-angle lens, and it even works on pets too. But perhaps the biggest upgrade is that the Apple has finally given the iPhone a dedicated Night Mode that can improve the quality and focus of low-light photos. Depending on the environment, the iPhone will adjust settings like ISO and shutter speed while using OIS in order to capture the sharpest, brightest photo possible.
As for video, Apple will support a bunch of different modes and formats including 4K video at 60 fps, slo-mo capture, time-lapse, cinematic video stabilisation, and extended dynamic range, regardless if you’re using the main or ultra-wide cameras. And in front, you can even use that slo-mo feature to take slo-mo selfies.
Finally, using a new technique called Deep Fusion, the iPhone 11 Pro will be able to shoot nine pictures in quick succession, and then utilise its neural engine to create a new composite image that contains the best aspects of each underlying pic.
Battery life and extra features
For 2019, Apple claims the iPhone 11 will last an hour longer than last year’s iPhone XR. But the big upgrade in longevity will come with the iPhone 11 Pro, which boasts an extra four hours of battery life compared to last year’s iPhone XS.
Another small, but very handy bonus, is that iPhone 11 Pro will also come with an 18-watt power adaptor and USB-C to Lightning cable, which means you can fast charge the iPhone 11 Pro without needing to buying any additional accessories. Sadly, this doesn’t hold true for the standard iPhone 11, which comes with the same, slow-charging 5-watt power adaptor Apple has been putting in iPhone boxes for the past few years.
Apple also claims that Face ID on the iPhone 11 Pro is now 30 per cent faster than before, while Apple’s new U1 chip allows for faster ultra-wide band connectivity and speedier Air Drop file transfer. The iPhone 11’s speakers have also been improved thanks to support for Dolby Atmos, which should help the phone deliver a richer, more immersive surround sound experience.
Price and availability
The iPhone 11 has a starting price of $1,199 in Australia. But if you’re interested in the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, you’ll have to shell out significantly more at $1,749 and $1,899, respectively.
All three phones will be available for pre-order starting Friday, September 13, with shipments expected to go out on September 20.