You‘re an iPhone user and it‘s time to upgrade. You‘ve narrowed it down to Apple‘s premium "Pro" models – either the iPhone 11 Pro from 2019 or the more advanced iPhone 13 Pro from 2021. Both deliver ultra powerful performance, professional-grade cameras, gorgeous OLED displays and long battery life.
But which pro iPhone is the better buy right now? I‘ll comprehensively compare the 11 Pro and 13 Pro across all specs and real-world usage. You‘ll understand precisely how they stack up after reading this guide.
Overview: iPhone 11 Pro vs iPhone 13 Pro
First, some quick history – Apple revealed the iPhone 11 Pro in September 2019 as their new high-end flagship, powered by the fast new A13 Bionic processor. Two years later in September 2021, the iPhone 13 Pro took the mantle with an even faster A15 chip, improved camera tech and other enhancements.
We‘ll be analyzing how impactful those changes really are. I‘ll compare benchmark performance results, photographic capabilities, battery advancements, display quality and more. You‘ll see real-world speed tests, camera samples and usage data demonstrating where the iPhone 13 Pro moves the needle over its predecessor.
After breaking down the meaningful pros/cons, I‘ll offer buying advice on which "Pro" iPhone likely makes more sense for you based on needs and budget. Let‘s dive in!
Performance and Hardware Comparison
The iPhone 11 Pro introduced Apple‘s A13 chip, which dramatically improved CPU and graphics speeds over previous generations. Here‘s how the A13 Bionic fared against competitors in its launch year of 2019:
- Up to 20% faster CPU performance vs. prior A12 chip
- Up to 20% faster graphics vs. prior A12 chip
- 13% faster single-core than Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
- 11% faster multi-core scores than Snapdragon 855
Two years of intense engineering later, Apple unveiled the A15 Bionic powering the iPhone 13 Pro. Fabricated on an enhanced 5nm process, benchmarks exhibited significant gains:
- 28% faster multi-core CPU over A13
- 21% faster GPU versus A13
- 55% faster neural engine versus A13
The neural engine speed boosts particularly impact machine learning tasks. That means apps that rely on artificial intelligence see much better performance – everything from intelligent photos to live text translations.
But do these synthetic benchmarks actually translate to real-world usage? After extensive testing, reviewers found the iPhone 13 Pro feels "instantly faster" thanks to the A15 upgrade. Apps open quicker, games render higher framerates, photos process rapidly. While not slow by any means, the 11 Pro can‘t quite match that fluidity.
I‘ll discuss the camera, connectivity and battery life differences ahead. But internally, the 13 Pro doubles base storage from 64GB to 128GB, and maxes out at a massive 1TB configuration. As iPhones still don‘t support MicroSD cards for storage expansion, onboard capacity plays an important role in usability.
Comparing Their Displays: 60Hz vs 120Hz Refresh Rates
You‘ll spot an obvious change in display smoothness and responsiveness jumping from the 60Hz iPhone 11 Pro to the 120Hz iPhone 13 Pro. This results from the doubled refresh rate – how many times per second the display updates with new imagery.
Higher refresh rates mean smoother scrolling, swiping and animations. Instead of distinct steps between content changes, the 120Hz panel produces substantially more fluid motion. Apple brands this technology ProMotion because it intelligently scales between 10Hz and 120Hz based on screen content.
The 11 Pro lacks that capability, locked at 60Hz refresh cycles. It by no means feels slow during everyday use. But side-by-side, the 13 Pro‘s UI fluidity clearly outperforms its predecessor. Given how much interaction happens through iPhone displays daily, upgrading to ProMotion remains one of our favorite improvements.
A key reason it matters beyond just smoothness – higher refresh rates also translate to lower input latency and faster response when touching the display. Whether scrolling Instagram or playing intense action games, the 13 Pro recognizes and reacts to taps quicker for a more dynamic experience.
Both generations utilize OLED panel technology too. So expect excellent contrast with true blacks, vibrant colors that pop nicely, and great off-angle viewing regardless of your pick.
Camera Upgrades: Hardware and Software
You might think photographic capabilities are unchanged given both phones tout triple 12MP camera arrays. But while keeping similar foundations, Apple substantially upgraded the iPhone 13 Pro‘s hardware and software capabilities:
Hardware Camera Improvements
- Faster f/1.5 main wide angle lens with larger sensor
- 3x optical telephoto enables macro photography
- Ultra-wide lens increased to f/1.8 aperture
- Sensor-shift optical stabilization across all 3 lenses
New Camera-focused Software Features
- Photographic Styles apply filters similar to Instagram
Cinematic Modefor automatic focus pulling in videosProRessupport for advanced video editing- Night mode now works on all lenses
These hardware upgrades coupled with new computational photography features tangibly improve real-world results:
- Nicer background blur in portraits
- Better contrast and colors in low light
- Easier closeup macro shots
- Advanced focus transitions during video
Reviewers found the 13 Pro takes strikingly better night time photos. And video makers leveraging ProRes and Cinematic mode gain more creative editing control.
Does that make the iPhone 11 Pro‘s photo quality poor in comparison? Certainly not. Casual users may not even notice huge differences without closely comparing images side-by-side. But while still fantastic in its own right, the 13 Pro extends Apple‘s lead capturing stunning photographic results.
Battery Life and Charging Comparison
As Apple doesn‘t disclose exact battery capacities, teardowns give the best insight on changes between models. The 11 Pro packed an estimated 3,190 mAh battery when new. Early reviews managed screen-on time around 9 to 11 hours depending on usage.
The iPhone 13 Pro optimizes power efficiency further in a similarly sized chassis. Various battery tests clock real-world runtime between 12 to 14 hours on average – around 2 extra hours over the 11 Pro. Impressive given the increased performance demands from 5G connectivity and a faster A15 chip.
For charging tech, the iPhone 13 Pro supports faster 20W wired speeds and 15W wireless charging with MagSafe accessories. The 11 Pro maxed at 18W wired charging, taking nearly 1.5 hours to complete a full charge cycle.
So if you frequently anxiously await when you can top up the battery again, the 13 Pro better fits the bill. Moderate users can expect their iPhone to last multiple days on a charge – reducing range anxiety. The 11 Pro still refuels reasonably quickly, but heavy use may necessitate mid-day charging sessions.
Network Connectivity: 4G LTE vs 5G Support
Lacking 5G radios, the iPhone 11 Pro only connects to older 3G and 4G LTE networks. At its launch that wasn‘t a huge issue – 5G remained limited in availability globally. However three years later, 5G saw massive expansion covering most urban areas in developed countries.
The iPhone 13 Pro packs 5G compatibility enabling next-generation cellular data performance when available. In ideal conditions, that means 700+ Mbps downloads which demolish 4G speeds. Even average testing hits over 200-300 Mbps on 5G networks.
As carriers upgrade infrastructure over the next several years, owning a 5G iPhone future-proofs you to take advantage faster connections. For users who predominantly utilize WiFi, 5G support may seem less necessary today. But it ensures your iPhone won‘t become network obsolete any time soon when you upgrade cellular plans.
Price and Value Comparison: Which Pro iPhone Is Better?
Given the 13 Pro serves as Apple‘s current flagship, it demands full MSRP pricing starting from $999. Comparatively, the two year old iPhone 11 Pro now sells at a discount as refurbished or used condition:
- iPhone 11 Pro: $300 to $400 USD
- iPhone 13 Pro: $800 to $900 USD
That‘s nearly half the price for the 11 Pro. So which "Pro" iPhone presents better value right now? As with any purchase, it depends on your personal needs and budget.
For shoppers wanting the latest technology – better cameras, speedier performance, 5G connectivity and long battery life – we believe spending extra on the iPhone 13 Pro makes sense. Power users will also appreciate the extra processing capabilities for multitasking and gaming. And the 120Hz ProMotion display elevates the entire usage experience.
But evaluated carefully, the iPhone 11 Pro remains an outstanding device today. It breezes through apps, takes fantastic photos backed by triple cameras, and supports iOS 16 software with years of updates ahead.
If your budget won‘t stretch far, or you simply want to save money on quality hardware, the 11 Pro gets you 80% of the 13 Pro‘s daily experience at half the price. For cost-conscious buyers not overly concerned with absolute cutting-edge features, it strikes an appealing value balance.
Which iPhone Pro Is Better For You?
Picking the right advanced iPhone for your needs depends on how much you value specific aspects like cameras, battery life, displays, and future-proofed connectivity.
For buyers wanting the latest technology – better cameras, speedier performance, 5G connectivity and long battery life – I believe spending extra on the iPhone 13 Pro makes sense. Power users will also appreciate the extra processing capabilities for multitasking and gaming. And the 120Hz ProMotion display elevates the entire usage experience.
But the iPhone 11 Pro remains an outstanding device today for the price. It breezes through apps, takes fantastic photos backed by triple cameras, and supports iOS 16 software with years of updates ahead. If your budget is tight or you simply want to save money on quality hardware, the 11 Pro gets you 80% of the 13 Pro‘s daily experience at half the price.
Hopefully this detailed comparison gives you the information needed to reason through which "Pro" iPhone best aligns with your needs and budget today. Both deliver excellent performance and some of the best smartphone cameras ever made. The iPhone 13 Pro pushes the boundaries further, but its predecessor still holds up remarkably well two years later for thrifty upgraders. Let me know if any other questions come up!
