Battery life is the last big reason to upgrade to the Pro

by Phonevine Admin December 12, 2019

Battery life is the last big reason to upgrade to the Pro if you have an older iPhone. To date, the iPhone XR has been the gold standard of long-lasting iPhones, getting almost two days of juice, and the iPhone 11 Pros are almost at that level. Apple claims that both iPhone 11 Pros get four and five hours better than their predecessors, the iPhone XS and the iPhone XS Max, and it’s actually pretty noticeable. The secret to the improved battery life is, yes, the A13 Bionic chip helps with energy efficiency, but Apple also put a slightly larger battery in its newer phones. This is a pretty significant thing, as it also means that the new iPhones are ever-so-slightly heavier and thicker – Apple is sacrificing design for usability, which is actually a breath of fresh air.

There are a quick few things to add to round out the “good” features. Apple says the Face ID is 30-percent faster on the new iPhones and even better at recognizing your face when resting flat on a table; however, in the week I’ve had the phones I’ve actually had a difficult time telling the difference – it’s still fast. Apple also improved AirDrop on the new iPhones, allowing you to point your iPhone at other new iPhones and AirDrop files to whomever you’re pointing at (although the iPhones must have Apple’s new U1 chip and iOS 13). And, finally, Apple is including an 18-watt USB-C wall adapter and a USB-C to Lightning cable in the box, which makes the iPhone 11 Pro feel a little bit more “Pro.”

Watch Out For: Apple sparked a lot of debate after its newest iPhone announcements regarding what it actually means to be a “Pro”: do the new iPhone 11 Pro’s really justify their “Pro” moniker? A lot of people were hoping for iPhones with features like faster refresh rates or maybe a USB-C charging port – basically what Apple did with its “Pro” iPads – and they didn’t get it. So, in some respects, their frustrations are justified. Then again, it makes more sense if you see Apple’s use of “Pro” as simply meaning then they’re upgraded and more pro-grade models of the affordable iPhone 11.

The big thing to watch out for is the price. Both iPhone 11 Pro models are several hundred dollars more expensive than the iPhone and have similar photo- and video-shooting capabilities as the iPhone 11. If you’re not going to take advantage of the telephoto lens and the Super Retina XDR display, and you don’t care about having a smaller or big-screen smartphone, the iPhone 11 simply makes more sense for you to purchase.

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Alternatives: The cheaper iPhone 11 is the best and most obvious alternative to either iPhone 11 Pro, as it has the exact same front-facing camera system and almost the same rear-facing camera system. There’s no option to buy the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max from Apple, although you could go through Amazon or other third-party sellers and probably get a decent deal.

For those that don’t care about sending green bubbles, Samsung’s Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note10, as well as the upcoming Google’s Pixel 4, which will be officially announced in October, are all really good smartphones.

Verdict: Apple flipped the switch with this year’s iPhones because its most premium offerings are no longer what most people should buy – that title now belongs to the iPhone 11. Don’t get me wrong: The Pro models are undoubtedly better iPhones, with better specs, a significantly superior display and an extra camera lens. If one or all of those things matter to you, or you want a smaller or larger smartphone than the 6.1-inch iPhone 11, then the iPhone 11 Pro is undoubtedly what you should go with. The fact is, however, because the iPhone 11 is so good, the “Pro” models are a harder sell than ever before.

Who’s It For: Even at the big iPhone event earlier this month, I heard numerous Apple reps say that the iPhone 11 Pro was for two types of people: those who were going to use the upgraded cameras professionally, like photographers or videographers (or even mobile gamers), and then people who simply wanted “next best iPhone.” And they were spot on. These are designed for people who want the iPhone with all the best specs and high-end features. The only thing I would add is about the size. Some people want a smaller or larger iPhone than the iPhone 11, and that’s exactly what the iPhone Pro’s offer: options.