iPhone 11: A camera to get snap happy with

The iPhone 11’s dual cameras are a wide and ultra-wide pair, both 12 megapixels. As you frame your shot the wide camera image sits in the middle of the screen, but what the ultra-wide sees is shown around the edges so you can switch if it’s a better shot.

The iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max have a telephoto lens and an advanced system called Deep Fusion for even better shots, coming in the autumn. All have advanced portrait features where subjects are in pin-sharp focus and the background blurred. There’s a night mode which switches on automatically. It takes multiple images and melds them together for the best shot. 

iPhone 11: Marginal gains

There are other advances, though these feel more incremental. The Face ID recognition now works at wider angles. A new Dark Mode pervades the operating software so you can opt for a subtler display. This and Face ID are also coming to current iPhones and compatible with the latest software.

As before, these phones are capable of wireless charging, a convenient extra, but not as fast as wired charge. A faster charger is included in the box with the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max. These chargers are currently on sale separately for £29 but have never been included with an iPhone before.

The new A13 Bionic chip that powers all three new iPhones is significantly more powerful than the A12 Bionic in last year’s models, meaning everything is faster, so apps open instantly, for instance. 

iPhone 11: A battery that can go the distance

The iPhone 11 succeeds the iPhone XR, which already had the best iPhone battery life. This is now increased by an hour. Apple said the iPhone XR had 25 hours of pure talk time so now it will be 26 hours.

It’s a bigger leap forward for the Pro models: an extra four hours a day on the 11 Pro, compared to the iPhone XS and five hours more on the iPhone 11 Pro Max.

iPhone 11 review: The verdict

The fast processor, improved battery and smooth operating system mean the iPhone 11 range eases Apple into pole position again. The cameras are easy to use and good for portraits and low-light shots. Improved battery life is a terrific addition.

Should you upgrade? If you’re coming from an iPhone X or iPhone 8, say, then it’s a no-brainer. And the camera is outstanding.