September is upon us and Apple has introduced the world to a crop of new iPhones. Three iPhones to be precise:
- the 6.1-inch iPhone 11
- the 5.8-inch iPhone 11 Pro, and
- the 6.5-inch iPhone 11 Pro Max.
Yes, Apple really called one of them "Pro Max".
In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about the iPhone 11.
Explore the iPhone 11 Range
Ready to look at plans? Start by choosing your preferred
iPhone model and storage size from the options below.
The iPhone 11 is Apple's more affordable flagship with a 6.1-inch screen.
While the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max are the precessors to last year's iPhone XS and XS Max, the iPhone 11 succeeds last year's iPhone XR. It's the most colourful and most affordable of the three devices. In fact, the iPhone 11 will save you a cool $550 over the iPhone 11 Pro, with prices starting at $1,199 for the 64GB model, compared to $1,749 for the 64GB iPhone 11 Pro. Gee willikers.
Impressively, it shares most of the same features of its shinier, pricier siblings. You get the same A13 processor, the same primary camera lens, the same ultra-wide angle lens, night mode, the same 12MP selfie camera, and a very similar design.
So what does all that mean in real terms?
The primary wide-angle lens on the iPhone 11 is joined by a 120-degree ultra-wide lens. This has a 0.5x zoom factor when compared to the primary lens, letting you zoom out rather than zoom in.
But the really big draw for shutterbugs this year is 'night mode'. In dark environments, night mode can be used to take multiple images over a longer period of time to stitch them together into a brighter photo.
Rival devices like the Huawei P30 Pro and the Google Pixel 3 have used processes like these to produce bright and detailed shots in almost total darkness. Users of the iPhone 11 should be able to expect similar results.
Under the hood, the iPhone 11 is identical to the iPhone 11 Pro, with the same A13 Bionic processor, which Apple claims is the fastest processor found in a smartphone today.
On top of all that, the improvements to the A13 processor also suggest that the iPhone 11 should have a killer battery life - Apple says you'll get an hour more per charge compared to the iPhone XR, which was previously the iPhone with the longest charge cycles. An hour may not sound like a huge leap forward, and it's not, but when it comes to battery life we'll take all we can get.
Of course, the two phones can't be completely identical and there are a few key things you'll miss out on by choosing the 11 over the 11 Pro. Its 6.1-inch display is LED rather than a premium OLED screen (and runs at a lower resolution), the build is aluminium rather than stainless steel, water-resistance is rated for two metres rather than four metres (although still IP68), and you're missing out on the 2x zoom lens. We're not sure if the iPhone 11 will feature the iPhone 11 Pro's Deep Fusion mode, which takes nine images and assembles them with added detail and lower noise.
The iPhone 11 will also have only one lens on the front rather than two. Despite this, however, the iPhone 11 will still be able to shoot in portrait mode, thanks to some software tricks. And this time around, portrait mode will also work on animals and inanimate objects, rather than just people.
iPhone 11 price in Australia
Last year's iPhone XR was the "premium economy" iPhone, coming in at $1,229 (64GB), compared with the iPhone XS's $1,629 (64GB). This year's iPhone 11 is the same. In fact, even more so.
If you're looking at 64GB or 256GB of storage, the iPhone 11 saves you $550 over the iPhone 11 Pro. If you're looking at 128GB of storage, there's no comparable iPhone 11 Pro. You'd have to opt for the 256GB model, which costs $720 more. Good grief.
Here's how iPhone 11 outright pricing compares:
- iPhone 11 (64GB): $1,199
- iPhone 11 (128GB): $1,279
- iPhone 11 (256GB): $1,449
- iPhone 11 Pro (64GB): $1,749
- iPhone 11 Pro (256GB): $1,999
- iPhone 11 Pro (512GB): $2,349
- iPhone 11 Pro Max (64GB): $1,899
- iPhone 11 Pro Max (256GB): $2,149
- iPhone 11 Pro Max (512GB): $2,499
At this stage, there's not much variance in iPhone 11 prices at all. Here's a look at how much the 64GB iPhone 11 is going for across Australia's most popular retailers.
iPhone 11 64GB prices
| Retailer | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|
Apple Store
|
$1,199 Free Delivery
|
Go |
JB Hi-Fi
|
$1,199 Plus Delivery
|
Go |
Harvey Norman
|
$1,199 Plus Delivery
|
Go |
Officeworks
|
$1,197 Free Delivery
|
Go |
The Good Guys
|
$1,199 Plus Delivery
|
Go |
The above table compares outright prices from major Australian retailers and a selection of Australia-based online stores who range this device.
Prices accurate as of September 13, 2019.
iPhone 11 specifications
| iPhone 11 | iPhone 11 Pro | iPhone 11 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch LED | 5.8-inch OLED | 6.5-inch OLED |
| Resolution | Retina | Super Retina | Super Retina |
| Material | Aluminium | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Rear-Facing Camera | 12MP + 12MP | 12MP + 12MP + 12 MP | 12MP + 12MP + 12MP |
| Processor | A13 | A13 | A13 |
| Storage | 64GB - 256GB | 64GB - 512GB | 64GB - 512GB |
| Water-Resistance | Up to 2 metre depth | Up to 4 metre depth | Up to 4 metre depth |
| Price | From $1,199 | From $1,749 | From $1,899 |
iPhone 11 Colours
This year's iPhone 11 is the most colourful of the three new iPhones, with a choice of six colours: white, black, red, yellow, green, and purple. The new additions of green and purple replace the blue and coral colours we saw on the iPhone XR.
Choosing an iPhone plan
With the WhistleOut search tool, you'll be able to compare iPhone 11 plan pricing and inclusions across every provider. But there's a lot more to iPhone plans than just cost and data. Here's a break-down of the major benefits you can expect each provider to offer.
Telstra iPhone plans are often the priciest on the Australian market, but they do come with a host of perks. These include:
- Access to Telstra's super-fast 4GX network
- Data-free access to Apple Music
- Free access to AFL, AFLW, NRL, Netball and Football live apps
- Free access to Telstra Air Wi-Fi hotspots across Australia
- Free access to Fon public Wi-Fi hotspots overseas
- Access to the Telstra Plus perks and rewards program
Thanks to a recent plan refresh Telstra's iPhone plans are also now some of the most flexible around. All plans are no-contract on the basis that you can leave at any time, you'll just need to pay out the remaining value of your phone. You also have the option to step up or down in plan inclusions up to one time per month, which is great if you have variable usage.
Telstra also offers the option to pay off your iPhone over 24 or 36 months. And all plans come with zero excess data charges. If you go over your cap, your data will simply be slowed to speeds of 1.5Mbps, which is still fast enough to stream video in HD. But speeds may be slower during peak times.
Compare Telstra iPhone plans
Optus iPhone plans come with big data inclusions and entertainment extras. Most Optus iPhone plans come with:
- 6-12 month free subscription to Apple Music
- Free access to Optus Sport
- Discounted movie tickets for Hoyts cinemas through the Optus Perks program
All Optus plans are contract-free, devices can be paid off across 12, 24, or 36 months, and you can customise inclusions like roaming and international calls on a month-to-month basis.
Higher-end Optus iPhone plans also come with unlimited international calls to selected destinations included with the plan, as well as a monthly allocation of roaming data for use overseas.
Optus has built a strong reputation in Australia for unbeatable iPhone deals. If you shop at the right time, you can snap yourself up a bargain.
Compare Optus iPhone plans
Vodafone iPhone plans may not come with the kinds of freebies and perks you can get from Optus or Telstra, but they do offer a lot of flexibility. Like Telstra plans, Vodafone plans are contract-free on the basis that you can leave at any time without penalty. You'll just need to pay out the remaining value of your handset.
You can also step up or down in plan inclusions up to once per month, and ease the burden of the iPhone 11 price tag with the option to pay it off over 12, 24 or 36 months.You'll pay the same overall for your iPhone no matter which option you pick.
You'll also get access to Vodafone's famous $5 roaming, which is still easily the best way to travel with your Australian phone number.
Compare Vodafone iPhone plansRead more about iPhone
Didn't find what you were looking for? At WhistleOut we know just about everything there is to know about iPhones and we've pooled our knowledge in an extensive list of guides. Check them out.
Editor's pick: Best iPhone plan
We get it. Choosing an iPhone plan is a lot harder than it should be. There are so many options to consider, and they all come with their individual perks and drawbacks. Let us help you out with our quick pick, chosen by our expert team.
iPhones from every Aussie carrier
If you already have a favourite Australian network and you just want to compare plans from a single provider, we've got you covered.
Compare iPhone plans from the major telcos:
Best iPhone for battery
Everyone wants longer lasting smartphones; after all, there's nothing more disappointing than your device letting you down when you need it most. If you're still trying to decide which iPhone you want, this could be the deciding factor.
iPhone price guide
Thinking about buying your iPhone outright? It's not a bad idea. We've crunched the numbers, and you can save up to $1,000 this way, depending on which plan and which device you were looking at.
Of course, you'll need to have the ready cash to pay upfront. Choosing an older device can make that easier. Compare outright prices on these iPhone models now:
Setting up a new iPhone
Switching from an old iPhone to a new iPhone is a simple task thanks to Apple's iCloud software. In fact, most of the data you will want to transfer to your new handset is probably already backed up in the cloud. We've put a guide to getting the most out of iCloud.
Switching from iPhone to Android
Just because you've been using an Android phone doesn't mean you can't switch to an iPhone. You just need to know how to transfer contacts to your iPhone. We've got all the information you need in this handy guide.
Awesome iPhone cases
The new iPhones are expensive and you definitely want to protect your new investment against accidents. Fortunately, there are plenty of cases around to serve your needs, from the slim and minimal to the pretty and glitter-covered.
Do you need AppleCare+?
If you're about to drop $1,000+ on a new iPhone, you might be thinking about how to protect your shiny new device. AppleCare+ is Apple's extended warranty and support program. But is it worth the sign-up fee?
Alex Choros
Related Articles
