Used iPhone 11: Is It Still Worth Buying Pre-Owned?

The iPhone 11 launched in September 2019 at $699, and today third-party listings ask a fraction of that. Finding a low price is the easy part. Knowing whether a seven-year-old phone still fits your day, and what you give up by not spending a little more, takes a few numbers.

A used iPhone 11 is still worth buying in 2026 if two things line up: the price sits clearly below an iPhone 12 or 13, and the battery shows a Maximum Capacity of 80% or higher. Apple lists the iPhone 11 as compatible with iOS 27, so it runs Apple's current software. Skip it if you want 5G, an OLED screen or Apple Intelligence, because it has none of the three.

What You Get: iPhone 11 Features That Still Hold Up

The iPhone 11's hardware still covers the everyday basics: a fast-enough chip, two rear cameras and water resistance. Here is what Apple lists on its iPhone 11 technical specifications page (checked Oct 23, 2026; these are Apple's figures, not hands-on testing by Plug):

• A13 Bionic Chip: a 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU and 8-core Neural Engine. This means newer phones are faster, but the A13 Bionic chip is recent enough that Apple still lists the phone for iOS 27.
• 6.1-Inch Display: an LCD screen at 1792 by 828 pixels and 326 ppi. This means text and video look sharp at arm's length, on a screen the same size as many later models.
• Dual 12MP Cameras: a Wide camera (f/1.8) and an Ultra Wide camera (f/2.4), plus a 12MP front camera. This means you can step back to a wider shot for group photos and rooms without moving.
• IP68 Water Resistance: rated for up to 2 meters for up to 30 minutes. Apple's rating describes the phone as it left the factory, so treat it as protection from a spill, not permission for a swim.
• Battery Rating: up to 17 hours of video playback, or up to 10 hours streamed. Those numbers are for a new battery; on a pre-owned phone, battery health decides how close you get.
• Storage and Charging: 64GB, 128GB or 256GB, a Lightning connector, and Qi wireless charging.

Software Updates: How Long Will an iPhone 11 Last?

For now, the iPhone 11 is fully supported: Apple's compatibility page for iOS 27 lists it alongside the iPhone 12 through 17. Since its 2019 launch, it has stayed on Apple's list all the way through iOS 27.

Nobody can tell you exactly when the iPhone 11 will drop off the list, so treat any date you see online as a guess. Plan around what you can see today: the phone is on the current list, and newer models such as the iPhone 12 and 13 are a fair bet to stay on it longer, though that's a guess too.

If you're buying a phone to keep for four or five more years, that uncertainty is the strongest case for stretching. If you want a solid phone for the next year or two, the iPhone 11's place on the iOS 27 list covers you.

Where the iPhone 11 Falls Short

The iPhone 11 gives up a handful of things newer iPhones have, and whether any of them matter depends on how you use your phone. Apple's own pages confirm the first three:

• 4G LTE Only: Apple's spec page lists Gigabit-class LTE and no 5G.
• No Apple Intelligence: Apple's list of eligible iPhones doesn't include the iPhone 11.
• Lightning, Not USB-C: it charges over a Lightning cable, which is worth knowing if the rest of your gear uses a different plug.

The rest comes from owner and tech-site reviews, so read it as opinion rather than measurement:

• The LCD Screen: reviewers often compare it unfavorably with the OLED screens on later models, especially for contrast.
• 64GB Fills Up: owners who shoot a lot of photos and video report running out of room on the smallest storage size.
• Low Light and Zoom: the cameras trail newer iPhones at night and when you zoom in.

None of these rule the iPhone 11 out on their own. If one of them is a dealbreaker for you, the stretch section below shows what a newer model adds.

Battery Health: The Number That Matters Most

On any pre-owned iPhone 11, battery health is the first thing to check, and 80% Maximum Capacity is the line to hold. Think of it like a gas tank that has quietly shrunk: the gauge still reads full, but a full tank takes you less far than it used to.

Apple's battery page puts a number on it: iPhone 14 and earlier batteries, this one included, are "designed to retain 80 percent of their original capacity at 500 complete charge cycles under ideal conditions." A phone this age has likely been through plenty of charge cycles, so the number on the screen tells you more than the phone's looks do.

Here is how to find it:

1. Open Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging.
2. Read the Maximum Capacity percentage.
3. If it's 80% or higher, the battery is within the range Apple designs for. If it's lower, expect shorter days between charges.

Every Plug Certified iPhone 11 has battery health of 80% or higher, so the 80% threshold is already checked before the phone ships.

What a Used iPhone 11 Costs Now

In late October 2026, unlocked iPhone 11 listings from third-party sellers mostly asked between about $120 and $300, depending on storage, condition and seller. Here is how that broke down by storage size (third-party listings, checked October 2026):

Storage	Typical asking price
64GB	about $120 to $230
128GB	about $150 to $260
256GB	about $170 to $300

These are asking prices before tax and shipping, not what phones actually sold for, and they move from week to week. To see what a Plug Certified iPhone 11 costs today, check Plug's iPhone 11 collection; Plug's prices are based on live market data and change often too.

A good price is one toward the lower half of those ranges for the storage you want, with a battery at 80% or better. If the price you're quoted creeps toward the top of a range, put it next to an iPhone 12 or 13 before you buy. If you're wondering whether to wait for a deal, it helps to know whether iPhones go on sale after Christmas. If your budget is tighter still, our guide to cheap iPhones under $100 covers what you give up at that price.

On storage, our advice: 64GB works if you mostly message, browse and stream, but it can feel tight if you keep a lot of photos and video on the phone. For most people, 128GB is the comfortable middle, and the price step up from 64GB is usually small in the ranges above.

Private Seller vs. Plug Certified

A used iPhone 11 from a private seller comes as-is, so every check is on you. A Plug Certified iPhone 11 has already been tested and comes with Plug's 12-Month Warranty.

Before you hand money to a private seller, run these checks:

• Carrier Lock: go to Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock. It should say "No SIM restrictions," or the phone may only work with one carrier.
• Activation Lock: have the seller sign out of their Apple Account and erase the phone. When you set it up, it shouldn't ask for the previous owner's Apple Account.
• Stolen Phone Check: in the US, run the phone's IMEI through CTIA's Stolen Phone Checker.
• Battery Health: check Maximum Capacity using the steps in the battery section above.
• Repairs: ask the person who'll sell it to you whether the screen or battery has ever been replaced, and by whom.

A Plug Certified iPhone 11 has been through all of that before it reaches you. Every phone goes through Plug's 90+ Point Inspection, arrives unlocked to work with any carrier, and has battery health of 80% or higher. Grades (Good, Great and Excellent) are about looks alone. Whichever grade you pick, the phone has passed the same tests and gets the same 12-Month Plug Warranty, which covers hardware and software faults under normal use, though not accidental damage.

Plug Certified phones also come with 30-day returns and free shipping on US orders, at up to 70% off retail. When Wirecutter, The New York Times' product-review site, looked for the best place to buy used iPhones, it named Plug the "Best Experience." Every device carries our name and our warranty. That's our promise.

When to Stretch to an iPhone 12 or 13

If an iPhone 12 or 13 costs only a little more than the iPhone 11 you're looking at, take the newer phone. If the iPhone 11 is clearly cheaper and you don't need what the newer ones add, the iPhone 11 is the better buy.

Here is what the extra money gets you:

	iPhone 11	iPhone 12	iPhone 13
5G	No (4G LTE)	Yes	Yes
Display	6.1-inch LCD	6.1-inch OLED	6.1-inch OLED
MagSafe	No	Yes	Yes
On Apple's iOS 27 list	Yes	Yes	Yes

All three run iOS 27, so you aren't buying current software with the extra money. You're buying 5G, a better screen, MagSafe accessories and, as a fair bet rather than a promise, a longer stay on Apple's update list. If you'd rather hold out for a sale, see what to expect from iPhone 13 Black Friday pricing.

The fastest way to decide is to open Plug's iPhone 11 collection next to the iPhone 12 series and the iPhone 13 series, or browse all iPhones, and look at the gap on the day you buy. If you mostly call, text, browse and take photos in daylight, and the iPhone 11 saves you a meaningful amount, it's the phone to get.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use an iPhone 11 after 2026?

Yes. A phone doesn't stop working the day it leaves Apple's update list. What usually fades first is app support, as app makers raise the minimum iOS version they require, and banking apps may be among the first to do so. Until then, it makes sense to keep the phone on the newest version Apple offers.

Is the iPhone 11 5G or 4G?

No. It's a 4G phone. Everyday browsing, maps and streaming work fine on LTE, and at home its Wi-Fi 6 support carries the heavy lifting. If your area or plan leans on 5G speeds, an iPhone 12 or later is the step up.

Does the iPhone 11 support Apple Intelligence?

No. Apple's eligibility list starts at the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, then iPhone 16 models and later. The iPhone 12 and 13 aren't on it either, so stretching one or two generations won't get you Apple Intelligence. If those features are the reason you're shopping, you'll need a 15 Pro or newer.

What battery health should a used iPhone 11 have?

Below 80% isn't automatically a dealbreaker if the price reflects it. Apple offers battery service when an aged battery affects performance, so check Apple's battery service page for a current estimate. Take that cost off what you'd pay for the phone, so a cheap price with a tired battery still comes out ahead.