Apple iPhone 11 Black 64GB

The iPhone 11 is a fantastic value buy that still feels premium and takes great photos. Its A13 chip keeps things running smoothly, but the battery life is its biggest weakness. If you can find a good refurbished deal, it's an easy recommendation for anyone on a budget.

The A13 Bionic chip with 4GB of RAM keeps iOS feeling fluid for everyday tasks. Apps open fast, scrolling is smooth, and it handles casual gaming without breaking a sweat. In our database, raw performance sits around the middle of the pack compared to newer flagships, which is honestly impressive for a phone this age. The real weak spot is battery life, landing in the bottom third of all phones we've tested. The 3110mAh cell will get you through a light day, but you'll be hunting for a charger by evening if you push it hard.

Stacked against a Google Pixel 7, the iPhone 11 holds its own in build quality but falls behind in camera smarts and that gorgeous 90Hz OLED display. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus is in a different league with its display and zoom camera, but it'll cost you significantly more. On the budget side, a Motorola Moto G Power 2024 will crush the iPhone 11 in battery life but feels cheaper and has a much weaker camera. The iPhone 11 sits in a sweet spot where its camera and performance outshine most budget Androids, even if its screen and battery show their age.

Pricing is all over the place, ranging from $60 to $280 across vendors. At the low end, especially from a reputable refurbished seller like Newegg, this phone is an absolute steal. You're getting a premium build, a still-capable camera, and years of iOS support for less than the price of a nice dinner out. At the higher end near $280, you start creeping into used iPhone 12 territory, which gets you an OLED screen and 5G. Hunt for the deal.

The iPhone 11 is the used-car gem of the smartphone world right now. It's not the newest or the flashiest, but it nails the fundamentals so well that most people won't feel like they're missing out. You get a snappy A13 Bionic chip, a dual-camera system that still takes genuinely pleasing photos, and that classic iPhone build quality that just feels solid in your hand.

And look, the display is an LCD, not the OLED you'll find on newer Pro models. But at 625 nits, it gets bright enough for sunny days, and the 6.1-inch size hits a sweet spot for most hands. If you just need a reliable phone for calls, apps, and taking great shots of your dog, this thing still absolutely delivers.

Skip this if battery life is your top priority. The 3110mAh cell is a weak spot, and heavy users will be reaching for a charger by late afternoon. Also, if you consume a lot of HDR content or just love a deep, inky screen, the LCD panel here will feel like a step down from any modern OLED phone.

This is the phone for someone who wants a dependable iPhone experience without the four-figure price tag. It's perfect for a parent, a kid's first phone, or anyone who just refuses to pay a grand for a slab of glass. The camera is still a joy to use, and the performance will keep you happy for a couple more years. Just keep a charger handy and don't expect to be blown away by the screen.