iPhone 11 Pro • Unlocked vs iPhone 7 • Unlocked

iPhone 11 Pro • Unlocked
iPhone 11 Pro • Unlocked
Starting at

Refurbished price:$207.00

Versus $749.00 new

See options
iPhone 7 • Unlocked
iPhone 7 • Unlocked
Starting at

Refurbished price:$67.00

Versus $179.00 new

See options

Ratings

The iPhone 11 Pro (released in September 2019) and the iPhone 7 (released in September 2016) represent different generations of Apple's smartphone lineup. While both devices operate on the iOS ecosystem, the iPhone 11 Pro introduces significant advancements in display technology, camera capabilities, and overall processing power compared to its predecessor. These differences cater to varying user needs and expectations from a smartphone.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of these devices, their respective release dates play a crucial role in their expected software support and physical resilience.

  • Software Updates: The iPhone 11 Pro, being released in 2019, benefits from a longer period of major iOS updates compared to the iPhone 7, which was released in 2016. The iPhone 7 received major iOS updates up to iOS 15, with security updates extending further, while the iPhone 11 Pro is expected to support newer iOS versions for several more years.
  • Physical Durability: The iPhone 11 Pro features an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, allowing submersion up to 4 meters for 30 minutes, a notable improvement over the iPhone 7's IP67 rating (1 meter for 30 minutes). Both models feature durable glass and aluminum or stainless steel constructions, but the newer design of the 11 Pro offers enhanced protection.
  • Practical Lifespan: Users can expect the iPhone 11 Pro to offer a longer practical lifespan due to its more recent hardware and extended software support, ensuring compatibility with new applications and security features for a greater duration.

Release Year

2019

2016

Last OS Compatibility

Yes

No

OS

iOS

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is central to the user experience, influencing everything from app responsiveness to multitasking efficiency.

  • Processing Power: The iPhone 11 Pro features a significantly more advanced internal processor compared to the iPhone 7. This translates to noticeably faster app loading times, smoother transitions between applications, and more capable handling of demanding tasks like advanced mobile gaming or video editing.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: With its more capable processor and increased RAM, the iPhone 11 Pro offers a more fluid multitasking experience, allowing users to switch between numerous open applications without slowdowns. The iPhone 7, while still functional for everyday tasks, may exhibit more hesitation with multiple active applications.
  • Storage Options: Both devices were available with various internal storage capacities. The iPhone 11 Pro offered options up to 512GB, providing ample space for extensive photo and video libraries, applications, and media. The iPhone 7 had a maximum storage option of 256GB.

Memory

4 GB

2 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for any smartphone, and there are distinct differences in the visual experience offered by these two models.

  • Display Technology: The iPhone 11 Pro features a Super Retina XDR OLED display, which delivers deep blacks, high contrast ratios (2,000,000:1), and vibrant colors. In contrast, the iPhone 7 utilizes a Retina HD LCD display with IPS technology, offering good color reproduction but with less contrast and true black levels compared to OLED.
  • Resolution and Clarity: The iPhone 11 Pro boasts a higher resolution of 2436 by 1125 pixels at 458 pixels per inch (ppi) on its 5.8-inch screen, resulting in sharper text and more detailed images. The iPhone 7 has a 4.7-inch display with a resolution of 1334 by 750 pixels at 326 ppi.
  • Brightness and Viewing Experience: The iPhone 11 Pro's display can reach a typical maximum brightness of 800 nits and a peak of 1200 nits for HDR content, making it highly visible in bright outdoor conditions and excellent for HDR media. The iPhone 7 offers a typical maximum brightness of 625 nits, which is still good for an LCD, but less bright than the 11 Pro, especially in direct sunlight.

Resolution

1125 x 2436

750 x 1334

Screen type

Super Retina XDR OLED

Retina IPS LCD

Audiovisual

Camera capabilities are a significant differentiator, with the iPhone 11 Pro introducing a more versatile and advanced system.

  • Rear Camera System: The iPhone 11 Pro features a triple 12MP camera system, including Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto lenses, offering 2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out, and up to 10x digital zoom. It also introduced Night mode for improved low-light photography and Deep Fusion for enhanced detail. The iPhone 7 has a single 12MP wide-angle camera with optical image stabilization and an f/1.8 aperture. The iPhone 7 Plus model introduced a second telephoto lens for 2x optical zoom.
  • Photography Features: The iPhone 11 Pro's advanced image processing and multiple lenses allow for more sophisticated Portrait mode effects with depth control, and its Night mode significantly enhances photos taken in challenging low-light environments. The iPhone 7's camera performs well in good lighting conditions, with users praising its reliability for everyday photos.
  • Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices support 4K video recording, but the iPhone 11 Pro offers more frame rate options and enhanced video stabilization. The front-facing camera on the iPhone 11 Pro is a 12MP TrueDepth camera capable of 4K video and advanced Portrait mode selfies, while the iPhone 7 has a 7MP FaceTime HD camera that records 1080p video.

Main camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

7 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several other features contribute to the overall user experience and daily practicality.

  • Biometric Security and Design: The iPhone 11 Pro utilizes Face ID for secure facial recognition, enabling convenient unlocking and authentication. The iPhone 7 relies on Touch ID, an integrated fingerprint sensor in its capacitive Home button. The 11 Pro features a more modern, all-screen design with a notch, while the iPhone 7 retains the classic iPhone design with bezels and a physical-feeling Home button.
  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices use the Lightning port for charging and data transfer. Neither device includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. The iPhone 11 Pro supports newer Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.0 standards, offering potentially faster and more stable wireless connections compared to the iPhone 7's Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.2.
  • Dimensions and Weight: The iPhone 11 Pro is slightly larger and heavier at 144 x 71.4 x 8.1 mm and 188 grams, featuring a 5.8-inch display. The iPhone 7 is more compact and lighter at 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm and 138 grams, with a 4.7-inch display.

Weight

7 oz

5 oz

Screen size (inches)

5.8

4.7

Network

LTE

LTE

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

Lightning

Lightning

User sentiment for the iPhone 7 often highlights its reliable performance for its time, a capable camera for everyday use, and its compact form factor. Common criticisms included its battery life for heavy users and the removal of the headphone jack. The iPhone 11 Pro, on the other hand, received praise for its significantly improved camera system, particularly the addition of the Ultra Wide lens and Night mode, its vibrant OLED display, and robust performance. Users appreciated the extended battery life compared to previous Pro models. Some minor criticisms focused on its weight and the continued use of the Lightning port rather than USB-C.

Users prioritizing a more modern design, a superior camera system with advanced features like Night mode and optical zoom, and a vibrant OLED display for media consumption will find the iPhone 11 Pro better suited to their needs. Its enhanced processing power also makes it a stronger choice for demanding applications and long-term performance. Conversely, individuals seeking a more compact and lighter device for essential smartphone functions, who may not require the latest camera technology or the most intensive processing power, might consider the iPhone 7. Both devices offer access to the extensive iOS app ecosystem.

For those looking to make a sustainable choice, considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can provide an eco-friendly alternative to purchasing new.

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