iPhone X vs iPhone 11
Updated March 21, 2026 · Full spec comparison
iPhone X
2
categories won
iPhone 11
9
categories won
Quick Verdict
The iPhone X was revolutionary when it launched in 2017 — Face ID, full-screen OLED, stainless steel design, and dual cameras all debuted here. But the iPhone 11, released two years later at $300 less, improved nearly everything except one: display panel quality. The X's OLED at 458 PPI beats the 11's LCD at 326 PPI for color accuracy and contrast. Everything else tips to the 11: the A13 Bionic chip is significantly faster than the A11, battery jumps from 13 to 17 hours of video playback, the 11 adds an ultrawide camera and Night Mode that the X lacks entirely, and the 11 is $300 cheaper. For anyone choosing between these two phones on the used market today, the iPhone 11 is the practical choice unless the superior OLED display is genuinely non-negotiable.
Size Comparison
Rendered to scale at 1.3px per mm. The iPhone 11 is 7.3mm taller and 4.8mm wider despite housing a larger LCD (vs the X's OLED).
Specs Comparison
| Spec | iPhone X | iPhone 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | A11 Bionic | A13 Bionic |
| Main Camera | 12MP + 2x tele, no UW | 12MP + ultrawide |
| Connector | Lightning | Lightning |
| Display | 5.8" OLED 458 PPI | 6.1" LCD 326 PPI |
| Battery Life | 13 hrs video | 17 hrs video |
Category Breakdown
Display
This is the one category where the iPhone X holds an advantage over the newer iPhone 11. The X uses an OLED (Super Retina HD) panel at 2436×1125 resolution and 458 PPI — delivering true blacks, an infinite contrast ratio, and pixel-dense imagery. The iPhone 11 uses an LCD (Liquid Retina HD) panel at 1792×828 and only 326 PPI — visibly lower resolution per inch, no true blacks, and a lower contrast ratio. However, the 11's display is physically larger at 6.1 inches versus 5.8 inches, and both panels share the same 625-nit typical brightness. Anyone who values display quality would prefer the X's OLED; for media consumption and outdoor readability, the larger screen of the 11 has its own appeal.
Performance
The iPhone 11's A13 Bionic chip is a significant generational leap over the iPhone X's A11 Bionic. The A13 delivers approximately 20% faster CPU performance and 40% faster GPU performance — the gap is especially noticeable in games, augmented reality, machine learning tasks, and photo processing. The A11 in the iPhone X was a breakthrough when it launched in 2017, but by 2019 the A13 set a new benchmark for mobile silicon. As iOS continues to evolve, A13-powered devices will receive updates and optimization for longer than the A11.
Camera
The two phones take different approaches to dual cameras. The iPhone X pairs a 12MP main sensor with a 12MP 2x optical telephoto — good for portraits and zoomed shots, but no wide-angle option. The iPhone 11 drops the telephoto entirely and instead pairs the 12MP main (with a faster f/1.8 aperture) with a 12MP ultrawide at 120-degree field of view. The ultrawide is a more useful addition for landscapes and architecture. The iPhone 11 also introduced Night Mode — computational photography that produces dramatically brighter low-light images than the X's hardware could achieve. The front camera also improved from 7MP on the X to 12MP on the 11, a significant upgrade for selfies and video calls.
Battery
Battery life is one of the starkest differences between these phones. Apple rates the iPhone X at 13 hours of video playback and the iPhone 11 at 17 hours — a 31% improvement. In real-world use this translates to the X being a one-day phone for moderate users, while the 11 handles a full day with room to spare. Both phones support 18W fast charging and Qi wireless charging — neither has MagSafe, which arrived with the iPhone 12 in 2020. Given both phones are 6-8 years old, battery health in any specific used unit matters more than the spec-sheet numbers.
Design & Build
The iPhone X uses a stainless steel frame — premium and polished, though it shows fingerprints. The iPhone 11 uses an aluminum frame, which is lighter and more scratch-resistant in matte finishes. The X is more compact: 143.6×70.9×7.7mm and 174g versus the 11's 150.9×75.7×8.3mm and 194g. The X's IP67 rating is slightly below the 11's IP68, meaning the 11 can handle deeper water submersion. Both phones have the same classic notch; neither has Dynamic Island. The X came only in Space Gray and Silver; the 11 launched in six colors including Black, Green, Yellow, Purple, (PRODUCT)RED, and White.
Value
The iPhone X launched at $999 in 2017 — Apple's first $1000 iPhone — while the iPhone 11 launched at $699 in 2019, $300 less despite being a newer and in most ways better device. On today's second-hand market, both phones sell for well under $200, with the X typically cheaper due to its age and older A11 chip. Unless you specifically want the X's OLED display quality, the iPhone 11 is the more practical second-hand purchase: better chip, better camera flexibility, longer battery life, and a longer remaining iOS support window.
Who Should Buy Which
Choose the iPhone X if:
- •Display quality is the most important factor and OLED's true blacks and 458 PPI sharpness are worth the tradeoffs.
- •You want a more compact body — the X is noticeably smaller and lighter than the 11.
- •You prefer the 2x optical telephoto for portraits rather than the 11's ultrawide.
Choose the iPhone 11 if:
- •Battery life matters — four extra hours of video playback is the difference between one and two days of use.
- •You shoot photos regularly — Night Mode and the ultrawide lens add meaningful creative flexibility the X can't match.
- •You want a faster chip for gaming, AR apps, and the best possible future iOS compatibility.
- •Budget is the deciding factor — the 11 is typically available for less on the used market despite being newer.
Case Compatibility
iPhone X and iPhone 11 cases are NOT compatible. The X is a 5.8-inch phone at 143.6×70.9mm with a single wide-angle plus 2x telephoto camera layout. The iPhone 11 is a 6.1-inch phone at 150.9×75.7mm — 7.3mm taller, 4.8mm wider, and with an entirely different dual-camera system (wide + ultrawide). Camera cutouts, button positions, and overall dimensions are incompatible between these two models.