Apple iPhone 11 Pro Renewed Review: Worth Buying in 2025?
A Reddit user summed it up simply: “Perfect shape, perfect size… the only time I’ll upgrade my 11 Pro again is when they go back to this shape and size.” That enthusiasm is echoed widely for the Apple iPhone 11 Pro (Renewed, Midnight Green) — a compact stainless-steel flagship that still inspires loyalty years after launch. Across thousands of reviews and community threads, it scores a strong 8.7/10, balancing premium build, excellent cameras, and solid performance, while drawing some criticism for battery longevity and occasional refurbished-unit inconsistencies.
Quick Verdict: Conditional buy — excellent for buyers seeking a premium compact iPhone without latest-gen features.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Premium stainless steel build, midnight green finish appeals to many | Battery life on refurbished units may be shorter than expected |
| Triple-lens camera praised for low-light & 4K video | Some reports of overheating and shutdown issues |
| Comfortably compact 5.8" OLED display | No 5G or MagSafe charging |
| Strong A13 Bionic performance even in 2025 | Quality control varies between refurbishers |
| Affordable compared to new iPhones | Accessories may be generic, no AppleCare+ available on pre-owned |
Claims vs Reality
Apple described the iPhone 11 Pro as offering “unprecedented performance with A13 Bionic for gaming, AR, and photography,” alongside a “Super Retina XDR display — the brightest iPhone display yet.” While those claims hold up for gaming and media in many user accounts, refurbished buyers encounter subtleties.
On the performance front, Reddit user u/track*** confirmed: “My 11 Pro is now 3 years old… its design is so perfect for my hands… no regrets.” In practice, the A13 remains fluid for multitasking and photography even under the latest iOS builds, though some late-iOS 17/18 adopters report slowing. One Quora contributor warned: “It started to be very sluggish since iOS 17 and even worse after iOS 18,” suggesting older units might lag if pushed with new OS demands.
The camera claim largely matches reality. Business Insider’s Dave Smith noted, “The cameras alone make it worth the price of admission… I’ve captured shots I’ve simply never been able to take before, especially in low-light.” However, Best Buy and Back Market customers occasionally found refurbished cameras with issues like poor close-up focus or LCD blemishes, reminding buyers to vet seller repair quality.
For battery life, Amazon Renewed promises a minimum 80% capacity. Yet multiple Trustpilot and Best Buy reviewers — such as “dionisiol” — complained of “battery power was very quick to lose”. While many buyers sail through full days, results can vary based on refurbisher and battery replacement practices.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
The most repeated praise targets the design and ergonomics. Both Reddit threads and Back Market buyers tout the curved edges, manageable height, and stainless steel frame. A Redditor who switched from iPhone 14 Pro back to an 11 Pro admitted: “If I’m honest with myself I could easily just keep this and not have any regrets… perfect for my hands.” For those who found newer square-edge designs bulky, the 11 Pro’s form factor feels tailor-made.
The camera system also wins across sources: three 12MP lenses (wide, ultra-wide, telephoto) plus Night Mode still perform impressively. Aisha’s Trustpilot review described: “The ultra-wide, wide, and telephoto lenses… night mode is surprisingly good at bringing out detail in low light.” For travelers, this lets them confidently capture everything from dimly lit streets to sweeping landscapes without tripod setups.
Display quality enjoys near-unanimous acclaim. Best Buy’s feature ratings averaged 4.4/5 for the OLED panel, with comments praising HDR streaming and deep blacks. For streamers and mobile gamers, that means a compact phone that still delivers a cinema-quality picture.
Common Complaints
Battery health is the recurring sore point. On Back Market, one buyer bluntly said: “It appears that the battery may have limited life since it is very near drained at the end of the day… my previous 11 Pro had better battery life.” Heavy users, like a Reddit digital marketing professional logging “9 to 10h screen on time”, sometimes find they need midday top-ups, especially with older cells.
Some refurbished units arrive with cosmetic or functional defects. Trustpilot user “yovannyr” received one that was “broke in the back and… overheating”. Another Best Buy reviewer reported a “flare screen display… must be replaced”. These are not design flaws of the 11 Pro itself, but highlight the importance of choosing sellers with strict refurbishment standards.
In rare cases, extreme instability plagues select units. An Apple Community poster lamented: “It will just cut power… might last a few minutes before vanishing into thin air until the phone crashes again.” While these seem uncommon, they underscore the risks of lower-grade refurbishments or hidden component damage.
Divisive Features
Size is split: many love the compact feel, but some, expecting more height or larger real estate, found it “smaller than expected.” Performance on late iOS builds also divides owners — most find it fast, but those on resource-heavy workflows note lag. Storage capacity sparks debate too: several 2025 Reddit users caution against 64GB, saying: “64GB is too low… impacts performance.” Those upgrading from large-storage devices may feel constrained.
Trust & Reliability
Scam concerns focus less on fake devices than on refurbishment inconsistencies. Trustpilot and Back Market threads occasionally mention unverified Apple parts or screens that “can’t be confirmed as Apple parts,” affecting resale desirability. Buyers stress the need for reputable sellers with warranty coverage — Amazon Renewed’s 90-day and premium 1-year guarantees are viewed positively, though inability to add AppleCare+ frustrates some.
Long-term durability stories lean positive. Owners in 2025 still use 11 Pros daily with solid results after battery swaps. One Redditor who replaced their cell at Apple service said: “Now I have 82% health… works kinda good with a lil bit of lag but will keep it about 1 year at least.” The stainless-steel chassis resists wear, and many refurbished units arrive “looking brand new.”
Alternatives
From community comparisons, direct rivals are newer Pro-line iPhones. The iPhone 12 Pro offers 5G, MagSafe, and night mode across all lenses but retains the 6.1" squared design — less hand-friendly for small-phone fans. The iPhone 13 Pro adds ProMotion 120Hz and longer battery life. Quora analysis notes that at 2025 prices ($260+ for 12 Pro, $330+ for 13 Pro), the 11 Pro remains the cheapest path to a premium Pro build if newer features aren’t needed.
Price & Value
Market listings show wide refurb price ranges: eBay averages $250–$400 depending on storage and condition, Amazon Renewed hovers around $374.95 for carrier-locked units, while Back Market reports “excellent” condition sales under $300. Resale value remains respectable among Pro-series phones; a clean unlocked 256GB can still fetch over $300.
Community buying tips are consistent: pay extra for “excellent” condition, verify battery health above 85%, and avoid 64GB if you take many photos or videos. As one Back Market buyer put it: “It was worth it to know the phone would be secured… build is higher quality than regular iPhones.”
FAQ
Q: Does the renewed iPhone 11 Pro support 5G?
A: No — it’s limited to 4G LTE, which remains adequate for most daily tasks but may be a drawback if you need fastest mobile speeds.
Q: How is battery life on refurbished units?
A: Experiences vary — some last all day, while others need mid-day charging. Minimum advertised health is 80%, but many advise seeking 85–90% or replacing the battery.
Q: Can I get AppleCare+ for a pre-owned 11 Pro?
A: Not if purchased outside Apple’s own refurbishment program, as Best Buy reviewers confirmed. Warranty relies on seller or platform policies.
Q: Is 64GB storage enough?
A: Light users may be fine, but multiple 2025 owners recommend 128GB+ to avoid performance and space constraints, especially for high-res video.
Q: How does the camera compare to newer models?
A: Still excellent for most use cases, especially low-light, but newer Pros add features like Cinematic Mode and Night Mode on all lenses.
Final Verdict: Buy if you value a compact, premium-feel iPhone with strong cameras and don’t require 5G or bleeding-edge features. Avoid if battery life is critical and you can’t verify refurbishment quality. Pro tip from the community: choose “excellent” grade, higher storage, and reputable sellers to maximize longevity and satisfaction.
