Apple iPhone 11 Pro Renewed Review: Worth It in 2025?
Digging into years of user feedback reveals that the Apple iPhone 11 Pro (Renewed) still commands considerable respect in 2025. Rated around 4.2/5 on Amazon and 4.1/5 on Best Buy, its blend of premium build, OLED display, and triple-lens camera continues to impress, especially for those buying at today's much lower second-hand prices. Scoring an 8/10, it offers strong everyday performance, but battery degradation and mixed experiences with iOS updates temper the excitement.
Quick Verdict: Conditional buy — ideal for budget-conscious Apple fans who value compact premium design, but less suited for gamers or heavy users needing 5G and extra battery life.
| Pros (User-reported) | Cons (User-reported) |
|---|---|
| Stunning Super Retina XDR OLED with vibrant colors | Battery life can degrade quickly on older units |
| Excellent triple-camera system with Night Mode | Noticeable lag after certain iOS updates, per Reddit |
| Premium stainless steel build, frosted glass back | 64GB base storage often considered insufficient |
| Strong A13 Bionic performance even in 2025 | No 5G or modern MagSafe charging |
| High refurbishment quality from Apple Renewed | Occasional overheating or hardware-specific defects |
| Affordable refurbished pricing (~$200–$300) | Mixed experiences with non-Apple refurbishers |
Claims vs Reality
Apple’s original marketing promised “the brightest iPhone display yet” and ground-breaking camera versatility. While users still praise the OLED panel’s contrast and clarity, some note the reality is muted for older units. A verified buyer on Best Buy wrote: “Super Retina XDR display delivers rich colors and sharp detail — perfect for streaming, gaming, or editing photos.” However, Reddit user u/butterscotch_fat_cat cautioned that “you should not expect the speed of a new iPhone. Some lags here and there but nothing to worry about.”
Night Mode was touted as effortless in low light. Early Apple press reviews backed this, with TechCrunch saying night shots were “best in class.” Years later, Reddit feedback confirms Night Mode still impresses in casual photography: “Display and colours… still phenomenal, cameras are still very decent,” noted one user with 81% battery health. Yet, those on newer iOS builds report slower camera app launch, undermining spur-of-the-moment captures.
Battery claims of “up to four hours longer” than XS are supported in new or Apple-refurbished units — Insider’s inspection logged 100% capacity with all-day endurance — but common complaint trends emerge in pre-owned retail purchases. “Battery power was very quick to lose,” one Best Buy customer noted of a non-Apple renewed phone, contrasting with official guarantees of 80–90% minimum capacity.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Amazon, Reddit, and Trustpilot, the OLED display is the star. The 5.8-inch Super Retina XDR remains a rare compact high-end Apple panel. For mobile cinephiles, HDR10 and Dolby Vision support matter: Reddit users describe it as “still phenomenal” even in 2025. Business Insider’s refurbished unit description highlights “everything you touch is brand new,” with flawless outer shell replacement.
Camera performance draws similar acclaim. The triple-lens system (wide, ultra-wide, telephoto) delivers flexible compositions for travel bloggers and parents alike. A Best Buy reviewer shared: “The ultra-wide, wide, and telephoto lenses let you capture high-quality photos in almost any setting, and Night Mode is surprisingly good at bringing out detail in low light.”
Build quality and feel repeatedly win praise. The frosted glass back and stainless steel frame feel premium and are lauded for comfort in hand, especially against sharper-edged newer models. Reddit nostalgia notes it’s “the last of the big iPhones that are actually comfortable to hold.”
Common Complaints
Battery health is the single most persistent issue. Heavy users and those on refurbished units with lower capacity suffer faster drains. One Best Buy buyer admitted: “Battery life doesn’t last long… by the time I was getting off [a shift], the battery was low.” The problem compounds with intensive activities like gaming or video editing, making replacement a near necessity in older units.
Performance drops post-update are widely reported. While officially supported on iOS 18, Reddit’s threads show split experiences: “Started to be very sluggish since iOS 17 and got even worse after iOS 18.” Camera lag, documented in Apple Community posts, can reach “10 seconds before being able to use it,” frustrating event photographers.
Storage divides buyers sharply. Many consider the 64GB base model “trolling” given 4K video’s file sizes; u/odonnelly2000 argued, “For a ‘Pro’ device, it should be 256/512/1TB.” Others with cloud reliance find 64GB enough, but offline creatives or media hoarders find it constraining.
Divisive Features
Design-era nostalgia contrasts with hunger for newer tech. Fans of curved edges and compact size resist upgrading to flat-edged, larger-screen models. However, 5G absence is a deal-breaker for commuters and field professionals in emerging telecom markets.
Battery longevity perceptions differ: Apple-refurbished buyers enjoy “100% battery capacity” and consistent daily charge life, while Amazon Renewed purchasers sometimes face “spotty experiences” with 90% health degrading quickly. This gap underscores refurbisher choice importance.
Trust & Reliability
Buyers on Trustpilot and Insider point to Apple’s refurbishment process as gold standard — all outer parts replaced, accessories brand new, battery at full capacity. As Insider noted: “Everything your hands and fingers touch… is new and blemish free.” However, Amazon Renewed units carry mixed reliability; some ship with overheating issues or diminishing battery soon after purchase.
Long-term Reddit anecdotes show models still viable after multiple years with only a battery swap. One user kept their 11 Pro for 1.5 years, replacing the battery via Apple service, and found it “works kinda good with a lil bit of lag sometimes.”
Alternatives
Within the Apple ecosystem, the iPhone 12 Pro and 13 Pro were most compared. In uptrade data, the 12 Pro adds 5G and Night Mode on all lenses at ~$260+, improving future-proofing slightly but dropping marginal battery life. The 13 Pro, at ~$330+, offers ProMotion 120Hz, larger battery, Cinematic Mode, and storage up to 1TB — a significant leap for content creators.
Against mid-range Android rivals (Google Pixel, OnePlus Pro series), the 11 Pro’s aging camera sensors trail newer 48MP+ competition but its A13 Bionic still outpaces many 2025 mid-tier processors.
Price & Value
Refurbished prices now hover between $200–$300 on eBay and Amazon. Reddit users report finding units at €150–€260 with varying conditions. Value depends heavily on refurbisher: Apple Certified Pre-Owned retains resale confidence and warranty, while independent sellers offer lower prices but higher defect risk.
Resale depreciation is steep but stabilizing; a well-maintained 256GB model can still fetch ~$250 due to compact premium positioning. Uptrade and eBay show unlocked units in good condition consistently selling within this band.
FAQ
Q: Is the Apple iPhone 11 Pro still supported by iOS in 2025?
A: Yes. It runs the latest iOS version with security updates and app compatibility, likely for another 1–2 years, per community consensus.
Q: How is battery life on refurbished units?
A: Apple-refurbished phones have new batteries at 100% capacity. Independent refurbished units typically guarantee 80–90%, but some degrade faster with heavy use.
Q: Is 64GB storage enough?
A: For cloud-focused users, yes. For 4K video shooters or large local libraries, community feedback suggests at least 128GB.
Q: Does the 11 Pro have 5G?
A: No. It supports up to LTE Advanced; those needing 5G should consider the 12 Pro or newer.
Q: Should I buy Apple Certified or Amazon Renewed?
A: Apple Certified draws stronger reliability feedback, while Amazon Renewed offers lower prices but more mixed post-purchase reports.
Final Verdict: Buy if you want a compact, premium-feel iPhone with OLED and triple cameras at a bargain; avoid if 5G, long battery life, or base storage limits impact you. Pro tip from Reddit: “Replace the battery if under 85% health, and stick to iOS 17 for smoother performance.”
