On September 10, Apple released its newest line of iPhones: the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and the iPhone 11 Pro Max. But when people consider purchasing a new iPhone, confusion usually sets in. Which one is for me? What do they all do? 

Before running out and making this hefty purchase, make sure to ask yourself, “What will I be using my phone for?” Then, you can walk out of the Apple Store with a new iPhone that is right for you. We’re here to help.

Here’s a quick rundown of the newest features: for the iPhone 11, there’s a 6.1-inch LCD screen, an improved battery life and new color options. For the iPhone 11 Pro, there is a new and improved camera and Super Sharp Retina OLED display. The iPhone 11 Pro Max, with its supersized tablet-like screen, includes a fast charger, which is not included with the iPhone 11. 

Next, let’s discuss cost. The iPhone 11 has a starting price of $699, no small sum, but less expensive than last year’s iPhone XS. The iPhone 11 Pro, on the other hand, is more similar in price to the XS at $999. And finally, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is an eye-popping $1,099. 

Let’s take a closer look.

Colors:

This year, Apple is offering two new colors for the iPhone 11, green and purple, in addition to the black, white, red and yellow models. The Pro and Pro Max, however, come only in the neutral shades of gold, space gray, silver, and midnight green.

So if you’re looking for a fresh pop of color for your device, the iPhone 11 fits the bill. When you turn the iPhone 11 to the back, it features the same glossy back as the iPhone XR and the iPhone X. The Pro and Pro Max have a matte finish on the back instead.

Camera: 

All three devices offer impressive camera improvements, but the Pro and Pro Max offer slightly better photo software and hardware. All devices take better photos in low light with Night Mode, which will automatically adjust the shutter speed to let in the right amount of light for your photo.

The iPhone 11 has two lenses, which allow for wide-angle shots. The Pro and Pro Max have three lenses, with the third one being a telephoto lens. You can now zoom in on far-away objects without losing clarity. For any bird-watchers or sports photographers out there, the telephoto lens might be an important feature in your choice.

Storage: 

For the lowest amount of storage, 64GB, the iPhone 11 costs $699. If you are someone who shoots videos or takes a lot of pictures, spending $50 more for 128GB may be worthwhile. The most storage that is available for the iPhone 11 is 256GB, but at $849, should only be considered if you’re shooting a lot of video or downloading a ton of apps.

The iPhone Pro Max offers a model with an incredible amount of storage, 512GB, but is unlikely to be useful enough to most people to justify its $1449 price tag.

Processor: 

The iPhone 11’s most notable feature is an A13 Bionic processor.

All three models feature the same processor, meaning apps will launch at about the same (lightning fast) speed on each.

The battery life is slightly better on the Pro and Pro Max models, with Apple claiming that the 11, Pro, and Pro Max have battery lives of 17, 18, and 20 hours, respectively.

The Verdict: 

If you do not want to spend more than $1,000, then the iPhone 11 is a perfect buy. It features the same processor, a A13 Bionic processor, as its higher-end models. I was at the Apple Store Tuesday afternoon and found the iPhone 11 to be a very manageable size and surprisingly fast. 

If you are looking for a better camera and slightly longer battery life, then the iPhone 11 Pro might be the right match for you. In the box, there is a fast charger which enables you to juice up your phone to halfway charged in just thirty minutes.

The iPhone 11 also has fast-charging capability, but the fast charger is sold separately. However, these features come at a price. The Pro starts at $999 without trading in your current iPhone.

Finally, there is the iPhone 11 Pro Max starting at $1,099, which features a 6.5-inch display and produces amazing photos with its three cameras. If you like a big screen and watch lots of videos or movies on your phone, then consider the iPhone 11 Pro Max.

As for my personal preference? I would buy the iPhone 11 Pro, because I take lots of photos and like the better camera, and the extended battery life would be a plus for me. The iPhone 11 Pro provides a nice balance of battery life, photography features, and is a perfect pocket-size.