The iPhone 11 is one of the cheapest iPhones you can buy that still gets Apple’s current software. That makes it a real bargain for some buyers and a false economy for others. This guide covers where the iPhone 11 stands on iOS support, what it costs on Swappa right now, how it compares with the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max, and when a newer model is the smarter buy.
Quick Answer
Yes, the iPhone 11 is still worth buying in 2026 if you want a low-cost iPhone for the next year or two. It runs iOS 27, starts around $124 on Swappa, and typically sells for $137 to $192 depending on storage. The catch is runway: it is the oldest iPhone Apple still supports, it has no 5G, and it cannot run Apple Intelligence. If you plan to keep your phone three years or more, an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 costs only a little more.
iPhone 11 Software Support: iOS 27 and What Comes Next
Apple released iOS 27 on September 14, 2026, and its compatibility list is the same as iOS 26: the iPhone 11 series, the iPhone SE (2nd generation), and everything newer. So a used iPhone 11 bought today gets the current iOS, current security patches, and current app compatibility.
Two limits are worth knowing before you buy:
- No Apple Intelligence. Siri AI and Apple Intelligence features in iOS 27 require an iPhone 15 Pro or newer. The iPhone 11 gets the rest of iOS 27, but not the AI features.
- It is at the back of the line. iOS 26 dropped the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max in 2025. The iPhone 11 is now the oldest model on the list, which makes it the most likely candidate for the next cut. Apple has not announced iOS 28 support, but plan on the iPhone 11 being a one to two year phone.
When major updates stop, apps begin requiring newer iOS versions within a year or two, and security patches taper off. For how long each phone keeps getting updates, see How Long Will a Used Phone Get Updates?, and for what to do once they end, see Keeping an Older Device Secure After Updates End.
What You Get With a Used iPhone 11
The iPhone 11 launched in September 2019 at $699 as the affordable model beside the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max. It kept the iPhone XR’s 6.1-inch design and added a faster chip, an ultra-wide camera, and Night mode.
| Spec | iPhone 11 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD (1792 x 828) |
| Chip | A13 Bionic, 4GB RAM |
| Rear cameras | 12MP wide (f/1.8) + 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.4), Night mode |
| Video | Up to 4K at 60 fps |
| Battery | Up to 17 hours of video playback (Apple rating when new) |
| Durability | IP68 (2 meters for up to 30 minutes) |
| Security | Face ID |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE (no 5G), Wi-Fi 6, Lightning port |
| Storage | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
In daily use, the A13 still handles messaging, maps, streaming, and social apps without trouble. The LCD is lower resolution than the OLED panels on newer iPhones, but it is bright and accurate, and it costs less to replace if you crack it. Battery life was a strength when new, although any used iPhone 11 is now five to seven years old, so the battery you get depends on the unit.
iPhone 11 vs. iPhone 11 Pro vs. iPhone 11 Pro Max
All three share the A13 Bionic and the same iOS 27 support window. The differences are the screen, the cameras, and the size.
| Model | Display | Rear Cameras | Weight | Storage | Swappa Starts Around | Typical Sale Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 11 | 6.1″ LCD | Wide + ultra-wide | 194g | 64GB to 256GB | $124 | $137 to $192 |
| iPhone 11 Pro | 5.8″ OLED | Wide + ultra-wide + 2x telephoto | 188g | 64GB to 512GB | $173 | $175 to $217 |
| iPhone 11 Pro Max | 6.5″ OLED | Wide + ultra-wide + 2x telephoto | 226g | 64GB to 512GB | $155 | $207 to $313 |
Sale price ranges are Swappa average sale prices by storage tier as of September 23, 2026. They move with condition, carrier, and demand.
- Buy the iPhone 11 for the lowest price and good battery life. It is the value pick of the three.
- Buy the iPhone 11 Pro if you want a smaller phone with an OLED screen and a telephoto lens. It is the most compact iPhone with a zoom camera at this price.
- Buy the iPhone 11 Pro Max if you want the biggest screen and the longest battery life of the 2019 lineup. Its lowest listings currently start below the 11 Pro’s, so compare listings before you choose. For the full breakdown, see Is the iPhone 11 Pro Max Worth Buying in 2026?
Used iPhone 11 Prices on Swappa
Here is what the iPhone 11 costs on Swappa as of September 23, 2026, based on Swappa’s own sale data.
| iPhone 11 Storage | Average Listing Price | Average Sale Price |
|---|---|---|
| 64GB | $165 | $137 |
| 128GB | $221 | $147 |
| 256GB | $251 | $192 |
Carrier status barely moves the price on a phone this old. For 64GB and 128GB models, unlocked, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile listings land within about $10 of each other, so buy unlocked when you can. Check the live iPhone 11 price page before you buy, since these numbers change week to week. For prices by carrier and condition, see How Much Does an iPhone 11 Cost in 2026? Used Prices.
Is it worth waiting for the price to drop? Probably not. The iPhone 11 has been on sale for seven years, and its used price is already close to its floor. The next meaningful step down is likely to come when Apple drops it from iOS support, and at that point it becomes a much weaker buy. If you want one, buy it now and buy the storage you need.
Storage tip: 128GB is the practical minimum. The 64GB models are the cheapest listings, but the savings over 128GB are small next to the hassle of running out of space.
iPhone 11 Carrier Compatibility: A2111, A2221, and A2223
Unlocked iPhone 11 models work on every major US carrier, with one detail to check: the model number. Apple sold three versions.
| Model | Region | US Carrier Support | SIM |
|---|---|---|---|
| A2111 | United States and Canada | Full support on Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and MVNOs like Mint Mobile, Visible, and Cricket | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| A2221 | Global | Works on major US networks, but lacks LTE bands 14 (AT&T FirstNet) and 71 (T-Mobile 600 MHz), so coverage can be weaker in some areas | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| A2223 | China and Hong Kong | Not recommended for US use | Dual nano-SIM |
To find the model number, open Settings > General > About and tap the Model Number field until it shows a number that starts with “A.” Most iPhone 11 listings on Swappa are the A2111.
A few things have changed since the iPhone 11 launched. Sprint is gone (its customers moved to T-Mobile), and every US carrier has shut down 3G. Neither affects the iPhone 11, which uses VoLTE for calls. It is an LTE phone, though, so you will not get 5G speeds on any carrier.
For model numbers across every supported iPhone, see Unlocked iPhone Carrier Compatibility Guide (2026). For the full picture on carrier locks and compatibility, see Will This Used Phone Work on My Carrier? and Unlocked vs. Carrier-Locked Phones: What It Means When Buying Used, or go straight to unlocked phones on Swappa.
iPhone 11 vs. iPhone XR: Skip the XR
The iPhone XR looks almost identical and costs less, starting around $83 on Swappa. It is cheaper for a reason. The XR lost major iOS updates with iOS 26, so it no longer gets current software or full security support. The iPhone 11 adds the faster A13 chip, an ultra-wide camera, Night mode, and 4GB of RAM for roughly $40 more at the low end. There is no longer a case for choosing the XR over the 11.
Better Picks If You Can Spend a Little More
If the iPhone 11’s short runway worries you, these models cost a little more and have more years of support ahead.
| Model | Starts Around | Why Consider It |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 12 | $125 | 5G, OLED screen, flat-edge design, one year newer |
| iPhone 13 | $134 | A15 Bionic, better battery life, 128GB base storage |
| iPhone SE (3rd gen) | $88 | A15 Bionic and 5G in a small body with Touch ID |
Starting prices are the lowest listings; typical 128GB sales for the iPhone 13 run around $242. If you are deciding between the two oldest supported generations, see iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12: Which Should You Buy Used in 2026? For every budget pick ranked, see Best Cheap iPhones in 2026: Top Picks Under $300, and for the whole lineup, see Used iPhone Buyer’s Guide: Every Generation Ranked (2026).
What to Check Before You Buy a Used iPhone 11
A seven-year-old phone rewards a careful look. Each of these has a full guide behind it:
- Battery health. Swappa sets no minimum battery-health percentage, but iPhone sellers must disclose when health is below 80% and Apple’s battery message is showing. Budget $50 to $100 for a replacement if you buy a unit with a tired battery. See iPhone Battery Health: What to Check on a Used iPhone.
- Activation Lock. The phone must be signed out of the previous owner’s Apple Account. See iCloud Activation Lock: How to Avoid It on a Used iPhone.
- IMEI status. A blacklisted or unpaid IMEI will not activate. See IMEI Check: What It Reveals About a Used Phone.
- Face ID and cameras. Test Face ID, both rear cameras, and the front camera. See How to Inspect a Used Phone Before You Buy.
Buying a Used iPhone 11 Safely on Swappa
Every Swappa listing is reviewed by staff before it goes live. Devices must be fully functional with a clean IMEI, no Activation Lock, no cracked glass, no water damage, and a battery that charges and holds a charge. Payments run through PayPal with buyer protection, or Stripe for select sellers, and if a phone is not as described you are entitled to a return and refund.
Swappa charges a 3% buyer fee that is already included in the listing price, and human support is available 24/7/365 with typical responses in about 20 minutes. Buying used typically saves 30% to 60% over new, and at seven years old the iPhone 11 sits at the deep end of that range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the iPhone 11 still supported in 2026?
Yes. iOS 27, released September 14, 2026, supports the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max, along with the iPhone SE (2nd generation) and newer models. Apple Intelligence and Siri AI features require an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, so the iPhone 11 gets iOS 27 without those features.
Will the iPhone 11 get iOS 28?
Apple has not announced iOS 28 compatibility. The iPhone 11 is now the oldest iPhone Apple supports, which makes it the most likely model to be dropped next. Treat it as a one to two year phone, and choose an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 if you want more years of updates.
How much is a used iPhone 11 in 2026?
Used iPhone 11 listings on Swappa start around $124. As of September 23, 2026, average sale prices were about $137 for 64GB, $147 for 128GB, and $192 for 256GB. Prices vary with condition, storage, and carrier, so check Swappa’s iPhone 11 price page before you buy.
Does the iPhone 11 have 5G?
No. The iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max are 4G LTE phones. They work on all major US carriers using LTE and VoLTE, but they cannot connect to 5G. The iPhone 12 is the first iPhone with 5G.
Will an unlocked iPhone 11 work on Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile?
Yes, if it is the A2111 model sold in the US and Canada, which supports every major US carrier and MVNOs like Mint Mobile and Visible. The global A2221 model works on major US networks but lacks LTE bands 14 and 71. Check the model number in Settings > General > About.
Should I buy an iPhone 11 or an iPhone 11 Pro Max?
Buy the iPhone 11 for the lowest price and good battery life. Buy the iPhone 11 Pro Max if you want a larger OLED screen, a telephoto camera, and the longest battery life of the 2019 lineup. Both have the same A13 chip and the same iOS support window, and the Pro Max starts only about $30 higher.
The Bottom Line
The iPhone 11 is still a sensible buy in 2026 as a low-cost iPhone for a year or two, a first phone, or a backup. It is not the right choice if you want a phone to keep for four more years. Buy an A2111 unlocked model with 128GB, check the battery, and if your budget stretches a little, step up to an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 for more runway.
