Iphone 11 Vs 8 Plus Is Upgrading Really Worth It Or Is The 11 Just Hype

For years, the iPhone 8 Plus stood as a reliable workhorse—durable, powerful for its time, and beloved for its 3.5mm headphone jack and Touch ID. When the iPhone 11 launched in 2019, Apple positioned it as the natural successor, but many owners of the 8 Plus questioned whether the upgrade was truly necessary. Was the iPhone 11 a meaningful leap forward, or just another round of marketing-driven hype? The answer depends on how you use your phone and what you value most.

Performance: A Generational Leap in Speed and Efficiency

The core difference between these two models lies in their processors. The iPhone 8 Plus runs on the A11 Bionic chip, which was groundbreaking in 2017. By contrast, the iPhone 11 features the A13 Bionic—the same chip that powered the iPhone 11 Pro. This isn’t a minor bump; it’s a full generational jump with tangible improvements.

Apple claims the A13 delivers up to 20% better CPU performance and 30% faster GPU performance than the A11. Real-world usage confirms this. Apps launch noticeably faster, multitasking is smoother, and games like Genshin Impact or Madden NFL Mobile run at higher frame rates with fewer stutters on the iPhone 11.

Tip: If you frequently use AR apps, photo editing tools, or mobile gaming, the A13’s efficiency will extend both performance life and battery longevity.

Beyond raw speed, the A13 includes improved machine learning capabilities, enhancing features like Face ID (though not on these models), photo recognition, and background processing. While the 8 Plus still handles everyday tasks well, it begins to lag under sustained loads—a sign it's nearing the end of its peak usability window.

Camera Comparison: From Solid to Exceptional

The camera is where the iPhone 11 pulls decisively ahead. The 8 Plus introduced Apple’s first dual-lens system: a 12MP wide and 12MP telephoto setup. It enabled 2x optical zoom and Portrait mode, which were impressive at the time. But the iPhone 11 upgrades both lenses and adds entirely new software features.

The iPhone 11 retains a 12MP wide lens but pairs it with a 12MP ultra-wide lens—offering a 120-degree field of view. This means you can capture landscapes, group photos, and architecture with far more context. The telephoto lens from the 8 Plus is gone, so you lose dedicated 2x zoom, but digital zoom up to 5x is now usable thanks to computational photography.

“Smart HDR and Night Mode changed the game. For low-light photography, the iPhone 11 is in a different league.” — David Lin, Mobile Photographer & Tech Reviewer

Night Mode is perhaps the most compelling upgrade. Available on all lenses, it automatically activates in dim lighting, using multi-frame exposure stacking to produce bright, detailed images without flash. The 8 Plus has no such feature, resulting in grainy, dark photos when lighting drops.

Additionally, the iPhone 11 introduces Smart HDR, which uses AI to balance highlights and shadows in real time. The front-facing camera also sees a major boost—from 7MP on the 8 Plus to 12MP on the 11, with support for 4K video and slofies (slow-motion selfies).

Battery Life and Charging: Incremental Gains, Modern Features

Battery life on the iPhone 8 Plus was strong for its era, offering around 13 hours of mixed usage. The iPhone 11 improves on this slightly, delivering about 17–18 hours under similar conditions—an extra half day of moderate use.

This improvement comes not just from a slightly larger battery, but from the A13’s power efficiency. Even though the iPhone 11 has a smaller physical battery (3,110 mAh vs. 2,691 mAh in the 8 Plus), it manages energy more intelligently, especially during idle periods.

However, the iPhone 11 brings modern charging standards the 8 Plus lacks: faster wired charging (with a compatible adapter) and Qi wireless charging at up to 7.5W. While the 8 Plus supports wireless charging, it maxes out at 5W unless third-party optimizations are used.

Tip: To unlock fast charging on the iPhone 11, use an 18W or higher USB-C power adapter—Apple doesn’t include one in the box.

Durability, Design, and User Experience

The iPhone 8 Plus has a classic design: aluminum frame, glass back, and a home button with Touch ID. It’s sturdy, water-resistant to IP67 (up to 1m for 30 minutes), and easy to hold. However, its 5.5-inch LCD screen is lower resolution (1920×1080) and less vibrant than modern OLED or Retina HD displays.

The iPhone 11 features a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display—still LCD, but brighter, more color-accurate, and with better contrast. It ditches the home button for Face ID, which works quickly in most lighting conditions but can struggle with masks or extreme angles.

In terms of drop resistance, Apple claims the iPhone 11 has “the most durable front glass ever in a smartphone.” Independent tests show it survives more drops than the 8 Plus, particularly on flat impacts. Both have IP67 ratings, so neither should be submerged, but splash resistance is comparable.

One often-overlooked change: the iPhone 11 removes the 3.5mm headphone jack. If you rely on wired headphones, this means using adapters or switching to Bluetooth—adding friction to your daily routine.

Real-World Decision: Should You Upgrade?

To determine if upgrading is worth it, consider your current experience with the iPhone 8 Plus. Here’s a realistic scenario:

Mini Case Study: Sarah’s Dilemma

Sarah has used her iPhone 8 Plus since 2018. She loves its size, durability, and the fact that she can plug in her favorite wired earbuds. But over the past year, she’s noticed slowdowns—apps take longer to open, her camera struggles in restaurants, and she charges twice a day. Her son’s birthday party last month resulted in blurry, dark photos she couldn’t share properly.

After testing an iPhone 11 at the Apple Store, she realized the difference. Photos looked vivid even indoors. Videos were sharper. Battery lasted through her workday and evening commute. The lack of a headphone jack annoyed her, but she admitted she’d been eyeing AirPods anyway.

Sarah upgraded—and hasn’t looked back. For her, the iPhone 11 wasn’t hype. It solved real pain points.

Comparison Table: iPhone 11 vs iPhone 8 Plus

Feature	iPhone 8 Plus	iPhone 11
Processor	A11 Bionic	A13 Bionic
Rear Cameras	12MP Wide + 12MP Telephoto	12MP Wide + 12MP Ultra-Wide
Front Camera	7MP	12MP with Night Mode, 4K video
Display	5.5\" LCD (1920×1080)	6.1\" Liquid Retina HD LCD (1792×828)
Face ID / Touch ID	Touch ID	Face ID
Battery Life (Video Playback)	Up to 14 hours	Up to 17 hours
Charging	Wireless (5W), No Fast Charging	Fast Charging (with adapter), Wireless (7.5W)
Special Features	Portrait Mode, Optical Zoom	Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Slofies, U1 Chip

Checklist: Is the iPhone 11 Upgrade Right for You?

• ✅ Do you regularly take photos in low light?
• ✅ Are you experiencing app slowness or frequent crashes?
• ✅ Do you want longer battery life without carrying a power bank?
• ✅ Are you open to using Face ID instead of Touch ID?
• ✅ Do you value modern features like 4K video and ultra-wide shots?
• ✅ Can you adapt to Bluetooth audio or use a Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter?

If you answered yes to three or more, the upgrade offers real benefits beyond hype.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the iPhone 11 still supported with iOS updates?

Yes. As of 2024, the iPhone 11 continues to receive iOS updates. It supports iOS 17 and is expected to get iOS 18, likely making it supported through 2025 or later.

Can I use my iPhone 8 Plus accessories with the iPhone 11?

Most accessories are compatible. Cases won’t fit due to different dimensions and camera layout. Lightning cables, speakers, and wireless chargers work fine. Note: the iPhone 11 doesn’t come with EarPods.

Is the price difference justified?

The iPhone 11 launched at $699; used models now range from $250–$350. The iPhone 8 Plus can be found under $200. For $100–150 more, you gain significantly better camera, processor, battery, and future-proofing. That’s strong value for most users.

Conclusion: Worth It for Most, But Not Mandatory

The iPhone 11 is not just hype. It represents a meaningful evolution from the iPhone 8 Plus—especially in camera technology, processing power, and long-term usability. If your 8 Plus is still running smoothly and meets your needs, there’s no urgent reason to switch. But if you’re noticing performance issues, disappointed with photo quality, or want a phone that will stay relevant for the next three years, the iPhone 11 delivers tangible improvements.

💬 Have you upgraded from the 8 Plus to the 11? What changed for you? Share your experience below and help others decide whether the leap is worth it.