Apple iPhone 11 vs Apple iPhone 18 Air
Compare Apple iPhone 11 vs Apple iPhone 18 Air side by side: Apple A13 Bionic vs Apple A20 Pro (2nm TSMC), 12MP vs 48MP camera, 3110mAh vs 3400mAh battery…

Apple
iPhone 11
$499
2categories won

Apple
iPhone 18 Air
$1,199
17categories won
19 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Apple iPhone 18 Air takes the overall win
The Apple iPhone 18 Air proves superior overall against the Apple iPhone 11, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the iPhone 18 Air leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the iPhone 18 Air. Choose the iPhone 18 Air if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the iPhone 11 if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
iPhone 18 Air takes battery honors offering 3,400 mAh alongside 35W charging.
iPhone 18 Air provides greater sustained gaming output with its Apple A20 Pro (2nm TSMC) and 12GB RAM.
iPhone 18 Air takes photography with 48MP optics.
iPhone 11 provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $499 vs $1199.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
iPhone 11 vs iPhone 18 Air: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone 11 | iPhone 18 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.6" |
| Resolution | 828 x 1792 | 1260 x 2740Winner |
| Pixel density | 324 ppi | 457 ppiWinner |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 HzWinner |
| Peak brightness | 625 nits | 3000 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone 11 | iPhone 18 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic | Apple A20 Pro (2nm TSMC) |
| Process node | 7 nm | 2 nmWinner |
| Maximum RAM | 4 GB | 12 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 256GB | 1TBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone 11 | iPhone 18 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 12 MP | 48 MPWinner |
| Rear cameras | 2Winner | 1 |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 48 MPWinner |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | 24 MPWinner |
| Max video | 4K at 60fps | — |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone 11 | iPhone 18 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3,110 mAh | 3,400 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 18 W | 35 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 7.5 W | 20 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | iPhone 11 | iPhone 18 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 194 g | 148 gWinner |
| Thickness | 8.3 mm | 5.5 mmWinner |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | — |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone 11 | iPhone 18 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 13, upgradable to iOS 18 | iOS 20 |
| OS updates | 6 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 6 years | 7 yearsWinner |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iPhone 11 | iPhone 18 Air |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $499Winner | $1,199 |
Apple iPhone 11
The Apple iPhone 11 became one of the best-selling smartphones in history by pairing Apple’s flagship A13 Bionic chip, an ultrawide camera, Night Mode, and dependable battery endurance at an irresistible price.
- Display
- 6.1"
- Chipset
- Apple A13 Bionic
- Main camera
- 12MP
- Battery
- 3,110mAh
Apple iPhone 18 Air
The iPhone 18 Air is Apple’s thinnest, lightest smartphone ever made. Measuring just 5.5mm thin and weighing a feathery 148g, it integrates a full 6.6-inch 120Hz ProMotion panel, 2nm A20 Pro performance, and a single versatile 48MP Fusion camera.
- Display
- 6.6"
- Chipset
- Apple A20 Pro (2nm TSMC)
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 3,400mAh