The IPhone 11 Size Deconstructed: 5 Critical Dimensions That Define Apple's Mid-Range Icon

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Understanding the size of the iPhone 11 is more crucial now than ever before in December 2025. While it's no longer Apple's flagship, its dimensions—a perfect middle ground for many users—make it a perennial favorite in the refurbished and budget smartphone markets. Its physical footprint defines its usability, determining whether it’s a comfortable one-handed device or a powerhouse for media consumption. This deep dive provides the exact, up-to-date specifications and places the iPhone 11's size into context against its contemporaries and successors.

The iPhone 11 cemented the new "standard" iPhone size after the iPhone XR, moving away from the smaller form factors of previous generations. It struck a balance between the compact "Pro" models and the massive "Pro Max" versions, offering a 6.1-inch display that has become the industry's default screen size for a modern smartphone.

iPhone 11: Complete Technical Specifications (The Biography)

Before diving into the comparisons, here is the essential profile of the iPhone 11's physical and display specifications. This data is critical for anyone looking to purchase a case, check pocket fit, or compare it accurately to other devices.

  • Model Name: iPhone 11 (A2221, A2223, A2111)
  • Release Date: September 2019
  • Overall Height: 150.9 mm (5.94 inches)
  • Overall Width: 75.7 mm (2.98 inches)
  • Overall Depth (Thickness): 8.3 mm (0.33 inches)
  • Weight: 194 grams (6.84 ounces)
  • Display Type: Liquid Retina HD display (IPS LCD)
  • Display Size (Diagonal): 6.1 inches
  • Display Resolution: 1792-by-828 pixels
  • Pixel Density (PPI): 326 pixels per inch (ppi)
  • Body Materials: Glass front and back (Corning-made glass) with a 7000 series aluminum frame.
  • Chipset: A13 Bionic chip
  • Camera System: Dual 12MP Ultra Wide and Wide cameras

The 150.9 mm height and 75.7 mm width define the physical handling of the device. This is a substantial size that typically requires two hands for full navigation, especially for reaching the top corners. The 8.3 mm depth is noticeably thicker than newer iPhones, a factor that contributes to its solid feel and allows for a larger battery.

1. The 6.1-Inch Display: A Deceptive Measurement

When people ask, "how big is an iPhone 11," they are usually referring to the screen size. The iPhone 11 features a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display. While this diagonal measurement is the same as the newer iPhone 13 and iPhone 14, the actual viewing experience is subtly different due to two key factors: the display technology and the bezel size.

The LCD Factor vs. OLED

The iPhone 11 uses an IPS LCD panel, which Apple markets as Liquid Retina HD. This is a crucial distinction from the OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) displays found on the iPhone 11 Pro and all subsequent standard models (iPhone 12, 13, 14, etc.). The LCD technology requires a backlight, which necessitates thicker bezels (the border around the screen) compared to OLED. This means that while the screen is 6.1 inches, the overall phone body is larger than a newer 6.1-inch iPhone, such as the iPhone 13.

Resolution and Pixel Density

The screen resolution is 1792-by-828 pixels at a density of 326 ppi. This is technically lower than the "Full HD" standard (1080p), but at 326 ppi, it still qualifies as a "Retina" display, meaning individual pixels are indistinguishable to the human eye at a typical viewing distance. This resolution is more than adequate for most users, providing crisp text and vibrant colors, though it lacks the deep blacks and higher contrast ratio of the OLED displays.

2. How the iPhone 11's Size Compares to Other Models (Topical Authority)

To truly grasp the iPhone 11's size, it must be placed next to its siblings. Its dimensions represent a middle ground that is now considered the 'standard' size, but it was once considered large.

iPhone 11 vs. iPhone 13 (The Modern Standard)

Despite both phones featuring a 6.1-inch display, the iPhone 11 is physically larger and heavier than the iPhone 13:

  • iPhone 11: 150.9 mm (H) x 75.7 mm (W) x 8.3 mm (D) | 194 g
  • iPhone 13: 146.7 mm (H) x 71.5 mm (W) x 7.65 mm (D) | 174 g

The iPhone 13 is 4.2 mm shorter, 4.2 mm narrower, and 0.65 mm thinner. This difference is attributed to the iPhone 13’s switch to an OLED display, which allows for significantly smaller bezels, and a change in chassis design from the curved sides of the 11 to the flat sides of the 13. This makes the iPhone 13 feel much more compact in the hand, despite having the same screen size.

iPhone 11 vs. iPhone 11 Pro (The Contemporary Flagship)

When the iPhone 11 launched, the iPhone 11 Pro was its smaller, premium counterpart.

  • iPhone 11: 6.1-inch LCD screen | 150.9 mm x 75.7 mm x 8.3 mm | 194 g
  • iPhone 11 Pro: 5.8-inch OLED screen | 144.0 mm x 71.4 mm x 8.1 mm | 188 g

The iPhone 11 Pro was the true "compact" model of its generation, being shorter, narrower, and lighter than the standard iPhone 11. This difference highlights Apple's design philosophy at the time: the standard model (iPhone 11) was the larger, more casual option, while the Pro model was the smaller, premium flagship with a superior Super Retina XDR display (OLED).

iPhone 11 vs. iPhone SE (The Small Form Factor)

For users coming from a smaller device, the contrast is stark. The iPhone SE (2nd or 3rd Generation) is a throwback to the iPhone 8 design.

  • iPhone 11: 6.1-inch all-screen design | 150.9 mm x 75.7 mm
  • iPhone SE (2nd/3rd Gen): 4.7-inch display with Home Button | 138.4 mm x 67.3 mm

The iPhone 11 is dramatically larger, offering a massive increase in screen real estate (from 4.7 to 6.1 inches) by eliminating the Home Button and large top/bottom bezels. This comparison is the best way to understand the generational shift in smartphone size that the iPhone 11 represented.

3. The Significance of the 8.3 mm Depth and 194g Weight

The thickness and weight of the iPhone 11 are often overlooked but are key components of its overall feel and durability. At 8.3 mm deep and 194 grams, the iPhone 11 is a solid, hefty device.

A Solid, Durable Feel

The thickness of the iPhone 11 is primarily attributed to two factors: the use of the Liquid Retina LCD display technology and the design choice to include a large battery. The thicker chassis allows for a substantial battery capacity (3,110 mAh), which was a major selling point upon its release, offering excellent all-day battery life. The depth also contributes to a more secure grip, especially when combined with the curved edges of the 7000 series aluminum frame.

One-Handed Usability

The weight of 194 grams is significant. It is one of the heavier non-Pro standard iPhones, giving it a premium, dense feel in the hand, but also making it more fatiguing for prolonged one-handed use compared to lighter models like the 174g iPhone 13. While many users can hold the phone with one hand, reaching the opposite side of the 75.7 mm width or the top of the 150.9 mm height almost always requires a second hand or a "shimmy" technique.

4. The Design Philosophy Behind the iPhone 11's Dimensions

The size of the iPhone 11 was not accidental; it was a strategic move by Apple to establish a new entry point into their flagship lineup. Its dimensions were engineered to achieve a few core goals:

  • Maximizing Battery Life: The 8.3 mm thickness was a trade-off for a larger battery, prioritizing endurance over sleekness.
  • Affordable "All-Screen" Experience: By using the 6.1-inch LCD panel, Apple could offer a modern, edge-to-edge display experience (without the Home Button) at a lower manufacturing cost than the OLED-equipped Pro models.
  • Differentiating the Pro Line: The size difference (150.9mm vs. 144.0mm) clearly separated the standard model from the smaller, more premium iPhone 11 Pro, justifying the price gap.

Ultimately, the iPhone 11's size—defined by its 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm body and 6.1-inch display—represents the sweet spot of the late 2010s smartphone design. It is a large phone by older standards but is now a comfortable, familiar size that offers a fantastic screen-to-body ratio for its technology generation, making it a powerful and durable choice even years after its release.

The iPhone 11 Size Deconstructed: 5 Critical Dimensions That Define Apple's Mid-Range Icon
how big is an iphone 11
how big is an iphone 11

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