For those tech geeks out there that like to obsess about every little detail regarding our devices (yours truly included), our minds are frequently plagued by questions that others might find mundane.
Such as this, for example:
“What is the iPhone 11 refresh rate?”
The iPhone 11 series offers a 60hz refresh rate, which is noticeably slower than the latest available Apple models.
In other words, the iPhone 11 models refresh images at a rate of 60 times per second, which is half the rate of the latest iPhone 13 series.
However, the iPhone 11 series offers a competitive touch-response rate of 120hz for a smoother user experience in that price range.
The latest iPhone 13 series, in addition to numerous Android models like the Samsung Galaxy s21, offer 120hz refresh rates.
The subtle difference between 60 Hz and 120 Hz refresh rates means a smoother transition among images, such as when scrolling through photographs.
Scrolling through the app drawer is also much smoother for the user, while you’ll find the gaming experience to be “sleeker.”
Additionally, the difference in display screen refresh rates may cause less eye strain among heavy smartphone users who watch lots of videos and toggle among applications.
Here’s everything else you need to know about the Apple iPhone refresh rates!
Is the iPhone 11 Refresh Rate Good?
Aside from higher refresh rates, newer smartphones also typically leverage higher-quality OLED screens with a higher pixel count.
For example: Whereas the iPhone 11 offers an LED screen with 1,792×828 pixels, the iPhone 13 boasts an OLED screen with a 2,532×1,170 pixel resolution.
So, the same 6.1-inch size screen displays a higher-pixel image that refreshes at a much higher rate.
This upgrade may not seem necessary compared to saving $300 on a new smartphone, given that most mobile video content gets produced at the 60 Hz standard.
Naturally, smartphone makers such as Apple, Samsung, and Google will increase marketing efforts to convince consumers to upgrade to the priciest options. A higher refresh rate is one spec they’re now pushing big time.
However, the consumer should remember that most digital films today are played at only 24 fps, whereas video games run at 30 fps to 60 fps.
There’s no doubt that video game makers will soon adopt higher video standards, but that may take a couple of years to transition.
So, Does Refresh Rate Matter?
Only a few years ago, no one cared about their smartphone’s display refresh rate. Nor did this spec appear in any promotional marketing.
Today, smartphone makers such as Apple are racing to tout the benefits of higher refresh rates for smoother animation and scrolling experiences.
Presently, the vast majority of all smartphones (and flat-screen televisions) come with the 60 Hz standard refresh rate.
For example, refresh rate is relevant for televisions when projecting a second monitor from a smartphone or laptop computer.
Aside from the iPhone 13 at 120 Hz, several Android smartphone makers sell handsets with a refresh rate of 90 HZ, 120 Hz, 144 Hz- and even 240 Hz!
Refresh Rate Advantages
A higher refresh rate simply means more images shown per second for greater clarity and a smoother viewing experience.
The gap between images shown becomes ever more minute and imperceptible as more images appear per second.
The higher refresh rate thus better leverages higher-quality video and applications with 90 fps to 120 fps (short for frames per second).
Refresh Rate Disadvantages
Most mobile content and video have yet to leverage higher frames-per-second technology, so the lower iPhone 11 refresh rate may be a good buy currently.
What You Need to Know About the iPhone 11
Released in September 2019, the iPhone 11 series smartphone is the third best-selling mobile phone in history.
By February 2021, Apple had sold more than 102.1 million units in the series, which includes the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, and iPhone 11 Mini.
Those sales numbers compare favorably to about 100 million units sold for Apple’s subsequent iPhone 12 series, in addition to 100 million units each for the Nokia 1208 (1209) and 1280 Android models.
Only the Nokia 1100 bar phone has sold more units, with 250 million apiece back in 2003 and 2005, respectively.
However, those earlier mobile phones weren’t considered smartphones.
It was only in January 2007 that Apple released its original iPhone with modern smartphone features- a touchscreen, iPod, camera, and web browser.
The iPhone 11 offers competitive specs for the price range with the Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) processor, 12 MP camera, 4 GB of RAM, and storage options of 64 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB- all of which is manifested on a 6.1-inch LCD screen.
How Does The iPhone 11 Refresh Rate Impact User Experience?
Anyone considering whether to buy an iPhone 11 series model versus the subsequent iPhone 12 or 13 needs to determine whether features such as a higher refresh rate are worth the higher price.
Since so many consumers in the U.S. and worldwide bought the iPhone 11 series, many are now debating whether to upgrade to Apple’s latest iteration of the iconic series or to hold the line on the iPhone 11 for another 6-12 months.
Likewise, brand devotees currently using older models such as the iPhone 8 may wish to save some money by upgrading to the iPhone 11 series rather than the latest iPhone 13 or soon-to-be-released iPhone 14.
Incidentally, reports indicate that Apple may release its upcoming iPhone 14 series in September 2022, based on the op-tempo of previous releases.
So if you are looking for a good deal on price, the iPhone 11 series is a good place to start, and the refresh rate is still current enough for a satisfying user experience.
In Summary: Will You Be Happy With The iPhone 11 Refresh Rate?
Chances are, that 60hz refresh rate offered by the iPhone 11 will be perfectly adequate for your needs if you are a general user.
You might best optimize this next two-year smartphone cycle with an iPhone 11 series model and maybe a few hundred bucks saved toward that iPhone 14 or beyond.
Some technology prognosticators forecast that the modern smartphone could be replaced by emerging technology sometime in the early 2030s.
For now, the consumer should just look past the sleek marketing and perhaps consider price as a more decisive factor than refresh rates.
If you’re looking for a new phone with a satisfying refresh rate, the iPhone 11 is still a good choice!
Apple has been the dominant pioneer of the mobile tech world for the past two decades. Learn more about what makes their iPhone an icon not just in the present day, but for the ages to come as well!