The iPhone 11 Pro (Max) is basically a powerful camera that also has the functions of a smartphone - at least that's my first impression of the new flagship smartphone from Apple. A camera with three lenses, a fast A13 bionic processor with artificial intelligence and a considerable battery life - the new iPhone is full of the latest technology, which should be of particular interest to photographers. Does the new high-end smartphone herald a turning point - can you now confidently leave your digital camera at home while traveling and only take smartphone photography on vacation? We checked the new gadget in detail in our iPhone 11 Pro (Max) test. 

While earlier Smartphone Photos While on vacation were nothing more than pixelated snapshots for your private collection, high-quality photos can be taken while traveling and, of course, in everyday life, at least since the iPhone X and comparable models from other manufacturers. The advantages of smartphone photography are obvious: the gadgets are always with you, quickly pulled out and ready for use. With the new smartphone from Apple and the 12 megapixel triple camera with ultra wide-angle, wide-angle and telephoto lenses have ushered in a new era of photography, at least for the manufacturer's fans.

What does the new smartphone really do? And will smartphone photography alone be enough on vacation and when traveling in the future? In our iPhone 11 Pro (Max) test, we checked the high-end cell phone intensively and presented you with all the important strengths and weaknesses of the device in everyday life, during sports and, above all, when traveling and on vacation. Because where better to use the triple camera than in the most beautiful places destinations of the world? 

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iPhone 11 Pro (Max) test – our first impression of the new high-end smartphone

As a potential part of travel equipment, the new smartphone cuts a very good figure at first glance in our iPhone 11 Pro (Max) test: It has excellent workmanship (compared to some predecessors) and immediately stands out with its matte back, which, according to the manufacturer should be particularly hard and robust - ideal conditions for anyone who uses their smartphone while traveling or outdoors Vacation want to claim properly. The size and weight of the Max version with 6,5 inch display are of course immediately noticeable. For its size, the new device fits surprisingly well in the hand.

Ultimately, on all outdoor tours, adventures and active holidays, it is particularly important that the smartphone you take with you is handy and compact. If you have small hands and don't want to fiddle with a large cell phone, you should also get a smartwatch like this Apple Watch or use the smaller model with 5,8 inch. Overall, however, the first impression is: impressive look and feel with an amazingly different feel, although the iPhone 11 Pro models follow the same form factor as their predecessors.

Camera is the highlight of the new iPhone 11 Pro (Max)

Of course, the most eye-catching feature is the new camera module with three lenses arranged in the shape of a triangle, an LED flash and a microphone. This triple camera makes a promising impression at first glance and gives you the feeling of having a professional camera in your hand for taking high-quality photos. The first shots with the new high-end smartphone are brilliant. The smartphone takes razor-sharp images in daylight in our iPhone 11 Pro (Max) test.

This is probably mainly due to the new Deep Fusion technology, which calculates the Emd result from several individual images. When it gets dark, the new night mode switches on, allowing you to take high-quality, professional night photos even in complete darkness. This is done by exposing the images for up to ten seconds. All in all, our first impression of the photography options is clear: especially when it comes to the performance of the three cameras, the iPhone 11 Pro (Max) really deserves to be called Pro.

The iPhone 11 Pro has many similarities with the iPhone XS

As far as the other functions of the smartphone are concerned, it is pretty close to the previous model iPhone XS (Max). I recently had the opportunity to compare both models directly. Both iPhones look deceptively similar, the software runs similarly smoothly and the quality of the screens is almost identical. If you look at both smartphones from the front, you can hardly see any difference between the model generations. If you like your current iPhone The previous model is completely sufficient for navigation when traveling and on vacation, for recording sporting activities and for information on the Internet at your travel destination.

However, if you plan to do more extensive video editing and photo editing on your smartphone, you are in good hands with the new iPhone 11 Pro (Max). So if you want to edit your videos while on vacation or traveling and don't want to carry your laptop with you from home, you'll be well served with the iPhone 11 Pro (Max). According to initial independent tests, the new A13 Bionic chip with machine learning and artificial intelligence is one of the most powerful processors in a smartphone and is super fast in all demanding applications.

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iPhone 11 Pro (Max) test – positive first impression despite some concerns

Our first impression in our iPhone 11 Pro (Max) test is therefore clear: The new one Apple-Smartphone is a high-quality and powerful continuation of previous model generations and is the first choice for anyone who wants to take high-quality photos on active holidays, hiking holidays, adventure holidays, a variety of outdoor activities or simply on a family holiday. In our first attempts, the triple camera cut an incredibly good figure. The super wide-angle lens in particular should give many people the additional space in their photos that they have been waiting for for a long time.

On the other hand, the heavy weight of the device, which is significantly higher than that of an iPhone 7 Plus, is negative. In addition, of course, the price, which can be for many model variants on 1000 Euro, for many users absolutely deterrent. On the other hand, if you look at the price performance in relative terms and assume that the smartphone may be able to replace the digital camera when traveling or on holiday, the price is already quite low. In addition, there should be a significant price decline of the models over time.   

Specifications of the new iPhone 11 Pro Max

A quick overview

• Smartphone made of stainless steel and matt glass
• available in two finishes: iPhone 11 Pro 5,8 inches and iPhone 11 Pro Max 6,5 inches - each in four colors: Gold, Space Gray, Silver and Night Green
• Processor: A13 Bionic Chip with 3rd Generation Neural Engine
• Camera: 12 megapixel triple camera with ultra wide, wide and telephoto lenses
• Front camera: 12 megapixel camera
• Storage capacities of 64 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB
• Display technology: Super Retina XDR display with 6,5 ″ all-screen OLED multi-touch display (16,5 cm diagonal HDR display)
• Water resistance: IP68 classified according to IEC standard 60529 (max. 30 minutes at a water depth of up to 4 meters)
• supports payment with Apple Pay
• Weight: 226 grams
• Lightning connector, Gigabit LTE with 4 × 4 MIMO and LAA4, WLAN 6 (802.11ac) with 2 × 2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC with read mode
• long battery life: up to 5 hours longer than iPhone XS Max
• Quick charging

Light and shadow – what are the strengths and weaknesses of the iPhone 11 Pro (Max)

We took a close look at the smartphone in the iPhone 11 Pro (Max) test and were able to clearly see the strengths and weaknesses of the device. In the vast majority of cases, the first impression has been completely confirmed. The new triple camera is the absolute highlight of the manufacturer's new smartphone Apple. The camera takes razor-sharp photos and videos in both the ultra wide angle, zoom and telephoto ranges. The main improvement here is the night mode, which allows sharp and professional-looking photos even in almost complete darkness.

Another innovation in the smartphone is almost lost: the true depth camera on the front has been updated with a 12-megapixel camera and now helps users take sharper and higher-quality selfies when traveling and on vacation . Previously, only a seven-megapixel camera was installed in the previous model. The test showed a clear difference here. This innovation is likely to have a particularly positive impact on all smartphone users who spend a lot of time on social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram or Tik Tok and post about their travels there.

The weaknesses of the iPhone 11 Pro (Max) in the test are certainly present and are partly identical to the previous models: the smartphone is incredibly expensive for many users. The design has been on the market for several years now and will probably only undergo a general overhaul with the iPhone 12 next year. It was first released in 2014 with the iPhone 6 and has been continuously developed since then; many elements are still similar today.

On the other hand, the Lightning connection is still used, which lacks compatibility with current USB C chargers. In addition, the iPhone 11 Pro (Max) is relatively heavy at 228 grams and feels a bit bulky in the hand. Compared to an iPhone 8 Plus and the same form factor, it feels significantly heavier. Overall, the new iPhone 11 Pro (Max) is a very successful device that can be very useful for active travelers, adventurers and city trips.

Power

• The triple camera with three powerful cameras for pin-sharp photos and videos in ultra wide angle, zoom and telephoto
• the night mode of the camera, which makes sharp photos even in complete darkness
• the new selfie camera with 12 MP camera for sharper holidays and improved video function
• Photo features that use artificial intelligence to enhance shooting and enhance post-processing
• the powerful A13 processor, which is no problem for demanding video editing and photo editing
• numerous productive functions of the iPhone
• Fast charge function with corresponding charging accessories
• great compatibility with third-party vendors and extensive accessories available

weaknesses

• the price, which for many models can be well above 1000 Euro
• The design of the iPhone has meanwhile gotten a bit old
• the iPhone 11 Pro (Max) still has a Lightning port and no USB C
• Close software connection to the Apple-Cosmos

Travel photography with the iPhone 11 Pro (Max) – only smartphone photos on vacation?

I have my Sony Alpha (mirrorless system camera) with me on every trip. Unfortunately, over time, more and more has been shown that the smartphones are in no way inferior to conventional digital cameras. In part, I made comparisons and found that the smartphone shot was clearly superior in terms of professional photo criteria such as exposure, color authenticity and depth of field of the SLR camera or the mirrorless system camera.  A result that wonders. Who is traveling as a professional, should nevertheless do without a secondary camera in any case.

If you, as a vacationer or traveler, simply take photos for your album at home, a current smartphone from the large, established manufacturers is completely sufficient. Especially with the razor-sharp photos of the iPhone 11 Pro (Max), there is hardly any need for you to pack an additional digital camera. Travel photography with the iPhone 11 Pro (Max) has progressed to such an extent that, at least in theory, you can only take smartphone photos on vacation.

For many users - including me - this is still a little unusual because they have been used to using a reflex camera or mirrorless system camera for higher-quality photos for decades and photos taken with a cell phone are more likely to be considered low-quality snapshots. These days are definitely over with the new generations of smartphones. If the photo capabilities of smartphones continue to improve so rapidly, conventional digital cameras should very soon become a niche product.

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iPhone 11 Pro (Max) in the test – only smartphone photography on vacation?

My conclusion

We checked the smartphone in detail in our iPhone 11 Pro (Max) test and took a close look at the gadget on our next trip. Because anyone who goes on vacation and spends the most wonderful time of the year doesn't want to compromise on the quality of their videos and photos. And this is exactly where the smartphone really scores points compared to conventional digital cameras. For most purposes, the quality of the photos that the iPhone 11 Pro (Max) can take with its three lenses of the triple camera is not only completely sufficient for travel and vacation, but downright brilliant.

The new camera is definitely the biggest strength of the new device. The manufacturer has almost eliminated the biggest weak point that has existed in this area so far, namely exposure in the dark, with the new dark mode in the current model. If you want to do really good smartphone photography on your next trip, you can take your travel photography with the iPhone 11 Pro (Max). If a user wants to be on the safe side and have access to the functions of a large, analog lens, the traditional SLR camera should of course still be part of their luggage.

Very disadvantageous on the new iPhone - especially on the iPhone 11 Pro (Max) is the high price of the device and the heavy weight. However, you get a lot of smartphone for your money. We think: The new smartphone has shown in our iPhone 11 Pro (Max) test as a very good companion on travel and on vacation and is many requirements of travel photography justice - and offers many more outdoor options for active vacationers and adventurers.

Are you considering purchasing the new iPhone 11 Pro (Max)? Which smartphone model do you use and how will your pictures be? Share your experience in the comments.

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