Last updated: August 2026
The 11 Pro Max was famous for its battery life — which is exactly the thing that no longer holds true. Lithium batteries degrade with cycles and age, and this phone launched in 2019.
Battery health is the whole purchase
A 2019 flagship has been through hundreds of charge cycles. Its original advantage — the largest battery Apple had shipped at the time — is diminished by however much that battery has degraded.
Before buying, ask for the battery health percentage. It is visible in the phone’s settings and takes seconds to check. Treat a seller who will not provide it as having answered you.
A battery replacement is not expensive relative to the phone, and it restores much of what made this model good. Factor it into the price rather than discovering it later.
The other age checks
- Software support window — it is among the oldest iPhones still supported. Confirm the current position.
- Whether it is blacklisted — a device reported stolen can be blocked from South African networks.
- Storage — fixed at purchase, and the base configuration is small by current standards.
Is the size still right for you?
The Pro Max is large and heavy — heavier than most current large phones. Handle one before committing. Size is the thing people most often regret on a phone they keep for years.
See 11 Pro contract deals for the smaller version.
Do not finance it
A 24-month agreement on a phone this old means paying past the point where it stops receiving security updates. Bought outright and cheaply it is reasonable; financed it is not.
See 12 Pro Max, pre-owned iPhone deals, pre-owned contract deals and iPhone contract deals.
Frequently asked questions
Does it still have great battery life?
Not as it did new. Check the battery health figure.
Is a battery replacement worth it?
Usually — it restores much of the phone’s original advantage.
Should I finance one?
No. Buy outright if at all.
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Software support positions change. Confirm current status before buying. This is general information, not financial advice.