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Pro - prefer more compact phones and my hands are smaller so it's easier to use one-handed and fits in my pocket. Pro Max is too big IMO.

This year, Apple seemed to have reduced the length and width by a mm or so which is great so it's almost approaching the X/XS/11 Pro dimensions.
 
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Pro is 1 day battery with 10-20% left and might not make outing in the evening with 100% confidence.
Max will make it 1 day with 30-45% and surely will survive evening out.
If that matters to you then the choice is obvious.
 
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It's funny how much of a difficult debate this is at least for folks such as me. I'm upgrading from iPhone 12 Pro Max so have some hands-on experience with the large size and sometimes unwieldiness. I often have it sticking out of my pocket, etc, but, and this is a big but, I have grown accustomed to the gorgeous, large screen.

I ended up going with the 15 Pro Max, although I could see myself waffling again because I'd like a phone that could fit in my breast pocket. One other note, however, is that now that I use the AWU I am less chained to my phone and even *gasp* walk or take a hike without a phone, since the AWU keeps me connected and functional to that nth degree. ;)
 
PM. But I have had largest possible screen phones for the last 11 year. It was originally the reason why I switched to Android. I guess it depends on what you do on your phone.
 
I’d go for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Your eyes will thank you for the larger screen. Plus the 15 Pros are made out of Titanium and it’s much lighter this year. They also slightly narrowed it & with the slightly curved edges it’s much easier to hold now.
 
And I can’t decide if I should go for the 15 PM or 14 PM. Coming from 13 PM. I could get some savings off from buying 14 PM.
 
And I can’t decide if I should go for the 15 PM or 14 PM. Coming from 13 PM. I could get some savings off from buying 14 PM.
I had your predicament for a few days of the launch. I have personally decided that current savings of about $150 cad ($1599 vs $1749) are not worth if for me personally when it comes to older chip and lightning vs USB-C, and 120x zoom (I have children who play sports). Titanium chassis is nice, but was not a deal breaker for me
 
I have tried the max before and while I love it, it’s just too big to be comfortable in my hands. I wish that was not the case but it is what it is. Maybe the lighter 15 PM will make that easier but I went with the Pro. Easier to operate one handed, fits in my pocket easily, etc. if I want something bigger that’s what my iPad is for.

The max is great though.
 
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This year, Apple seemed to have reduced the length and width by a mm or so which is great so it's almost approaching the X/XS/11 Pro dimensions.
I'm upgrading from an 11 Pro Max and was all set to go with the smaller 15 Pro; I had previously briefly owned a 12 Pro Max before returning it because the size increase from the old Max sizes to the new ones was just too great for me.

However, I'm curious how many people might consider the 15 Pro Max precisely because Apple has made the physical dimensions smaller; it's still 0.07" taller than my 11 Pro Max, but it's a lot closer than the 12/13/14 Pro Max-sized devices have been in the past. Maybe worth a shot now that they've slimmed them down?

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I’m going from a 14 pro to a 15 pro max. I considered just going to a 15 plus because I wanted a larger size without so much weight, but honestly, it’ll be less of a jump than if I’d have gone with a pro max last year (which I almost did).

I mainly chose it because I wanted a larger screen for reading, and a larger keyboard. I had plus sized phones for years until they went with the full screens, then I went with the smaller phone, so it’s not like I’ve never had a large phone. I think I’m really gonna be happy with it.
 
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I'm upgrading from an 11 Pro Max and was all set to go with the smaller 15 Pro; I had previously briefly owned a 12 Pro Max before returning it because the size increase from the old Max sizes to the new ones was just too great for me.

However, I'm curious how many people might consider the 15 Pro Max precisely because Apple has made the physical dimensions smaller; it's still 0.07" taller than my 11 Pro Max, but it's a lot closer than the 12/13/14 Pro Max-sized devices have been in the past. Maybe worth a shot now that they've slimmed them down?

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I compared phone sizes and weights so much before I ordered - lol. Honestly I just felt like it was a lot less of a jump to a max this year than in previous years, so I‘m making the switch. My last big phone was an 8+, so it’s not like I’ve never had a larger phone, and I think the weight of the 14 pro will have kinda broken me in gradually to the weight of this one.
 
Never again will I go for the Max. Impossible to use one handed, which seriously limits the usability in my work flow. Zero benefit to the bigger screen since iOS makes no intelligent use of the extra pixels. Zero benefit to the battery life since it lasts more than a day but can't make the full two days so charging every night is still a must. Better camera this time around but that's totally irrelevant to me.
 
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I had a Max sized phone a while back and I liked it watching videos on it and the longer battery life but it is not easy to use one handed and not comfortable to carry around. I got the 12 Pro and love the size and portability.

If you need bigger text you can always increase the size of the text on the Pro.
 
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I think gender matters a bit. As a woman I don't care about pocket fit, I always have a purse. As long as the phone fits in my cycling jersey or the pocket of my running shorts and tights - I am good to go. But the ability to read books and watch videos on long flights is a must to me. I am coming from Samsung S20FE that has basically identical dimensions as Max Pro.
 
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I think gender matters a bit. As a woman I don't care about pocket fit, I always have a purse. As long as the phone fits in my cycling jersey or the pocket of my running short and leggings - I am good to go. But the ability to read books and watch videos on long flights is a must to me. I am coming from Samsung S20FE that has basically identical dimensions as Max Pro.

I agree. I like to read/look at things on my phone in bed. I have tried using an iPad mini, but always wind up going back to my phone because it’s just easier to hold and read. This is why I’m going pro max - little bit of extra screen to make it more enjoyable. My phone spends a lot of time in my purse, and with my watch, I only pull the phone out if I need to. It’s definitely not nearly as big of deal than someone who has to have it in a pocked all the time.
 
I was debating the same but ended up going with the 15 pro max. The 5 x camera is a benefit and the slightly lighter weight from previous pro maxs is nice. Im coming from the 14 pro and always kinda regretted getting the smaller size.
 
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I ordered the max. Camera isn’t big to me but I want to try the larger screen and that sweet, sweet battery.
 
I have a max phone now and I’m going standard size Pro. It’s too much to be portable. I use an otter box on it sometimes and not only does it make it massive, it exacerbates my tendinitis using it. Can’t wait to have a normal sized phone again. If I need more, there’s my iPad.
 
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