iPhone X on the fence: Max vs XS

[traveltoromantis]

Considered the Max since I'm coming from an 8+, but ultimately it was just too heavy and unwieldy. It also seems like the iOS isn't too optimized for it yet. It's definitely not a one handed phone, whereas with the 8+ the screen was small enough that you could get away with using it one handed if you needed to.

 

[Zaft]

I played with the max at the store and although nice I’m not sure I want to go back to that size. I came from 7+ to the X and started to miss the wider screen. But I mostly use my iPad for movies and such.

I think I will regret it. I enjoy the size of the 5.8 inch X.

 

[SHKLMRE]

I recently upgraded my second phone from a 6S to a 7 Plus... the jump to a plus model felt so huge. When I upgraded my other from from a X to a XS, the jump didn’t seem that huge to me. At least not yet. Still on the fence, but I’m giving it a few more days.

 

[BigDO]

Waiting to see if anything changes as the app updates roll in. Currently, the bigger screen of the Max is not being used at all, so not jumping to change the X.

 

[jgiannakas]

I recently upgraded my second phone from a 6S to a 7 Plus... the jump to a plus model felt so huge. When I upgraded my other from from a X to a XS, the jump didn’t seem that huge to me. At least not yet. Still on the fence, but I’m giving it a few more days.

Upgrading from the X to the XS is the definition of an incremental update. There’s literally nothing to miss out on, even the camera update is incremental. If I were you I’d save my money and return it. If you really needed it you’d have noticed the differences by now.

 

[bOFFE1968]

Holding on to my X.
Ordered the XS Max gold and recieved it last friday. Played with it during the weekend and can safely conclude that I prefer the smaller size of the X. But the camera on the XS is a nice improvement over the X. I’m returning the Max.

 

[augustya]

Its a strange dilemma isn't it ? to go for the XS or go the extra step to go for XS MAX for guys we want something which can be easily carried in our pocket and in that sense the XS works out perfect without being too small, or too big. For women, they can carry a bigger sized phone like the XS MAX in their purse so they are sorted.

 

[vampyren]

I always get the big model. I have iphone 6S plus as well as the note8.
I got the Max now and i'm still 50/50 if i will keep it or get the XS.
Reason being that the Max is "to" heavy and a tiny bit to wide. The very small
difference matters allot. I feel like i could hold my note and even the 6S plus much more comfortable
then my Max. Note was best since its smaller and thinner and a little less heavy.
With the Max i feel like i'm going to drop it all the time and the leather case dont help. The case is also
very bad i think. It feels very slippery. The phone being heavy and wide makes it damn hard in many situations where
i could handle it with my Note.
I love the eye sensor feature allot and the size of the screen but not sure if i get use to the width and weight. I give it a few more days...
Otherwise i will go down to XS.

 

[bigscotal]

For those that have decided to return their Max, and go with the normal XS.

If you ordered directly through Apple for home delivery, I'm assuming that it is still the case that you can't just walk into an Apple store to do the exchange?

I seem to recall that in previous years, you were forced to return the handset via post, and then either re-order online, or take your chances in-store.

 

[vampyren]

For those that have decided to return their Max, and go with the normal XS.

If you ordered directly through Apple for home delivery, I'm assuming that it is still the case that you can't just walk into an Apple store to do the exchange?

I seem to recall that in previous years, you were forced to return the handset via post, and then either re-order online, or take your chances in-store.

In sweden i think we can. Either way we have always 14 day return right here. So worst case we send it by mail.

 

[ugahairydawgs]

For those that have decided to return their Max, and go with the normal XS.

If you ordered directly through Apple for home delivery, I'm assuming that it is still the case that you can't just walk into an Apple store to do the exchange?

I seem to recall that in previous years, you were forced to return the handset via post, and then either re-order online, or take your chances in-store.

I don't believe you can return web phone orders to the store. I know that was the case in previous years (I tried).

 

[bigscotal]

I don't believe you can return web phone orders to the store. I know that was the case in previous years (I tried).

Cheers. Like others, coming from my 7, I’m loving the larger screen but I’m worried that once the novelty wears off it’ll just become a real nuisance to carry about.

I was also unpleasantly surprised at how heavy it is to be honest.

I’ll give it a day or two and decide then I think.

 

[Nautilus007]

I don't believe you can return web phone orders to the store. I know that was the case in previous years (I tried).

I have returned web orders to the store multiple times.

 

[cardfan]

I don't have a problem carrying the Max as much as actually using it. The additional weight and awkward usage isn't exactly a better experience even with the larger screen (which is killer looking no doubt but so is X) which really doesn't change the experience much either. It's not like it becomes an ipad and easy to read pdfs, comics, or whatever.

I'll probably get a new ipad instead later and keep the X another year. But its safe to say I probably won't consider a larger iphone again if Apple keeps making premium 5.8.

 

[augustya]

More and More people are exactly saying .the same thing for the XS Max once the novelty wearsbiff it would be a pain in the a** to carry it, especially for men.

 

[Daveydawg]

More and More people are exactly saying .the same thing for the XS Max once the novelty wearsbiff it would be a pain in the a** to carry it, especially for men.

Yup agreed. I’ve decided to spare the world of any more of my butt crack than is absolutely necessary and I’m going to switch to the xs. Pulling my pants up every 10 seconds is already wearing thin and that’s while still having the newness of it... I feel like I’m getting greedy anyways- 5.8 is nothing to sneeze at.. now my question is just keep my x or upgrade to xs.... i def notice a difference in camera and sound from my x...

 

[augustya]

Yup agreed. I’ve decided to spare the world of any more of my butt crack than is absolutely necessary and I’m going to switch to the xs. Pulling my pants up every 10 seconds is already wearing thin and that’s while still having the newness of it... I feel like I’m getting greedy anyways- 5.8 is nothing to sneeze at.. now my question is just keep my x or upgrade to xs.... i def notice a difference in camera and sound from my x...

Well ! If you are one of those who wants to have the latest and best of what Apple has to offer, and who upgrades every year. Why not !!

 

[infoghost]

Just swapped the Max for the XS. Don't get me wrong - I loved the Max, but it was just a bit to heavy to be comfortable for me. Felt like I had to tighten my belt so my pants wouldn't fall down, and it was bothering my hands with prolonged use. I feel like I've gotten "large phone fatigue" lately, so I'll try a smaller one for a year. I've had the 7 & 8 plus, and while I loved them, slowly over time I often wished for something a little smaller.

I've not had a ton of time to test the XS but so far, I find the screen and size to be just right. It's the battery I worry about, so time will tell. I don't regret swapping it at all. At least not yet.

That said, if you want and dig a big phone, the Max is wonderful.

 

[jclardy]

I've used nearly every iPhone size, most recently SE -> 7+ -> X -> XS Max.

The Max is a large phone, but it somehow feels smaller than the Plus did. I thought the X was the perfect size, and I think the Max is maybe slightly too big, but still manageable. What I think that means is that the XR might end up being the ideal size for me...but I can't downgrade to one camera and large bezels, so I'll stick to the max.

 

[Ralfi]

I still have my old X

It's still new. Unless you want the bigger phone in the Max, keep your X & save your money for something else. Vietnam's great this time of year.
[doublepost=1537906708][/doublepost]

I've used nearly every iPhone size, most recently SE -> 7+ -> X -> XS Max.

The Max is a large phone, but it somehow feels smaller than the Plus did. I thought the X was the perfect size, and I think the Max is maybe slightly too big, but still manageable. What I think that means is that the XR might end up being the ideal size for me...but I can't downgrade to one camera and large bezels, so I'll stick to the max.

I wonder if the 6.1" may replace the 5.8" in a year or two if it sells very well?

For me, the 6.1" is a happy medium & the largest size that allows one-handed use, but like you, I couldn't downgrade to it at its current specs.

 

[corriewf]

It's still new. Unless you want the bigger phone in the Max, keep your X & save your money for something else. Vietnam's great this time of year.
[doublepost=1537906708][/doublepost]
I wonder if the 6.1" may replace the 5.8" in a year or two if it sells very well?

For me, the 6.1" is a happy medium & the largest size that allows one-handed use, but like you, I couldn't downgrade to it at its current specs.

I think at some point you have to acknowledge the folks who wish for a smaller one handed device. I could manage a 6.1 but my wife? Hell no. Even the Xs is a stretch.

 

[neil74]

That's the dilemma and the trade off. The max is great to look at with 1 handed keyboard mode on is not terrible for one handed typing but it is a 2 handed phone and I agree it feels like it could tip out of your hand at any minute.

The real downside is the burden of carrying the thing Vs the X. I also agree with others that mostly the benefit of the larger screen is not realised yet e.g. there are same number of icons on the home page they are just larger, it would have looked great with a different look to the home screen rather than a bloated ipx or ip8/8+

For what it's worth I posted my max back to Apple earlier today and am using the X again. May get the max again but really need to reflect a little on my few days with it. On one hand the screen is amazing but on the other the 5.8" X could well be the perfect sweet-spot size wise, especially for one handed use.

P.S. Typed whole post on the X one handed

 

[macblitz]

I know a few people who are on the fence between regular and plus sizes over the years:

Most regret their decision on getting the smaller phone.
Most do not regret their decision on buying the bigger phone.

The ones who got the smaller phone eventually buy the bigger phone after 1-2 years. Rarely the other way around.

 

[metacove1]

The ones who got the smaller phone eventually buy the bigger phone after 1-2 years. Rarely the other way around.

The bigger version in the past had more advantages than just screen size. In addition the "smaller" version has a larger screen than any small version in the past helping bridge the gap.

 

[cardfan]

The bigger version in the past had more advantages than just screen size. In addition the "smaller" version has a larger screen than any small version in the past helping bridge the gap.

Yep oled screen, same guts and all that makes the smaller XS superior. Kinda like the Sony rx100 vi I got my wife. Small zoom camera but high quality.