I think the X(s) may just be the ultimate form factor. I've never wished that it was bigger, or smaller. Maybe a little less slippery if I have to nitpick.
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iPhone X on the fence: Max vs XS
- Thread starter SHKLMRE
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I think the X(s) may just be the ultimate form factor. I've never wished that it was bigger, or smaller. Maybe a little less slippery if I have to nitpick.
I think it maybe there are other things to consider in day to day use and not all point to the max being too big imo, although I do get the arguments on both sides. Here are some thoughts....
1. Control Centre and Notifications – Yes I cannot reach these on the max but I also cannot reach them on the smaller X at least not without adjusting my grip. The issue here is having it at all at the top at all is just a poor place full stop. At least on android you can have launchers with more flexible gestures e.g. on nova you can swipe down from ANYWHERE on the screen to bring down the notification shade, or double tap, or pinch etc….
2. Far side of the screen - Any apps or folders that you have in the right/left column (depending on whether you are left or right handed) will be struggle to reach 1 handed and get progressively harder the further up you go!
3. 1 handed typing – IMO with a one handed keyboard it is as easy as it is on the X, the only difference is the weight/balance of the phone. I am a fan of one handed keyboards but often they are limited by how wide you can have them i.e. on an S9 plus the one handed keyboard is too narrow for me but switching it off totally is too wide, on the Xs Max the one handed keyboard sizing is perfect (imo) This is more by luck than judgement though.
4. Reachability is good but not the answer. – If we had more customisation options such being able to put icons where we wanted in iOS or wrapping them from the bottom rather than the top then we could leave the top row empty. Sorry Apple but wrapping from the top is just dumb.
5. Size, weight and pocket ability – No getting away from this, like the 8+ before it the Max is a burden to carry, it will poke out of your back pocket and be noticeable in the front pocket, less of a burden in autumn and winter where you will likely have a coat but you will be able to feel it more in a coat pocket. Ladies with handbags (or men with man-bags) probably won’t find this to be as much of an issue.
6. Is the extra size worth it? Arguably right now it is not as others have pointed out, sure movies look great but most other items are just same content as the X but bigger i.e. you are not always getting more on screen just the same stuff enlarged. Hopefully we will not have to wait until iOS 13 to fix this.
YMMV
1. Control Centre and Notifications – Yes I cannot reach these on the max but I also cannot reach them on the smaller X at least not without adjusting my grip. The issue here is having it at all at the top at all is just a poor place full stop. At least on android you can have launchers with more flexible gestures e.g. on nova you can swipe down from ANYWHERE on the screen to bring down the notification shade, or double tap, or pinch etc….
2. Far side of the screen - Any apps or folders that you have in the right/left column (depending on whether you are left or right handed) will be struggle to reach 1 handed and get progressively harder the further up you go!
3. 1 handed typing – IMO with a one handed keyboard it is as easy as it is on the X, the only difference is the weight/balance of the phone. I am a fan of one handed keyboards but often they are limited by how wide you can have them i.e. on an S9 plus the one handed keyboard is too narrow for me but switching it off totally is too wide, on the Xs Max the one handed keyboard sizing is perfect (imo) This is more by luck than judgement though.
4. Reachability is good but not the answer. – If we had more customisation options such being able to put icons where we wanted in iOS or wrapping them from the bottom rather than the top then we could leave the top row empty. Sorry Apple but wrapping from the top is just dumb.
5. Size, weight and pocket ability – No getting away from this, like the 8+ before it the Max is a burden to carry, it will poke out of your back pocket and be noticeable in the front pocket, less of a burden in autumn and winter where you will likely have a coat but you will be able to feel it more in a coat pocket. Ladies with handbags (or men with man-bags) probably won’t find this to be as much of an issue.
6. Is the extra size worth it? Arguably right now it is not as others have pointed out, sure movies look great but most other items are just same content as the X but bigger i.e. you are not always getting more on screen just the same stuff enlarged. Hopefully we will not have to wait until iOS 13 to fix this.
YMMV
IMO, I couldn't imagine going with anything but the Max. Having this much screen in my pocket is really so great. I never had a problem with the physical size of the plus models though, and somehow the Max feels a little better in hand.
But really, it's all I could have asked for in a phone. It's very odd. When I got the first iPhone back in 2007 I don't think I would have ever imagined it would evolve into a 6.5inch screen in my pocket. I remember being so in awe of the 3.5inch screen at the time. And how alot of people back then thought the iPhone was too big compared to the increasingly smaller and smaller feature phones.
But really, it's all I could have asked for in a phone. It's very odd. When I got the first iPhone back in 2007 I don't think I would have ever imagined it would evolve into a 6.5inch screen in my pocket. I remember being so in awe of the 3.5inch screen at the time. And how alot of people back then thought the iPhone was too big compared to the increasingly smaller and smaller feature phones.
I’m driving myself nuts with both phones at home. The max screen is gorgeous but living in a busy city relying on public transport where I sometimes only have one hand free, the max can be a slight struggle (or maybe just an adjustment). The battery on the other hand is great for a city dweller away from outlets for hours at a time. Apps not being optimized isn’t a concern as that will come with time. It fits fairly well even in my skinniest jeans (yes, I mean skinny) thanks to deep pockets. Dilemma!
I went and returned my xs max yesterday for a 256 silver xs. Miss the screen but the weight and one handed typing are much better.
Wow a lot of members here who are swapping their Max for the XS.
Once the novelty wears off, all you’re left with is a brick.
I predict that in the next gen Apple will go back to a features difference on the Max, in order not to lose the cash cow. With feature parity, a lot of the people won’t be upsold.
Literally going though the same thing...have both and I'm driving myself nuts. Max screen is great like everyone is saying but that XS form factor is just perfect.
Exactly this. After days of trying, I choose comfort above screen size and will bring the max back. XS it is!
I can’t make a fair evaluation yet, because I have not received my iPhone XS Max, but I also thought the 5.8 iPhone X actually was too small for me. That was my first initial thoughts when I held it, and ever since then I wanted a larger display. So it should be interesting to see how much different it really is for me, considering I always use the ‘Plus’ sized phones in the past. The sole reason I want the 6.5 display, it’s just viewing more content and a larger display in general. However, I do realize that the trade-off is Carrying such large device in the pocket.
Phone last phone was the iPhone X which I had sold my iPhone 7 Plus for. On launch day I picked up the iPhone XS Max however after 5 days of use I ended up finding it to be to larger (usability wise) so returned it did the iPhone XS.
I personally wish Apple introduced the XR as a middle sized iPhone XS with the 6.1 inch screen cause that would be a perfect phone to screen ration IMO.
I personally wish Apple introduced the XR as a middle sized iPhone XS with the 6.1 inch screen cause that would be a perfect phone to screen ration IMO.
I myself had both phone. Trying to decide which one I wanted. Ended up taking the Max back today and keeping the XS. I had the X so it’s not much of a change. The Max screen & battery were nice but I’m use to the size of the X/XS. I’ve had bigger iphones in the past, I guess if next years are fine I may go back
You mean to say the XS MAX is not pocket friendly in terms of carrying it ? Right ? That's what you are saying ?
Sorry, but the difference between the XS and XS Max is $100. It's not exactly a "cash cow" in comparison, especially when you consider that its screen costs more, as does its larger battery (miniscule difference, but still).
I think Apple are pretty happy if you stick within the Apple ecosystem.
So I grabbed my wife an xs and a max for me last night. I figured with apples return policy, I will at least try it with nothing to lose.
Yeah, it’s too big. I’ve used a 5+ inch device for the last 5 years.
1. Will give it to apple, so far no thumb meat touches.
2. The weight... the weight is what is killing me. I use my pinky to support the bottom of the phone when one handing and my pinkey is killing me right now. My pixel xl which is physically the same size is like a piece of paper compared to the max.
3. The ui hasn’t been as bad as I thought it would be one handed BUT I still have to pivot the phone in my hand to reach the corners. It slows down actions quite a bit.
With all that said, if I had large hands, the screen and device is beautiful. I did my due diligence for my monies sake, but xs is the more comfortable phone. Gonna go put some ice on my pinkey.
Yeah, it’s too big. I’ve used a 5+ inch device for the last 5 years.
1. Will give it to apple, so far no thumb meat touches.
2. The weight... the weight is what is killing me. I use my pinky to support the bottom of the phone when one handing and my pinkey is killing me right now. My pixel xl which is physically the same size is like a piece of paper compared to the max.
3. The ui hasn’t been as bad as I thought it would be one handed BUT I still have to pivot the phone in my hand to reach the corners. It slows down actions quite a bit.
With all that said, if I had large hands, the screen and device is beautiful. I did my due diligence for my monies sake, but xs is the more comfortable phone. Gonna go put some ice on my pinkey.
I got the Max, my wife got the xs. I compared them both side by side and really the Max is just bigger. Like changing the font from 10 to 14 bigger.
You don't get any more information on the screen for any of the apps I looked at, but everything is larger. Image preview tiles, text, etc.
Hopefully future updates will allow the apps take advantage of the extra space, but for now I could have went non max. Coming from a 6 plus. Don't tell my wife, she always makes fun of me for wanting the larger phone.
I also took an awesome portrait photo of our dog on my Max. My wife put it as her lock screen and it looks very nice. I tried to put it as my lock screen and it was blurry in comparison. =\
You don't get any more information on the screen for any of the apps I looked at, but everything is larger. Image preview tiles, text, etc.
Hopefully future updates will allow the apps take advantage of the extra space, but for now I could have went non max. Coming from a 6 plus. Don't tell my wife, she always makes fun of me for wanting the larger phone.
I also took an awesome portrait photo of our dog on my Max. My wife put it as her lock screen and it looks very nice. I tried to put it as my lock screen and it was blurry in comparison. =\
I don’t think they will go down this route. Once the XR has launched, what we’re essentially left with is a split tier premium option. Rather than forcing those who want all the features to have a Plus-sized model as was the case before.
The overall viewing area of the X/Xs for reading text, web browsing and using apps is fine. The only areas I wanted a bigger screen were for watching videos and a bigger keyboard. So I upgraded from the X to the max.