Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Swapped my pro for the pro max last night, I’m on the IUP and it was a pretty easy process.

The pro was so easy to use and carry but the screen just felt narrow, both have compromises but at I think screen size trumps portability. Not going to lie though, the max is heavy!

It is, which makes me worry about dropping it, which forces me to put an Otterbox Commuter case on it, which makes it heavier still ...
 
I've gone back and forth with plus size phones and just purchased the Pro Max after having the X for almost 2 years. I was definitely apprehensive to get the larger phone but after having it almost a week now it doesn't feel that much larger than the X. In fact I would need to hold the X to remember the size it was ( I traded it in). The Max feels the same size. I don't, however, like the idea that next year will be even larger.
 
One thing I have learned is that I rarely use a phone with one hand. Even with the 11P if I need to swipe back to a previous screen it takes a ‘shift’ with my hand. My thumb can’t quite get all the way to the left side without shifting my hand/wrist. I never type one-handed.

I love this 11P and I love that it disappears in my pocket. My 11 either lived in my back pocket or had to be put somewhere..front pocket not an option and I don’t wear tight pants. I LOVE the battery life of the 11P. Yesterday (technically today) it was after midnight and I had over 40% remaining. Today, with light use.. off the charger at 7AM and I am at 98%.

What I am not loving is pictures. Pictures I take or get from people.. I find myself zooming to see them as I am used to them being bigger. When I edit I am zooming to see more of what I want to change. Pictures taken in portrait/vertical aspect are fine. It’s the landscape images that are not leveraging the size of the screen. The 11PM does this as well.. but you do get a bigger image. My vision is fine.. just smaller pictures on a smaller phone. Still not in a rush but the 11PM is not out of the question. I need to go back to the store give the 11PM some time.
 
I love this 11P and I love that it disappears in my pocket. My 11 either lived in my back pocket or had to be put somewhere..front pocket not an option and I don’t wear tight pants.

So you´ve gone from the 11 to the 11 pro? I have the 11 and tested the 11 pro at the store, is usually heavy but that few mm of height and width make a difference in how it feels.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tjhassan
One thing I have learned is that I rarely use a phone with one hand. Even with the 11P if I need to swipe back to a previous screen it takes a ‘shift’ with my hand. My thumb can’t quite get all the way to the left side without shifting my hand/wrist. I never type one-handed.

I love this 11P and I love that it disappears in my pocket. My 11 either lived in my back pocket or had to be put somewhere..front pocket not an option and I don’t wear tight pants. I LOVE the battery life of the 11P. Yesterday (technically today) it was after midnight and I had over 40% remaining. Today, with light use.. off the charger at 7AM and I am at 98%.

What I am not loving is pictures. Pictures I take or get from people.. I find myself zooming to see them as I am used to them being bigger. When I edit I am zooming to see more of what I want to change. Pictures taken in portrait/vertical aspect are fine. It’s the landscape images that are not leveraging the size of the screen. The 11PM does this as well.. but you do get a bigger image. My vision is fine.. just smaller pictures on a smaller phone. Still not in a rush but the 11PM is not out of the question. I need to go back to the store give the 11PM some time.

One handed - I would if I could but it hasn't really worked for me since the 4, possibly the 5/5S. I have big hands (XL gloves) and a lot of manual dexterity (multiple musical instruments). Just doesn't work for me (YMMV), so on that score the Max phones are not different than any other iPhone. I will say that the FaceID UI made it even harder (swipe down), but that applies to the whole range.
 
I love the bigger screen and the extra battery life, but carrying the phone around is uncomfortable and isn’t very practical. As a matter of fact, I have to buy new pants with deeper pockets because the ones I currently have now all make the iPhone stick out and end up jamming my hip when I sit down. How do you cope with larger phones when it comes to portability?
I think the max is particularly worse if you’re a woman, since the pants can’t accommodate it (though you do have a purse at times so that helps).

For me it comes down to what devices you own. I have the 12.9” iPad Pro so have no need for the max phone. I can see where people without iPads might want it so that’s that.
 
I am pretty sure I am switching to the 11PM. I had the XR for a year and loved it. The 11P has blown me away, especially with battery life but the screen just isn’t enough for me. The screen is everything. I keep looking at pictures and thinking how small they are, for me.

One thing that helps with iOS 13 (Apple Store Reps did not know this) is that when you are editing in Photos (and Lightroom) you can zoom the image to the entire screen. This resolves the tiny image to edit in landscape view. It will just be bigger on the 11PM.

One thing I will be investing in is a sheath case. The MAIN time I don’t like having a big phone is when my wife and I are out and I have to put the big honkin’ phone on the table because it won’t fit in my pockets. With a sheath I can just toss it in her purse and not worry about scratching the display.

I tried to go small and the 11P is awesome but I will have to suffer through the agony for the screen real estate I want.
 
My only complaints are that the weight of the pro Max is.. heavy as hell. 2nd complaint is the price but hey... it it’s worthy then so be it. I’m a firm believer is that the majority of the time you get what you pay for.
 
After debating between the Pro and the Max I am going to make the jump to the Max. The screen size is just too good to pass up.

If I don’t like it I will swap it out in a year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mt44
I bounce back and forth. After having the XS I switched back to the pro max this time. I’m enjoying it so far. Screen space is nice and the battery has been excellent.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EdMan
Swapped my pro for the pro max last night, I’m on the IUP and it was a pretty easy process.

The pro was so easy to use and carry but the screen just felt narrow, both have compromises but at I think screen size trumps portability. Not going to lie though, the max is heavy!
I am considering doing the same, going to 11Pro Max from 11 Pro.

I’m new to the IUP, how was the process? Did they hit your credit twice? That’s my concern.
Thx!
 
today i tested both sizes in Bestbuy for like 10minutes.

At first i was leaning towards the Max size because ive used a Plus phone for the past 5 years, so naturally they are the same size. But then because the screen truly stretches from bottom to top unlike the 8+ ive been using it makes a huge diffewrence in usabilty. Whereas i can reach the home button before, and the top of the screen, i cannot do that now. if i want to reach the bottom to close an app i need to adjust my hands. and if i need to reach the top i have to adjust holding it again.

So i went with the smaller size.
 
All those saying they’re happy to re to a 5.8” iPhone this year, treat that thing like a baby as that size looks like it’s being killed off....
 
This is the reason I have never considered the MAX size. I was pleased to move from the 7 PLUS to the X and have found that the perfect size for me balancing portability with view-ability. If you are going to carry the phone around in bag, then you might as well carry an iPad instead - and that is what I do if I have any real work while out and about.
 
One thing I have learned is that I rarely use a phone with one hand.

This is a good point, the 11 pro may be more pocket friendly but I still need a second hand to pull down control centre or notifications anyway
 
I love the bigger screen and the extra battery life, but carrying the phone around is uncomfortable and isn’t very practical. As a matter of fact, I have to buy new pants with deeper pockets because the ones I currently have now all make the iPhone stick out and end up jamming my hip when I sit down. How do you cope with larger phones when it comes to portability?
To me, it seems that the best solution is to just get the Apple Watch. Most notifications can be handled on the watch, and thus the phone can be inside a bag or whatnot, and its size won't be as debilitating.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EdMan
I mean, my Max does take up more pocket room but I deal with it 'cos the phone is so much more enjoyable to use than a 'non' Max....

If it's causing that much of an issue or you're finding yourself buying new clothes just to house your phone.... Then you probably shouldn't have a Max sized phone.

Just my opinion.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HYPOKON2000
If it's causing that much of an issue or you're finding yourself buying new clothes just to house your phone.... Then you probably shouldn't have a Max sized phone.

Just my opinion.

100% agree; the phone must fit your lifestyle, not the other way around
 
  • Like
Reactions: larzy
I’ve had the plus phones before X came out, then got the X. While I enjoyed the weight and size of the X, I found the screen too narrow. Got the 11PM, felt back at home (yes it is noticeably heavier, but I got used to it in a few days)
 
  • Like
Reactions: PBz
Max size is great while using but not pocketable plus I always use a bulky case so I go with the regular size, I can also use it one handed which you can’t really do with a max
 
One-handed use strategies:
  • Enable the one-handed smaller keyboard
  • iOS shortcuts on widget screen
  • use iEmpty.com to create space at the top of the screen, pushing your most-used apps to the bottom where they are reachable
  • Reachability
  • Use Siri to launch apps
  • App switch by dragging your thumb along the base of the iPhone
  • Enable AssistiveTouch and set it up with actions that are normally hard-to-reach
Lots of ways to offset the challenges of one-handed use and get the most from the Max screen.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PBz and OasisNYK
I personally love the Max / Plus sized phone. I have fairly big hands and it fits perfectly in them, and I haven't had an issue with it falling out of my pocket or not fitting in there. The size is perfect for me.
 
All those saying they’re happy to re to a 5.8” iPhone this year, treat that thing like a baby as that size looks like it’s being killed off....

I'm still trying to decide between the 11Pro and regular 11 (not interested in the Max) and what you just mentioned is being factored into my decision making. 6.1 supposedly will still be made next year while the 5.8" is supposedly being downsized to 5.4" (too small IMO). This could be my last chance to get the 5.8" size for many years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ralfi
I still trying to decide between the 11Pro and regular 11 (not interested in the Max) and what you just mentioned is being factored into my decision making. 6.1 supposedly will still be made next year while the 5.8" is supposedly being downsized to 5.4" (too small IMO). This could be my last chance to get the 5.8" size for many years.

I had the XR and loved it. I had the 11P for a few days and if I had to decide between the 11P and 11 it would be the 11P. I left the XS for the XR because the XS battery was just not enough IMO. I recently gave the 11P a chance but went with the 11PM but I have been a Plus user since Apple made them.

The 11P is the sleeper of the bunch. Great fit in-hand and ridiculous battery life. The screen of the 11 is great and I have preferred the LCD screen in the past but I have to say I love the clarity and color of the Pro line. Yes, they are slightly warmer screens but I think they are accurate and I love reading on them. One thing that irked me with the XR/11 was the smaller default text in Safari. The screen is bigger but smaller text size? Not a deal breaker but annoying, for me.

I think the 11P battery is better than the XR and 11. I know specs say it but that doesn’t always mean it’s real. The battery life I got from the 11P on just the second charge cycle was insane.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ralfi
I had the XR and loved it. I had the 11P for a few days and if I had to decide between the 11P and 11 it would be the 11P. I left the XS for the XR because the XS battery was just not enough IMO. I recently gave the 11P a chance but went with the 11PM but I have been a Plus user since Apple made them.

The 11P is the sleeper of the bunch. Great fit in-hand and ridiculous battery life. The screen of the 11 is great and I have preferred the LCD screen in the past but I have to say I love the clarity and color of the Pro line. Yes, they are slightly warmer screens but I think they are accurate and I love reading on them. One thing that irked me with the XR/11 was the smaller default text in Safari. The screen is bigger but smaller text size? Not a deal breaker but annoying, for me.

I think the 11P battery is better than the XR and 11. I know specs say it but that doesn’t always mean it’s real. The battery life I got from the 11P on just the second charge cycle was insane.
Great perspective. Why did you go with the 11PM then? I have 11PM and like it, but wondering about the smaller size of the 11P. You almost had me sold, but then I saw you went with PM afterall :)
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.