iPhone 13 Pro Max (Update: Returned, staying with 13 PM) Anyone else thinking of getting the 15 Plus for its much lighter weight?

[Hal~9000]

I currently have the 13 Pro Max and the 15 Plus kind of caught my eye. Am I crazy to consider this upgrade? Anyone else thinking of the same?

WEIGHT
13 PM: 240 grams
15 Plus: 201 grams

CAMERA
13 PM: 12 MP main + 3x zoom + macro shots + LiDAR scanner
15 Plus: 48 MP main + 2x zoom + FF autofocus

BRIGHTNESS / NITS
13 PM: 1000 typical + 1200 peak
15 Plus: 1000 typical + 1600 peak + 2000 outdoors

DISPLAY / REFRESH RATE
13 PM: 10 - 120hz + Notch
15 Plus: 60hz + Dynamic Island

BATTERY LIFE:
13 PM: Video Playback - 28 hours / Video Streaming - 25 hours / Audio Playback - 95 hours
15 Plus: Video Playback - 26 hours / Video Streaming - 20 hours / Audio Playback - 100 hours

METAL FRAME:
13 PM: Shiny / Fingerprint Magnet + Sharp Edges
15 Plus: Matte / Fingerprint Resistant + Curved

CPU:
13 PM: A15
15 Plus: A16

WIRED / PORT:
13 PM: Lightning (USB 2.0 speeds)
15 Plus: USB-c (USB 2.0 speeds)

SAFETY FEATURES:
13 PM: None
15 Plus: Crash Detection + Satellites SOS

SIM CARD:
13 PM: SIM Card Tray
15 Plus: eSIM

Hard to choose. If I did go with the 15 Plus I would trade in my 13 Pro Max for $580, which would bring my total out of pocket (with tax) to $387.50 🤔

What would you peeps do? Anyone out there thinking of the possibility of the same upgrade?

Thanks for all your input 🙂

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[beerseagulls]

YES.

 

[4sallypat]

Wife has the same 13PM now and loves it.

She looked at the 15+ and 15PM and the only thing that caught her eye was using USB-C cord.

She said, more charge cords for the home, car and work ?

Nope.

 

[sato30]

I most likely will keep my iPhone 14 Pro 256GB Space Gray another year I'm in no rush this time around. I have thought of potentially getting the iPhone 15 Plus 256GB Blue model.

My favorite color is blue and the 15 Plus has all the features I like about the 14 Pro except for the refresh rate. I rather have the Ring/Silent switch since I use that daily plus I don't use the always on display. I like that iPhone 15 lineup has USB-C but I have so many USB-C and Lightning cables already I don't see a point in upgrading just for that.

 

[sjperformance]

No you aren't crazy. No justifications require from US. Buy and use what you like/desire. Still a good Apple product which ultimately is why we are all here. Enjoy.

 

[4sallypat]

I most likely will keep my iPhone 14 Pro 256GB Space Gray another year I'm in no rush this time around. I have thought of potentially getting the iPhone 15 Plus 256GB Blue model.

My favorite color is blue and the 15 Plus has all the features I like about the 14 Pro except for the refresh rate. I rather have the Ring/Silent switch since I use that daily plus I don't use the always on display. I like that iPhone 15 lineup has USB-C but I have so many USB-C and Lightning cables already I don't see a point in upgrading just for that.

Same for me - love my personal 14+ - lighter and more battery life than my work 14PM.

Since SOS satellite is free for another year, I'll be keeping the 14+ another year.

Next year, maybe get the 16 if the SOS satellite is still being offered.

 

[valinda]

The 15 pro max is supposed to be lighter.

 

[AppleB]

I say get it if you want it. I’m sitting this cycle out only because I’ve been upgrading every year since 11 PM. Time to chill for cycle. The 15 Pros looks great but nothing that I desire right now.

 

[rambo47]

I went from the 13 Pro Max to the 14 Pro. I sacrificed some battery capacity for a more convenient one-handed use size but my battery still lasts more than a full day. The camera is also still good enough for my usage. I'm happy with my choice so I'd recommend the OP making the switch.

I don't give a siht about the Lightning/USB-C port. I use wireless charging, both on a Belkin stand and with a MagSafe battery.

The Action button on the new 15 is interesting but in a very minor way. Like Dynamic Island vs. the notch. Kinda cool but far from earth-shattering. One step above "meh."

I'll pass on the 15 and stick with my 14 Pro, maybe take a look at the 16 when it comes out. As I get older I find the excitement of a new model has been replaced with the dread that new models bring. FOMO has changed to outright fear. If I wanted something that *might* be reliable but also *might* need workarounds and constant tomfoolery to work right I'd get an Android phone.

 

[Djones96]

At this point, I refuse to use anything but the Pro version of iPhone, but like others have said, use what you want/buy what you want. If it doesn't affect me personally, people can do whatever they want.

 

[Hal~9000]

Now that a battery life test has shown the 15 Plus to be the battery champ over all other models, is anyone else thinking of getting it? 🙂

 

[Hey Now]

Now that a battery life test has shown the 15 Plus to be the battery champ over all other models, is anyone else thinking of getting it? 🙂

I did. I traded in a 13 Pro and picked up a 15 Plus, specifically for the battery life. And it’s a very nice device. The only thing I feel like I’m missing out on is ProMotion but frankly I don’t really think about it while using it.

 

[mous94410]

If the 15 Plus had Promotion, i would have bought this phone instead of the 15 Pro max...

 

[4sallypat]

Now that a battery life test has shown the 15 Plus to be the battery champ over all other models, is anyone else thinking of getting it? 🙂

Funny that the 15+ has better battery life - I have a personal 14+ and it's the best battery life and lightweight.

I also have a 14PM from work and the battery life is a lot less plus it's heavier.
Never use the Pro Max features so it's a waste for me...

Will have to ask my work and exchange my 14PM for a 15+....

 

[5x10]

Now that a battery life test has shown the 15 Plus to be the battery champ over all other models, is anyone else thinking of getting it? 🙂

Yep, I cancelled my pro max order and am going with the plus

lighter
better battery
still has the 48 mp camera
same screen brightness as the pro max

my last two iPhones have been pro maxes but I the bigger screen was always the driving factor in those purchases
coming from a 12 pro max

 

[JPack]

In most usage cases, including the camera, the iPhone 15 Plus matches the Max model. I'm one of those that don't notice 120 Hz so the main deciding factor is 8GB RAM on the Max.

 

[Hal~9000]

WEIGHT
13 PM: 240 grams
15 Plus: 201 grams

DISPLAY / REFRESH RATE
13 PM: 10 - 120hz + Notch
15 Plus: 60hz + Dynamic Island

Well, I ended up returning the 15 Plus to Apple yesterday…

While I liked the lighter weight of the 15 Plus, it wasn’t as huge of a difference as I thought it would be 🤔

Normally my 13 Pro Max with screen protector + protective case is around 296 grams, which felt a bit heavy over long periods of time (thus causing me to be tempted by the 15 Plus’s lighter weight).

I ended up finding a super light case for my 13 Pro Max that is only 7 grams, is matte to prevent fingerprints on the shiny metal frame, and rounds the corners ever so slightly so they aren’t as sharp. The case is only 0.3mm thick, and thus not that protective beyond scratch protection, but I’m pretty good at not dropping my phone and have AppleCare+ if I do.

The one thing that I thought I would easily get used to, but could not, is the 60hz display. I don’t consider myself a display snob but the smoothness of the 120hz display on the 13 Pro Max was a striking difference for me in terms of the smoothness and overall satisfaction in using the device.

TLDR I ended up learning what I should have known already: The 13 Pro Max is a BEAST of a phone and should last me for at least 3-4 more years. I need to quit being tempted by Apple’s marketing of new devices and stop trying to find problems with my device when there are none.

While the 15 Plus is a marvelous phone, for me it doesn’t quite separate itself enough from the 13 Pro Max to justify an upgrade.

 

[cableguy84]

I still have my phone 13 pro max and it’s more than enough till the 16’s are released.
Battery life is still great on ios 17 too

 

[Fat_Guy]

Waiting for the 16PM…


Larger form factor and probably a different camera array like the Samsung to hold a more powerful zoom with a real periscope lens system. Everyone will know you have the latest iPhone! This is probably what the extra height is for.



Maybe a better manufactured battery, what - like the One Plus (1,600 full charge cycles).



Better build quality. Tighter tolerances and a non-PVD coated titanium frame. We won’t get ceramic shield in the back but maybe a better version of glass that isn’t as fragile.



For what it’s worth the 15 + is probably the best all around phone this year though.