iPhone 14 Pro Max Upgrade or wait?

[Dirtnap86]

Hi, new member here. First post.

Currently have a iPhone X. I don’t really mind it but there are two small things that bug me a bit.

1. The GPS isn’t very accurate. I do a lot of trail riding on dirt bikes and my logged tracks are always all over they place compared to others I ride with which are bang on and consistent.

2. I would like to be able to take better quality macro photos.

Otherwise I really don’t mind the phone and I can live with both these things for now but I’ve really been getting the itch for a new phone since I started hearing rumours of the 15 Ultra (now I understand it might not come until the 16).

I told myself a while ago I would wait for USB-C and then get a new phone but now I’m wondering if maybe I should maybe just get a 14pro and then I can upgrade to a 16pro as it might have the rear facing camera under the screen I’ve read?

IDK what to do!

To make matters more complicated I’m not sure if I want to go with the “Max” size phone or just the 6.1” pro size. I’m considering buying a used 13pro max so I can try it for a bit and then sell it if the size is working out witting taking a huge loss.

Sorry for all the rambling. Would love to get some insight from y’all.

Option 1: Buy used 13pro Max to try

Option 2: Buy new 14Pro or 14PM

Option 3: Wait

My concern is I wait and then when the 15 comes out I still want to wait for something the 16 is leaked to have…

 

[ian87w]

If you are an outdoor person, you should rethink if the size of the Pro Max would be suitable for your activities or not. The 13/14 Pro Max is big and “heavy,” almost 40% heavier than your X. Something to really think about.

Since you have concerns in GPS and you’re interested in macro photography, the selections is quite easy. For macro photography, only the 13/14 Pro series have the specific feature. As for GPS, the 14 Pro series have dual band GPS. So imo if you want a new phone now, get the 14 Pro.

 

[Dirtnap86]

If you are an outdoor person, you should rethink if the size of the Pro Max would be suitable for your activities or not. The 13/14 Pro Max is big and “heavy,” almost 40% heavier than your X. Something to really think about.

Since you have concerns in GPS and you’re interested in macro photography, the selections is quite easy. For macro photography, only the 13/14 Pro series have the specific feature. As for GPS, the 14 Pro series have dual band GPS. So imo if you want a new phone now, get the 14 Pro.

Yes I’m concerned about the size for sure. My riding pants have a weird angular pocket over the quad muscle and I’m not sure how a big phone would work in it. I usually ride about 100hrs over the summer so this is important to me. I use a quad lock case on my phones so this makes the size issue worse. I think I really would appreciate the big screen while using the phone however.

Thanks for the info on the GPS, I wasn’t aware and haven’t seen it discussed that the 14pro has dual band GPS.

 

[BenGoren]

After I idiotically put my beloved Xs through the washing machine, I got a 13 mini. My #1 requirement in a new phone was that it have AppleCare+ (in case I did something similarly idiotic to the new phone). And money was (and is) tight, so the #2 requirement was to minimize cost.

I’m really happy with the 13 mini. I had been wanting a larger display and would absolutely love the latest-and-greatest cameras. However … the display on the 13 mini is enough better than the display was on the Xs that I don’t mind that it’s physically smaller; it’s at least as easy to read. And that the whole phone itself is smaller is certainly nice.

The camera is a really, really big upgrade over that of the Xs. I do find myself wishing for closer focussing distance for macro, and I miss the telephoto more than I appreciate the ultrawide … but you’ve got a shocking amount of room to crop, so neither of those are as much of a shortcoming as I would have otherwise expected. And the low-light abilities, the cinematic movie mode, the ultrawide … it really is an awfully good camera.

If you have access to an Apple Store, visit in person and play with the devices before making your decision. But don’t overlook the mini … it might not be the perfect choice for you amongst all that’s out there, but it’s a gigantic step up from the X in pretty much every conceivable way.

And don’t wait. If it really bothers you, sign up for the upgrade program … but do so knowing that the cost works out to the same as if you just trade in your phone on the same schedule. Regardless, you can, in perfectly good conscience, get whatever is ideal for you now; later, if something you desperately want comes out, the old phone won’t at all go to waste.

b&

 

[GMShadow]

Consider cutting out a piece of cardboard to the dimensions of the 14 Pro Max, it can help you see how it'll fit in pockets and such.

 

[Dirtnap86]

After I idiotically put my beloved Xs through the washing machine, I got a 13 mini. My #1 requirement in a new phone was that it have AppleCare+ (in case I did something similarly idiotic to the new phone). And money was (and is) tight, so the #2 requirement was to minimize cost.

I’m really happy with the 13 mini. I had been wanting a larger display and would absolutely love the latest-and-greatest cameras. However … the display on the 13 mini is enough better than the display was on the Xs that I don’t mind that it’s physically smaller; it’s at least as easy to read. And that the whole phone itself is smaller is certainly nice.

The camera is a really, really big upgrade over that of the Xs. I do find myself wishing for closer focussing distance for macro, and I miss the telephoto more than I appreciate the ultrawide … but you’ve got a shocking amount of room to crop, so neither of those are as much of a shortcoming as I would have otherwise expected. And the low-light abilities, the cinematic movie mode, the ultrawide … it really is an awfully good camera.

If you have access to an Apple Store, visit in person and play with the devices before making your decision. But don’t overlook the mini … it might not be the perfect choice for you amongst all that’s out there, but it’s a gigantic step up from the X in pretty much every conceivable way.

And don’t wait. If it really bothers you, sign up for the upgrade program … but do so knowing that the cost works out to the same as if you just trade in your phone on the same schedule. Regardless, you can, in perfectly good conscience, get whatever is ideal for you now; later, if something you desperately want comes out, the old phone won’t at all go to waste.

b&

Thanks for your suggestion but honestly I’ve ruled out the mini. I for sure want a larger display and I want a 14pro, I’m just not decided if I want to go with the 6.1” or 6.7” version. I’m leaning toward the 6.7” Max version as long as I don’t think it will be too big in pocket. I’ve got big hands(size XXL gloves) so I’m not all that concerned with the size while using it.

 

[Dirtnap86]

Consider cutting out a piece of cardboard to the dimensions of the 14 Pro Max, it can help you see how it'll fit in pockets and such.

I was thinking about doing just this. I have some scrap kydex I can maybe glue to the cardboard to make it stiff and more realistic.

 

[Al Rukh]

Get a 14PM, use it for a few days and then return it to the Apple Store. As for your erratic GPS behaviour, have you considered that your cellular connection is trash?

I would suggest you wait it out till September. We are 6 months away from the 15 series which may or may not introduce a change in design.

 

[JCCL]

Wait 6 months, that’s half of the phone lifetime as the latest and greatest. OP, just get the phone you need now. Since you held to the X for so long I assume you’re not interested in having the newest iPhone all the time, and the 14 Pro Max will certainly last you for at least as long the X did.

 

[ian87w]

I was thinking about doing just this. I have some scrap kydex I can maybe glue to the cardboard to make it stiff and more realistic.

Just note that there’s weight as well. These new Pros are “heavy,” the 14 Pro Max is 240g, heaviest iPhone yet. Heavier than even the big Android phones (S23 ultra is 234g, the Pixel 7 Pro is 212g)

 

[Dirtnap86]

Get a 14PM, use it for a few days and then return it to the Apple Store. As for your erratic GPS behaviour, have you considered that your cellular connection is trash?

I would suggest you wait it out till September. We are 6 months away from the 15 series which may or may not introduce a change in design.

Can you return the phone within a certain period without penalty?

There is no phone service at all I’m most of the area I ride. Doesn’t seem to affect other peoples phones and logged GPS data. I did some research on this before and found out the X’s are kinda known to do this. Tests revealed They have the worst GPS reception of any iPhone

 

[Dirtnap86]

Wait 6 months, that’s half of the phone lifetime as the latest and greatest. OP, just get the phone you need now. Since you held to the X for so long I assume you’re not interested in having the newest iPhone all the time, and the 14 Pro Max will certainly last you for at least as long the X did.

I’m leaning toward getting the 14PM. I’m also considering waiting but the problem with that is there will always be something better that the next years model will have so I’ll probably feel like I’m settling no matter when I get a new phone.

One way to look at it is if I get the 14PM now and the wait for the 16 I will get all the new features of a redesign that is probably coming for the 15 plus incremental changes for the 16. I will probably want to get rid of the dynamic island/ notch as soon as that’s a possibility this this would possibly set me up better for that without having to get a new phone two years and a row.

And yes I usually keep my phones for awhile but I’m not set on it. I’ve been waiting for something big and worth upgrading for and really haven’t seen it since the X was released and I bought it. I also don’t pay much attention to these things so when I started researching upgrades from my X I was surprised how much the small updates can make a big difference over time. I didn’t even know about the dynamic island a few days ago lol.

 

[Al Rukh]

Can you return the phone within a certain period without penalty?

There is no phone service at all I’m most of the area I ride. Doesn’t seem to affect other peoples phones and logged GPS data. I did some research on this before and found out the X’s are kinda known to do this. Tests revealed They have the worst GPS reception of any iPhone

You have to check the return policy over at your state/country.

 

[Mr. Dee]

I also have X but it’s starting get slow. I was in a tight situation and getting Teams open was like molasses. It’s still a nice phone to use though, but since this year it’s beginning to show its age. I promised myself I would run it into the ground just get my money’s worth of it. I still think I’m suffering some of a PTSD from paying 1,299 for a phone.

If iOS 17 includes support for the X, I’m likely to keep it one more year. And there is a small chance of iOS 18 also support I might actually push my upgrade out to 2025 iPhone 17 Pro Max.

If that does not come to fruition then I am certainly jumping on the iPhone 15 Pro Max 512 GBs of RAM. That should last me until the end of the decade or I might make a stop gap upgrade to the 20th anniversary iPhone.

 

[Dirtnap86]

Just note that there’s weight as well. These new Pros are “heavy,” the 14 Pro Max is 240g, heaviest iPhone yet. Heavier than even the big Android phones (S23 ultra is 234g, the Pixel 7 Pro is 212g)

Good point, that’s about 1/2lb in your pocket!

 

[Dirtnap86]

My 13 Pro is the best phone I’ve ever owned. That being said, the 15 is expected to be some of the greatest updates in a few years. I was unimpressed with the 14 series so my recommendation is either a 13 Pro now or a 15 Pro in October.

That’s funny you bring this up. My first thought was to just get a used 13Pro but when I went searching everyone on my area wants almost as much as a new 14pro (within 100-200$) so I abandoned that idea.

 

[winxmac]

As an owner of iPhone 7 Plus, you're hurting my feelings... Okay, maybe not since I don't have the purchasing power for the latest iPhone available...

If you have the purchasing power, either one should work but if you want the latest and greatest then iPhone 14 Pro series...

No offense meant but does everyone really have to ask for validation/confirmation for something that they might have decided already? All I am saying is we encounter multiple posts of people asking whether to upgrade or not when those who ask have the final say on what to do... Let's just have a single forum for all those on the fence of whether to upgrade or not...

 

[Unami]

I got a 14P for work and I have to say, I'm really underwhelmed. Especially for the high price. For half the money it still wouldn't be a great phone but the price would be somewhat appropriate (but still high) for that heavy, ugly, boring brick with the cameras sticking out at the back.

Design-wise I much prefer the X or 11. Dynamic island feels like a small design gimmick you probably won't notice 99% of the time, not a big feature. The camera lump of the 14 is bigger and the photos are proportionally better (but still in the same "overprocessed tiny-phone-camera"-league). So, it don't think it's worth it, but as it stands now, it's not going to get better in the foreseeable future. Might as well get one before they become even more misshapen and expensive.

 

[ThailandToo]

Buy the newest and get the most out of it for as long as you can. I personally upgrade annually, but if I had to buy now or wait for an updated model from the X I would just buy the most you can afford the 14PM is awesome. When the FaceID works behind the screen, and there’s nothing ruining my screen real estate, I will probably be happy and stick with a phone for multiple years. I think the satellite connection would be great to have especially considering your off trail activities. Cheers

 

[Bcn]

I went from X to 14 pro max and I did also research about what size to get etc. I absolutely love the pro max and found it the size perfect. I don’t want to get a smaller phone again! I was worried it was too heavy, but I never have any issues about that, I even have a 110gr of a leather case.

 

[ian87w]

That’s funny you bring this up. My first thought was to just get a used 13Pro but when I went searching everyone on my area wants almost as much as a new 14pro (within 100-200$) so I abandoned that idea.

Just get the 14 Pro, and it will last you for a long time, and you get all the features that you need (macro and GPS). Anything less, and you won’t be getting all the features you want while still spending quite a bit of money.

Only wait for the 15 if you must have USB-C.

 

[magicMac]

Hi, new member here. First post.

Currently have a iPhone X. I don’t really mind it but there are two small things that bug me a bit.

1. The GPS isn’t very accurate. I do a lot of trail riding on dirt bikes and my logged tracks are always all over they place compared to others I ride with which are bang on and consistent.

2. I would like to be able to take better quality macro photos.

Otherwise I really don’t mind the phone and I can live with both these things for now but I’ve really been getting the itch for a new phone since I started hearing rumours of the 15 Ultra (now I understand it might not come until the 16).

I told myself a while ago I would wait for USB-C and then get a new phone but now I’m wondering if maybe I should maybe just get a 14pro and then I can upgrade to a 16pro as it might have the rear facing camera under the screen I’ve read?

IDK what to do!

To make matters more complicated I’m not sure if I want to go with the “Max” size phone or just the 6.1” pro size. I’m considering buying a used 13pro max so I can try it for a bit and then sell it if the size is working out witting taking a huge loss.

Sorry for all the rambling. Would love to get some insight from y’all.

Option 1: Buy used 13pro Max to try

Option 2: Buy new 14Pro or 14PM

Option 3: Wait

My concern is I wait and then when the 15 comes out I still want to wait for something the 16 is leaked to have…

Wait

 

[TracerAnalog]

it maybe not what you asked, but in your case I would consider an Apple Watch Ultra and leave your phone at home whilst riding. And/or wait for a new phone to convince you that it is time to replace your X.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

I have both the 13PM and 14PM — the latter is much more refined, great camera system, and I wouldn’t want to buy a new model without the DI. I also can’t imagine going with a smaller phone than the PM. As for whether to wait, you could go either way. Your current phone sounds like it works fine, so waiting could make sense — unless you wanted to take advantage of a trade in now versus later.

 

[boak]

What about a watch for 1?
Then wait it out for 2?