iPhone 14 Pro Max When is Apple going to innovate looking ways to decrease weight in iPhones?

[Fatus_Asticus]

I don't mind the size or the weight 13 pm and 14 pm. I would prefer it not get any heavier, its about where it can go in that area but as it stands it is quite fine.

if you want lighter go with the pro. If that isn't light enough for you then check out the Pixel 6 pro, it feels hollow and is super light. Its also a POS phone with the exception of the camera.

I don't know what kind of material you want the iPhone made from. Are you going to pay extra for exotic metals? do you want to go with a single camera? Get rid of mag safe? These things aren't going to happen.

 

[oneteam]

Thinner and lighter products were made in the the Jony Ive era. I think Apple has evolved to accommodate more features in their devices. It seems as if they design around the features as opposed to accommodate the features to the design.

I do agree that the iPhone 14PM feels much easier that any other iPhone ever built but, I do not dislike it. I feel like I can hold it better in my hand.

 

[blkrfl556]

I’ll take battery over light weight… bigger battery & stainless over aluminum = heavier phones.

 

[deuxani]

I had the exact same feeling. I’m coming from a 12 Pro and the weight and thickness difference with the 14 Pro is very noticeable. I can’t even imagine how big the jump to a Pro Max must feel like. It’s getting too heavy and thick in my opinion.

 

[4sallypat]

My new $87K EV Ford truck is made of aluminum - no longer steel.

Found out when I tried to use a magnetic antenna mount on it and it fell off.

Maybe Apple will make phones made out of Lithium metal - super light, like magnesium used to be in engine blocks until they caught on fire...

 

[Dhonk]

I want light. I got tendinitis from the iPhone X. I've loved the mini 12 since. It sometimes gets "lost" in my pocket and I have a mini panic attack (no pun intended). I see zero benefit to a "premium" stainless steel. I like aluminum, but I also secretly yearn for Apple's glossy fun-colored iPhone 5C (I had a 5, skipped 5s/5c). Despite the idiotic analysts saying the 5c was a flop, it was actually hugely successful as a re-branded 5. They treated it like a brand new phone instead of a 1-2 year old entry level device.

 

[klasma]

My 13 mini is pretty light

True, but I still wish it was as light as the SE 2016.

 

[klasma]

While aluminium frame can help, aluminium doesn’t feel as premium as stainless steel (evidently reflected by Apple Watch ss edition in the past).

That’s debatable, I find the “bling” of the SS to look cheaper than the anodized aluminum.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

I have decided to open a thread exclusive to this topic. Regarding iPads & Macs, they released iPad Air and Macbook Air some year ago and now are the most popular options. Customers really value more comfortable devices to live with and leave inconvenience of Pro models to people that are going to take advance to the differential features.

However, in Iphones (and now watches) all year the weight of devices is increased more a more and it seems that 14 & 14 plus models are never recommended by reviews. This Friday I received “my” new iphone 14 PM (coming from 11 PM) and the feel when I hold it for first time was shocking. How is possible that someone really feel this device comfortable to use? Of course you can learn to get used to it, but no one can say “I really like this characteristic or I’m happy with it”. Why apple does not invest in other materials like magnesium/titanium or use aluminum 7000 to decrease weight?? I’m very frustrated because I don’t want to reduce screen to 6,1” (pro model) an 14 PM is excessively heavy 🤦🏼‍♂️

Yeah 240gr is heavy af ,there is no phone that’s this heavy around here

The 11pm was more comfortable to u?

 

[erikkfi]

The era of thin and light is over, and I think that's partly because we mocked it so much.

On the other hand, the iPhone 14 release finally confirms that, for me, an iPhone is pretty much just an appliance at this point. It's been a long time since a new feature wowed me and even longer since the reality of using a new feature matched the Apple Event hyperbole (remember Cinematic Mode? remember Macro camera and its awful software implementation?). All of which is to say, from now on I'll be getting lower-end iPhones if I need one. Whatever's lightest, even if it's "older."

 

[kenny7]

If you're going to ask people to accept and support your preference for lighter and/or slimmer devices, it might aid your quest if you're not so immediately dismissive of other people's preferences.

Earlier this year, I upgraded from an iPhone 11 to an iPhone 13 Pro. The 13 Pro is noticeably thicker and heavier, and has the sharp slab sides. While these weren't the exclusive reasons why I upgraded, they were a big part of it. I like that the 13 Pro feels substantive and heavy. To me, that makes it easier to hold and to use. The square sides, in particular, are just so much more comfortable than the slippery rounded edge of my old 11.

The stainless steel frame doesn't matter that much to me. I find some of Apple's design touches, particularly with materials, to be sort of silly and fussy for no real gain. But if that extra weight means I also get practical and functional improvements like better battery life and room for better cameras, then I'm all for it and won't shed a single tear for the end of "thin and light" as an endpoint.

I don't have a problem with Apple creating devices that target thin and light for the people who prefer thin and light. I think everyone should have the device they want to have and enjoy to use. But don't assume that's what everyone wants because it was all that Apple made for a while. Now it's my turn to not have to "settle."

OP never said everyone on the planet will be unhappy with heavier phones. But it is safe to assume most people will not be happy with heavier phones. Till recently, Apple used to be the company of thin and light. Obviously you are in teeny tiny minority of ppl who prefer heavier. Apple should make phone that appeal to the mass market

 

[maerz001]

Aluminium is not stainless steel. Titanium would double iPhone price for sure. There doesn’t seem to have many other options to reduce weight other than giving up Wireless charging and going back to iPhone 6s material. That glass back is heavy too, and nothing much can be done about it.

remember iphone 3G and 5C?

Good old plastic does wonders to weight and wireless charging

 

[TracerAnalog]

I would love to be able to buy a type of skeleton iPhone, in the same vain you can take a regular Ford Escort and turn it into a rally car. Aluminum body with lightweight carbon to replace the glass. Dress it up in a feather light leather case and I would be good to go.

Nonsense of course, but one can dream 😉.

 

[joscejrod]

If you're going to ask people to accept and support your preference for lighter and/or slimmer devices, it might aid your quest if you're not so immediately dismissive of other people's preferences.

Earlier this year, I upgraded from an iPhone 11 to an iPhone 13 Pro. The 13 Pro is noticeably thicker and heavier, and has the sharp slab sides. While these weren't the exclusive reasons why I upgraded, they were a big part of it. I like that the 13 Pro feels substantive and heavy. To me, that makes it easier to hold and to use. The square sides, in particular, are just so much more comfortable than the slippery rounded edge of my old 11.

The stainless steel frame doesn't matter that much to me. I find some of Apple's design touches, particularly with materials, to be sort of silly and fussy for no real gain. But if that extra weight means I also get practical and functional improvements like better battery life and room for better cameras, then I'm all for it and won't shed a single tear for the end of "thin and light" as an endpoint.

I don't have a problem with Apple creating devices that target thin and light for the people who prefer thin and light. I think everyone should have the device they want to have and enjoy to use. But don't assume that's what everyone wants because it was all that Apple made for a while. Now it's my turn to not have to "settle."

Please, sorry if you have understood from my words that I’ve tried to dismiss other people preferences. I’m improving my english and maybe some expressions are less adequate. But it’s not my intention.

I’m sure that if Apple next year announce a new PM model with little or none improvements but without removing current features
, and with new materials reducing weight to 200-210 grams (like move of iphone 4s to iphone 5 was, as someone has remembered ) all reviews and most of customers would say “incredible feel”, “finally a PM model that is comfortable to hold” or things like this…

Regarding premium materials, why aluminum is enough premium to imac pro (5000$ computer), or mac pro (even more expensive) but is not premium for an iphone? Using again the example of Apple Watch sport, apple charge 200-300$ more to change only material from aluminum to Stainless steel. For me would be perfect to have same situation with iphones, I want to have all features without sacrificing price and weight because having premium materials as mandatory.

 

[jamesrick80]

I suspect that the biggest win would be to find some way to move away from the glass back. To appreciate the possibilities does anyone remember that moment they picked up an iPhone 5 after owning a 4 or a 4s? When I did that in an Apple store it was perhaps the biggest “oh wow!” moment that I’ve ever had with an iPhone and the 5 was bigger than the 4/4s. I’m pretty sure that a big factor in that weight reduction was moving away from a glass back on the 4/4s.

Apple must have some good materials scientists of its payroll. If only Apple could come up with something, maybe a fancy plastic, that looked really good and high end like glass and didn’t interfere with wireless charging; that would be innovation that I would really like to see.

Some Motorola smartphones have glastic (plastic but glass like and very light) and they charge wirelessly just fine and are very light. I use these as burners and these phones are light and some have aluminum surroundings. Apple can use this but fans will say it's cheap crap.

The weight of the iphone pro max alone makes it feel ancient compared to other modern high end flagships. It's a handheld brick.

 

[cateye]

OP never said everyone on the planet will be unhappy with heavier phones. But it is safe to assume most people will not be happy with heavier phones. Till recently, Apple used to be the company of thin and light. Obviously you are in teeny tiny minority of ppl who prefer heavier. Apple should make phone that appeal to the mass market

Don’t put words in my mouth. I never said most people would prefer heavier as an end-goal. I think most people couldn’t care less. The strident opinions (either way, including mine of course) and Apple fandom on display at places like MacRumors is the real minority. No one cares. It’s a phone. a tool. nothing more.

 

[1BadManVan]

Want a better camera?

Want better battery life?

Want better performance?

Want more features?

Want more durability?

Nothing comes for free. All of these things take space and have weight. I expect device weights to continue increasing.

A switch to titanium would be welcome for weight, but would consumers be willing to pay considerably higher prices than they already pay? Current prices for Pro models are already high—nearly $2,000 for a phone with taxes and AppleCare alone. I think we are at or near the limit of what the market will bear in terms of costs.

There is arguably a point where a device will become too heavy for most, but we are not there yet. Until we get to that point, I’m not sure things are going to change.

Well to be fair, Samsungs phones have much bigger batteries, bigger screens, big camera tech as well for less weight. So it obviously can be done

 

[cateye]

Please, sorry if you have understood from my words that I’ve tried to dismiss other people preferences. I’m improving my english and maybe some expressions are less adequate. But it’s not my intention.

No apologies necessary! I'm certain your english is way better than I could ever be in your native language. Your writing skills are excellent and you should be proud of how well you can communicate here.

However, you're right, I did perhaps misunderstand your characterization. Speaking only for myself, I just don't think most people even notice the weight of their phone, hence why there hasn't been the sort of pushback on Apple's trends that would alter sales. Pursuing thin and light has significant potential tradeoffs. Apple clearly decided that by not targeting weight, they were able to add certain features or qualities that (they believe) matter more or are more noticeable to a wider range of users. Like battery life, for example.

 

[joscejrod]

Yeah 240gr is heavy af ,there is no phone that’s this heavy around here

The 11pm was more comfortable to u?

Sincerely, to change 11 pro max from xs max was a little bit disgusting because 208 to 226 grams was noticiable without a doubt. But at least form factor with round edges was more comfortable to hold.

Know we have 14 grams more until 240 grams (without adding casing weight) and sharp/flat edges. It’s approaching brick feel in hand…Again, what a frustrating feeling when I hold the 14 PM in hands after the unboxing. The first impression was 😍 because space black for me is the best iphone color ever, but what a crazy weight…

 

[1BadManVan]

My new $87K EV Ford truck is made of aluminum - no longer steel.

Found out when I tried to use a magnetic antenna mount on it and it fell off.

Maybe Apple will make phones made out of Lithium metal - super light, like magnesium used to be in engine blocks until they caught on fire...

View attachment 2071106

Welcome to 2015 lol, Fords been using alluminum body in their F150s for years now. Nice truck though

 

[Andeddu]

I like watching a show on Netflix each night while in bed on my phone as I nod off to sleep and any large phone can tire my wrists after 20+ minutes.

I have even noticed a fairly substantial difference in weight between the SE1 and the 12 Mini since downgrading. The SE1 is the perfect weight given that it’s so small and is made of aluminium, I am tempted to keep it as my daily driver for longer than initially intended.

As gorgeous as the glass back is, I think it’s high time Apple went back to aluminium. I don’t particularly care about durability as I use a case anyway.

The argument for stainless steel is not compelling anyway as all of these phones have glass backs and are therefore only as strong and durable as their weakest point.

 

[Ryan1524]

Carbon fiber partly screens the operators' signal, gps and bluetooth, this means having hw that works worse, it warms up more, it's a larger battery. Carbon fiber creates more problems than it solves.

There may be a way to fuse a housing without making it solid CF. Looking at the way they mix antenna gaps with the stainless steel and the mmWave window. They can treat it like metal, and still cut down on weight.

 

[heyyitssusan]

Last year, I went with the 13 mini on launch. It was great and compact, and I loved the size, however I missed the 6.1" display. Sold it and switched to regular 13. While the 14 was pretty boring this year, I wanted to try out the 14 Pro since the features seemed intriguing. I held my coworker's 13 pros before the announcement to see if I could get used to the weight and it didn't feel too bad at all.

FF to Friday, I got my 14 Pro. It wasn't bad at all, and I am enjoying the 120hz refresh rate and the camera features.

 

[kenny7]

I think most people couldn’t care less

completely wrong! Overwhelming majority of people want lighter phone. Weight is an important factor in portables. Just because you don't care doesn't mean it applies to most ppl. This is why every device manufacturer is trying to reduce weight on phones

 

[cateye]

completely wrong! Overwhelming majority of people want lighter phone. Weight is an important factor in portables. Just because you don't care doesn't mean it applies to most ppl. This is why every device manufacturer is trying to reduce weight on phones

I think you’re so deep in your own bias you’re not even willing to consider you might be wrong so there’s no real point in discussing this with you. I genuinely hope you find a phone that meets your needs, just as I did. Unfortunately, I don’t think it will be an iPhone anytime soon.