Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
After I posted this, I did try with my 8+ to see if I could reach up into the left corner and I definitely cannot. However, with my Loopy case (which does allow a lot more reach while keeping the phone stable), I think I WOULD be able to swipe down from the top one-handed.

Obviously I know I can return it if it is a problem - I just don’t want to wind up being without a phone if I can’t get an XS at that time.

FWIW, I’m small - 5’3 - and I don’t have big hands at all, but I have not found using the + phones to be an issue for me. The only time I use two hands is when I’m texting, which I would do no matter what size phone I owned. And honestly, that’s only when I’m NOT talking to text, which I do a lot of the time.
Have you tried using Reachability?
 
The max is the same physical size as the 8 plus. It shouldn’t be an issue

I disagree. The screen on the 8 plus is mostly in the center of the phone thanks to the massive bezels on all sides. Not so with full screen displays. I've used a Oneplus 3 for a few years and it's about the max physical size I am comfortable with. I've tried most physically similar sized full screen Android phones available in stores and I have found on everything but the Note 9 reaching the top and bottom became considerably more difficult.

I had already been using on-screen buttons on my phone instead of the capacitive ones underneath because the on-screen ones were higher so they were more comfortable to use. I would have do a lot more thumb gymnastics to reach the bottom of a large full screen phone like the XS Max.

That's why I ordered an iPhone XS. I didn't want a Galaxy S9 and nobody else makes a great compact phone.

The Note 9 gets a pass from me in one handed use thanks to its one handed mode which is easy to activate but is even better than the reachability feature on iPhones. It shrinks the whole display to a size you can adjust to your liking.

One-handed use is extremely important for me because that's how I operate my phone most of the time when out. Maybe I am carrying something in the other hand or holding on to a handhold in a subway, maybe it's a very cold winter and I don't want to take off more than one glove etc.
 
When are these phones on display at Apple stores? Now? Friday? Would like to try them out before deciding on the size I want.
 
I was intrigued by some of the reviews that mention how the Max is actually just a bit smaller than the Plus phones.

From Gruber, who has always used the 4.7” iPhone:

Coming from any previous iPhone from the Plus era, if you preferred the Plus size, I can’t see why you wouldn’t prefer the XS Max now. It’s almost exactly the same height and width as the 6-8 Plus devices, but about a millimeter smaller in both dimensions. That shouldn’t make much of a difference, but I swear, in my hand, it actually somehow feels more comfortable than an iPhone Plus.

...Personally, I prefer the XS. But it was a closer call for me than in previous years.

I’ve been using an X since last year and am quite happy with it, and won’t be upgrading until next year. But this Max is really looking like a nice package all around.

But to the OP: I would wait for the phone to arrive and try it out. Never know - might be pleasantly surprised. I know myself I would always get annoyed mostly by the width of the Plus sized iPhones (even though I had two of them). I really enjoy the X for one handed use and typing / reaching across the width of the screen without issue.
 
After I posted this, I did try with my 8+ to see if I could reach up into the left corner and I definitely cannot. However, with my Loopy case (which does allow a lot more reach while keeping the phone stable), I think I WOULD be able to swipe down from the top one-handed.

Obviously I know I can return it if it is a problem - I just don’t want to wind up being without a phone if I can’t get an XS at that time.

FWIW, I’m small - 5’3 - and I don’t have big hands at all, but I have not found using the + phones to be an issue for me. The only time I use two hands is when I’m texting, which I would do no matter what size phone I owned. And honestly, that’s only when I’m NOT talking to text, which I do a lot of the time.
you kinda change the way you hold the X and I would imagine the xsmax. If you use your phone in your right hand mostly dragging from the top right down isn't hard and I have small hands. You use these phones a little different than the older huge bezels. my hand is more in the middle of the phone now middle to lower and I dont have issues. Not worried about my xs max im sure it will be fine.
 
I have never used reachability on the 8+, so I don’t even know what it would actually do. I guess though, that the review mentioned you have to add a couple steps to everything you’re doing to implement it. It’s certainly something I would try on the Max, but I’ve never needed it on the 8+, so I honestly have zero clue how to implement it.

And i’m Not opposed to using 2 hands when needed, because the odds are, that will be pretty rare. I just won’t put stuff I really use in the upper corner of the screen, and when I’m on websites and things like that where I may need to get to that upper corner, I’ll likely be in a position where I’d be using two hands anyway.
 
you kinda change the way you hold the X and I would imagine the xsmax. If you use your phone in your right hand mostly dragging from the top right down isn't hard and I have small hands. You use these phones a little different than the older huge bezels. my hand is more in the middle of the phone now middle to lower and I dont have issues. Not worried about my xs max im sure it will be fine.

Honestly, with my Loopy case, it limits where my “holding” hand can be if I wanna use the loop, but with a finger in the loop it allows me to really reach without worrying about dropping my phone.

I’m hoping it’s a non-issue.
 
Again, very first responce is the correct answer.

And also again, this is the same argument made against the X last year.

Recycled apple bashing.

And even more again.. same complaint made when the “plus” versions came out.

Please understand that I’m not bashing. I’m an 8 Plus user and my next iPhone will be at least as large for sure! No way I’m going back to a smaller phone. I was just clarifying why one handed use might be a bit tougher with the Max than with a plus.
 
You can test this right now very easily so I'm not sure of the confusion. If you can reach the very top of your Plus model phone with whatever method you use, then great. If not, then it will be too big most likely.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheBacklash
You can test this right now very easily so I'm not sure of the confusion. If you can reach the very top of your Plus model phone with whatever method you use, then great. If not, then it will be too big most likely.

She already tried that and explained that she couldn't
 
You can test this right now very easily so I'm not sure of the confusion. If you can reach the very top of your Plus model phone with whatever method you use, then great. If not, then it will be too big most likely.
This.
Holding my 8 plus my thumb can cover the speaker at the top and can touch all but the upper top right (using left hand) with no problem. My right hand is recovering from a thumb break.. so it cant reach at all.
The same argument was made by reviewers for the plus and X iphones is all i was saying, its nothing new. People have predicted the end of apple for making to big of a screen for people to use... and then android makes a bigger screen and those same reviewers praise it.
It really is a non issue, use reachability or omg use a 2nd hand for some things. The horror..
 
I can reach the top so I can likely swipe down, but I can’t reach the top left corner at all.

I am somewhat relieved that I shouldn’t have a problem swiping down, so for the small percentage of the time I need to reach that left corner, I think I’ll be okay. It’s not like I CAN’T use my other hand too - I just didn’t want to not be able to do anything with only one hand since I DO need to use it with one hand fairly often.
 
I was looking at a few of the reviews, and one of them really got me thinking - so I can use my 8+ one-handed most of the time. My Loopy case allows me to really reach to my top left corner with my thumb and click something there.

I did not, however, really think about the fact that with the screen filling the entire XS Max face, and needing to swipe down from the top all the time, that I now probably will NOT be able to do that with my one hand.

I guess I’m a bit worried now that the Max may actually be too big for me to use one-handed. I realize I probably just need to wait and see, but I’m just trying to think it through as I have pre-ordered my case and other things, and IDK if I should hold off til my phone comes or what.

Also, what are the odds I’ll be able to swap the Max for an XS if I DO find it to be too big to use?
You definitely won't be able to use it one handed unless you have really huge hands. If that's important to you, then get the XS
 
Honestly, with my Loopy case, it limits where my “holding” hand can be if I wanna use the loop, but with a finger in the loop it allows me to really reach without worrying about dropping my phone.

I’m hoping it’s a non-issue.

Instead of a Loopy case, why not try a pop socket, or ring holder. You can put them up a tad higher so that you can reach the entire screen.

As for Reachability, I do use it on occasion on my 8+. I'm looking forward to getting my Max because I activate Reachability ALL THE TIME by accident. Please, give me the extra step.
 
Remember when the 6 plus came out?
Reviewers said that the one hand use is dead, bashed apple and praised smaller screens.

Then a few weeks later praised an android phone with similar size, showing how you *can* reach every pixel on the android phone... nope no bias at all.

Happens every cycle since.

I was one of those that thought the 6 plus was too big, then i held one and realized i was wrong. Resting the iphone on my pinky i can reach almost every part of the upper chin on the 8 plus.
And remember the xs max is a little thinner than the plus..

Its not a big deal if you cant, 99% of apps dont utilize the section one may not be able to reach.
Use reachability or a second hand real quick. It really is a non issue.


Edit: im not saying the people posting here are “bashing apple” its more the reviewers bashing apple, and people listening to that.

Is it the verges review that right up front complains that apple named the Max like his son... so hes upset?
Edit 2: yeah he says “apple *stole* his sons name, and he can never forgive apple for that”... nope, no bias at all.
Has nothing to do with each other and is not a valid complaint.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: profets
what i will say is that control center being a swipe from the top right is imo an awful change. swiping up from the bottom was so much better and easier. I don't use cc a lot but just in practice it is an ill-conceived change imo.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.