After buying an iPhone 16 Pro Max, I feel my M4 MBA screen looks bad

[helloapple1]

I recently picked up an iPhone 16 Pro Max and have been using it for about a week, but because of the promotion display when I go to use my 15” M4 MacBook Air I can’t help but notice the massive difference in screens.

Anyone experience the same?

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

I recently picked up an iPhone 16 Pro Max and have been using it for about a week, but because of the promotion display when I go to use my 15” M4 MacBook Air I can’t help but notice the massive difference in screens.

Anyone experience the same?

Oled with high refresh rate, low response time, and PPI vs low refresh rate IPS display…yeah it’s gonna be different. Getting a MBP or IPP then compare.

Anyone notice how a Ferrari is a massive difference to a Honda?

 

[IJustWannaTalk]

I recently picked up an iPhone 16 Pro Max and have been using it for about a week, but because of the promotion display when I go to use my 15” M4 MacBook Air I can’t help but notice the massive difference in screens.

Anyone experience the same?

Yes. I have a 16 ProMax and an M2 MBP, the difference between them and my iPad Mini and my wife's M4 MBA is striking.

She does not care, but I absolutely do.

 

[Steve121178]

Well they use very different display technologies, so there will be a big difference. OLED vs IPS.

For most people though, they don't care. Which is why Apple is happy to get away with shipping 60hz displays in premium priced hardware...

 

[Andrey84]

Nope.
I have both iPhone 16 Pro and the M4 MacBook Air, and the MBA screen is not inferior. It's a very good display.
The only thing it's lacking in my opinion is the nano-texture (matte) option.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I have a 16PM and the new M4 MBA 13" and I haven't encountered anything jarring to the eyes when moving back and forth between devices. The reason being is because I am not obsessing over tech spec knowledge when using the devices. I am simply using the devices.

Unless you are scrolling in an abnormally fast manner on the MBA, the difference isn't really noticeable. I think the problem is self-induced because you knew the specs and features of the phone and once you got it, you convinced yourself you now have a problem between the two devices. This kind of thing happens all the time on here.

 

[helloapple1]

I’m glad to some of you it isn’t noticeable. It’s exactly why Apple gets away with putting a 60Hz screen in such a premium laptop.

 

[Jackbequickly]

Glad I am not sensitive to things like this. Love both my M4 Air and 16 PM.

 

[Rbk23]

I have no issues going back between my 16 Pro, 360hz gaming monitor, M4 Air and OLED TV.

 

[Prabas]

Anyone notice how a Ferrari is a massive difference to a Honda?

The M4 MBA and iPhone 16 Pro cost the same, though.

Anyway, yes, the screens are mediocre at this point. I understand why people don’t use OLEDs because they can burn in and require special care. It’s best if less tech-savvy people don’t have to worry about these issues. I wouldn’t want my parents having to tinker with that stuff.

However, adding at least a 90Hz option and improved response time (Mac screens are notoriously slow, averaging over 20ms) would make the device feel snappier and more fluid.