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modelbehaviour

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 23, 2007
271
14
UK
I’m on the Apple upgrade program and eligible to upgrade my 8 plus, but I can’t decide whether to go with the XS or XS max?

I know the XS screen size is basically the same but it felt so tiny in the store! The max felt more like what I’m used to but I don’t need a bigger screen, and I like the idea of carrying a smaller phone around.

Anyone else had/having the same dilemma?
 
I’m on the Apple upgrade program and eligible to upgrade my 8 plus, but I can’t decide whether to go with the XS or XS max?

I know the XS screen size is basically the same but it felt so tiny in the store! The max felt more like what I’m used to but I don’t need a bigger screen, and I like the idea of carrying a smaller phone around.

Anyone else had/having the same dilemma?

If you can handle the big screen then go for the max, it’s the same comparative size to the plus. If you don’t want to lug around a big phone then go for the Xs.
 
Physically the Max is actually slightly smaller than the Plus phones, it's just nearly all screen. If you are comfortable with the size of the Plus you're going to be fine with the Max.
 
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I've done it. Feels better to handle than the Plus, especially one-handed. Additionally the Max screens goes to the top of the device, an area almost unreachable by normal hands.

P.S. Use the search, there are many threads from people discussing Plus to X.
 
The body of the phone is comparative but the screen is completely different than a plus. The UI requires you to reach the entire top and bottom of the screen which on a plus was bezel. For example, I can one hand a plus, but a max requires me to use two hands.

It’s all about if you use your phone more as a phone or a media device. I’ve got an iPad and barely watch media on a phone, so portability of the Xs is great!
 
I’m on the Apple upgrade program and eligible to upgrade my 8 plus, but I can’t decide whether to go with the XS or XS max?

I know the XS screen size is basically the same but it felt so tiny in the store! The max felt more like what I’m used to but I don’t need a bigger screen, and I like the idea of carrying a smaller phone around.

Anyone else had/having the same dilemma?

well i did loose 6 pounds ;)

couldn’t help myself....

i will say ive always regretted not getting the bigger screen when i purchased my iphone 6, and next time im going for big :)
 
Went from 8 Plus to XS and it was absolutely the right decision for me. Love the smaller form factor and the fact I no longer get slight aches in my wrists from holding up my phone.

The screen size is absolutely fine for me - it’s only really when watching video content in landscape mode that I notice it’s smaller, but it’s no biggie for me.
 
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When my Xs Max arrived and I opened it I thought there was something wrong. It seemed small to me, like they screwed up and set a Xs. They didn't but the point is that to me the Max is not big at all. I could go bigger.
I was coming from a 8+
 
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This last year I originally got an iPhone 8 Plus. When the X came out, I bought one and started using it. I wound up going back to the 8 Plus for a lot of reasons.

I have not ordered one of the new phones yet, but if I do, the only one I would get is the XS Max.
 
Going from my 7+ to Xs. I like the size but I've dropped my 7+ too many times. It's just too big for me to hold.
 
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Went from a 7 Plus to the Xs. Got tired of carrying that big of a cellphone with me, it’s just cumbersome. Will miss the big screen for sure, but the size of the Xs it’s just perfect for me. Tried the Xs Max at the store and it was even more difficult to use one handed than the 7 Plus, almost impossible.
 
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I went from 7 Plus to the XS. I think I would've been perfectly happy with the Max, but I reasoned that the only reason I got the Plus was because I wanted the extra camera features. I'm actually really loving being able to use my phone one handed again. I also love that it fits better in my pockets and in small bags/wristlets. So far I'm enjoying a smaller phone again, but I may go back to a large phone again next time around!
 
Yup I went 8+ to Xs and got worried about the small size. I actually love it but took a day or so to get used to it. I do miss some of the apps that took advantage of the + sized phones, like in iMessages, when you flip to landscape mode it would split the screen etc. Overall I do like the smaller size but do miss a bigger screen. If I had to do it over again, I would still get the Xs over the Max.
 
I'm considering going to an XS from an 8+. My original plan was to go to an XR, but after reviewing further, I don't think I'd be happy with the screen. I have no issue with the size of the Plus or XS Max, but I realized I never really used the additional screen real estate as I almost exclusively use my phone in portrait mode and only switch to landscape to take photos.
 
To anyone that went from 7 Plus or 8 Plus to XS (not Max), how do you compare battery life?

I tried the Max and it's very difficult to handle for me, so I would buy the XS but I'm very worried about battery life. I'm not expecting 2 days of battery life, but something similar to my current usage...

My 7 Plus is at 85% battery health and gets me through the day, from 7am to 11pm, with 4-5 hours SOT at 15-20%. If the XS can do a bit better than this, I would be very happy. I just use the phone for safari and messaging (mail, whatsapp, slack)... plus around 30 mins of other media consumptions (YouTube, light gaming...)
 
To anyone that went from 7 Plus or 8 Plus to XS (not Max), how do you compare battery life?

I tried the Max and it's very difficult to handle for me, so I would buy the XS but I'm very worried about battery life. I'm not expecting 2 days of battery life, but something similar to my current usage...

My 7 Plus is at 85% battery health and gets me through the day, from 7am to 11pm, with 4-5 hours SOT at 15-20%. If the XS can do a bit better than this, I would be very happy. I just use the phone for safari and messaging (mail, whatsapp, slack)... plus around 30 mins of other media consumptions (YouTube, light gaming...)
I think officially the X was meant to be approaching 6S plus battery life, so about an hour shorter than a 7+, but you gain an extra 30 minutes with the XS, so you'll be down by at least half an hour on the official numbers on a 7+ in it's prime. I don't know how much life is knocked off for being 15% down - maybe it would largely cancel out?

Bear in mind, screen on time will have a greater impact on the XS when you're browsing, or doing anything with a pale background as the power draw is greater on oled screens displaying white/ light colours.
 
I went from a 7 Plus to a XS, no regrets here love the size and the pocket friendliness with a bigger 5.8 inch screen. Battery life is a bit better actually than my 7 Plus was but I hadn't done the battery exchange program.
 
8+ to XS. I also tested the XR against the XS. My deal was that last several months of owning the 8+ I was ready to go smaller. I passed on the X while my wife left the Plus for the X. When the XSM came out.. I was already sold on getting a smaller phone.

I have been testing the XS and XR side by side for days now (bought both) and am sticking with the XS as I love the size. It’s perfect IMO.
 
8+ to XS. I also tested the XR against the XS. My deal was that last several months of owning the 8+ I was ready to go smaller. I passed on the X while my wife left the Plus for the X. When the XSM came out.. I was already sold on getting a smaller phone.

I have been testing the XS and XR side by side for days now (bought both) and am sticking with the XS as I love the size. It’s perfect IMO.

Decided on keeping the XS over the XR? What was the deciding factor if you don't mind me asking?
 
I've done it. Feels better to handle than the Plus, especially one-handed. Additionally the Max screens goes to the top of the device, an area almost unreachable by normal hands.
Even though this is generally true, much of that space is unused for anything except showing time, battery or control center. Actual user space in apps is about the same
 
I went from the 8Plus to an XS. Although I like the bigger form factor, one handed use with the XS Max is almost impossible, especially with the new location of control center. While I miss having a slightly wider display, the XS isn’t bad. The Max might have been a little too much.
 
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Decided on keeping the XS over the XR? What was the deciding factor if you don't mind me asking?
Size of the device and size of standard text. I like small text.. I use the second to smallest text setting normally. The ‘standard’ non-zoomed text is smaller than I want to go AND the phone is physically larger than I want.

It’s SO close.. but using the XS, in overall use, works better for me.
 
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I attempted to go from 7+ to X and returned the X. I just couldn't get comfortable with the X and ditched it before the return period ended. I do have fairly large hands so the Plus phones aren't a problem for me.
 
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