iPhone XS Max Bought the XS Max; already regret it

[Duncanator]

I had the Plus sized iPhones since the 6S+ and went from the 8+ to the X last year. Yesterday my wife and I switched from AT&T to Verizon and I played with the XS and XS Max. The screen on the XS Max is gorgeous but I find the 5.8” XS to be the sweet spot for me. It is awesome that Apple made it to where the XS and XS Max are the exact same spec wise with the only differences being battery size and screen size. This year those who go with the smaller device do not feel they are missing out on specs.

 

[Ffosse]

I returned my 64GB Max on Monday. Now a few days has past, I don't regret sending it back but regret getting 64GB. I'll reorder a Max 256GB when my refund clears.

That was my mistake with the X last year. I bought the 64GB model which turned out to be a tight squeeze.

This year I made sure I got the 256GB. I could probably manage with 128, though. The XS is a downgrade, though, in terms of screen size otherwise they are identical. 5.8" is too small for me, though.

 

[davewolfs]

Using the XS one handed like I did my 6 and 7. Great size.

 

[bhodinut]

The XS is a downgrade, though, in terms of screen size

I'd call it a comparable sidegrade. I've had 4 plus phones and never enjoyed the weight. The X/XS is the perfect mix of screen size and comfort in my pocket.

 

[linkgx1]

Just got my Max. Not sure how I feel about it. I’m not sure if it’s the size or the weight or if I’m just immune to phone upgrades right now. Thinking about a Note 9 but not sure. So tired into the eco system right now.

 

[dragon4ever]

I exchanged the Xs Max for a Xs a few days ago. I enjoyed the bigger screen but the portability and form factor while using the phone was not worth the trade off. The main reason for keeping the Max was the bigger battery, but I haven’t noticed a major difference in battery usage from the Xs. It’s almost identical in terms of usage time. I maybe got 30 minutes longer on the Max, which surprisingly isn’t that much of a difference considering the bigger battery. Coming from a 8 Plus, I’m perfectly happy with the size of the Xs.

Maybe next year Apple will take advantage of the software to allow the Max to have more features, such as split screen, multitasking and so forth. But for now there really is no real advantage over the Xs except a blown up bigger screen.

 

[MyMacintosh]

I think my perfect phone would be the height of the Xs but width of the Max.

ugh. this part is so true. C'mon apple.

 

[augustya]

So people here who are saying, that the screen of XS MAX is gorgeous since big, but isnt worth a deal with the PORTABILITY, bulk and weight and the height. And when you guys have come to the XS don't you guys think you guys are missing the big screen of the XS Max? When you see the XS Max and then have a look at the XS It looks a Yester years device.

 

[iApPel]

So people here who are saying, that the screen of XS MAX is gorgeous since big, but isnt worth a deal with the PORTABILITY, bulk and weight and the height. And when you guys have come to the XS don't you guys think you guys are missing the big screen of the XS Max? When you see the XS Max and then have a look at the XS It looks a Yester years device.

True

 

[augustya]

True

True what ?

That it (XS Max) isnt worth a deal with the PORTABILITY, bulk and weight and the height or When you see the XS Max and then have a look at the XS It looks a Yester years device.

 

[iApPel]

True what ?

That it (XS Max) isnt worth a deal with the PORTABILITY, bulk and weight and the height or When you see the XS Max and then have a look at the XS It looks a Yester years device.

This: "When you see the XS Max and then have a look at the XS It looks a Yester years device"
I like the portability of the Xs but after a couple of weeks with the Max it is difficult to get used to the screen-size of the Xs

 

[Nikhil72]

Still can’t for the life of me decide which of the two phones to keep. Confounding it is now that battery has settled, I’m not noticing a huge difference. Yesterday we drove from Boston to New York. I first watched 1.5 hours of Netflix streaming on WiFi with AirPods before leaving; then without plugging in navigated the 5+ hours to New York (thanks I-95 traffic) with Apple Maps with the screen on (auto brightness so as it got darker the screen was fairly dim to be fair), streaming music and podcasts over BT. I ended with exactly 7 hours of screen on use (and around 40 minutes GPS use with the screen off at some point). That’s not far off from the Max and I’m loving the comfortable just right size (but that Max screen is just drawing me in still).

 

[Rackness01]

I have larger than average hands and with the reachability feature enabled I find the max easily one handable.

 

[off3nc3]

Still can’t for the life of me decide which of the two phones to keep. Confounding it is now that battery has settled, I’m not noticing a huge difference. Yesterday we drove from Boston to New York. I first watched 1.5 hours of Netflix streaming on WiFi with AirPods before leaving; then without plugging in navigated the 5+ hours to New York (thanks I-95 traffic) with Apple Maps with the screen on (auto brightness so as it got darker the screen was fairly dim to be fair), streaming music and podcasts over BT. I ended with exactly 7 hours of screen on use (and around 40 minutes GPS use with the screen off at some point). That’s not far off from the Max and I’m loving the comfortable just right size (but that Max screen is just drawing me in still).

It's not even up for DEBATE , the MAX is the way to go.

 

[Nikhil72]

It's not even up for DEBATE , the MAX is the way to go.

Not so straightforward. Living in a busy city, I don’t always have two hands free to use my device. I can one hand the phone easily but the weight after holding it up for 30-45 minutes can be a bit much. But for those not constantly on the go, I get it.

 

[off3nc3]

Not so straightforward. Living in a busy city, I don’t always have two hands free to use my device. I can one hand the phone easily but the weight after holding it up for 30-45 minutes can be a bit much. But for those not constantly on the go, I get it.

Understood but from an upgrade standing point you really can't justify the small extra fee for that HUGE screen real estate. If you're into media consumption/gaming then again it's very hard to let go.

I just couldn't justify giving it up due to some "weight" or one hand usage issues. But you do you

 

[Nikhil72]

Understood but from an upgrade standing point you really can't justify the small extra fee for that HUGE screen real estate. If you're into media consumption/gaming then again it's very hard to let go.

I just couldn't justify giving it up due to some "weight" or one hand usage issues. But you do you

To be honest, I can afford it regardless and also have IUP so it’s a fairly moot point.

 

[Teach4]

I took a bunch of pictures recently with my Xs max, and have to say I really like the camera. My sister wishes she had one because she is an interior designer and takes a lot of pictures. I am giving her my X which has a better camera than her current iPhone. I hope she will be happy.

 

[ugahairydawgs]

Not so straightforward. Living in a busy city, I don’t always have two hands free to use my device. I can one hand the phone easily but the weight after holding it up for 30-45 minutes can be a bit much. But for those not constantly on the go, I get it.

You hold your phone for 30-45 minutes at a time?

 

[Nikhil72]

You hold your phone for 30-45 minutes at a time?

Yes...ebook reading, long form journalism, social media during commutes on a subway? Again, city living demands a fair amount of ease of portability. Walking down a NYC street or a busy subway station for example.

 

[phillavelle]

You hold your phone for 30-45 minutes at a time?

I've been doing that for the last 40 mins as I sit on the couch drinking my morning coffee.
I'm holding the Max in one hand and have used it almost exclusively one handed for the last 40 mins. It's manageable but boy does it quickly tire out the wrist. For context, I am quite fit, work out every day and lift heavy weights. But my wrists ache using this one handed.
This is what is gravitating me towards the XS which I have in the box. I just can't decide either although I know whichever I do decide on, I'll have FOMO. Lol

 

[bruinsrme]

Well... its been just about a week and the verdict is in... the max is here to stay.

It took me a solid three days to get use to the phone and the different holding positions compared to my old X. Now that I am use to it I find that it works. I've even found the perfect way to type one handed using the normal keyboard.

There are certainly some trade offs with the max compared to the regular Xs size.

It’s certainky taken me a ome time to adjust. Now when I pick up the smaller phone i find it cramped.

I applaud you in posting your initial concerns and seeing it through.

Enjoy the phone

 

[Nikhil72]

You hold your phone for 30-45 minutes at a time?

Yes...ebook reading, long form journalism, social media during commutes on a subway? Again, city living demands a fair amount of ease of portability. Walking down a NYC street or a busy subway station for example.
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I've been doing that for the last 40 mins as I sit on the couch drinking my morning coffee.
I'm holding the Max in one hand and have used it almost exclusively one handed for the last 40 mins. It's manageable but boy does it quickly tire out the wrist. For context, I am quite fit, work out every day and lift heavy weights. But my wrists ache using this one handed.
This is what is gravitating me towards the XS which I have in the box. I just can't decide either although I know whichever I do decide on, I'll have FOMO. Lol

This! I’m in the same boat. I promise I’m in good shape but even with my comfortably large hand size, the stretching of the phone against my thenar muscle one handed gets pretty fatiguing. I’m using the smaller one today and it’s a treat. (And I’m at 1h7m of screen on time mixed NYTimes, News, Twitter, and IG with music on my AirPods and I’m at 89%. Connected to my series 4; mix of WiFi and a 25 minute subway commute where I don’t enable airplane mode).

 

[augustya]

But then after holding the Max in your hand, one almost loathes the XS, how to get over that ? lol !!

 

[Nikhil72]

But then after holding the Max in your hand, one almost loathes the XS, how to get over that ? lol !!

On the contrary, makes me personally appreciate it (and the X before it) for striking a nice balance for users who want a reasonably large screen in a compact device with a no compromise camera (unlike previous smaller devices). Apple achieved something remarkable with both sizes, it’s nice to have choice without much compromise.