Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Genuinely wondering, how do people carry their Pro Max phones if not in the pocket?
I had the 13 Pro, but it felt just a little too bulky for one hand use and to be carrying around all the time. I figured that if I were to go that path I might as well go for the Pro Max, so I'm looking for some tips on how to manage the bigger size without getting unpractical.
 
I have been using my 13 Pro Max for 9 days and I am about to trade it in for a 13 Pro.

The bigger screen isn’t really a thing since it does not show more content than any of the smaller iPhones while they are way easier to handle. I will probably miss the incredible battery life but I know that I really enjoyed my iPhone X or iPhone 12 Mini even though they had terrible battery life.
Oh yes the 13 PM shows more content than the 13 Pro. I know this for a fact because I have both. I have them restored to be exactly the same. If you open up a webpage, you will see more content, not a by a huge amount, but it will show more content on the PM.
 
Still using my 13 Pro here. Coming from an iPhone 12 Pro Max. Battery life for me is still great; the 13 Pro outlasts my 12 Pro Max in my daily use.

Reasons for downsizing: easier handling, less weight in gym shorts, no compromises on features.

Does the 13 Pro Max have better battery life? Yes. But I don't see the value in having 50-60% battery left at the end of the day before I plug in. Clearly the power reserves vastly exceed what I use my phone for. So it's pointless for me to upgrade to the 13 Pro Max. I'd rather have a phone that (for me) is more manageable while I'm on the go.

Something to consider, and this should NOT be considered over ergonomics.....because these things aren't worth inconveniencing yourself over the life the devices, more nitpicking than anything.

One of the main factors with battery longevity is going to be total battery cycles. So 100% to 0% = 1 cycle. 100% to 50% = 1/2 a cycle. A larger battery will experience less cycles over the course of its life (assuming the same usage) meaning it will have a longer service life.

Another factor is depth of discharge or more accurately the range of charge/discharge. The narrower the range of its voltage the less stress is placed on the battery. In theory keeping a lithium ion battery between 3.2 and 3.8 volt (~30-70%) charged can add significant life to it. While this isn't worth the time to manually maintain (Apple does some of it with "Optimized Charging") its worth noting staying within a narrower window is easier with a larger battery because a narrower range last longer with a larger battery (more energy per %).

Both of those will contribute to maintaining what Apple calls "Peak Performance Capability" mode. As the battery ages a heavy load will cause the voltage to dip more and more due to higher resistance (think of starting a car on a cold day with a weak battery and the dome light dimming). Once the voltage drops below its shut off threshold, even momentarily the device will shut off. Apple will then throttle performance of the SoC to prevent these loads so your device doesn't randomly shut off.

Lastly is considering future versions of iOS. The older the device the more demanding newer software will be on the hardware. While both devices will see a hit to battery performance with time the larger the battery might be enough to get you through the day while the other may not (theoretical)

However here is some actual data using extreme cases.....

My iPhone 11 Pro Max - purchased early 2020
Screen Shot 2021-10-06 at 9.08.45 PM.png

My iPad Air 2 - purchased early 2015
Screen Shot 2021-10-06 at 9.08.23 PM.png

Even those the iPad's battery is 5 years older and has had to discharge nearly 4x the amount of energy (cycles x mAh quick dirty math) vs the iPhone their current health is on par with each other. Yes there are caveats like 85% being a portable device nominal charge and charging conditions with the iPad being more hospitable.

Now before everyone starts flaming me, I wouldn't buy an unwieldy device because the battery is bigger. The device needs to work with your preferences and lifestyle above all else. However all other variables aside (include financial) and I need one reason to buy one device over another, larger battery would be my choice all day regardless if the small battery was "enough" for my use.

Hopefully no one takes this as a jab toward the iPhone 13 Pro because its definitely not, I'm sure its a fantastic device.
 
I have had every plus/max iPhone but this year I’m going with the regular Pro because:

1. Other than screen size and battery, both have the same hardware. Since I enjoy taking tons of photos, If the max had a better camera system (like last year) I would’ve gotten it regardless.

2. I’m still working from home full time and will be WFH at least 3x a week in the foreseeable future. Battery life is not that important anymore. Also, If I’m out for the day, traveling, etc I always have a power bank on me anyway.

To be honest, I can’t wait to have a smaller and lighter phone again. The weight is what bothers me the most.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pat96 and Diesel79
Tried the max for 10 days but switched back to the Pro. Even with the Max, for larger content consumption (the only real use case), it made more sense to use my iPad/Laptop/TV.

I suppose if you don’t have an iPad/Laptop/TV and/or have a harder time reading smaller text then the Max would make sense.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pat96 and Diesel79
Just to add, in terms of spec differences here is what has been found so far:

Pro
+ Brighter Screen

Pro Max
+ Faster Wired Charging
+ Larger Battery
+ Larger Screen

However, aside from Larger Screen, there is limited practical benefit to any of the differences.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Diesel79
I’m still considering switching from the max to the pro. The only downsides for me with the max are mainly the weight when the phone is in my pocket and the phone sometimes digging into my leg whilst in my pocket. Everything else goes in favour of the max. If I switch to the regular size pro I’ll still have to use two hands for most things. I’ve got average size hands and my thumb can’t touch all 4 corners of the regular pro whilst holding it in one hand. And the pro is still going to feel heavy in my pocket. Plus, the camera bump on the back of the pro models is exactly the same size, and I think the back of the pro might look a bit out of place and cramped compared to the pro max.

I originally had the regular iPhone 12 Pro last year, and I did like it. It felt great in the hand, more comfortable in my jeans pocket and generally better from an ergonomics stand point. However, I did end up sending that back and going with the 12 pro max, but since then I’ve always been torn between the 6.1 inch pro models and the pro max models. The regular pro would feel more comfortable to use and carry around, and, from the front looks a bit sleeker. But I would miss having the bigger display and the better battery life. As someone pointed out further up on this page - It isn’t just about the battery life right now, it’s also about battery longevity. And, having already used to 12 pro max for just short of a year I’m already used to the size. Plus, if I do keep this iPhone 13 pro max for a few years and apple do add split screen capabilities to iOS I would be better placed to take full advantage of that feature with the pro max.

I’m genuinely torn. I’ve got just over another week before my 14 day cooling off period ends. So, I might stay with the pro max for the weekend and then try and make decision by Monday. If I switch to the regular pro I’ll still have a 14 day cooling off period so I’m not losing anything really if I just try the regular pro out.

Part of the problem for me is the fact that I only switched back from Android 2 years ago. So, the pro max feels about the right size as Android phones I’ve owned. I really do love the look of the iPhone 13 pro, and, even if I can’t make my mind up on whether or not to switch to that by the time my 14 day cooling off period ends. I can always sell my pro max and purchase a regular pro. I both love and hate this time of year. The procrastination is killing me lol.
 
Imo, the battery longevity argument is overblown. I live in a 32C/90F climate and my phone is always hot. I also fast charge it and game while charging while keeping in a case which makes my phone a toaster…I only lose 6-8% battery health in a year.

its only really an issue if you keep your phone 2+ years, and in those situations, it’s worth paying apple $69 after 2 years to get a brand new battery.
 
  • Like
Reactions: YaBoiD and Diesel79
Imo, the battery longevity argument is overblown. I live in a 32C/90F climate and my phone is always hot. I also fast charge it and game while charging while keeping in a case which makes my phone a toaster…I only lose 6-8% battery health in a year.

its only really an issue if you keep your phone 2+ years, and in those situations, it’s worth paying apple $69 after 2 years to get a brand new battery.
I don’t use my phone much for gaming, but I do use it a lot for media consumption and my 12 pro max that I’ve just upgraded from still had 99% battery health. I agree with you though, if the battery becomes a problem it’s better to just pay apple to replace it.

I just can’t decide what do do. I either order the regular 13 pro and send my 13 pro max back. Or hold onto my 13 pro max and, if further down the line the size really starts to bother me, just sell the max and get the regular pro. I do like the look of the pro. It does look like a very nice size phone to use. These days though 6.1 inches seems small for a phone and I wonder if that trend is going to continue.
 
I’m still considering switching from the max to the pro. The only downsides for me with the max are mainly the weight when the phone is in my pocket and the phone sometimes digging into my leg whilst in my pocket. Everything else goes in favour of the max. If I switch to the regular size pro I’ll still have to use two hands for most things. I’ve got average size hands and my thumb can’t touch all 4 corners of the regular pro whilst holding it in one hand. And the pro is still going to feel heavy in my pocket. Plus, the camera bump on the back of the pro models is exactly the same size, and I think the back of the pro might look a bit out of place and cramped compared to the pro max.

I originally had the regular iPhone 12 Pro last year, and I did like it. It felt great in the hand, more comfortable in my jeans pocket and generally better from an ergonomics stand point. However, I did end up sending that back and going with the 12 pro max, but since then I’ve always been torn between the 6.1 inch pro models and the pro max models. The regular pro would feel more comfortable to use and carry around, and, from the front looks a bit sleeker. But I would miss having the bigger display and the better battery life. As someone pointed out further up on this page - It isn’t just about the battery life right now, it’s also about battery longevity. And, having already used to 12 pro max for just short of a year I’m already used to the size. Plus, if I do keep this iPhone 13 pro max for a few years and apple do add split screen capabilities to iOS I would be better placed to take full advantage of that feature with the pro max.

I’m genuinely torn. I’ve got just over another week before my 14 day cooling off period ends. So, I might stay with the pro max for the weekend and then try and make decision by Monday. If I switch to the regular pro I’ll still have a 14 day cooling off period so I’m not losing anything really if I just try the regular pro out.

Part of the problem for me is the fact that I only switched back from Android 2 years ago. So, the pro max feels about the right size as Android phones I’ve owned. I really do love the look of the iPhone 13 pro, and, even if I can’t make my mind up on whether or not to switch to that by the time my 14 day cooling off period ends. I can always sell my pro max and purchase a regular pro. I both love and hate this time of year. The procrastination is killing me lol.
I totally feel your pain... Kinda in the same boat. Good luck.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Diesel79
Switched from iphone X to the 12PM and haven't looked back. Using 13PM now. Feel like the max is too small. Ideal would be 7" screen
 
  • Like
Reactions: Diesel79
To sum up this thread. You all buy and use what works for you. I’ve also been here searching but really no ones comments matter until you use it (whatever size you choose) for about a week.

Then YOU (only you) will now.
 
As with the OP, I have found myself faced with the dilemma of downsizing from a max, having had a max variant every year since they first introduced them.

I have an iPad Pro 12.9 (2020) and an iPad Mini 6 and -until yesterday- I had an iPhone 12 Pro Max.

I now have a 13 Pro and it feels strange.

I’m not convinced I am missing the loss of screen real estate, but the smaller form factor feels strange.

I am going to give it until next weekend to see if I can adjust to the 13 Pro. If not, I will return it for a 13 Pro Max.
 
Pro Max. Not as big as I thought it would be. Works for me, happy with my choice. Next year I can go either size, time will tell.
Same here. Gotten so used to plus sized smartphones that the iPhone 13 Pro Max doesn't seem so large. Even in an Otterbox Defender Pro case, it's still pocketable. From a resale perspective, it makes upgrading to the next iPhone more of a storage size choice. Got the 512GB model. Might be tempted to get the 2TB option next year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Diesel79
Well…. I stuck with the pro max. I’ve had the phone for 2 weeks this coming Friday. I did order a regular pro last week that I was going to switch to. However! By the time it arrived I’d changed my mind again, and I’d decided to stick with the pro max. I’m coming from a 12 pro max, and an XS max before that. So, I’m just not sure whether or not I’d be able to get use to the regular 6.1” pro.

I’m still unsure on whether to swap my pro max for the regular pro with my network provider. My cooling off period for the max runs out on Friday, so I’ve got today and tomorrow to decide whether I want to switch to the regular pro or not.

My network provider currently don’t have any regular pro models in stock, but they will have in 1-2 weeks. I have spoken to them this morning, and they’ve said if I do decide that I want to switch to the regular pro all I need to do is let them know before Friday. And, they will let me hold onto the max I’ve currently got until they deliver the regular pro in 1-2 weeks.

I’m genuinely still torn. I enjoy using the bigger display on the max, the battery life is amazing, and content consumption is great on the max. The only issues I have with the max are: It feels really uncomfortable in my jeans pockets and digs into my leg, if I’m laying in bed holding my phone with 1 hand and scrolling with the other I can feel the phone really digging into the palm of my hand. So, basically it’s just ergonomics that are the problem for me with the 13 pro max. I love everything else about it.

When it comes to considering downsizing to the regular pro I just don’t know if I’d be able to get use to the screen size. I’m guessing, that after 2 weeks with the regular 6.1” pro the screen size would look perfectly fine.

I’m still so torn lol. If I can’t decide by the time my cooling off period finishes I’ll keep the max and sell it if I want to switch to the regular pro further down the line.

Has anyone else who has always had max phones ordered the 13 pro max, then returned it for the regular pro? If so, how are you finding downsizing? Any regrets?
 
  • Like
Reactions: LoveMyPens
Had the 11pro max, was very happy with size weight and how it felt in the hand (never put in case).
Received 13pro max. After 10 days exchanged for 13pro. PM felt too big and uncomfortable in hand.
13pro Max is the Cadillac Escalade
13pro is the Porsche 911
Drove both and went with the Porsche…
 
Had the 11pro max, was very happy with size weight and how it felt in the hand (never put in case).
Received 13pro max. After 10 days exchanged for 13pro. PM felt too big and uncomfortable in hand.
13pro Max is the Cadillac Escalade
13pro is the Porsche 911
Drove both and went with the Porsche…
Always....Always pick the Porsche :)
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.