iPhone 16 Pro Did you get the 16 Pro coming from a Pro Max, regrets or not?

[Carlsberg69]

That and 120hz screen for me. Looking at a 60hz screen look awfully choppy to me now.

If anyone is curious I took some pictures side by side of how much real estate you gain with the Max. View attachment 2433051View attachment 2433052

Thanks for sharing comparison photos, brilliant! Tbh I don’t think you really get that much more on the screen 😂 maybe that’s just me. Would’ve been interesting to compare the differences of keyboards too, that’s one point that still keeps nagging me a tiny bit, but feel I’m getting quickly used to the pro’s now.

I can't describe it well, but with this size I feel like in a beautiful, comfortable apartment, while with the Pro Max - like in a huge beautiful house, which lacks the comfortable feeling of home warmth and feels strange everywhere.

Yeah know exactly what you mean. The 16 Pro is now more like a small ”big phone” and the 16 PM just became a too big ”big phone”, guess I’m a true fan of the irl effect that the slight increase from 6.1 to 6.3 kind of creates, which might be thought to be minuscule at first but is not, just difficult to explain but needs to realised personally.

Had a 14PM, got the 16 pro because The 16PM was even bigger and my 14PM was already borderline too big. I was worried the 16 pro would be too small but actually it’s great. My first impression was wow, can’t believe how HEAVY my 14PM was compared to this. Very happy with my new phone and wouldn’t go back.

Exactly same feeling I got, I couldn’t believe that I’ve been going around with the 14 PM for that long 😂 guess one can make yourself get used to something because you really want to like it but in reality you don’t, if that makes any sense. Just increasingly reliefed with handling of the 16 Pro.

 

[robotphood]

Thanks for sharing comparison photos, brilliant! Tbh I don’t think you really get that much more on the screen 😂 maybe that’s just me. Would’ve been interesting to compare the differences of keyboards too, that’s one point that still keeps nagging me a tiny bit, but feel I’m getting quickly used to the pro’s now.

I felt like that going from 12PM to 14P but eventually you gain the muscle memory. I don’t think there’s a huge difference in size but my fingers aren’t very wide. Typing 1 handed on the max I’d often default to the shrunken keyboard. The reach to the other side is a little too far and uncomfortable to repeatedly do. Here’s a keyboard shot.

 

[Carlsberg69]

I felt like that going from 12PM to 14P but eventually you gain the muscle memory. I don’t think there’s a huge difference in size but my fingers aren’t very wide. Typing 1 handed on the max I’d often default to the shrunken keyboard. The reach to the other side is a little too far and uncomfortable to repeatedly do. Here’s a keyboard shot.

Thanks, can’t really be fully appreciated or understood in only photos, but sure you can see some. Here are a quick photo comparison between, from left, 5s/16 Pro/15 plus, just for interest.

 

[Fluffyk]

Agree, you pretty much nailed it there. After 2 years with 14 PM I just really feel I want something lighter, more manageable and let’s say pocketable. I have a 14” MBP, IPad Pro 11”, 15 plus as a work phone, if I need bigger screens… Sometimes I just want a leaner device/phone with me and nothing else. My other extra phone, the all time favourite, the 5s, just baffles me how small the phones where then, but of course it doesn’t cut it anymore being unsupported, but wish it would lol

It's always funny to me when some people say that, for example, iPhone 12/13 mini are so small and they couldn't use a phone that small.. I also have the 13 mini and it's a joy to use... and you almost don'Yt feel it in your hand and pocket. Yeah, it seems to me that people forget that we used to use 3.5" iPhones and had no issues and was considered big. How far is it going to get with phone sizes? I mean, how big was the first iPad mini? And somehow people perceive the Max phones as if you're rich, but if you have the smaller Pro, which is the same phone just smaller, it's meh. Truly weird times.

 

[Carlsberg69]

It's always funny to me when some people say that, for example, iPhone 12/13 mini are so small and they couldn't use a phone that small.. I also have the 13 mini and it's a joy to use... and you almost don'Yt feel it in your hand and pocket. Yeah, it seems to me that people forget that we used to use 3.5" iPhones and had no issues and was considered big. How far is it going to get with phone sizes? I mean, how big was the first iPad mini? And somehow people perceive the Max phones as if you're rich, but if you have the smaller Pro, which is the same phone just smaller, it's meh. Truly weird times.

Would love the mini if the battery just had more muster, still think it would be almost perfect if you’re a light user. The evolution of the smart phones have just shifted a lot of user cases I think and of course also can be the ”only” device for many, which really changes things up. Yeah don’t understand this with max and showing off, like the under the radar understated thing better 😎

 

[robotphood]

Would love the mini if the battery just had more muster, still think it would be almost perfect if you’re a light user. The evolution of the smart phones have just shifted a lot of user cases I think and of course also can be the ”only” device for many, which really changes things up. Yeah don’t understand this with max and showing off, like the under the radar understated thing better 😎

Yeah I think the mini is the perfect size for a light user who just wants a modern smartphone but it doesn’t seem like the demand for it is strong though. It’s definitely unfair to compare modern smartphones to ones of before (like the 5). They are so much more capable now. We can consume and create high res content, play console level games and even add a monitor/peripherals and use it as a desktop substitute. The world has clearly moved on from the small phone. It’s always amusing to see posts like “upgraded my iPhones 8 to the 16, it’s way too big”. It’s pretty unrealistic to expect tech to stand still for 7 years.

 

[ibookemo]

I got a 16 Pro after having a 15 Pro Max. The only downside really is battery. I definitely notice the 16 Pro drop percentage faster. Makes sense, smaller battery.

Apart from that it’s a super phone. Next year I’ll go back to the Max though.

 

[MacBookPro88]

Im keeping my 15 Pro Max as long as possible unless next year's slim/air wins me over. Its really the perfect size and weight. I played with the 16 Pro Max in store. Did not like the Camera Control button. Dont wanna deal with that so didnt even consider upgrading. Someone needs to make a case that just covers it like it doesn't exist.

 

[Corgirat]

I have eight Find My devices and items. Turning bluetooth off drops the battery drain down to 3-4% which is more reasonable.

Try turning off find my network for AirPods buy going into settings on iPhone. That stops the findmy drain for me. I wish I could turn it on though.

 

[Corgirat]

I’m happy going from 14 Pro Max to regular 16 Pro. I kinda always hated the size and weight of the Max but I loved the battery life. But they really improved the battery life with the 16 Pro. I almost don’t see difference and I always charge to only 80%. And I’m happy with the smaller form factor. The smaller real estate in comparison with the Max is not very noticeable. Let’s be honnest every iPhone is a huge phone. The Max basically gave me half of one line of text in most apps and in few apps one extra line. From the real estate perspective I think it’s not worth of getting the biggest iPhone.

I felt exactly the same about the screen estate. I’d go for pro max again if they can do split screen or add more content on the screen instead of having all sorts of spaces around keyboard and just magnify the same thing I see on pro.. right now max is solely for battery. I can buy MagSafe battery for the price difference or exchange battery when it’s due for the price difference.

 

[Carlsberg69]

I felt exactly the same about the screen estate. I’d go for pro max again if they can do split screen or add more content on the screen instead of having all sorts of spaces around keyboard and just magnify the same thing I see on pro.. right now max is solely for battery. I can buy MagSafe battery for the price difference or exchange battery when it’s due for the price difference.

Good point, the max is not really optimised for the larger screen. Always annoyed me little bit, feel somewhat cheated sometimes 😂 sure there are instances it’s better like video, having a online meeting seeing shared screen better.
It’s a shame it’s mostly about the battery, they could have done so much more with the screen size.

 

[Carlsberg69]

The decision of keeping the 16P is closing up. There is three alternatives as I see it from my side.
1. Go back to the 14PM, which I still have and planning to sell. Not keen on this, it’s been too much of a brick to handle and letting go of the 16P for this reason is just going to be really hard.
2. Get a 16PM. Getting ”all” the new stuff, but still a brick and even larger then 14PM… hmm not keen on this either, kind defeats the point on my part.
3. Get a used older Pro, like the 15P. Well this has crossed my mind, but making all the fuzz changing I might as we’ll get the refined and improved version, 16P, or as a few call it, the 15Ps.

All in all, as I stand now, the 16P has showed to be clearly a more comfortable and manageable size but not too small, being used to a Max, imho. One of the main points I got interested in the first place was the tiny increase of the screen/dimensions and thinner bezels, with larger battery giving increased battery life. This latter point have been the largest question, will it actually deliver on this, but lately I’ve really starting to see the performance that I was expecting. Starting to enjoy the CC too.

I wish I could put the base 16 into the mix, it really seems to be a very nice package this year with even lower weight. But I am very much into photography and appreciate the latest camera tech and features on the pro’s, as well as the 120hz promotion.

So there we are, almost decided 😂

 

[537635]

Good point, the max is not really optimised for the larger screen. Always annoyed me little bit, feel somewhat cheated sometimes 😂 sure there are instances it’s better like video, having a online meeting seeing shared screen better.
It’s a shame it’s mostly about the battery, they could have done so much more with the screen size.

It's kinda understandable, when iPads are totally not optimised for their screen size. I'm not sure if there's a technical reason for that or just laziness or just keeping the whole portfolio looking similar. This is the endless debate how iPads could easily drive even vanilla macOS without a problem.

The same for larger iPhones... they could easily be more optimized, maybe gain some iPad functionality etc.

 

[robotphood]

The decision of keeping the 16P is closing up. There is three alternatives as I see it from my side.
1. Go back to the 14PM, which I still have and planning to sell. Not keen on this, it’s been too much of a brick to handle and letting go of the 16P for this reason is just going to be really hard.
2. Get a 16PM. Getting ”all” the new stuff, but still a brick and even larger then 14PM… hmm not keen on this either, kind defeats the point on my part.
3. Get a used older Pro, like the 15P. Well this has crossed my mind, but making all the fuzz changing I might as we’ll get the refined and improved version, 16P, or as a few call it, the 15Ps.

All in all, as I stand now, the 16P has showed to be clearly a more comfortable and manageable size but not too small, being used to a Max, imho. One of the main points I got interested in the first place was the tiny increase of the screen/dimensions and thinner bezels, with larger battery giving increased battery life. This latter point have been the largest question, will it actually deliver on this, but lately I’ve really starting to see the performance that I was expecting. Starting to enjoy the CC too.

I wish I could put the base 16 into the mix, it really seems to be a very nice package this year with even lower weight. But I am very much into photography and appreciate the latest camera tech and features on the pro’s, as well as the 120hz promotion.

So there we are, almost decided 😂

I’ve decided to keep my pro. After about a week with the max I swapped back to the pro for the day and it just feels effortless to use when I’m out and about. With the max, I’m just juggling it way too often unless I’m in 1 place. There’s been quite a few instances when my phone ends up in the “wrong” hand and I have to use the other to tap something. I knew it would be a 2 handed device but I forgot how impractical it can be since it’s been over 2 years since I used a max daily. I’ll miss the screen but that’s about it. The battery was a beast but Russ pro has been off the charger for 18 hours and I have 15% left which is good enough for me.

As for your decision, I feel like 6.7 -> 6.3 isn’t a huge drop. But I would skip option 3 if you care about battery life

 

[537635]

I'll be honest: 15 PM -> 15P -> 16P for me.

And I'm still deciding to switch to 16PM. The screen and battery... ah, first world problems decisions ;-).

 

[Carlsberg69]

It's kinda understandable, when iPads are totally not optimised for their screen size. I'm not sure if there's a technical reason for that or just laziness or just keeping the whole portfolio looking similar. This is the endless debate how iPads could easily drive even vanilla macOS without a problem.

The same for larger iPhones... they could easily be more optimized, maybe gain some iPad functionality etc.

Maybe kind of combination of all three, some tech/feature challenges, no priority and trying to keep iPhones coherent and not let the max be too different… There is nice things from iPadOS that the max definitely could have great use of.

 

[Carlsberg69]

As for your decision, I feel like 6.7 -> 6.3 isn’t a huge drop. But I would skip option 3 if you care about battery life

The drop is not so huge on paper but feels kind of huge in practice, which I’m happy for 😀 in the sense that I little bit bigger pro can get me away from the Max. Think much comes down to adapting in one’s usage (not being as heavy as the Max have invited you to have) and that’s fine with me, even a good thing.

Yeah, option 3 is not optimal but I thought the 15P hade fairly good battery life to the expected, or have I missed a big thing here?

 

[Carlsberg69]

I'll be honest: 15 PM -> 15P -> 16P for me.

And I'm still deciding to switch to 16PM. The screen and battery... ah, first world problems decisions ;-).

Yes the screen and battery, 2 huge dilemmas isn’t it, but I just came to the point I refuse to cary the brick anymore 😂
A classic first world issue, we have to count our self’s very lucky indeed 🤞
Edit: typo

 

[kirbysmartsdawg]

My main hesitation about returning to the Pro Max has always been battery life. I still don’t believe Apple has delivered on the promised improvements. While 18.0.1 has made some progress, iOS 18 overall has a lot to be desired when it comes to battery performance. Although I won’t switch back to the Pro Max, I can’t shake the feeling that we’re not getting the battery life we were advertised and expected right now.

 

[537635]

For me 16P is a clear upgrade from 15P when it comes to battery life. Same usage pattern, I get about 5-10% more of battery percentage in the evening.

Not that I could charge every other day like I could 13PM before they upgraded FindMy for AirTags, but still ok.

 

[Corgirat]

My main hesitation about returning to the Pro Max has always been battery life. I still don’t believe Apple has delivered on the promised improvements. While 18.0.1 has made some progress, iOS 18 overall has a lot to be desired when it comes to battery performance. Although I won’t switch back to the Pro Max, I can’t shake the feeling that we’re not getting the battery life we were advertised and expected right now.

16 pro isn’t that bad. I just need the over night draining to stop and this will be my perfect phone. Came from 12 pro max.

 

[537635]

It's FindMy.

 

[kirbysmartsdawg]

16 pro isn’t that bad. I just need the over night draining to stop and this will be my perfect phone. Came from 12 pro max. View attachment 2433640

They still haven’t fully addressed the idle battery drain, which used to be a non-issue. The most noticeable difference for me is watching videos on the Pro. I was watching a football game for about 10 minutes, and my battery dropped from 57% to 52%. With iOS 17 on my 13 Pro Max, it would have only dropped about 2% in the same time. These battery issues, especially the idle drain, are the biggest concerns for me.

 

[Corgirat]

It's FindMy.

View attachment 2433642

Well, in this case last night, there’s no find my activity at all because I had turned off AirPod find my network off. So it’s not showing up but who knows, it might still be draining battery as long as I have AirPods on my Apple ID. I have been submitting these to Apple using https://idmsa.apple.com/IDMSWebAuth...e8bb6928078d3b&sslEnabled=true&rv=4&path=/new

 

[537635]

Well, in this case last night, there’s no find my activity at all because I had turned off AirPod find my network off. So it’s not showing up but who knows, it might still be draining battery as long as I have AirPods on my Apple ID. I have been submitting these to Apple using https://idmsa.apple.com/IDMSWebAuth/signin?appIdKey=4b98a8e6a3a3ce265b93c90207c442b53c45a1afa9ff1dc9bde8bb6928078d3b&sslEnabled=true&rv=4&path=/new

Phone itself is also always actively listening to devices. Doesn't matter you turned your AirPods off. Your neighbors haven't.