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iPhone 16 Pro Max: Review and Unboxing

if you shot this video using the iPhone 16 the audio kinda sucks.

so does that mean the new 4 mic system in the phone sucks more than last years mic set up on the 15?

honestly after I saw the video of Max taking apart the iPhone 16 I dont want another iPhone.

cheap parts. and hard to take apart. stainless steel battery. big deal.
 
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creediddy said:
Apple is missing out in foldable revenue. Not that they need nor do they care about the segment, but I would love to see more risks from Apple. Investors may start to lower their grade based on lack of innovation. Next year Apple should have a foldable, Apple Ring, etc…
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I'm thinking that Apple will hold off until the 20th anniversary of iPhone, therefore 2027, before they release fold/flip phones. Otherwise they won't have anything significant/special to release for that milestone.
This will also give them time to perfect the technology, to improve the screen as far as creases are concerned and to offer other significant tech improvements/advancements.

I would say that until then that we'll see minor spec bumps only.
Maybe an 'Apple Ring' would be a good distraction until 2027. Improvements to the watches too.
Perhaps a design/aesthetic change to the rear cameras in the Pro models, a repositioning of the Camera Control, a slimmer Dynamic Island. Things like that.
 
AndyUnderscoreR said:
My initial impressions of the 16 Pro, which is replacing my ageing iPhone XR:

Firstly, the ordering process was really clumsy - a pointless pre-pre-order phase, Apple charged my credit card for the accessories individually before charging for the phone, which looked like fraud to my bank, who cancelled my card. Then Apple tarnished it's eco-friendly reputation by sending 2 deliveries instead of one - why would I need the case and charger 3 days before the phone?

Well it turns out the answer to that is that the 3 days were useful to send back the 'denim' colour case they sent instead of the black one I ordered.

3 days after that I and I now have a phone and a charger but no case as Apple won't send the right case until they have received and "processed" my return, which isn't the sort of customer service I'd expect at this price point. The packaging is beautifully over-engineered. No plastic, but still surprisingly heavy. The set-up was an odd mix of smoothness and clumsiness. It took four or five goes at 'putting the phone next to your old one' before the process wasn't interrupted by my old phone locking itself, later on I was texted a 6 digit code that had to be used within 30 minutes, but wasn't given any opportunity to enter it until after a 40 minute file copying operation, so it timed out. The file copying seemed to be done over bluetooth, which was daft given that the devices both had wifi and were plugged directly into the same Mac Studio. The progress bar stayed on '1 hour remaining' for ages, then counted down to about 35 minutes in real-time, then finished in about a minute - the same odd behaviour I seem to get with every iOS or OS update.

On to the hardware - overall, a bit disappointing, it really doesn't feel like I've gone from a cheap 2018 phone to the top of the range 2024 phone. The thinner bezel is nicer, as is the camera, but the 'island' feels more intrusive than the old notch, the much more rounded corners of the screen cut a lot more off, the screen has a greenish tinge and worst of all, the camera sticks out so much and is so offset that trying to use the phone on a flat surface means it wobbles. I've had to pad the back with blu-tack so I can use the phone. Why don't Apple get that this is a) really bad design and b) incredibly easy to fix? Also, why the hell can't I turn off the constant 'game mode on' pop-ups when switching apps?

Overall, it's ok, but feels hugely overpriced given the minimal improvements over a 6 year-old device.
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You upgraded from an XR. At least the screen (lower PPI LCD vs high PPI OLED) is very different. Not to mention the camera and the overall performance of the phone.

I’m only disappointed and decided not to upgrade first time in 15 years because from 15PM there’s nearly no difference. From an XR? It’s fine.
 
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According to some on here, the "desert titanium" (looks close to rose gold) is popular in other markets / countries where I assume apple was thinking more about their bottom line. Expected but they should have dropped the natural titanium and went with a bolder color (burnt orange was my guess).
 
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haruhiko said:
You upgraded from an XR. At least the screen (lower PPI LCD vs high PPI OLED) is very different. Not to mention the camera and the overall performance of the phone.

I’m only disappointed and decided not to upgrade first time in 15 years because from 15PM there’s nearly no difference. From an XR? It’s fine.
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While younger and sharper eyes thank mine may be able to see a big improvement, I honestly can't see any difference in the screen quality, with the exception of a very slight greenish tint on the 16. It might feel very slightly quicker to open apps, but I've not honestly noticed much performance difference. Other than the camera, I can't think of any apps I use that would push the phone's processor except maybe Pokemon Go, which I always have turned down to minimum graphics because it's such a battery hog.
 
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Eggtastic said:
According to some on here, the "desert titanium" (looks close to rose gold) is popular in other markets / countries where I assume apple was thinking more about their bottom line. Expected but they should have dropped the natural titanium and went with a bolder color (burnt orange was my guess).
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But if they dropped natural titanium then i wouldn't have the color I prefer. I like a more subdued look. I got my wife the desert -- she figured appropriate since we live in the desert.
 
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Phone looks ok, but nothing really worth upgrading from a 15 Pro Max also I really don't see why the camera software options won't work on the 15 Pro Max.
 
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Too big!

Serious problem. Apple needs to slot a phone in between the mini and the iPhone 15 size.
I'd personally prefer a mini sized phone. Anything bigger is too big.
 
PhoenixFactor said:
Stayed home waiting for UPS to deliver. Truck rolled up. Driver went in back. Driver sat back down and drove away without delivering despite the ap saying "Almost there." Now the truck is back at the depot. So annoyed.
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Now they are saying Monday! Are they for real!?! So mad. I should have just went to the Apple Store.
 
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I don't need to change for a while, my 14 ProMax does not need to upgrade for a while. it works fine. The battery needs to be replaced at 81 percent. But other than that, it is great. Maybe iOS 20 I will change.
 
A few initial impressions based on an hour of light use. I’m coming from an iPhone 13 Pro.

1. Speed. This seems so much faster than the 13 Pro, which wasn’t slow. It’s hard to describe but everything seems instantaneous.

2. The Dynamic Island is great. I know some people don’t like it, but it’s a nice visual indicator and shortcut to functions.

3. The phone feels about the same weight (it’s slightly lighter).

4. The bezels are tiny. The extra screen size is appreciated.

5. The camera control button will be used a lot. It fits nicely with my thumb in portrait mode and is more useable in landscape.

6. I like the action button. I’ll find the best shortcut for me.

7. The speakers are amazing for this small phone. You have to hear them to appreciate how good they are. Decent bass and they get plenty loud.

I haven’t tried out the camera much or other things. More tests to come tomorrow.
 
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neuropsychguy said:
A few initial impressions based on an hour of light use. I’m coming from an iPhone 13 Pro.

1. Speed. This seems so much faster than the 13 Pro, which wasn’t slow. It’s hard to describe but everything seems instantaneous.

2. The Dynamic Island is great. I know some people don’t like it, but it’s a nice visual indicator and shortcut to functions.

3. The phone feels about the same weight (it’s slightly lighter).

4. The bezels are tiny. The extra screen size is appreciated.

5. The camera control button will be used a lot. It fits nicely with my thumb in portrait mode and is more useable in landscape.

6. I like the action button. I’ll find the best shortcut for me.

7. The speakers are amazing for this small phone. You have to hear them to appreciate how good they are. Decent bass and they get plenty loud.

I haven’t tried out the camera much or other things. More tests to come tomorrow.
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Just got mine and also coming from 13 pro. Just tried music on the phone's speakers and yes it does sound louder and better. A minor plus I'm liking is the always on display -- kind of nice to have the time handy with just a glance. I also appreciate the satellite messages/SOS as I'm often out of cell range in the desert.
 
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blairh said:
Been using the 16 Max since 9 am this morning. I think the button placement of Camera Control stinks. Too low in portrait and too left in landscape. Huge letdown.
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It was pretty obvious watching the event a couple weeks ago. I said wait til the reviews..
 
BrennanWDavis said:
Cool. I'm keeping my iPhone 15 Pro. There is nothing new with this phone. Kind of annoyed at all of the desperate attempts from Apple to get me to upgrade my phone: email, text, push notification....
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Dear customer,

We are sorry to hear that you have a problem with our product experience. We would like to point out to you that you can subscribe to our $69/month Apple ad-blocker which prevents any promotions from us reaching you.

Sent from my iPhone at the Lambo dealer
 
Steve686 said:
If you love the phone, enjoy it.

This is going to be the first time I haven’t upgraded since the original iPhone. Apple’s complacency has finally worn me out after 17 years.

It feels as if Apple went back to the early days and is only releasing “s” models anymore.
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I only updated with every new release for the first three. After that the phone was pretty solid and the differences each year too minor to upgrade more often than every three years.
 
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bryo said:
Got mine in hand, 16PM in black, came from a 13PM. Love the thin bezels and the balance of the weight is so much better. Much more comfortable to hold. Really nice phone and very snappy. I would honestly say though, this would be a worthwhile upgrade if maybe you’re on a 12 or older and want some improvements, a 13 is a bit of a stretch unless you just feel like upgrading and have the cash, but if I had a 14/15 I wouldn’t bother. It’s okay to keep your phone for 3+ years folks. LOL
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Yep. That’s why the payment plans went from 24 months to 36 months. Unless you are a fanatic, 3 years is fine for phones these days.
 
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Dark_Omen said:
You're kidding right?

Tap the screen, swipe right to get to the camera. Wasn't difficult before, and the new camera/action button doesn't do anything productive. People on the 15 series phones can already open the camera and hold to record with the old action button.

The design is the exact same, minus a .2" taller phone on the 16 Pro Max. The only other design change from your 12 PM is the titanium instead of the stainless steel, USB-C, and the Dynamic Island that's going on it's 3rd year.

Apple had nothing to upgrade this year, so the alternative camera/action button is all they could come up with.
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Just saw Dynamic Island for the first time setting up my wife’s 16. Compared to the notch on my 12P, I’ll take the notch. And I don’t like the notch.
 
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