Kuo: iPhone 14 Pro Max Popularity Could Lead to More Differentiation Between iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max

[BuddyTronic]

Apple has seen high demand for the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max, which could lead the company to further differentiate the next-generation iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Apple could add exclusive features to the iPhone 15 Pro Max in an effort to encourage more people to purchase the larger and more expensive device.

Kuo last week said that Apple asked manufacturing partners to ramp up production of the iPhone 14 Pro models due to strong demand, and today, he noted that the iPhone 14 Pro Max accounts for approximately 60 percent of the total order increase of the Pro models.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1575168029151080448

With the demand for the iPhone 14 Pro models, Apple has asked its suppliers to shift from iPhone 14 production to iPhone 14 Pro production. Apple's iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are reportedly seeing demand that is "obviously lackluster," according to Kuo.

The suggestion that Apple might aim to further differentiate the 6.1 and 6.7-inch iPhone 15 models is somewhat in line with a recent rumor that we heard from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, suggesting that instead of an "iPhone 15 Pro Max," we'll get an "iPhone 15 Ultra."

Gurman says that Apple could replace Pro Max branding with Ultra branding, and while he didn't mention additional features for the "Ultra" model, a name difference between the "Pro" and the "Ultra" could perhaps indicate that the larger iPhone 15 would get features not available in the smaller Pro model.

As of right now, rumors indicate that the iPhone 15 could see a design update with a swap to USB-C instead of Lightning and new periscope telephoto lens technology. Everything that we know about the iPhone 15 so far can be found in our iPhone 15 roundup.

Article Link: Kuo: iPhone 14 Pro Max Popularity Could Lead to More Differentiation Between iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max

It’s because we’re ALL Pro’s!

 

[DonutHands]

Extremely stupid if they go this route. They just fixed the MacBook Pro 14 and 16 modes to be the same hardware, just different size screens.

I do not want a larger screen/devices just so I can have my Pro + features.

 

[BuddyTronic]

Good god, just stop forcing me to buy a larger phone than I want to get all the features! The Pro Max doesn't easily fit in normal pockets and is an ergonomic pain to use. I don't want to feel like I'm carting around an iPad Mini.

If it's differentiated anymore than the camera and battery (which is understandable due to size constraints) then I'm going to be livid. Already incredibly tired of iPhones getting bigger and bigger every year now.

The Pro has the same features as Pro Max.

 

[SanderEvers]

Nah I don't think Apple would put all of their luck in one phone size. I think next year we'll get a cheaper iPhone 15 (just the small one), with the current Pro SoC but with the same specs as the iPhone 14. We'll get an iPhone Pro in both sizes, and one iPhone Ultra in the Max size. The Ultra will also be a rugged phone with 4 camera's and thunderbolt USB-C.

(iPhone 15 USB 2.0 with a Type-C connector, iPhone 15 Pro with USB 3.0 with Type-C)

 

[subi257]

What if the size is a limiting factor?

You do get some more features with the larger MacBook Pro. Thought not as much since the move to M series chips, but they used to be much different.

The only thing that should be limiting at this point....in my mind should be battery capacity and total pixel count of the screen. There is no reason that it can't have the same SOC CPU and RAM, etc. That should be the difference between the iPhone 15 and an iPhone 15 Pro.

 

[subi257]

Extremely stupid if they go this route. They just fixed the MacBook Pro 14 and 16 modes to be the same hardware, just different size screens.

I do not want a larger screen/devices just so I can have my Pro + features.

Exactly.

 

[gtg465x]

I really hope they *don't* return to differentiating features between Pro and Pro Max. I'd love a bigger screen as much as anyone, but at some point the device becomes too big and heavy for truly mobile users. Try sitting down with a Max in your front pocket. The regular Pro should never be second class to the Max for this reason alone.

I sit with the Pro Max in my front pocket every day? Maybe only a problem for skin tight pants?

 

[BuddyTronic]

Apple needs to consider regular iPhone 14/15 models for the Spring event. No point introducing them during Fall Event. The Pro model steals the thunder.

Could it be? In 2023, we may see...

1. iPhone 15 Pro
2. iPhone 15 Pro Max
3. iPhone 15 Ultra

I’m surprised that customers would really be aware enough of the difference in the models.

All this stuff is hearsay.

Ya ya, I can accept and believe that the pro models are selling really well, but there is a staggered release date this year as well. We can make up any story we want - but most of the stories are concocted to move the stock price more than anything else right?

 

[gtg465x]

So, just because the Pro Max is selling 10% more than the Pro, it deserves to have more features? Seems illogical. Doesn't Apple have its phones mostly planned out years in advance, anyways?

50% better, but yeah, I don't follow the logic either. Usually if one thing is selling better, it means you need to improve the one selling worse, not the one selling better.

 

[iBreatheApple]

The battery life in iPhone 15 Mini won't be able to handle the Pro Camera features

I DREAMT of a mini. They released one. I was so excited. Had to upgrade 6 months later because the battery life wasn’t adequate. I was running out by 5-6 pm every day. And I’ve never once (ever) complained of battery. Not do I consider myself a power user. Really said I had to ditch the form factor for battery.

as a side note I was at 89% battery health which they said was completely normal after running diagnostics remotely despite it only being 6 months old.

 

[sliaa]

Sounds like iphone 15 ultra can break table too !!

 

[ackmondual]

Yeah, I don't support this. People shouldn't be punished for wanting a smaller phone.

I don't need a "phablet" (how I hate that term), but I like to have the high-end features. That's why I have the 13 Pro. I don't want a deliberately nerfed phone.

I know this is common in the Android world, but I've been happy that Apple hasn't been doing this (well, mostly).

Nah, I'm thinking this has just been a thing with marketing smartphones, and trying to get users to spend more money. Problem is (and consumers share the blame) is that the perception that a smaller phone should be cheaper. As such, manufacturers won't really put much features into them, which kind begets an "chicken or egg" situation.

That would be frustrating. I, for one, like the higher end features of the Pro models, but I can't stand the giant phone.

I really wish we can customize these features, but ofc., phones aren't really modular enough to have this.

 

[ben824]

They did that back in the day with the 7 Plus and 8 Plus. They gave the better cameras to the Plus size and I hated it. I wanted the better cameras but I didn't want the obnoxiously large phone that I can't fit in my pocket. I don't understand how any man can walk around with the bigger phone size in their pocket, my 12 Pro is almost peaking out of the top of my pocket, I don't see how the Pro Max even fits in some jean pockets. And I don't even wear tight pants like skinny jeans, just regular old boot cut from freaking Old Navy! The 6.1" physical size is fine the way it is, I don't want to get the Max just to get all the Pro features.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

The only thing apple could do to make me buy the pro max is to make it smaller.

Ah, looks like they already do!

 

[mrr]

Pro Max should support the Apple Pencil.

 

[G5isAlive]

That’s not what they are saying though. What this is saying is Apple will intentionally put less features on the Pro so people that wants the best have to go to the max.

I mean, there’s enough differentiation with the better and screen size. What else do you want? We are already paying $1,000 minimum.

who is they? people are speculating on how the different devices might be differentiated, and rather than look at it that all models should have the same features, just different sizes or else the smaller phones are being ripped off, some are pointing out that larger phones can get bigger batteries, bigger cameras, and perhaps different sensors simply because there is more room in bigger devices. Hence, the largest size could have extra features simply because of size, not because the smaller phones were being artificially restricted. I agree the use of Pro for two sizes is silly, should be three models. the regular version, the pro version, and the ultra.

 

[lucas]

**** that. Let people have their choice of phone size without gimping one of them to upsell

 

[klasma]

Maybe it isn’t the screen size that makes the difference (mini vs plus) for buyers in general. Maybe the buyers are interested in simply having the premium features.

Perhaps Apple could simplify their line. Have a budget iPhone maybe iPhone minus. Then the Pro gets renamed back to just iPhone. Then Pro Max goes to just iPhone Max.

Three models, much simpler, easier to select from.

They should just make a single model you can resize with pinch-to-zoom.

 

[Kramerjn]

I'm afraid — for that very reason. I got the 7 when it came out, and envied the camera of the 7 plus, but wasn't willing to go to that size. I think it's terrible, but that really is why the do it: you want all the bells and whistles — pay up. Problem is, personally I don't mind paying — I just don't want the huge phone. I'm sure a lot of people feel the same.

I had the 7 Plus because of the camera features. I haven't had a plus phone since... Even after a year I still found it annoying to have such a large phone. I had to take it out of my pocket to bend down and tie my shoes!

 

[Premium1]

Ah yes, can't wait for them to neuter the regular-sized pro like they did their regular line. Not everyone wants a huge phone and getting even less features (outside of the obviously screen size and battery) is such a weak move.

 

[transpo1]

Apple needs to consider regular iPhone 14/15 models for the Spring event. No point introducing them during Fall Event. The Pro model steals the thunder.

Could it be? In 2023, we may see...

1. iPhone 15 Pro
2. iPhone 15 Pro Max
3. iPhone 15 Ultra

Yes, that’s what we’ll see for the new lineup (not sure about the spring event, though— Apple is using the widening gap between iPhone 14 and Pro models to upsell people, so it makes sense to launch them together). I don’t believe Apple will drop the Pro Max branding. They generally don’t change the names of products that sell really well. Instead, they’ll introduce the 15 Ultra above the Pro Max with the exclusive features. Pro and Pro Max will share the same feature set again next year. What’s happened is that Apple has realized the people who upgrade to the Pro Mac every year have funds to spare and can afford an Ultra.

 

[coachgq]

Tried using the 14 Pro Max for a week since launch. Returned for 14 Pro. Great size for daily use.

That's been my reason for not getting the promax. I like the screen, but i get some fatigue trying to work on it for daily tasks.

 

[erikkfi]

Was this whole iPhone cycle a test of whether Apple can push people to Pro devices by simply short-changing the base model of any meaningful updates?

 

[bluecoast]

I think this is a great idea.

Let the ultra be truly high end with features that are expensive for Apple to rollout across the line up, so let (presumably) non price sensitive users pay for the latest and greatest before cascading these features down the rest of the lineup.

The regular pro I call the ‘business executive’ phone as private buyers are probably just going to get the pro max.

And for those on this thread saying they Apple should get rid of the regular iPhone - it’s simply the iPhone that people get when they just want the standard iPhone or their phone breaks after 4-5 years. I bet the standard 128Gb config is the most popular.

As to the plus - let’s see. I bet it’ll do well in the way that the 8 plus was near ubiquitous a few years ago.

 

[CarlJ]

How about an iPhone 15 Mini?