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My problem isn't the weight (sure could be lighter) but the width. Why is the Pro Max always so wide compared to all the other big phones out there? The 11 Pro Max was already very wide but the 13 Pro Max is even wider and with it's straight edges, it's even more uncomfortable to hold.

The big phones of Samsung, Xiaomi, etc are all easier to hold because they aren't as wide. Maybe I just need bigger hands (188cm tall though).

This was the issue with me and the 11PM. My hands will randomly spasm when I am gripping things like pens, utensils, or my phone. Which is why I dropped that phone so much, and used both AC+ replacements for the first time ever.

I kind of miss the screen size (my poor 46 year eyes and progressive lenses lol) but physically I simply can’t handle that phone size, at least until surgery.

I really missed flat sides though.
 
I'm hoping they go taller rather than wider for the next iteration of the Max phones.

OR at least tailor or tweak the UI better to work with such a wide screen.
 
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Last November I had purchased the iPhone 12 Pro Max but originally was going to get the iPhone 12 mini with the (I thought at the time) soon to be released iPad mini 6. The combined price of the iPhone mini and iPad mini was close to the same price as the iPhone 12 PM. At that time I was mainly working from home and my current iPhone X was not used as much as my iPad mini 4. Being surrounded by my dual 27" monitors on my MacBook Pro 16" the small phone just wasn't that needed. After work while relaxing out in my back yard the iPad mini 4 was used for watching movies/TV and playing games. This was my plan until two things happened...

First, it was starting to be obvious that the iPad mini 6 was going to be delayed (by nearly a year). Second, I started hybrid work and work from home. With wearing a mask (this was before the Apple Watch could unlock the iPhone) a constant thing on hybrid work days, it was much easier to check email/messages on my Apple Watch S4 than pulling out my iPhone and manually unlocking it. When I did need a phone, it was to display my Microsoft OneNote documentation as I was frequently between my work office computer and my home computer. Having a large iPhone screen that I could easily carry with me in my pocket (versus an iPad mini) made a lot more sense.

The Pro Max size has turned out to be excellent for moviesTV/games and the screen is surprisingly close to the iPad mini. The screen aspect ratio on the iPhone is much better for streaming though.

I have missed the size/weight of my iPhone X as it just fit perfectly in my hands. One day when I'm able to work from home full time, I may go with the smaller or smallest iPhone. Perhaps with a much larger Apple Watch I may just go without an iPhone entirely. It's nice to have choices.

To OP - hope you enjoy the easier and hopefully less painful size iPhone
 
13 pro max is like a brick especially with a case on.. I am waiting for the 6.7 inch non pro model next year. I am ok to give up on the pro features but get a lighter weighing 14 max (6.7') instead of 14 pro max(6.7')
 
My problem isn't the weight (sure could be lighter) but the width. Why is the Pro Max always so wide compared to all the other big phones out there? The 11 Pro Max was already very wide but the 13 Pro Max is even wider and with it's straight edges, it's even more uncomfortable to hold.

The big phones of Samsung, Xiaomi, etc are all easier to hold because they aren't as wide. Maybe I just need bigger hands (188cm tall though).
I'm hoping they go taller rather than wider for the next iteration of the Max phones.

OR at least tailor or tweak the UI better to work with such a wide screen.

I disagree entirely here. I miss the 16:9 screens of the plus type phones. Making the screen taller and narrower does nothing for me. Trying to read a long email or web site on a narrow screen is a pain and watching 16:9 videos results in pillarboxes that reduce the effective screen size.
 
I went from the 12 Pro to the 13 Pro Max. The initial shock was like "whoa, this is heavy" but after a couple days it's fine. I am used to it like it's normal now. I think people jump to conclusions quick and don't give it a chance. I'm loving the bigger screen. The 12 Pro was fine but I usually switch back and forth LOL
 
I feel these new phones cheated a bit on screen size....taller but still narrow. That's why I want the Max, because it offers a genuinely wide screen. Even thought the smaller phones have a large on-paper spec (6.1). it's really not that much wider than the older phones.
 
For what it’s worth, I would suggest that you give the pro max some time before you give up on it. I went through this same thing way back when the 6 plus first came out. I ordered one and as much as I loved the screen size I hated the size and weight of the phone and I wound up returning it and getting a 6. But as soon as I did I realized that I really missed the bigger screen. I lived with the 6 for several months and then I finally wound up selling the 6 and buying another 6 plus and I’ve used the plus/max phones ever since and never looked back.
This. My story and experience too. Just different versions, 6+ -> 6s -> 8+. I had the 6 for a year and a half before I had to go back to a bigger phone. @BrettDS is right. Give it some time or you may regret it.
 
My problem isn't the weight (sure could be lighter) but the width. Why is the Pro Max always so wide compared to all the other big phones out there? The 11 Pro Max was already very wide but the 13 Pro Max is even wider and with it's straight edges, it's even more uncomfortable to hold.

The big phones of Samsung, Xiaomi, etc are all easier to hold because they aren't as wide. Maybe I just need bigger hands (188cm tall though).

This turned out to be the case for me, too. Last year, I went with a 12 instead of a 12 Pro, because I was convinced after the increasing hand pain of the 11 Pro Max that the weight was the issue. And, I wasn’t to go with the lightest option that still gave me a larger screen. I enjoyed my 12, but this year I really wanted the Pro model. I decided to give the 12 Pro a try, knowing it was definitely heavier. Yes, it’s kind of heavy, but I’m not experiencing hand pain at all. Turns out the issue wasn’t so much the weight for me, but the width, of the 11 Pro Max. So, no more Max sizes for me.
 
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Same thing happened to my wife last year. After 2 days she was ready to return it….. I convinced her to try it for a few more days and she ended up keeping it… she loves it now and is glad she didn’t return it….
 
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This is probably duh but I changed my case and it feels lighter now. In any case, I would probably miss it if I returned it so it’s mine. For at least a year anyway.
 
I just upgraded from the 11 pro max to the 13 pro max after 3 days for using the new phone I traded in my 11 pro max Ilove the screen and battery life and after 3 days Im getting use to the extra weight and square sides.

I did check out the 13 pro just before handing in my old phone but have no regrets staying with the 13 pro max
 
I went from the 12 Pro to the 13 Pro Max. The initial shock was like "whoa, this is heavy" but after a couple days it's fine. I am used to it like it's normal now. I think people jump to conclusions quick and don't give it a chance. I'm loving the bigger screen. The 12 Pro was fine but I usually switch back and forth LOL
Yes! Very realistic point of view, I was in the same position having had the 12 Pro and now the 13 PM, doesn't seem that heavy at all, lol, sure in my pocket would be good to have something smaller, but then again I never liked even having the 12 pro in my pocket.... the screen, battery life, and ease of reading is soooo nice on the 13 PM! Glad I went for it!
 
The trouble is that the width of the phones matters a lot for reading. The best is the 6 Plus/7 Plus/8 Plus.

The current Max phones come closest to that, but they're much too heavy.

So stick w/ the 8 Plus for now. Bonus: You get Touch ID back, which means you can use it w/ a face mask.
 
New Update:

yesterday I called Apple and arranged my return.

today I’ve used the phone and I’ve had no aches, and it feels much easier to use. Collection is due tomorrow, I’ll just tell the UPS man nothing to take away and give it a few more days I think as I’ve got 14 days to return it.

Whoever said give it some time … maybe you were right 😏
 
New Update:

yesterday I called Apple and arranged my return.

today I’ve used the phone and I’ve had no aches, and it feels much easier to use. Collection is due tomorrow, I’ll just tell the UPS man nothing to take away and give it a few more days I think as I’ve got 14 days to return it.

Whoever said give it some time … maybe you were right 😏
yes time! to be fair I even said achy hands with the 12 pro! Actually seems even more so than now with the 13 max for some reason... therefore, its hard to even know if its the phone causing the achy hands. Could be the weather, could be arthritis, diet, so many things!
 
yes time! to be fair I even said achy hands with the 12 pro! Actually seems even more so than now with the 13 max for some reason... therefore, its hard to even know if its the phone causing the achy hands. Could be the weather, could be arthritis, diet, so many things!
It's probably the 13 max.
 
I’ll be going from a 6 and looking at the P & PM. Somewhat concerned re weight and obviously size for carrying it around. My usage is mainly phone use and purchases using fingerprint although with a bigger screen who knows what may happen. I am also into the cameras on the Pros too. In my mid 70s and reasonably active so would really appreciate a few comments from anyone who may be in a similar situation (not age wise) and have upgraded to the Pro range. Due to having an autoimmune issue I will be wearing a mask for the foreseeable future so how does face ID impact mask wearing. Apologies for being OT but thought this would be the best thread to ask.
 
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