iPhone 8/Plus Switched from XS Max to 8 Plus

[redshovel]

Well from having an XS Max pretty much from launch I have finally thrown the towel in and went back to a 8 Plus.
The fact a new 256GB Product Red version was available helped tip the scale.

The main reasons but are...

1. Touch ID works better in more situations for me.
2. XS Max just felt too heavy.
3. The pure 16:9 ratio of the 8 Plus just looks better.
4. The old screen tech suit my eyes better. Everything looks more natural to me.
5. Having battery percent just there is so much easier than swiping down.
6. Taking of swiping down - never liked that and now back to swiping up for control centre.

 

[cub4bearin]

 

[JPack]

When people say it weighs too much, I always wonder how that works.

The difference is 6 grams, or the weight of a nickel.

 

[dontwalkhand]

...And you probably but the XS Max in a drawer, and go right back to it next week. I think we all are guilty of doing stuff like this, LOL! I have a used 8 Plus I bought off of Facebook Marketplace, as a "backup device", after I got my X. So far, I stuck with the X. No plans on upgrading to the iPhone XS or the XR anytime soon. Probably will upgrade to the 2019 iPhones though.

 

[redshovel]

For me anyway the difference in weight is noticeable.
The fate of the XS Max is not a drawer - certainly not at that price - and it will be going to another owner.

 

[Sosab123]

I was deciding between the XR and 8+, I almost settled for an 8. I was told to just buy the XR and I do not regret it. The XR is certainly heavy, and even heavier with a silicone case in on it. But the full screen design is certainly nice to have for reading.

If the 8+ Refurbs had become available sooner than they did I probably would’ve bought one but now after using an XR for so long now all I can see when I look at the 8 is an outdated design.

 

[Nhwhazup]

When people say it weighs too much, I always wonder how that works.

The difference is 6 grams, or the weight of a nickel.

I hear ya and I thought the same thing when I got my Max coming from a 6S Plus. However that little bit of extra weight, just made it feel too bulky for me. I probably would have kept it if not for the horrible connectivity issues. But alas it was returned (actually 2 Maxes) and I bought a new X which has been perfect for me in every way. It feels better in hand and actually works - just the way it’s supposed to.

 

[Steve121178]

Well from having an XS Max pretty much from launch I have finally thrown the towel in and went back to a 8 Plus.
The fact a new 256GB Product Red version was available helped tip the scale.

The main reasons but are...

1. Touch ID works better in more situations for me.
2. XS Max just felt too heavy.
3. The pure 16:9 ratio of the 8 Plus just looks better.
4. The old screen tech suit my eyes better. Everything looks more natural to me.
5. Having battery percent just there is so much easier than swiping down.
6. Taking of swiping down - never liked that and now back to swiping up for control centre.

Welcome to 2017, I guess.

 

[balaplus]

Atleast you won't have signal problems!!

 

[forestinjersey]

Each to his own, no decision is right or wrong. I am now on an 8, after having a X, S9, Pixel 2XL etc etc on top of iPhone +'s, in fact according to Kindle I am on my 16th iPhone (oops). If this switch works for you then top choice and enjoy your device (I really wanted the product red but all sold out here).

Cheers

 

[bigjnyc]

you gotta go with what works for you best so good move. I personally can never go back to having those top and bottom bezels good riddance!

 

[JPack]

I hear ya and I thought the same thing when I got my Max coming from a 6S Plus. However that little bit of extra weight, just made it feel too bulky for me. I probably would have kept it if not for the horrible connectivity issues. But alas it was returned (actually 2 Maxes) and I bought a new X which has been perfect for me in every way. It feels better in hand and actually works - just the way it’s supposed to.

I understand for those coming from a 6 or 7-series Plus as those devices weighed a bit less. But the 8 Plus already has a glass back and weighs 202 g vs 208 g for Max.

 

[ghanwani]

Well from having an XS Max pretty much from launch I have finally thrown the towel in and went back to a 8 Plus.
The fact a new 256GB Product Red version was available helped tip the scale.

The main reasons but are...

1. Touch ID works better in more situations for me.
2. XS Max just felt too heavy.
3. The pure 16:9 ratio of the 8 Plus just looks better.
4. The old screen tech suit my eyes better. Everything looks more natural to me.
5. Having battery percent just there is so much easier than swiping down.
6. Taking of swiping down - never liked that and now back to swiping up for control centre.

Interesting observations. I missed #5 just playing around in store.

 

[janeauburn]

Well from having an XS Max pretty much from launch I have finally thrown the towel in and went back to a 8 Plus.
The fact a new 256GB Product Red version was available helped tip the scale.

The main reasons but are...

1. Touch ID works better in more situations for me.
2. XS Max just felt too heavy.
3. The pure 16:9 ratio of the 8 Plus just looks better.
4. The old screen tech suit my eyes better. Everything looks more natural to me.
5. Having battery percent just there is so much easier than swiping down.
6. Taking of swiping down - never liked that and now back to swiping up for control centre.

I have noticed that the LCD on the 8 Plus is more pleasant to read on.

 

[coney718]

I did the exact same thing. I have Max now and ordered a refurb product Red 8+ which should be here tomorrow. Having had a X before im used to the gestures, FaceID and all that but its something about that "old" design I still love. I miss Touch ID and the traditional 16:9 aspect ratio. Also like you mentioned its nice having a real status bar where I can quickly see battery percentage, connected headphones, VPN etc without swiping down. But what really made me "downgrade" was my nephew came over last week with his 8+ on the same network and his LTE speeds and signal were better than my Max.

 

[ImAnAgent]

Although my XS Max is my daily, I still use my 8+ in my car for bluetooth music. My XS Max is connected via bluetooth for calls in my car.

It's just a preference thing.

 

[ghanwani]

When people say it weighs too much, I always wonder how that works.

The difference is 6 grams, or the weight of a nickel.

It works like the straw that broke the camel's back.

 

[SoYoung]

I don't understand the complain of the aspect ratio. You'll only see it when viewing videos, and even with little black bars, its still a little bigger than the entire 5,5 inch screen of the plus models. The plus have huges bezels so its not a big deal if the 16:9 videos take the full screen when you dont lose anything on the Max. I can understand this complain when you compare a plus model vs the XR or XS because in this case yes, the video will be smaller in 16:9 ratio.

But for everything else I dont really see any issues with the aspect ratio of the max.

 

[Burnsey]

Upgraded to an XS from my 6, didn't use the 6 for weeks, went back to it and it felt ancient in comparison. The top and bottom bezels are too much now.

 

[Reno Raines]

I have the XR but a month ago bought a used 7 plus for a lot of the same reasons. Put a new battery in it and it is doing great. I love the XR but have been using the 7 plus lately as I really like Touch ID and missed it.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Well from having an XS Max pretty much from launch I have finally thrown the towel in and went back to a 8 Plus.
The fact a new 256GB Product Red version was available helped tip the scale.

The main reasons but are...

1. Touch ID works better in more situations for me.
2. XS Max just felt too heavy.
3. The pure 16:9 ratio of the 8 Plus just looks better.
4. The old screen tech suit my eyes better. Everything looks more natural to me.
5. Having battery percent just there is so much easier than swiping down.
6. Taking of swiping down - never liked that and now back to swiping up for control centre.

Whatever your reasons I say get the best device for you. I chose the 8+ recently too and it’s a very capable phone. Sure it doesn’t look like an XS but who the hell cares apart from the person using it? It’s a sleek classic design that is still very current as far as I am concerned. Enjoy.

Upgraded to an XS from my 6, didn't use the 6 for weeks, went back to it and it felt ancient in comparison. The top and bottom bezels are too much now.

Depends where your eyes are wandering during use. I don’t notice bezels as I tend to be looking at the content rather than what the phone looks like.

 

[franzkfk]

When people say it weighs too much, I always wonder how that works.
The difference is 6 grams, or the weight of a nickel.

You've got 46 chromosomes ...... 44 chromosomes and you'll be a rabbit It is an analogy ... not a demagogy.

 

[sunapple]

The Max may be a tad heavier, it’s also smaller.

Anyway, good to know what preference you have regarding phones. A bit like holding on the the 2010 MacBook Pro design for its SuperDrive and its sleep and battery indicator lights. Important to some, not very interesting to most.

 

[puma1552]

The 8 Plus is still a good phone. While the body is more or less the same size as the Xs Max, and the screen is smaller, it's still easier to use because of the bezels. You have a "chin" to support the bottom of the screen so your thumb doesn't need to stretch down as far, and the "forehead" makes the upper corner/edge easier to reach as well. Qualcomm modem and reception is a lot better than the Max, which based on those FCC filings we saw upon release, is probably one of the worst performing iPhones in terms of cell signal.

I got rid of my iPad and I don't miss it, so was thinking of going from my 8 to an 8+ to give me a little more screen real estate.

 

[I7guy]

Well from having an XS Max pretty much from launch I have finally thrown the towel in and went back to a 8 Plus.
The fact a new 256GB Product Red version was available helped tip the scale.

The main reasons but are...

1. Touch ID works better in more situations for me.
2. XS Max just felt too heavy.
3. The pure 16:9 ratio of the 8 Plus just looks better.
4. The old screen tech suit my eyes better. Everything looks more natural to me.
5. Having battery percent just there is so much easier than swiping down.
6. Taking of swiping down - never liked that and now back to swiping up for control centre.

As has been pointed out, the list is quite subjective and one should use what suits them.

I personally like Face id and have adjusted to it's nuances. As far as the battery percent, for me, it's just as well I can't see it, as I don't obsess over it. The max has all day battery life for me, and that's what I need to know. The gestures are fine for me. I think I like them better than swiping up.

And one thing, it's heavier than my 6s, but I enjoy the expanded real estate and find the oled panel plays nice with my eyes.