iPhone 14 Pro Max The “I returned my iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max” Thread

[GraXXoR]

I waited until 14's were in stores so I could look at them and make an informed choice, so I have to wait a few weeks before my iPhone arrives, so be it. Maybe if people had waited before making their now unwanted purchases, I wouldn't have to wait so long... 🙃

Which is exactly why I ordered mine on the day it released so that I didn’t have to wait.

Some “lucky” punter will get my purple 14 pro max handback in a few days, I’m sure. It’s still in mint condition and the battery has only been used for a few hundred hours.

 

[GraXXoR]

Bingo. This happens with literally every Apple release. Folks who couldn't bear the thought of showing up to their local Starbucks without the latest Apple device in hand, now desperately seeking co-signs/reassurance from strangers to justify their poor decisions.

A lot of issues (weight, dimensions, pill size) being discussed in here were quite literally public knowledge prior to the phone's release. A simple trip to the Apple store PRIOR to buying the device would've alleviated most of the other things. You could've held the display model for 5 minutes & realized you didn't like the weight, or that the Island extends like 1 or 2mm farther down the screen than the notch did, or that the camera bump is what it is.

At the end of the day, this thread is essentially A.A. for Oniomaniacs, who probably need a lock placed on their credit cards.

Bet you’re fun at parties. Sounds to me like someone’s trying, and failing, I might add, to be an edgeLord.

Actually, I ordered the device on day one, knowing full well that I could send it back full refund if I didn’t like it, which is what I’ve decided to do.

Some of us actually do make informed decisions but seriously, what’s the point of just looking at in the shop for a few hours if you can actually get to try it for nearly four weeks entirely free of charge? (Assuming you don’t drop it or get it stolen. )

 

[Gartysparty]

Returned my 14 Pro after coming to the conclusion that the island and the AOD where not for me.

 

[Asiatic Black Hebrew]

Why was the OP of this thread suspended, I wonder.

I just boxed up my 14Pro Max.
Coming from an 11 Pro Max, I just don’t see the value.

My battery is still ok so I don’t even get to figure in the cost of not having to replace my battery. At ¥180,000 (which until this year was just under $1,800) for a heavier, thicker and less comfortable phone with only the same 256Gb RAM, almost the same quality display and almost the same performance as my 11 Pro, I just don’t see the point. I could buy a new PC for that price.

For the first time in my life I questioned my Apple purchase. Why would they make a phone so much less ergonomic than one from three years ago, and without tangible benefits?

(Ok, I’ll admit the macro wide lens is sweet af, but that’s pretty damn fringe.

Crazy at the price. Absolutely ridiculous.
It costs 60% more than my iPhone 11PM for only 30% more performance.

Also strangely I have only seen one other 14 Pro / Max this entire week. Until the iPhone 12 Japanese people usually updated every year or two, but I’m still seeing nearly everyone with iPhone 11 and 12s…. And an occasional 13.

It was common to see people here sporting the latest pro. Even housewives and junior highschool children.

Not this year.

I think Apple has jumped the shark with their 14 pro cost performance ratio in Japan.

Mine is already packed. It goes back tomorrow morning first thing along with the $20 clear case I bought which also goes back to Amazon.

It was a nice shade of purple, tho. But at least it costs nothing to send back.

I just boxed up my 14Pro Max.
Coming from an 11 Pro Max, I just don’t see the value.

Interesting. So what made you purchase in the first place if you didn't see much value? Was the experience drastically different from whatever your expectations were? Assuming you find a products value in its features & specs, again, these were all public knowledge prior to release. What did you see which made the phone worth pre-ordering on day one, only to apparently have no value a short time later?

For the first time in my life I questioned my Apple purchase. Why would they make a phone so much less ergonomic than one from three years ago, and without tangible benefits?

The design has been the same for years now, so I'm just going to assume you haven't held an iPhone model from the past few years. A simple trip to the store to hold last years model, for example, could've solved this mystery. And what benefits are you referring to? Features? Specs?...all a quick Google search away. What prompted the early pre-order? You apparently saw enough to warrant a day one purchase, so was it really an issue with the phone itself, or your expectation level?

Crazy at the price. Absolutely ridiculous.
It costs 60% more than my iPhone 11PM for only 30% more performance.

You knew what the price was prior to purchasing & all specs related to performance were public knowledge shortly after the keynote. Again, I'm not really seeing the issue with my comment. You're well within your right to return the phone, but my point still stands. Ergonomics, price, & performance specs are the reasons you listed. It sounds like you simply made an uniformed purchase.

Bet you’re fun at parties. Sounds to me like someone’s trying, and failing, I might add, to be an edgeLord.

Actually, I ordered the device on day one, knowing full well that I could send it back full refund if I didn’t like it, which is what I’ve decided to do.

Some of us actually do make informed decisions but seriously, what’s the point of just looking at in the shop for a few hours if you can actually get to try it for nearly four weeks entirely free of charge? (Assuming you don’t drop it or get it stolen. )

No idea what an "edgeLord" is, but if it's a person who makes informed purchase decisions, then count me in.

 

[GraXXoR]

I just boxed up my 14Pro Max.
Coming from an 11 Pro Max, I just don’t see the value.

Interesting. So what made you purchase in the first place if you didn't see much value? Was the experience drastically different from whatever your expectations were? Assuming you find a products value in its features & specs, again, these were all public knowledge prior to release. What did you see which made the phone worth pre-ordering on day one, only to apparently have no value a short time later?

For the first time in my life I questioned my Apple purchase. Why would they make a phone so much less ergonomic than one from three years ago, and without tangible benefits?

The design has been the same for years now, so I'm just going to assume you haven't held an iPhone model from the past few years. A simple trip to the store to hold last years model, for example, could've solved this mystery. And what benefits are you referring to? Features? Specs?...all a quick Google search away. What prompted the early pre-order? You apparently saw enough to warrant a day one purchase, so was it really an issue with the phone itself, or your expectation level?

Crazy at the price. Absolutely ridiculous.
It costs 60% more than my iPhone 11PM for only 30% more performance.

You knew what the price was prior to purchasing & all specs related to performance were public knowledge shortly after the keynote. Again, I'm not really seeing the issue with my comment. You're well within your right to return the phone, but my point still stands. Ergonomics, price, & performance specs are the reasons you listed. It sounds like you simply made an uniformed purchase.


No idea what an "edgeLord" is, but if it's a person who makes informed purchase decisions, then count me in.

You sound personally invested and seem to be ostensibly asking questions but following them witch commentary anyway demonstrating that the questions were disingenuous. Are you an Apple shareholder or something?

You come across as if you are trying to make me out as someone who doesn't think their purchases through properly and that of course on the contrary, you do your research before purchasing.

So what is the best way to judge any product?

1) Search for the official specifications of the product and make a judgement whether or not the product would possibly fill a need or fulfil a personal desire. If it seems it does, continue to research more so as not to regret your decision later.

Once determined the product might be suitable, search for OBJECTIVE and TRUSTED online reviews of the product, make sure that the product reviewers are as unbiassed as possible, preferably not having received sponsored or "review samples" of either this product or past products. Compare it to the product you own to balance out the pros and cons and consider whether or not the product actually improves enough to purchase.
If enough of the data points emerge positive, make the purchase.

OR

2) Search for the specifications of the product and make a judgement whether or not the product would possibly fill a need or fulfil a personal desire. If it seems it does, purchase one with a four week money back unconditional offer AND ACTUALLY USE THE DAMN THING and see if it is what you want and need for the price. Watch a few reviews by people who currently have the phone to see if you might have overlooked something blatent during the last week or two of use.

Now you can decide to keep or return the device after HAVING ACTUALLY USED IT. 100% money back, free return postage, as is the law here in Japan.

Personally, I would choose a week of using the phone over anyone trying to sell one to me without me ever having carried it around in my pocket and bag, running all my necessary applications, playing some games, watching movies, taking photos and listening to music.

Try before you buy is my motto. Always has been, always will be... In over 30 years of being an consumer, I have never once paid for something I later regretted. TBH, anyone who spends money without doing that is basically gambling IMO.

 

[chikorita157]

Why was the OP of this thread suspended, I wonder.

I just boxed up my 14Pro Max.
Coming from an 11 Pro Max, I just don’t see the value.

My battery is still ok so I don’t even get to figure in the cost of not having to replace my battery. At ¥180,000 (which until this year was just under $1,800) for a heavier, thicker and less comfortable phone with only the same 256Gb RAM, almost the same quality display and almost the same performance as my 11 Pro, I just don’t see the point. I could buy a new PC for that price.

For the first time in my life I questioned my Apple purchase. Why would they make a phone so much less ergonomic than one from three years ago, and without tangible benefits?

(Ok, I’ll admit the macro wide lens is sweet af, but that’s pretty damn fringe.

Crazy at the price. Absolutely ridiculous.
It costs 60% more than my iPhone 11PM for only 30% more performance.

Also strangely I have only seen one other 14 Pro / Max this entire week. Until the iPhone 12 Japanese people usually updated every year or two, but I’m still seeing nearly everyone with iPhone 11 and 12s…. And an occasional 13.

It was common to see people here sporting the latest pro. Even housewives and junior highschool children.

Not this year.

I think Apple has jumped the shark with their 14 pro cost performance ratio in Japan.

Mine is already packed. It goes back tomorrow morning first thing along with the $20 clear case I bought which also goes back to Amazon.

It was a nice shade of purple, tho. But at least it costs nothing to send back.

I disagree, I own the 11 Pro and upgraded to the 14 Pro and it’s a noticeable upgrade, especially since I don’t have a 5G phone. However, I noticed my 11 Pro is starting to show it’s age as I use the phone more frequently now due to the return to office. I noticed fewer disconnects and faster page loading speeds when I use the hotspot with my iPad Pro. The iPhone 11 Pro used an Intel modem, which has performance issues compared to the Qualcomm modem. Thankfully, Apple ditched Intel modems with iPhone 12 and later models.

Another reason iPhones cost a lot in Japan is due to the weak Yen exchange rate compared to the US dollar, which I last check is 145. If you haven’t been following the news, the US Dollar in particular is extremely strong due to the Fed increasing interest rates and the US economy doing better than everyone elses at the moment. A stronger dollar, means that Apple needs to raise prices abroad to protect their profit margins since the strong US dollar hurts profits taken from abroad. I don’t think Apple jump the shark as they have no control over exchange rates.

 

[davedvdy]

How anyone go from an i8 to an i14 and be disappointed baffles me. Do you actually use your phone to it's potential or is it just for calls, messages and camera?

Cause of the weight. Considering the iPhone 14 Pro weighs a tad more than the 8 Plus even, it makes sense that it could be an issue for them. People used to talk about how the Plus sized iPhones were too heavy and/or unwieldy for them, and a similar comparison can be made.

iPhone 8 -- 5.22 ounces

iPhone 14 Pro -- 7.27 ounces

 

[ctjack]

I admire my friend who buys all the stuff used just to reduce waste. I also try whenever possible do so by buying used or at least doing my hundreds hours of research before committing to a new purchase.
The only thing I could see myself returning the product is if it was defected from the factory: received cracked 55 inch TV that went back for refund once and that was it.
Even if i did the wrong bet and I don't like the phone's size/price/mood or whatever, I am going to live with it until the next update when I pass mine to family or sell used.
Returning for Apple does mean that your new phone goes back to China factory for refurbishment - that is another plane/ship across the globe burning fossils to deliver your returned phone to China and then another trip to get it back - that adds up to the pollution in my book of values.

 

[GraXXoR]

I admire my friend who buys all the stuff used just to reduce waste. I also try whenever possible do so by buying used or at least doing my hundreds hours of research before committing to a new purchase.
The only thing I could see myself returning the product is if it was defected from the factory: received cracked 55 inch TV that went back for refund once and that was it.
Even if i did the wrong bet and I don't like the phone's size/price/mood or whatever, I am going to live with it until the next update when I pass mine to family or sell used.
Returning for Apple does mean that your new phone goes back to China factory for refurbishment - that is another plane/ship across the globe burning fossils to deliver your returned phone to China and then another trip to get it back - that adds up to the pollution in my book of values.

That's the problem when every company tries to maximise their CEOs' profits at the cost of the citizens of their own countries by outsourcing to china or the far-east in general. To do a simple clean they end up having to ship it to another country.

Says more about the company than the consumers, though, in my opinion.

 

[Fred Zed]

Which is exactly why I ordered mine on the day it released so that I didn’t have to wait.

Some “lucky” punter will get my purple 14 pro max handback in a few days, I’m sure. It’s still in mint condition and the battery has only been used for a few hundred hours.

Lucky punter 😂🤣👍🏼

 

[I7guy]

There's no need to be a condescending *****. I read all the reviews and played with the various phones in the Apple store before ordering. I was coming from a 12mini, so the entire 14 line presented a substantial upgrade, esp the pro. And I really wanted the better cameras for close up shots of flowers in my garden. But playing around with the pro in store for a couple of minutes didn't prepare me for what the phone would feel like with sustained use. It grew uncomfortable and even painful pretty quickly. I am on the petite side, and have even smaller hands, so obv everyone's use case is different and some love the feel of the pros. I ended up switching to the 14, which feels much better in my hand and much more balanced--the pro feels weirdly bottom heavy. Plenty of people have perfectly legitimate reasons for returning their phones, and for most, a couple minutes in a store is not a good substitute for days of real world use.

You make some good points, but it makes me wonder how people are able to buy cars.

 

[I7guy]

That's the problem when every company tries to maximise their CEOs' profits at the cost of the citizens of their own countries by outsourcing to china or the far-east in general. To do a simple clean they end up having to ship it to another country.

Says more about the company than the consumers, though, in my opinion.

What it really says is how generous Apple is to allow a 14 day no questions asked return policy. (And maximizing profits is exactly what the ceo should be doing)

 

[nStyle]

I didn’t think I’d ever say this but I miss Jony Ive, I appreciate the gains we made but man have all product lines taken a huge hit aesthetically/comfort - from the iPhone to the Macs, to the watch and even the iPads. The older generations of the products look and feel better to use - and I am sure he could have made the Apple Watch ultra less ugly (we have many large good looking watches on the market).

2016 MacBook Pro has entered the chat

 

[JCCL]

I got one iPhone 14 Pro Max last week, and while I do not plan to return it (my wife already got my 13 Pro Max and we got rid of her 11 Pro Max), I kind of hate it's two flagship features:
- Dynamic Island: As I had thought, I see nothing useful about it, and for me it is more awkwardly positioned than the notch. I find it way more distracting than the notch. I play from the music app all the time, but if I'm browsing, I don't need to constantly see an extended island with the album art very small. I just want to keep reading what I'm reading. This is way more distracting than useful.
- Always On Display: I still don't know what's the purpose, probably devs need to update their apps, but it is just a static screen that provides very little information, to view anything useful I have to put it infront of me which would turn on the screen anyway, and it is distracting to have another screen turned on when I don't need it. I love the feature on the Watch, but here I just turned it off.

 

[Sammy in SoCal]

I got one iPhone 14 Pro Max last week, and while I do not plan to return it (my wife already got my 13 Pro Max and we got rid of her 11 Pro Max), I kind of hate it's two flagship features:
- Dynamic Island: As I had thought, I see nothing useful about it, and for me it is more awkwardly positioned than the notch. I find it way more distracting than the notch. I play from the music app all the time, but if I'm browsing, I don't need to constantly see an extended island with the album art very small. I just want to keep reading what I'm reading. This is way more distracting than useful.
- Always On Display: I still don't know what's the purpose, probably devs need to update their apps, but it is just a static screen that provides very little information, to view anything useful I have to put it infront of me which would turn on the screen anyway, and it is distracting to have another screen turned on when I don't need it. I love the feature on the Watch, but here I just turned it off.

You almost seem like the ideal person to pick up a 14 plus instead. At the same time you would save $200. If you don’t mind the 60hz display

 

[turbochgd]

I have a 11 Pro Max, but I have my new 14 Pro Max still sitting in its box. I'm worried if I transfer to the 14 Pro Max and decide to return, if it will be difficult to reactivate the 11 Pro Max.

You would have no problem reactivating your previous phone if you choose. Depending on your carrier you could easily do it from your their website.

More importantly if you choose to activate the 14 PM (you know you’re dying to ) you won’t want to reactivate your old one. It’s really a great phone and coming from the 11 you’ll fully enjoy the differences. I came from a 13 Pro (which I adored) and am thrilled with my new 14 PM.

Go for it. You’ve got nothing to lose.

 

[JCCL]

You almost seem like the ideal person to pick up a 14 plus instead. At the same time you would save $200. If you don’t mind the 60hz display

Well to be honest I do mind the 60hz display, although I’m sure is livable and would get adjusted. I would rather go back to my 13 pro max which I think is a superior phone than the 14 plus.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Well to be honest I do mind the 60hz display, although I’m sure is livable and would get adjusted. I would rather go back to my 13 pro max which I think is a superior phone than the 14 plus.

The 13 Pro Max is the superior phone without a shadow of doubt and bizarrely the same price or cheaper than the 14 Plus. I upgraded the other week to the 13PM after seeing how mental the prices are this year on the new iPhones.

 

[Sammy in SoCal]

Well to be honest I do mind the 60hz display, although I’m sure is livable and would get adjusted. I would rather go back to my 13 pro max which I think is a superior phone than the 14 plus.

Well I’m guessing you’re gonna find a used or refurbished 13 promax because it would be a poor decision(in my view)to buy a new retail one since it’s the same exact price as the 14 promax

 

[I7guy]

The 13 Pro Max is the superior phone without a shadow of doubt and bizarrely the same price or cheaper than the 14 Plus. I upgraded the other week to the 13PM after seeing how mental the prices are this year on the new iPhones.

If battery life or emergency satellite services mean something the 13 pro max is not the superior phone.

 

[Sammy in SoCal]

If battery life or emergency satellite services mean something the 13 pro max is not the superior phone.

The only thing the 13 promax has over the 14+ is the 120 Hz refresh rate. That’s it. Admittedly it’s a big one. But yes the 14+ beats it in so many other ways because they updated the Bluetooth and the modem on all the 14s. Also the 14+ got tweaks to the camera aperture, the auto focus on the front and the software features in the videos such as action mode and cinematic mode 4K. And I’m the only person in the forum that harps on this but they redesigned the internals of the 14 and 14 plus that has made repairs much easier and much cheaper which is added free insurance against mishaps.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

If battery life or emergency satellite services mean something the 13 pro max is not the superior phone.

I think the 13 Pro Max is the superior iPhone otherwise I wouldn’t have bought it. The battery life is 2.5 days and I don’t need satellite calling when living g on a small island. I had the same opportunity as anybody else to buy an iPhone 14 and I decided to go for better features of the Pro Max.

 

[I7guy]

I think the 13 Pro Max is the superior iPhone otherwise I wouldn’t have bought it. The battery life is 2.5 days and I don’t need satellite calling when living g on a small island. I had the same opportunity as anybody else to buy an iPhone 14 and I decided to go for better features of the Pro Max.

I total get the iPhone 13 pro max is subjectively better for you. I would get the iPhone 14 plus first, but that’s me. Actually first choice is iPhone 14 PM.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

The only thing the 13 promax has over the 14+ is the 120 Hz refresh rate. That’s it.

Well apart from LiDAR, and the telephoto lens. It depends what the user wants as we all have the same opportunity to buy these devices. The new modem and Bluetooth were not must haves to me and the 13 Pro Max cost the same price and I preferred the pro features this time around.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I total get the iPhone 13 pro max is subjectively better for you. I would get the iPhone 14 plus first, but that’s me. Actually first choice is iPhone 14 PM.

I’m sure my preference is as irrelevant to you as yours is to me. Out if all three you’ve mentioned I preferred the 13PM as the 14s were not offering enough for the huge price increase this year. It’s gotten silly at a retail level and the technology is slowing down which is a bonus as you can now get lasts years phone at a sensible price and it’s nearly as good.