iPhone 11 Pro Max Thinking of downsizing from 11 Pro Max to 13 Pro

[JediKnife]

I have enjoyed my 11 Pro Max but I feel like it’s a little too bulky sometimes; I carry it long hours in scrub uniform pocket and also personally think the big display can be a little too “un-private” when watching videos during work breaks and stuff. I do love my games but don’t think the screen space would be an insurmountable roadblock that would stop me from enjoying gaming.
I really don’t want the Pro Max to be any bigger than this and of course the 13 Pro Max will probably be, based on the 12 PM specs.
I am thinking of getting the iPhone 13 Pro instead of the Pro Max.
Biggest concern is battery life.
Has anyone else downsized and really regretted it because of battery life issues?
Has anyone downsized and was really glad they did?
Thanks for any insights.
iPhone user since first iPhone so have had most iterations. Battery and storage have always been the more important concerns for me, and the MagSafe compatible battery packs would make topping up not too inconvenient if I had to, I am thinking.

 

[velocityg4]

Well, I downsized from a Pixel XL to a Pixel 3. I don't consider it a downgrade. Anyway, I couldn't have been happier. The Pixel XL was just too big to comfortably hold one handed and carry in a pocket. The Pixel 3 is nearly perfect. Sure there's times I'd like a larger screen. All I have to do is put that Pixel XL back in my pocket to remind me how much better a slimmer phone is.

Also, there's no law saying you have to get rid of the 11 Pro Max. It's handy to have a backup. With iCloud keeping them in sync. You can just swap the SIM if you feel like going bigger for a while.

I also have an iPhone XS. Which replaced the Pixel 3. But even the XS feels bulky. I find I prefer to carry the Pixel 3 around due to the size. The XS scapes the edge of too big for comfort.

To me the perfect phone would be the iPhone SE (original). With an edge to edge screen. The screen would be big enough and the phone tiny. I've still got the SE. But the screen is currently too small. Edge to edge would be awesome though.

Really, if you want a big portable screen. Get an iPad mini for those times. For a daily phone. I'm more on the side of smaller is better.

If the 13 line is similar to the 12. The 13 pro would be 71.5mm wide. My XS is 70.9 and Pixel 3 is 68.2. While your 11 Pro Max is 77.8. The regular 13 pro would make a huge difference in hand comfort and pocket comfort. As width is a big factor in both. But it'll be edging into the uncomfortable side. Especially with a case.

As for battery life. That's never been much of an issue for me. On a really bad day I might go through 70% charge but it's usually closer to 30% on the Pixel 3. Maybe 25% up to 60% on the iPhone XS.

 

[JediKnife]

Well, I downsized from a Pixel XL to a Pixel 3. I don't consider it a downgrade. Anyway, I couldn't have been happier. The Pixel XL was just too big to comfortably hold one handed and carry in a pocket. The Pixel 3 is nearly perfect. Sure there's times I'd like a larger screen. All I have to do is put that Pixel XL back in my pocket to remind me how much better a slimmer phone is.

Also, there's no law saying you have to get rid of the 11 Pro Max. It's handy to have a backup. With iCloud keeping them in sync. You can just swap the SIM if you feel like going bigger for a while.

I also have an iPhone XS. Which replaced the Pixel 3. But even the XS feels bulky. I find I prefer to carry the Pixel 3 around due to the size. The XS scapes the edge of too big for comfort.

To me the perfect phone would be the iPhone SE (original). With an edge to edge screen. The screen would be big enough and the phone tiny. I've still got the SE. But the screen is currently too small. Edge to edge would be awesome though.

Really, if you want a big portable screen. Get an iPad mini for those times. For a daily phone. I'm more on the side of smaller is better.

If the 13 line is similar to the 12. The 13 pro would be 71.5mm wide. My XS is 70.9 and Pixel 3 is 68.2. While your 11 Pro Max is 77.8. The regular 13 pro would make a huge difference in hand comfort and pocket comfort. As width is a big factor in both. But it'll be edging into the uncomfortable side. Especially with a case.

Thank you! This is the kind of real life experience I’m seeking. I’m leaning strongly towards a 13 Pro instead of Pro Max but just hoping there’s no horror stories of people just miserable from downsizing. I feel like there is a significant segment of the market where people want premium phones that aren’t crazy big. IMO the Minis weren’t selling because they were a significant downgrade in battery life from the regular 12. If Apple made a ruggedized, mil-spec Mini with a nice battery in it even if it was a little thicker and heavier I bet it would be 🔥.

 

[macOS Lynx]

I don’t know if I’m going to get a 13 or wait for the 14, but I do know that my next phone will be the smaller 6.1” option.

I really enjoy my 12 Pro Max. The big screen is quite nice, and I appreciate it for PiP and my mobile games/game streaming, but at the end of the day, I just prefer the more portable size of the 6.1”. It’s more comfortable to hold in one hand and I just like how the smaller size looks.

Funny enough, I was going to get a base iPhone 12 but the only Blue iPhones available were 12 Pro Maxes. I use my phone as my main camera now, so the upgraded wide sensor made it easy to justify. Now that the 13 Pro is getting that, I’ll probably end up switching.

 

[JediKnife]

I don’t know if I’m going to get a 13 or wait for the 14, but I do know that my next phone will be the smaller 6.1” option.

I really enjoy my 12 Pro Max. The big screen is quite nice, and I appreciate it for PiP and my mobile games/game streaming, but at the end of the day, I just prefer the more portable size of the 6.1”. It’s more comfortable to hold in one hand and I just like how the smaller size looks.

Funny enough, I was going to get a base iPhone 12 but the only Blue iPhones available were 12 Pro Maxes. I use my phone as my main camera now, so the upgraded wide sensor made it easy to justify. Now that the 13 Pro is getting that, I’ll probably end up switching.

I’m glad I asked this question; holding the two different models in a store just doesn’t give the same experiences as actually carrying and using each one on a daily basis. Thank you.

 

[cuzo]

I'm most likely doing this soon but with the 12 not the 13. The satellite features sounds cool but it's gonna be for very dense areas with poor signal also who knows how much battery it will drain. I'm going for the smaller 6.1 just easier to carry around.

I doubt apple ours in aod this year anyways so it makes sense.

 

[iMelhado]

I went from the iPhone 11 Pro to the iPhone 12 Pro Max. I regret going to the larger variant. I love the size and display quality of the normal sized 12 pro. It is more easily accessible, more private and the display is more appropriate for the U.I. Don't get me wrong, the 12 Pro Max has phenomenal real estate; however, with that being said, the extra space is seldom utilized.

 

[JediKnife]

I went from the iPhone 11 Pro to the iPhone 12 Pro Max. I regret going to the larger variant. I love the size and display quality of the normal sized 12 pro. It is more easily accessible, more private and the display is more appropriate for the U.I. Don't get me wrong, the 12 Pro Max has phenomenal real estate; however, with that being said, the extra space is seldom utilized.

You might have just convinced me; I like the 11 Pro Max but it is weighty in my scrub pocket at work and tough to use one handed. Im sure the 13 Pro Max will be even bigger. I’m thinking this coming iteration will be the Pro version for me. I also feel like it might be a little more private than the Pro Max screen. Thanks for sharing your experience, truly helpful 👍🏻

 

[gagee]

I have enjoyed my 11 Pro Max but I feel like it’s a little too bulky sometimes; I carry it long hours in scrub uniform pocket and also personally think the big display can be a little too “un-private” when watching videos during work breaks and stuff. I do love my games but don’t think the screen space would be an insurmountable roadblock that would stop me from enjoying gaming.
I really don’t want the Pro Max to be any bigger than this and of course the 13 Pro Max will probably be, based on the 12 PM specs.
I am thinking of getting the iPhone 13 Pro instead of the Pro Max.
Biggest concern is battery life.
Has anyone else downsized and really regretted it because of battery life issues?
Has anyone downsized and was really glad they did?
Thanks for any insights.
iPhone user since first iPhone so have had most iterations. Battery and storage have always been the more important concerns for me, and the MagSafe compatible battery packs would make topping up not too inconvenient if I had to, I am thinking.

I have the 11 Pro max as well and downsizing to the 13 pro. I want something more portable now and something that can fit in pockets properly. I noticed after a while my hands get tired from holding the pro max as well.

 

[Zaft]

12 PM is my limit, I will not get an iPhone that’s bigger.

that being said I can’t go down in size. My work phone is an iPhone XR and though it’s nicer to hold I’m too used to the big 6.7 screen.

 

[mlody]

I will be doing the same thing. I currently have 11 Pro Max and will be downsizing to next 6.1" iPhone. My wife already when thru this exercise - from 8+ to 12 Pro. I really like 6.1" size and can't wait for the new iPhone as I could not forced myself to go from the previous model to 12 Pro. Now at least my upgrade/downgrade will be substantial.

 

[Matcha]

I decided my next upgrade iPhone 14? will be the standard pro model my iPhone 12 Pro Max is too heavy for my liking.

 

[Devyn89]

Story time:

I bought the 11 Pro Max when it came out and enjoyed it for about 6 months. I lost in on a bus (fell out of my jacket pocket sadly) so I had to buy a phone to replace it with. Originally I bought a red iPhone 11. I loved the size but I found after having an OLED display for 2.5 years at that point I wanted an OLED display so I returned it and bought the standard 11 Pro which I’ve been using for the last year and a half.

I found the 6.1“ size is about perfect ratio of portability to having a big screen and with the bezels shrinking due to the OLED display it got even smaller but retained the same screen size. If I could have a 6.3” phone that would probably be perfect but 6.1“ is very close.

All of that to say when I upgrade (either this year or next) I’ll upgrade to the 6.1” pro.

 

[gagee]

I will be doing the same thing. I currently have 11 Pro Max and will be downsizing to next 6.1" iPhone. My wife already when thru this exercise - from 8+ to 12 Pro. I really like 6.1" size and can't wait for the new iPhone as I could not forced myself to go from the previous model to 12 Pro. Now at least my upgrade/downgrade will be substantial.

I have 11 pro max as well and downsizing to the 13 pro. Getting tired of these big size phones. I want something more comfortable and can fit in pockets properly.

 

[Adelphos33]

The 11 Pro Max has a great battery. The 13 Pro models are rumored to also emphasize battery. If true, it could be a great opportunity to switch to the smaller size. I will likely do that

 

[CoriG]

I am in the exact same boat. I have had a + or max phone every year since the 7 because of battery life and better camera. I love my 12PM, but I am ready for a smaller phone. This phone is a beast and rarely do I dip below 30% battery life - I can live with a slightly smaller battery. I am really hoping the cameras are the same on the pros...

 

[Nhwhazup]

I had the Plus sized phones until the XS Max. That one was just a tad bit bulkier than my sweet spot. Plus I had horrible connectivity issues with it. I’ve been using the Pro phones ever since. Perfect size and weight for me. If I want to go bigger, I use my iPad.

 

[Yary]

My decision to go for 12pm from 11 pro has been 1 of best I have taken here\

 

[LFC2020]

Stick with the big boy, once you get use to the bigger display it’s hard to use something smaller, also battery life will take a massive hit with the smaller model.

 

[now i see it]

I have a newer regular sized iPhone and a much older Plus iPhone. I almost never use the newer phone because I don't like the small screen.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Stick with the big boy, once you get use to the bigger display it’s hard to use something smaller, also battery life will take a massive hit with the smaller model.

I agree with this. Plus, you get so many extra features. The Pro Max version is a well-rounded better iPhone.

 

[LFC2020]

I agree with this. Plus, you get so many extra features. The Pro Max version is a well-rounded better iPhone.

Yep, you get use to the bigger size after a few days, I want a 7” iPhone now lol. 🤔

 

[one more]

To me the perfect phone would be the iPhone SE (original). With an edge to edge screen. The screen would be big enough and the phone tiny. I've still got the SE. But the screen is currently too small. Edge to edge would be awesome though.

Have you considered an iPhone mini? Seems to tick all of your boxes - small, light and with edge to edge screen.

 

[mjschabow]

I'm doing the opposite. My 12 Pro is a great device but the battery has consistently left me with that feeling of wanting more, especially when traveling and not having access to a charger. So 13 Pro Max it is.

 

[JediKnife]

I just wanted to update this; after reviewing the battery specs I ordered the 13 Pro Max again. I would have tolerated a phone with less camera doodads and great battery; even a smaller but thicker phone. But once again the consumers are left with choosing a giant phone with all the premium features or “one of the others.” To all those getting the 13 Pro it does look like the battery will be improved but I feel like they could have made it thicker to put even more battery in it and nobody would have complained about it. I still prefer the form factor of the Pro/Standard models over the Pro Max.