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JML5150

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 19, 2010
24
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I’m looking to buy a new iPhone for my pre teen daughter for her birthday in the next couple months. I am torn between a 64GB Xs Max, or a 64GB 11. I can get either for $699 new. I’ve been weighing the features of each, like the screen size, the OLED vs LCD screens, the camera differences etc. I’m still stuck, what would you guys buy? Keep in mind, it will either of these two models (no SE, 8, 8 plus etc.)

*Edit- She is big on gaming, (Roblox, Animal Crossing, Minecraft etc.), listening to music, watching YouTube videos, and FaceTime calls with her friends.
 
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What does the kid value? They want better photos? Go with the 11. They want that extra OLED goodness (aka better screen), go with XS Max. They want a bigger screen? They want Animoji? XS Max.

How are they with dropping phones? XS Max costs more to repair.
 
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As the person above me said if they want the best photos get the 11, if they want the best screen and/or the biggest screen get the XS Max. Personally I’d go for the Max, I’m not going back to LCD now that I’ve had OLED.
 
11 is the better pick to me. She probably doesn’t know the difference between oled and lcd, and the 11 is a current phone plus has night mode.
 
The max is a big phone, especially for a pre-teen who probably has small hands. I'd make sure she could even handle the phone well. Drops can be expensive and most kids tend to be a little less careful with their phones.
 
For ME, I'd say XS Max.

For a kid, let her flex with the current line up with the 11 if she's not a techie. Kids tend to love the newest version of the phone moreso than the features like OLED, stainless steel, etc (unless they're tech heads).
 
The Xs Max offers better value. Apple says the Xs Max is worth $999 while the 11 is $699.

Both devices have 4GB RAM so they should last nearly as long in terms of iOS updates.

Not everyone uses Night Mode or needs an A13 processor. But it's easy to get used to a good 6.5" display.
 
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For ME, I'd say XS Max.

For a kid, let her flex with the current line up with the 11 if she's not a techie. Kids tend to love the newest version of the phone moreso than the features like OLED, stainless steel, etc (unless they're tech heads).
The techie in me wonders why someone into tech would prefer an OLED screen and a stainless steel frame over a faster processor, better camera with night mode, and a significantly better battery? In terms of features and geeky points I’d say the iPhone 11 comes out in front.
 
The techie in me wonders why someone into tech would prefer an OLED screen and a stainless steel frame over a faster processor, better camera with night mode, and a significantly better battery? In terms of features and geeky points I’d say the iPhone 11 comes out in front.
An OLED screen is tech is it not? A more advanced one at that!
 
The techie in me wonders why someone into tech would prefer an OLED screen and a stainless steel frame over a faster processor, better camera with night mode, and a significantly better battery? In terms of features and geeky points I’d say the iPhone 11 comes out in front.

Well, I'd say that the screen is something you heavily interact with every time you need to use the phone. It's the window to the digital world. Why not have the cleanest, sharpest, most colorful view? The stainless steel is far more durable and premium feeling than aluminum.

In 2020, the A12 and A13 are within milliseconds of each other. Down the line it'll matter with later iOS updates but for the time being right now with the OPs question, A13 isn't a dealbreaker. Night mode is great but how much night time photography is one going to be doing vs daytime?
 
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An OLED screen is tech is it not? A more advanced one at that!
I wouldn’t necessarily say OLED is more advanced to be honest. The LCD on the iPhone 11 contains current innovation too and these technologies tend to divide opinion on preference.
Well, I'd say that the screen is something you heavily interact with every time you need to use the phone. It's the window to the digital world. Why not have the cleanest, sharpest, most colorful view? The stainless steel is far more durable and premium feeling than aluminum.

In 2020, the A12 and A13 are within milliseconds of each other. Down the line it'll matter with later iOS updates but for the time being right now with the OPs question, A13 isn't a dealbreaker. Night mode is great but how much night time photography is one going to be doing vs daytime?

I think to say stainless steel is more premium feeling than aluminium is quite a subjective viewpoint and not my perception of those materials. When you remove the fact they cost roughly the same as a raw material then you have the characteristics of durability and weight that divide opinion on what is more important.

The screens are pretty good on both these devices I would say.
 
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if it were my daughter (who is too young right now) i would go with the 11 for the reasons cited above.

but two other things to think about:
- does she currently have an iPhone?
- what do you (the parent use)?

if your daughter is familiar with OLED and can notice the difference or has already handed a "max" size phone, that might be reasons to move in the direction of the OLED Max.
 
I’m 42 and can't comfortably say I can handle a Max properly. I’m 5’8” and I can one hand it but barely and I’m using both hands to type this lol. That said my kids ask for my phone all the time just to play games, but they have our old phones to play with, and an iPad.. basically my sig x2 because hers are different colors. But the screen is nicer. I could have chosen an 11 but the lcd, and sub 1080p resolution was a deal breaker. Couldn’t care less about night mode. I just bought an SE2 in red for her, should be here this week. Looking forward to watching the newest budget iPhone load my apps faster then my phone can 🤮

If you do get her one, it is cheaper.. it does cost more to service but throw it in a case. It’s still an awesome phone. I’ve dropped mine from head height a few times. It just bounced. I got a Limitless 2.0 for 25 bucks and shipping. Good deal.
 
It will never fail when it comes to an LCD vs OLED iPhone that people will turn it into OLED vs LCD. Never fails. Not to fret that the 11 is a year newer. It’s a successor to the iPhone XR and has dual cameras just as the XS Max.

“A Techie” would go for the 11 for the latest features. All the latest features of the 11 outweighs the one OLED screen of the XS Max. Stainless steel is NOT an upgrade over aluminum. Saying OLED is an upgrade over LCD is subjective.

Honestly for a pre teen I say the iPhone 11 is the better phone for her. It will serve a pre teen better for more years. I like the XS Max and it is a good device good previous flagship, but regardless LCD or not iPhone 11 is a darn good device.
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I wouldn’t necessarily say OLED is more advanced to be honest. The LCD on the iPhone 11 contains current innovation too and these technologies tend to divide opinion on preference.


I think to say stainless steel is more premium feeling than aluminium is quite a subjective viewpoint and not my perception of those materials. When you remove the fact they cost roughly the same as a raw material then you have the characteristics of durability and weight that divide opinion on what is more important.

The screens are pretty good on both these devices I would say.

Agreed 100% couldn’t say it any better myself lol.
 
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Ok sure, you’ve got a point I suppose. Where I live the base 11 is a thousand dollar phone, plus tax. There’s no way I’m buying my kid a thousand dollar phone lol. I didn’t even spend that much on my max. And if your a kid (21 or less) reading this and you parents bought you one or better, you should give them a hug and do something nice for them.
 
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if it were my daughter (who is too young right now) i would go with the 11 for the reasons cited above.

but two other things to think about:
- does she currently have an iPhone?
- what do you (the parent use)?

if your daughter is familiar with OLED and can notice the difference or has already handed a "max" size phone, that might be reasons to move in the direction of the OLED Max.

1.Currently she has an iPhone 6 Plus and an iPad Air2
2.My wife and I currently use the 256GB XS Max for our daily drivers. Probably going to upgrade to the Max/Pro flagship in the fall.
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What does the kid value? They want better photos? Go with the 11. They want that extra OLED goodness (aka better screen), go with XS Max. They want a bigger screen? They want Animoji? XS Max.

How are they with dropping phones? XS Max costs more to repair.

I thought all the X, XS, 11 series phones had Animoji?
 
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What does the kid value? They want better photos? Go with the 11. They want that extra OLED goodness (aka better screen), go with XS Max. They want a bigger screen? They want Animoji? XS Max.

How are they with dropping phones? XS Max costs more to repair.

Wouldn't they get Animoji with the iPhone 11 also?
 
She would be happy with an XS Max like the two of you have, maybe even one of those.
 
If she likes to take selfies, the 11 has the better front facing camera. Takes 4K videos too.
Although it's been a while since the first post.
 
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