iPhone 16 Pro Max Why all the negativity?

[Markgnyc2]

My opinion may be the unpopular one here…but why is everyone so down on this years iPhones? I am 51 years old, and i am truly in awe at how much technology has advanced in the last 20-30 years.

First, we are all Apple fans or we wouldn’t be reading and commenting in these forums. If you look at the iPhone 16 Pro Max in a bubble, not compared to the prior year, you have a pretty amazing device in your hands. Professional grade cameras, long lasting batteries, brilliant bright display, fast computer grade chip, etc etc etc. All in our pockets, everywhere we go.

Apple is innovating every year. The cameras keep getting better. The modems get faster. The screens get brighter and dimmer as needed. The batteries last longer. The performance gets faster. No, we dont get a groundbreaking feature every single year. But the phone just keeps getting better and better. The average consumer doesn‘t need to buy an iPhone every year…and they shouldn’t. It is only us Apple fans that want to just to experience everything new. iPhone release day is like Christmas morning for us.

There will be more to come. AI is coming within weeks. Next year we could possibly get a new design if the rumors are true (iPhone slim?). I‘m sure the iPhone XX will be something special, but who can even predict where the technology will be in 3-4 years? For now, lets just enjoy our new phones, and lets appreciate how far we have come since the first iPhone in 2007 (no video recording? a 2MP camera with one lens? no apps? no cut and paste? only one carrier? etc etc etc). The future is bright, technology will advance, and you can be sure that Apple will be on the cutting edge.

 

[azhava]

My opinion may be the unpopular one here…but why is everyone so down on this years iPhones? I am 51 years old, and i am truly in awe at how much technology has advanced in the last 20-30 years.

First, we are all Apple fans or we wouldn’t be reading and commenting in these forums. If you look at the iPhone 16 Pro Max in a bubble, not compared to the prior year, you have a pretty amazing device in your hands. Professional grade cameras, long lasting batteries, brilliant bright display, fast computer grade chip, etc etc etc. All in our pockets, everywhere we go.

Apple is innovating every year. The cameras keep getting better. The modems get faster. The screens get brighter and dimmer as needed. The batteries last longer. The performance gets faster. No, we dont get a groundbreaking feature every single year. But the phone just keeps getting better and better. The average consumer doesn‘t need to buy an iPhone every year…and they shouldn’t. It is only us Apple fans that want to just to experience everything new. iPhone release day is like Christmas morning for us.

There will be more to come. AI is coming within weeks. Next year we could possibly get a new design if the rumors are true (iPhone slim?). I‘m sure the iPhone XX will be something special, but who can even predict where the technology will be in 3-4 years? For now, lets just enjoy our new phones, and lets appreciate how far we have come since the first iPhone in 2007 (no video recording? a 2MP camera with one lens? no apps? no cut and paste? only one carrier? etc etc etc). The future is bright, technology will advance, and you can be sure that Apple will be on the cutting edge.

It happens every year with every new iPhone. The anxiety and OCD amongst users is absolutely off the charts for a month or so after release day, it's almost like being in a psych ward. Then when the next year's phone is released, everybody complains about the changes Apple makes and reminisces about how good the previous phone was. 🤣

 

[russell_314]

My opinion may be the unpopular one here…but why is everyone so down on this years iPhones? I am 51 years old, and i am truly in awe at how much technology has advanced in the last 20-30 years.

I totally agree with this. I’m slightly younger, but it’s crazy how fast technology has advanced. I remember watching TV on a portable CRT TV that ran two hours on nine D cell batteries Now you can do this on a phone that fits in your pocket.

First, we are all Apple fans or we wouldn’t be reading and commenting in these forums.

No, this is not a correct assumption. There are quite a few people in these forms that are not even a little bit of an Apple fan. This is the Internet. That’s pretty much all I can say without being too controversial.

If you look at the iPhone 16 Pro Max in a bubble, not compared to the prior year, you have a pretty amazing device in your hands. Professional grade cameras, long lasting batteries, brilliant bright display, fast computer grade chip, etc etc etc. All in our pockets, everywhere we go.

I agree and it’s silly to think you need to upgrade every year. Even if you’re trying to keep up with technology, it should be maybe every 3-4 years. You would be upgrading from an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13.

Apple is innovating every year. The cameras keep getting better. The modems get faster. The screens get brighter and dimmer as needed. The batteries last longer. The performance gets faster.

I’m not sure that would be considered innovating but just improving. I think people associate innovation with something marvelous or new. Maybe that definition is wrong?

No, we dont get a groundbreaking feature every single year. But the phone just keeps getting better and better. The average consumer doesn‘t need to buy an iPhone every year…and they shouldn’t. It is only us Apple fans that want to just to experience everything new. iPhone release day is like Christmas morning for us.

I don’t think any phone brand has groundbreaking features every year. Some android phones have come out with gimmicks, but not ground breaking features.

There will be more to come. AI is coming within weeks.

I’m not holding my breath with Apple and AI. I’ve heard them say so many times they’re improving Siri and it’s still garbage. Siri is not even in the same realm as Google.. There are some YouTube videos that pretend to show it competing by asking select questions but in my day to day usage asking it things I need to know, it completely fails. At least this has been my experience.

Next year we could possibly get a new design if the rumors are true (iPhone slim?). I‘m sure the iPhone XX will be something special, but who can even predict where the technology will be in 3-4 years? For now, lets just enjoy our new phones, and lets appreciate how far we have come since the first iPhone in 2007 (no video recording? a 2MP camera with one lens? no apps? no cut and paste? only one carrier? etc etc etc). The future is bright, technology will advance, and you can be sure that Apple will be on the cutting edge.

I hope they took out with something new instead of copying Samsung and the other half a dozen phone manufactures with a foldable phone. I think there is room for something new and if Apple comes out with this, it would be outstanding.

 

[Markgnyc2]

It happens every year with every new iPhone. The anxiety and OCD amongst users is absolutely off the charts for a month or so after release day, it's almost like being in a psych ward. Then when the next year's phone is released, everybody complains about the changes Apple makes and reminisces about how good the previous phone was. 🤣

The funny part is, 99% of people could care less about the new features. They just want a phone that works and a battery that lasts the day. It is only us in the Apple Community that are so passionate.

 

[whattodo11]

My opinion may be the unpopular one here…but why is everyone so down on this years iPhones? I am 51 years old, and i am truly in awe at how much technology has advanced in the last 20-30 years.

First, we are all Apple fans or we wouldn’t be reading and commenting in these forums. If you look at the iPhone 16 Pro Max in a bubble, not compared to the prior year, you have a pretty amazing device in your hands. Professional grade cameras, long lasting batteries, brilliant bright display, fast computer grade chip, etc etc etc. All in our pockets, everywhere we go.

Apple is innovating every year. The cameras keep getting better. The modems get faster. The screens get brighter and dimmer as needed. The batteries last longer. The performance gets faster. No, we dont get a groundbreaking feature every single year. But the phone just keeps getting better and better. The average consumer doesn‘t need to buy an iPhone every year…and they shouldn’t. It is only us Apple fans that want to just to experience everything new. iPhone release day is like Christmas morning for us.

There will be more to come. AI is coming within weeks. Next year we could possibly get a new design if the rumors are true (iPhone slim?). I‘m sure the iPhone XX will be something special, but who can even predict where the technology will be in 3-4 years? For now, lets just enjoy our new phones, and lets appreciate how far we have come since the first iPhone in 2007 (no video recording? a 2MP camera with one lens? no apps? no cut and paste? only one carrier? etc etc etc). The future is bright, technology will advance, and you can be sure that Apple will be on the cutting edge.

Def don’t tell people you don’t use a case lol. Wanna see negativity. Yowsa!

 

[russell_314]

The funny part is, 99% of people could care less about the new features. They just want a phone that works and a battery that lasts the day. It is only us in the Apple Community that are so passionate.

That is very true. Most people don’t even know about whatever features people are talking about here. I find it funny that people are so passionate about the iPhone being USB-C but my real life friends with iPhones didn’t really have an opinion on this. The only concern they had was having to buy new cables because their existing cables wouldn’t work

 

[now i see it]

The downer comes from people upgrading every year - the new model is virtually identical to the previous one.
Nobody is complaining who upgraded from a 10 year old iPhone.

 

[Markgnyc2]

The downer comes from people upgrading every year - the new model is virtually identical to the previous one.
Nobody is complaining who upgraded from a 10 year old iPhone.

But there should be no downer. We all know what we are buying.

 

[barkomatic]

I think there are a few factors influencing how the new iPhones are being covered this year:

1. A lot of the bad reviews originate from YouTube and there is an economy there that I think influences how they cover these devices. Negativity tends to be more popular and I've seen many creators parrot each other for views. In a few weeks many of these same creators will release videos entitled "I was wrong!" or they'll come out with a video that portrays the device in a more positive way. That way, in the initial run that got views from folks who didn't upgrade and wanted to feel justified in doing so. Then, the "I was wrong" videos will turn that around so that those who bought the new iPhone feel better and justified -- and they get views from them.

2. It's irrational to me for folks to compare this release with last years and be disappointed that there are few changes. Of course there are only a few changes. If one is bored with a smartphone then I think it's time to develop other interests one is also passionate about. After all, these devices are just interesting tools to enable you to live a better life and remain connected--not be the center of it.

 

[Andres Cantu]

The law of diminishing returns.

 

[FlavorfulTreat]

I’ve been using Apple products since 1998. Jobs could talk tech, and actually convince you the device you were buying was amazing. He did this all the way till the end.

Now we have a company telling you through forced marketing on announcement day that this is most amazing thing ever. And then paid long form ads using late night celebs.

If it was truly groundbreaking or amazing it would stand on its own.

Yes we’ve had progress and each device is technically faster than the last. But I’m tired of it. I’m tired of the marketing lies.

My disdain really started full throttle with that Mother Nature bit they did last year.

The most helpful feature, USB-C, was only done because Apple was forced to do it by the EU. Despite USB-C being used by the majority of other tech companies.

That’s why I’m salty. It’s faux progress, and it doesn’t seem to be confined to Apple, it’s the whole planet apparently.

 

[Ursadorable]

USB-C

I'll be sticking to my 13 pro max until it no longer gets updates, and then I'll re-examine the field of devices. Maybe by then there will be Starlink enabled by TeslaOS.

 

[pcd213]

I think some, including myself, look at moments of annual iPhone releases and are reminded that the pace of smartphone innovation is slowing. Apple, quite aware of this, is saving net new features and stretching them across iPhone versions so as to maintain their cash cow.

This year’s Pro models were rumored to feature 45w wired fast charging and brighter screens. It didn’t materialize. Truthfully, Apple faces no consumer pressure for them to resist this approach. They will continue to sell a massive quantity of iPhones. Despite what you read on the forums, Apple will report a wild outpouring of sales and customer satisfaction. This is our new norm. Some of us are just having a hard time accepting it and moving on.

 

[sarcasticgamer]

Because first world problems😂

 

[JOLoughlin]

I agree, the iPhone is amazing, it’s people’s lives that suck.

 

[thecautioners]

I’ve been upgrading yearly and I’m always excited about it. Maybe I’m just weird? I know the updates are minimal. I still get excited. Shiny new toy with a better battery.

I’m “only” 38 and I’m with you on the advancing technology thing. Things are insane now compared to when my 60 year old dad lugged a Compaq Presario through the door for 12 year old me because I needed to type a paper for school in 1998. Now I have a tiny megacomputer in my pocket with a battery that lasts all day and it communicates with my watch, and because of it all, my MBA is collecting dust—I never have a reason to open my computer.

 

[FattiesGoneWild]

Unless you upgrade yearly, you won’t get or understand why so many are down on it.

 

[ZiBart]

The psychotic Youtube reviewer economy coupled with the new norm of annual new phone releases in the industry, has put consumers into an unrealistic expectation frenzy. Apple doesnt help themselves with their marketing hyperbole either. Plus, these phones cost a lot of money to most which carries its own life improvement expectations. A crazy thought when you upgrade in less than a 3-5 year cycle. I am guilty of consumerism at its finest, but i also eliminated the need to be wowed every year and appreciate the smaller annual refinements.

 

[cutlub]

Couldn’t agree more! Heartening to see some rare positivity on these forums about technology in general. I’m 41 and I’ve loved Apple since I was 13. Are they perfect? Not even close, but I still get excited about their products.

I also enjoy seeing the Android community get excited, as well. I don’t think it’s a zero sum game. All ships can rise here.

 

[cjsuk]

I'm pretty down on this year's iPhone because it's pretty much a nothing. The nature of the nothing outlines that the product iteration cycle is too quick. But the demand from investors is to quick cycle products to keep the hype going to drive investment and returns.

Pasted over the top of this mess are the spells of the ministry of apologetics like carbon footprint, recycling and energy consumption while quietly failing to mention the building out of massive data centres full of hardware to propel the AI components and abandoning old, still functional hardware en-masse. At the same time this universe is locked behind a global identity service which could take the things you bought away from you at a moment's notice and stop you accessing your data, because it's opaque, undocumented and there are no APIs or format documentation for most of it.

The attrition of interest from me is the lack of progress on things that really matter like this.

It's cursed consumerism and weasel worded marketing and nothing more.

 

[djcerla]

Bigger screen, longer battery life, better cooling. All things extremely important for my workflow.

Solid upgrade for me.

 

[SmugMaverick]

Where do I start

Touch display issues
Yellow tint
Dim displays
80hz displays
Awful camera button
Same lazy design for 6 years

and let’s not forget ZERO Apple intelligence at launch, even though it’s in all the advertising and even in their stores the phones glow in demo mode.

The beta is awful and don’t get me started on “clean up”.

I’ve never seen such a lazy upgrade from Apple, utterly caught with their pants down on AI while Tim pushed his vanity project.

People can be negative about a trillion dollars company, you don’t have to defend them every single time.

 

[silverdiesel]

My opinion may be the unpopular one here…but why is everyone so down on this years iPhones? I am 51 years old, and i am truly in awe at how much technology has advanced in the last 20-30 years.

First, we are all Apple fans or we wouldn’t be reading and commenting in these forums. If you look at the iPhone 16 Pro Max in a bubble, not compared to the prior year, you have a pretty amazing device in your hands. Professional grade cameras, long lasting batteries, brilliant bright display, fast computer grade chip, etc etc etc. All in our pockets, everywhere we go.

Apple is innovating every year. The cameras keep getting better. The modems get faster. The screens get brighter and dimmer as needed. The batteries last longer. The performance gets faster. No, we dont get a groundbreaking feature every single year. But the phone just keeps getting better and better. The average consumer doesn‘t need to buy an iPhone every year…and they shouldn’t. It is only us Apple fans that want to just to experience everything new. iPhone release day is like Christmas morning for us.

There will be more to come. AI is coming within weeks. Next year we could possibly get a new design if the rumors are true (iPhone slim?). I‘m sure the iPhone XX will be something special, but who can even predict where the technology will be in 3-4 years? For now, lets just enjoy our new phones, and lets appreciate how far we have come since the first iPhone in 2007 (no video recording? a 2MP camera with one lens? no apps? no cut and paste? only one carrier? etc etc etc). The future is bright, technology will advance, and you can be sure that Apple will be on the cutting edge.

I agree with you totally. As someone who bought the first iPhone in 2007 from ATT, I absolutely love where the technology has gone. Is it perfect, no. Does is work for me and millions of others, yes!

 

[Advent0903]

yeah the battery is pretty darn good for my 16pm . like to big screen as well and the phone hardly get warm. its the same cycle every year where people start complaining everything and social media going all ham on incremental upgrade. however even for me as yearly upgrader while i do expect incremental upgrade but this year apple kinda do us dirty with the borderline misleading advertising on the AI . while 18.1 will introduce Apple intelligence the smarter siri doesnt come till next year ( march ) correct me if i am wrong , the only siri that comes on 18.1 is only the glowing border , and some writing tools and summarization.

and yes siri is still the dumb old siri lol at least with glowing border

 

[shadowboi]

Because marketing is replacing innovation. And its not Apple’s fault. Google, Open AI and Altman, Microsoft – those are the ones responsible.

Look, we have 48mp camera for a third year. With iPhone 16 now there are two 48mp cameras. And 17 will have three 48mp cameras. And 18 will get rid of most of them and have only one camera again. Don’t you see they are just drip feeding features that could have been in place since iPhone 14 and earlier?

Another problem is this so-called 48mp camera still unable to shoot true RAW without noise reduction and such, it outputs 12mp photo instead. ProRAW itself isn’t bad, but again it is unfairly limited only to Pro models. People are angry about so many artificial and purely software limitations.

I have 5 year old smartphone and ZERO incentive for upgrading this year. Maybe next year. MAYBE. Probably not.

AI is not breakthrough like they trying to tell us. I am yet to see any advances that are possible thanks to AI and that human are incapable of doing. Yes, they push AI for themself to cut labor costs by driving unqualified people from certain niches in market. Still they are failing to present something new that wasn’t around.

Many years ago Apple made Shortcuts app. Many geeks were so optimistic that it could automate nearly every process in iPhone. And where we are now? I still cannot automate it to wipe “recently deleted” in Photos and Files in a day or even instantly. It is not even on the level of ancient macOS Automator.

Oh btw, Photos app is becoming more uglier every year. Maybe I am just becoming older every year (and I am almost two times younger than you), but I cannot stand what they made off Photos app. I almost never watch photos there, it gives me panic attacks. I have to send them to my Mac to actually enjoy.

People dislike the new button btw. The button is placed awkwardly, as well as they could have build its functions into volume buttons.

Also look at this year colors. They are either extra boring or clown-styled. No, I am not trying to assert masculinity but I definitely dislike these colors comparing to ones of iPhone 15. Albeit I am sure iPhone 17 colors will be much better. Dreaming about Midnight Green/Olive Green coming back.

In fact, “nothing to see here”. Waiting for next iPhones to truly impress me