iPhone 16 Pro Max Why all the negativity?

[Ctrlos]

People just like to complain its a sickness with some.
Or say opposing view points to get a rise out of people.
See it in every forum. Separate the wheat from the chaff.

It strikes me as a lot of people unable to accept that the phone market has become as exciting as the washing machine one. Apple make dependable, unexciting phones. This isn't a dig; its why people buy them! But just like washing machines, you should only really buy a new phone when your old one conks it rather than falling for the diminishing annual upgrade path.

If people have the money to buy a new washing machine on an annual basis, more power to them. But just because you can doesn't mean you're supposed to.

 

[Markgnyc2]

It strikes me as a lot of people unable to accept that the phone market has become as exciting as the washing machine one. Apple make dependable, unexciting phones. This isn't a dig; its why people buy them! But just like washing machines, you should only really buy a new phone when your old one conks it rather than falling for the diminishing annual upgrade path.

If people have the money to buy a new washing machine on an annual basis, more power to them. But just because you can doesn't mean you're supposed to.

Agree to a point, however we only use a washing machine when we need to and its inherent function has been essentially the same forever. We use our phones for just about everything. So there are those people who always want to have the latest technology to live their everyday lives and have a little fun too. Maybe today's kids will not get as excited as me because at age 51, I grew up without today's technology (yes I had the rotary phone on the kitchen wall) and I have watched it evolve into everything we use it for today. Its honestly been amazing to watch and to participate in.

 

[Ctrlos]

Agree to a point, however we only use a washing machine when we need to and its inherent function has been essentially the same forever. We use our phones for just about everything. So there are those people who always want to have the latest technology to live their everyday lives and have a little fun too. Maybe today's kids will not get as excited as me because at age 51, I grew up without today's technology (yes I had the rotary phone on the kitchen wall) and I have watched it evolve into everything we use it for today. Its honestly been amazing to watch and to participate in.

Oh without a doubt. I'm 41 and have to pinch myself at just how far things have come.

 

[AussieRuralMac]

And I would like to add that the new colder battery back on iPhone 16 Pro is fantastic and very much an improvement compared to my IP 15 ProMax which sometimes felt like it was hot enough to fry eggs on. Thank you apple for that heat management improvement. That alone is tech development that is worth paying for. Now just get the camera and glitchy screen fixed then it’s perfect.

Glitchy camera appears to be fixed with iOS 18.1 public beta 2. Hurrah. Fingers crossed it’s a permanent fix.

 

[AussieRuralMac]

The iPhone 16 line uses the Snapdragon X75 modem, so I don't know what you're talking about.

X71 is the modem in iPhone 16 - per apple release info and breakdown too. X71 is an unknown chip. No idea if it’s cheap or expensive or where it sits in relation to X75. It is custom for apple.

 

[Markgnyc2]

This is a great article and view of the iPhone 16 Pro series and its cameras:

The iPhone 16 Pro Camera Review: Control

For the first “Desert Titanium” iPhone, we took over 1000 photos and videos in the desert. Take a deep dive into what’s new — and why it’s close to the last of its kind.

www.lux.camera

It shows there is a lot more to this phone than meets the eye. Just because it “looks the same” doesnt mean there isnt a ton of innovation under the hood.

 

[Markgnyc2]

Based on the reviews I'm reading and the videos on YouTube, I am getting the impression that the more time people are spending with the 16 series, the more positive the reviews are. It just adds to my original point that looked at in a bubble, the 16PM is an amazing device.

 

[ryguyMN]

It strikes me as a lot of people unable to accept that the phone market has become as exciting as the washing machine one. Apple make dependable, unexciting phones. This isn't a dig; its why people buy them! But just like washing machines, you should only really buy a new phone when your old one conks it rather than falling for the diminishing annual upgrade path.

If people have the money to buy a new washing machine on an annual basis, more power to them. But just because you can doesn't mean you're supposed to.

Agree. Smartphones just aren't sexy anymore - they are just so commonplace, and the functionality is similar between models that having one doesn't really feel special anymore. No one is envy and jealous of seeing someone walking around with an iPhone 16 and saying, "OMG, is that the newest iPhone?"

 

[ab2c4]

I think a lot of people are bored with the same physical design since the iphone 12. If you put a 12 next to a 16 it really does look exactly like the same phone (minus the notch of course but that is so minor) with just some tech upgrades inside.

 

[Markgnyc2]

Agree. Smartphones just aren't sexy anymore - they are just so commonplace, and the functionality is similar between models that having one doesn't really feel special anymore. No one is envy and jealous of seeing someone walking around with an iPhone 16 and saying, "OMG, is that the newest iPhone?"

That's because having a smartphone isn't special anymore, its a part of life at this point, the same as the washing machine that someone mentioned. To me, an Apple guy and a tech lover, its symbolically more than that, but the fact remains, my almost 80 year old Dad has a smartphone, all of my kids have smartphones, its basically a necessity now. Households used to have expensive landline phone bills with separate long distance bills, and this has been replaced with the cost of having cellular service and paying for phones.

 

[Kent viggo]

Honestly, its because the world as a whole is going through a mental health crisis. People are staring into screens 24/7, people are longing connection, they are lonely. Somethings tells me members of this forum is especially into both technology and the usage of it (me included). Hence.. more screen time. It doesnt make for happiness.

Capitalism is telling us that we need to buy things to be happy, and many people are therefore easily dissapointed when the new telephone fails to give them lasting joy. When happiness wasnt found in the new shining gadget it becomes easy to blame Apple for ones own lifes shortcomings. Nomatter how good the iPhone gets, iteration after iteration, nothing will change the fact that it becomes boring, fast.

Honestly, most of the negativitiy you are seeing on this forum has nothing at all to do with either Apple or the iPhone. Its sad, but it is what it is. Only solution is to be a good member of ones community and try to do small things for others to cheer them up.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Honestly, most of the negativitiy you are seeing on this forum has nothing at all to do with either Apple or the iPhone. Its sad, but it is what it is. Only solution is to be a good member of ones community and try to do small things for others to cheer them up.

Doctors around the world are talking about how people generally unhappy. Something is deeply wrong in society these days but I don't see that changing. Taking care of each other doesn't make the green line go up.

 

[Ctrlos]

I think a lot of people are bored with the same physical design since the iphone 12. If you put a 12 next to a 16 it really does look exactly like the same phone (minus the notch of course but that is so minor) with just some tech upgrades inside.

I think a lot of people are bored with the same physical design since the iphone 12 4

Fixed that for you

 

[redbeard331]

Honestly, its because the world as a whole is going through a mental health crisis. People are staring into screens 24/7, people are longing connection, they are lonely. Somethings tells me members of this forum is especially into both technology and the usage of it (me included). Hence.. more screen time. It doesnt make for happiness.

Capitalism is telling us that we need to buy things to be happy, and many people are therefore easily dissapointed when the new telephone fails to give them lasting joy. When happiness wasnt found in the new shining gadget it becomes easy to blame Apple for ones own lifes shortcomings. Nomatter how good the iPhone gets, iteration after iteration, nothing will change the fact that it becomes boring, fast.

Honestly, most of the negativitiy you are seeing on this forum has nothing at all to do with either Apple or the iPhone. Its sad, but it is what it is. Only solution is to be a good member of ones community and try to do small things for others to cheer them up.

Agreed, I think we need like a community hug day twice a week where we just spend 30 minutes hugging everyone in our vicinity. Just stop working/playing/spending/staring/driving and hug.

Let’s start this together.

 

[Kent viggo]

Agreed, I think we need like a community hug day twice a week where we just spend 30 minutes hugging everyone in our vicinity. Just stop working/playing/spending/staring/driving and hug.

Let’s start this together.

Love this

 

[Markgnyc2]

That's because having a smartphone isn't special anymore, its a part of life at this point, the same as the washing machine that someone mentioned. To me, an Apple guy and a tech lover, its symbolically more than that, but the fact remains, my almost 80 year old Dad has a smartphone, all of my kids have smartphones, its basically a necessity now. Households used to have expensive landline phone bills with separate long distance bills, and this has been replaced with the cost of having cellular service and paying for phones.

Here is another review that was written after spending more than 5 minutes with the phone:

iPhone 16 Pro Max review: improving photography for all in a more than iterative upgrade

While some are calling it boring, there are lot of great spec updates in iPhone 16 Pro Max with the most impactful being significant improvement to photography workflows that affect everyone.

appleinsider.com

 

[AussieRuralMac]

World over seems to be the same issues, clamour for new latest and greatest, which is released as soon as possible to the adoring crowds but with compromise on full testing, assuming first orders will do the last beta testing. It's the reality in almost all products, whether it's cars, TVs, phones whatever. 80-90% near enough prior to release is the new standard and has been for the last 5-10 years. Apple are compelled to follow the same strategy otherwise they fall behind competitors. If only there wasn't such a push from the public to get shiny new things ASAP but that won't change. so we as a community need to feedback / push to get companies to go to at least 90% rather than 80% bug free prior to release. I can't see us ever going back to 98-99% quality metrics pre-release ever, those days have gone.

 

[Carlsberg69]

I have had every iPhone from day one to now. I got the 16 Pro Max and love it.
But I also feel kinda let down by Apple about the 16 amd what they promised at the launch. Tim said the 16 was designed from the ground up for Apple Intelligence! Then none of the Apple Intelligence features are available. Rumors say some will be available next month sometime. Then more rumors say all of the Apple Intelligence feature won't be ready until 2025.
I agree with what most are going to say....that they should not release the features until they are ready...and that is true.
But all of the marketing posters, all of the buzz was around Apple Intelligence for the 16 lineup and it is not ready.
I think MBKHD says it best in his video below. he is one of the most popular and respecter YouTube technology reviewers out there.

Marques, is that you? 😎

 

[ddhhddhh2]

Even though it’s rare for a new product to launch without any complaints, the iPhone 16 Pro/Max has been giving me a bit of a headache since I’ve been following it over the past month.

As a potential buyer, I’ve been keeping an eye on the feedback and reports during this time, and from what I can tell, it’s not just software issues—it seems like the hardware might have some problems too. Here are the main ones I’ve noticed so far:

1. Touch Issues: It might be related to accidental touches along the edges or near specific spots. While this could potentially be fixed with a software update, it doesn’t seem like it’ll be an easy fix—but it’s not impossible.
2. Camera Issues: There’s definitely a problem with the camera module, though it’s not affecting everyone. Apart from the known issue with night mode, I’ve seen quite a few reports about the camera crashing during long video recordings, especially when it frequently switches focal lengths.

For the first issue, it might just be the narrow edge causing accidental skin contact. Software could fix this since it’s likely tied to the new camera button placement, but there’s no getting around how slim the edges are. At least this one seems like it has a good chance of being solved with future updates.

The second issue, though, seems trickier. I’m not sure if the night mode issues are connected to the crashes during video recording, but there’s a pattern: people have reported crashes when recording for extended periods with a lot of focal length switching. And just like how not everyone is having trouble with night mode, it seems like the crashes might be due to inconsistent hardware components. It could be a manufacturing or assembly issue, but either way, this problem feels more serious than the first one.

In general, new products always have some issues at launch, but these ones are making me lean toward waiting for the iPhone 17. Unless they manage to address these problems in upcoming updates, I’m hesitant to buy it. Knowing my luck, I’d probably end up being one of those people stuck with a buggy unit.

 

[scrane]

Inflated expectations, sour grapes, or sour dispositions.

 

[ab2c4]

Even though it’s rare for a new product to launch without any complaints, the iPhone 16 Pro/Max has been giving me a bit of a headache since I’ve been following it over the past month.

As a potential buyer, I’ve been keeping an eye on the feedback and reports during this time, and from what I can tell, it’s not just software issues—it seems like the hardware might have some problems too. Here are the main ones I’ve noticed so far:

1. Touch Issues: It might be related to accidental touches along the edges or near specific spots. While this could potentially be fixed with a software update, it doesn’t seem like it’ll be an easy fix—but it’s not impossible.
2. Camera Issues: There’s definitely a problem with the camera module, though it’s not affecting everyone. Apart from the known issue with night mode, I’ve seen quite a few reports about the camera crashing during long video recordings, especially when it frequently switches focal lengths.

For the first issue, it might just be the narrow edge causing accidental skin contact. Software could fix this since it’s likely tied to the new camera button placement, but there’s no getting around how slim the edges are. At least this one seems like it has a good chance of being solved with future updates.

The second issue, though, seems trickier. I’m not sure if the night mode issues are connected to the crashes during video recording, but there’s a pattern: people have reported crashes when recording for extended periods with a lot of focal length switching. And just like how not everyone is having trouble with night mode, it seems like the crashes might be due to inconsistent hardware components. It could be a manufacturing or assembly issue, but either way, this problem feels more serious than the first one.

In general, new products always have some issues at launch, but these ones are making me lean toward waiting for the iPhone 17. Unless they manage to address these problems in upcoming updates, I’m hesitant to buy it. Knowing my luck, I’d probably end up being one of those people stuck with a buggy unit.

I think I read they are having speaker issues as well.