iPhone 14 Pro Max Would I be happy with the 14 Pro Max?

[VietKinh]

I was given money to buy the 14 Pro Max, but for the same price I could get the S23 Ultra or wait for the 15 Pro Max. The 14 Pro Max is already at its mid-cycle. Since, it's not my money, I am very grateful for such generously. I have not had a new phone since the Note 3!

The S23 Ultra has everything I want (especially lime green color), as I still have fond memories of my Note 3.

At the same time, I am returning to macOS and want to experience the Apple ecosystem for the very first time. iPhone 14 Pro Max allows me to do this, while S23 Ultra cannot. I do not like any of the colors in the Pro Max line up, compared to the 14 lines (yellow, product red, and purple).

What would you do in my shoe? Would you ask to buy the S23 Ultra instead (knowing that you are going to be using this phone for a decade or more), or stick with the 14 Pro Max since that what the money is for (and not upset the person that gave you the money).

Thanks

 

[Morrissey]

If your´re asking and hesitate to buy this iPhone, probably the S23 is the best option for you.

 

[Motionblurrr]

I would definitely get the S23 Ultra if it ran iOS.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Apple has a very generous return policy. The Apple Ecosystem definitely depends on an iPhone.

Gifts of this size are really rare. My opinion is, I'd go with what was given depending on who was doing the gift.

My view is, 14 Pro Max is still so far above the curve that even in a few years it'll still be flagship status. I was using a 13 Pro Max a few months ago and it was still flagship status. These phones today last a LONG time and Apple supports them for a long time.

If you don't like it, Apple's resale is usually really good - and or you can gift it to someone depending on how deep your own pockets are.

 

[VietKinh]

Apple has a very generous return policy. The Apple Ecosystem definitely depends on an iPhone.

Gifts of this size are really rare. My opinion is, I'd go with what was given depending on who was doing the gift.

My view is, 14 Pro Max is still so far above the curve that even in a few years it'll still be flagship status. I was using a 13 Pro Max a few months ago and it was still flagship status. These phones today last a LONG time and Apple supports them for a long time.

If you don't like it, Apple's resale is usually really good - and or you can gift it to someone depending on how deep your own pockets are.

I just wish I knew what features the 15 Pro Max would have.

 

[Piscestg]

My thinking is to determine first which OS you want. I wouldn't let the phone brand or model decide that. I would never go back to Android for anything. But that's just my opinion and what I like. Good luck with your decision.

 

[VietKinh]

My thinking is to determine first which OS you want. I wouldn't let the phone brand or model decide that. I would never go back to Android for anything. But that's just my opinion and what I like. Good luck with your decision.

I was given money to buy the 14 Pro Max, and I never once asked for the S23 Ultra instead. Same price, but the person that gave me the money is very excited to see my purchase of the 14 Pro Max. That person is my sister, and she a huge Apple fan. Though she personally waiting for the 15 Pro Max herself.

Could you tell me more about your experiences with Android?

 

[Piscestg]

I was given money to buy the 14 Pro Max, and I never once asked for the S23 Ultra instead. Same price, but the person that gave me the money is very excited to see my purchase of the 14 Pro Max. That person is my sister, and she a huge Apple fan. Though she personally waiting for the 15 Pro Max herself.

Could you tell me more about your experiences with Android?

Oh OK. Well, everybody doesn't like the same though. I say that in a nice way. It's like cars, I love my high performance Mustang and I've had several but others wouldn't have it for anything. If somebody gave me money to buy a Prius I would return the money and run. Ha. Again, it's what you like.

I switched to iOS in the beginning of 2016. At that time Apple worked a lot smoother for me than Android. I recall having to always clear the phones cache to clear up a problem. And as Google started getting into collecting so much user data, I didn't like that. With my first iPhone I got an iPad and I liked they way they worked together. But I know you can't customize Apple as much, but I'm alright with that.

Now I have three Apple Watches, a MBA M2, an iPad and a 14PM. I love how they all work pretty good together. But then again Apple knows what they're doing and they continue to get my money, a LOT of money. 😄

Edit- I just recalled how some Androids received updates but not others, or it would take forever to get them. My last few Androids were Nexus because I didn't want as much bloat stuff added that I couldn't remove.

 

[usmaak]

The ecosystem IS one of the biggest selling points of all things Apple. I was on a Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra until the 14 Pro Max came out. I have a Macbook Pro and an iPad so I have been partway in for a long time. I have also used exclusively Android (mostly Samsung) phones since the original HTC Evo came out on Sprint. This was my first time with an iPhone. Since then I have gotten the watch and some AirTags. When I got the iPhone, it was just to give it a try. I was pretty certain I’d sell it and get the S23 Ultra when it came out.

After six months with all Apple devices, there is no way I’m voluntarily going back to Android anything. The interaction between all of these devices is that good and the iPhone/iOS is so much more polished and smooth than anything I ever had on Android. The only thing that I don’t like as much as I hoped I would is the camera. The 3x zoom is pathetic. If that is something that is important to you, know that if you get the 14 PM, you’re going to end up with it. Rumor has it that there will be a decent spec bump for camera zoom in the 15 PM (or whatever it ends up being called). Samsung has a 10x zoom that I would kill for and seemingly better specs on the camera.

Fortunately for me, the camera isn’t that important to me and for slightly more than 3x zoom, digital zoom works fine in most cases.

 

[GMShadow]

I do not like any of the colors in the Pro Max line up, compared to the 14 lines (yellow, product red, and purple)..

Would she be upset if you bought a 14 Plus instead then?

 

[WilliApple]

I would go with the 14 Pro Max, if you don't like it, return it. I doubt you will need to return it tho because iPhone >>>>>

 

[VietKinh]

I would go with the 14 Pro Max, if you don't like it, return it. I doubt you will need to return it tho because iPhone >>>>>

Yeah, but I want the 15 Pro Max, which likely is the same price.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Yeah, but I want the 15 Pro Max, which likely is the same price.

My experience having used iPhones since the 4s? Most rumors are over-hyped and specifically made to draw clicks. While some do come to light, MOST do not. lol.

Now yes, 15 could be an amazing difference or, most likely, it'll be a minor bump with a few wows. I'm going to GUESS that Apple will try to wow more because from the 13 to the 14 it wasn't much - more like an S upgrade of the old years. But that's a long time to wait, and the more WoW it is, if you don't order it within minutes of being able to, it'll be backordered like crazy.

It may be my age but I don't need the latest and greatest anymore. I use my MBP most of the time anyway. I prefer to let a new phone get out for a few months and if I want to upgrade I can immediately in an Apple Store - no waiting, etc.

 

[VietKinh]

My experience having used iPhones since the 4s? Most rumors are over-hyped and specifically made to draw clicks. While some do come to light, MOST do not. lol.

Now yes, 15 could be an amazing difference or, most likely, it'll be a minor bump with a few wows. I'm going to GUESS that Apple will try to wow more because from the 13 to the 14 it wasn't much - more like an S upgrade of the old years. But that's a long time to wait, and the more WoW it is, if you don't order it within minutes of being able to, it'll be backordered like crazy.

It may be my age but I don't need the latest and greatest anymore. I use my MBP most of the time anyway. I prefer to let a new phone get out for a few months and if I want to upgrade I can immediately in an Apple Store - no waiting, etc.

I have not bought a new phone since my first and only phone, the Samsung Note 3. Every other phone has been handed me down. I use my phone for at least half a decade or more. From memory, only the Note 3 and iPhone X (what I'm using now) had the greatest number of new features of any phone. What if iPhone 15 Pro Max/Ultra is the next iPhone X?

I never bought an iPhone (on release date or otherwise), do they really go on back order?

 

[BigMcGuire]

I have not bought a new phone since my first and only phone, the Samsung Note 3. Every other phone has been handed me down. I use my phone for at least half a decade or more. From memory, only the Note 3 and iPhone X (what I'm using now) had the greatest number of new features of any phone. What if iPhone 15 Pro Max/Ultra is the next iPhone X?

I never bought an iPhone (on release date or otherwise), do they really go on back order?

Unless you are sitting there that Friday morning rapidly refreshing your screen to get a pre-order in, it will MOST likely be back ordered for months depending on how popular the phone is. Some stores might get shipments before you can get it online but you have to regularly check those on the Apple Website.

For the last several iPhone versions that I've upgraded, I just wait till the stores have them in stock then get them later - which can be awhile.

 

[VietKinh]

Unless you are sitting there that Friday morning rapidly refreshing your screen to get a pre-order in, it will MOST likely be back ordered for months depending on how popular the phone is. Some stores might get shipments before you can get it online but you have to regularly check those on the Apple Website.

For the last several iPhone versions that I've upgraded, I just wait till the stores have them in stock then get them later - which can be awhile.

So, let say the new iPhone 15 Pro Max drops on September 16th, with backorder, what month would you realistically be able to pick it up in store?

 

[BigMcGuire]

So, let say the new iPhone 15 Pro Max drops on September 16th, with backorder, what month would you realistically be able to pick it up in store?

Completely depends on the popularity and Apple doing its best to predict that popularity. Thanks to Covid restrictions - the last few iPhones have been not so great on the supply side. Took months for the 14 and 13s to show in stores after preorders.

If the 15 has USB C and these new lens features they talk about, if you're not within 30 mins of pre-order, I'd assume (based on past experience) that you could be back ordered for several months.

Can't really say for sure. If they price the 15 higher, demand will be lower too. <shrug>. But my experience is, unless you're waking up at 5am Pacific to put in that pre-order, you'll be waiting awhile these days.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I just wish I knew what features the 15 Pro Max would have.

Well here is what's rumored so far:
Curved glass on the front in back instead of the squared off sharp edges of the 14 Pro Max.
Titanium sides instead of the 14 pros stainless steel sides.
New A17 chip with major efficiency improvements.
About 1 MM thinner bezels.
New periscope lens instead of telephoto of the 14 Pro Max.
USB-C instead of Lightning.
Pressure sensitive power and volume buttons with haptic feedback instead of physical buttons.
Plus the standard updates made every year, new better more efficient cellular modem, better battery, more RAM, improved main and front cameras, etc.
As for if you should wait or not... that's all up to you.
The new iPhones won't be launching for another 5 months or so, so can you wait?

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I never bought an iPhone (on release date or otherwise), do they really go on back order?

I haven’t really bought a recent iPhone on release day, but I usually at least follow the releases every year.
Usually, if you order it within the first 30 minutes of pre-orders being open, you’ll get it on launch day.
If you order it within the first couple hours, you’ll probably get it within three weeks.
If you order it sometime that weekend, you’ll probably get it within a month.
But also everywhere is different.
Usually, at least from what I’ve seen, you’re more likely to get the phone earlier if you order through a carrier or a third-party, but you’ll have an easier time if you order through Apple.

 

[kpluck]

It would be helpful to know more details on how you use your phone. However, given the information we have I would say neither.

Since you are returning to macOS I would definitely get an iPhone. However, I wouldn't go "all in" on a 14 Pro Max. I would look at buying a less expensive iPhone through Apple's refurbished iPhone store. The idea would be to use it while you are waiting for the iPhone 15 models to become available. When they are available, if you are happy with iOS, then you could make the jump to an iPhone 15 model.

-kp

 

[Apple_Tiger]

I never bought an iPhone (on release date or otherwise), do they really go on back order?

Typically yes within a few hours of when pre-order starts. But from my experience in the past when pre-ordering the 12 PM through 14 PM. I had no issues securing a launch day device. Stores still showed available for pick up. Apple store will udpate the day before launch as well and chances are if you get up early in the morning, you can definitely score of the one you want for in store pick up.

 

[Carlsberg69]

What would you do in my shoe?

Your sister have reached out to you given funds to buy a iPhone 14 Pro Max, a very kind and thoughtful gesture, so this is very simple in my book. It’s arguably the best iPhone you can get right now, don’t think about what will be in half a year, you will have this phone as you say for probably half a decade. Just get it.

It will work seamlessly with your Mac too.

 

[kp98077]

It’s funny many aren't talking how much lighter the ultra is. For me Samsung is too damn slow and buggy always will be. I still think the 14 plus is almost perfect.

 

[VietKinh]

Your sister have reached out to you given funds to buy a iPhone 14 Pro Max, a very kind and thoughtful gesture, so this is very simple in my book. It’s arguably the best iPhone you can get right now, don’t think about what will be in half a year, you will have this phone as you say for probably half a decade. Just get it.

It will work seamlessly with your Mac too.

I thought the same. I ordered it along with a case and screen protector. Now I'm officially in the Apple ecosystem.

 

[mebehere]

Oh OK. Well, everybody doesn't like the same though. I say that in a nice way. It's like cars, I love my high performance Mustang and I've had several but others wouldn't have it for anything. If somebody gave me money to buy a Prius I would return the money and run. Ha. Again, it's what you like.

I switched to iOS in the beginning of 2016. At that time Apple worked a lot smoother for me than Android. I recall having to always clear the phones cache to clear up a problem. And as Google started getting into collecting so much user data, I didn't like that. With my first iPhone I got an iPad and I liked they way they worked together. But I know you can't customize Apple as much, but I'm alright with that.

Now I have three Apple Watches, a MBA M2, an iPad and a 14PM. I love how they all work pretty good together. But then again Apple knows what they're doing and they continue to get my money, a LOT of money. 😄

Edit- I just recalled how some Androids received updates but not others, or it would take forever to get them. My last few Androids were Nexus because I didn't want as much bloat stuff added that I couldn't remove.

I would not run from this Prius.