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iPhone XS Max Would you recommend the XS Max?
- Thread starter dotzero123
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Personally for me I find it too big after having been used to the 5.8” X so I’m going to return mine Monday. Trying to decide if I want to keep my X or sell that to a friend that’s already expressed interest and get a XS 5.8”
I returned my Max due to cellular connectivity issues. They didn’t have any replacements in the store, so it was a straight return. I’d love to get another when I hear that the problems have been resolved. I’ll buy as new again.
The first phone I owned had an issue with the screen being completely pink, it was basically unusable when using anything with a white background. The 2nd phone had an issue with the edges being very sharp where the stainless steel meets the glass, and it had a gap of about 1mm at the top which compromised the water resistance.
The third phone was chipped right out of the box, however everything else was perfect. I was going to put up with it but for the price, and for the fact I bought an Apple silicone case, I wasn't happy with damage on the phone that I didn't do. I always take extremely good care of my phones and my iPhone X looked brand new when I 'upgraded' it at the Apple Store.
This brings me to my latest phone which has a flickering screen with another pink tint that makes me feel sick after using it for a minute. I haven't even restored my backup onto it as it's going straight back, and I've put my SIM card in my old Nexus 6P for the time being.
I hate Android and really don't want to use anything but iOS, that's why I'm so determined to not give up until I have an XS Max without issues.
All of the phones I received from Apple were brand new in the box with the plastic wrap still around them. I wouldn't settle with a genius bar replacement.
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I would strongly recommend anyone considering the Max who is not used to big phones first go to a store and spend quality time comparing the two sizes. Preferably you'd go to an Apple Store where they do not tether their phones with massively thick cables with strong springs, like at AT&T. You need to get a good feel for them.
If you are ok with the size after that, the Max is outstanding.
If you are ok with the size after that, the Max is outstanding.
I returned mine - nice big display, but nothing really takes advantage of it. It's also a heavy phone, and doesn't fit well in the pocket. I was a previous Plus user and I tried out the Xs and I love it and you don't compromise on any features with it. The X/Xs feels like the perfect size, I would just love the phone to be a little wider for a better aspect ratio for video viewing.
I will say, I'm either really unlucky or Apple QC has gone downhill. Up until this release, I never had defects or issues with a phone from Apple. My Max had a warm screen, signal issues, and charge issues. My Xs has a black spot on the lens, a warm screen, and signal issues. I was going to live with this Xs until I noticed every single picture has a large black spot on it due to something underneath the glass of the lens, so this one will be going back Wednesday. This will be 2nd return and 3rd phone...I really hope the next will be without issues.
I will say, I'm either really unlucky or Apple QC has gone downhill. Up until this release, I never had defects or issues with a phone from Apple. My Max had a warm screen, signal issues, and charge issues. My Xs has a black spot on the lens, a warm screen, and signal issues. I was going to live with this Xs until I noticed every single picture has a large black spot on it due to something underneath the glass of the lens, so this one will be going back Wednesday. This will be 2nd return and 3rd phone...I really hope the next will be without issues.
Good post. Anytime I see someone asking which phone someone else prefers in terms of size, the only way of actually knowing is by going hands-on with the phone itself in the store.
For Example, when the 5.8 X releases, I went to my local Best Buy and I was really excited to see it, which I knew I would end up purchasing it, but I was actually shocked how small it felt in my hands and overall the device was not as big as it appeared based off photo’s and renders. My point is, from everything I read on here, everyone thought it was ‘substantially larger’, when I thought it was the opposite. But the only way I was able to determine that, was actually experiencing it firsthand myself in the store physically.
Apple has been pushing me away from their phones since they dumped the headphone jack, except there is nowhere left to go to. So I will run my 8 for as long as possible, might even sell that and just stick to my SE. I still can’t believe they still got that ridiculous notch. I see that they are trying to innovate, but don’t change the format of the screen. They might as well notch all their products.
I went to an Apple store to pick one up and hold it next to my 7+, and was surprised with indistinguishable size and weight holding them side by side. Turning them on to the same thing (News app) absolutely blew me away in display difference. At that point I had to have it but waited until the next day to think it over a little and I had too much going on that first day to make the switch, knowing everything else would have been pushed to the back burner.
Returned my Max and now have an XS.
The Max was simply too big, and importantly, also too heavy for my liking. The size I think I could have adjusted to, but not the weight.
The Max was simply too big, and importantly, also too heavy for my liking. The size I think I could have adjusted to, but not the weight.
Bought a Max and loved it, but returned it due to connectivity issues. I will wait until these issues get resolved, then buy a new Max. I am waiting impatiently, as I really loved the Max in every other way.
The Max is no bigger than an 8 Plus or 7 Plus. (In fact, it is shorter and narrower by just under 1mm.) But it's nearly an ounce heavier, due to stainless steel instead of aluminum sides (just as the stainless steel Apple Watch is heavier than the aluminum one). I have to admit, I don't like how heavy the Max is. But I love the big display more than I dislike the weight.
Point is, everyone who urges you to hold one in your hands before deciding is absolutely correct. The 5.8" XS is a really good size and weight, and it has a bigger screen than an iPhone 7 or 8 (though not as big as a 7 Plus or 8 Plus in terms of usable display area due to the unusual aspect ratio). For many, the 5.8" screen of the XS is enough screen.
But not for me. I went from a 7 Plus to an iPhone X last year and felt the screen size was a downgrade (though everything else about the X was a huge upgrade). So when the Max was announced, I was all over it.
I expect Apple will resolve the connectivity issues. And I expect these issues are affecting a small percentage of units (remember: 1% of 1 million phones is 10,000, and Apple has already sold several million XS and Max units, so even if 99% of them are perfect, there will be many thousands of justifiably upset XS or Max owners with problems).
But I'm very risk averse and couldn't accept the risk of being stuck for 1 or 2 years with a phone with connectivity problems, so I returned it. I will buy one again after this all gets worked out.
The Max is no bigger than an 8 Plus or 7 Plus. (In fact, it is shorter and narrower by just under 1mm.) But it's nearly an ounce heavier, due to stainless steel instead of aluminum sides (just as the stainless steel Apple Watch is heavier than the aluminum one). I have to admit, I don't like how heavy the Max is. But I love the big display more than I dislike the weight.
Point is, everyone who urges you to hold one in your hands before deciding is absolutely correct. The 5.8" XS is a really good size and weight, and it has a bigger screen than an iPhone 7 or 8 (though not as big as a 7 Plus or 8 Plus in terms of usable display area due to the unusual aspect ratio). For many, the 5.8" screen of the XS is enough screen.
But not for me. I went from a 7 Plus to an iPhone X last year and felt the screen size was a downgrade (though everything else about the X was a huge upgrade). So when the Max was announced, I was all over it.
I expect Apple will resolve the connectivity issues. And I expect these issues are affecting a small percentage of units (remember: 1% of 1 million phones is 10,000, and Apple has already sold several million XS and Max units, so even if 99% of them are perfect, there will be many thousands of justifiably upset XS or Max owners with problems).
But I'm very risk averse and couldn't accept the risk of being stuck for 1 or 2 years with a phone with connectivity problems, so I returned it. I will buy one again after this all gets worked out.
That’s not bad advice, but it can also take longer than a few minutes at a store to get used to the size. I’d give it a solid two weeks. After going from an X to the Max, I thought I’d miss the size of the X, which was so pocketable. Turns out I never think about it at all.
The update addresses only a subset of the connectivity issues.
Not sure if this is going to help you but here goes.
Was a plus sized user since the 6. When the X came I was really looking forward to having a smaller iPhone with nearly the same display size as the Plus. Loved the X till the XS / XS Max were announced.
Launch day: picked up the Max and loved it for the first couple of days. Then I started missing the one handed usability of the X. So returned the Max and got the XS instead. Used that for a couple of days and felt there’s not much difference compared to the X besides the camera upgrades. So I’d thought what the heck let me give the Max another shot. So returned the XS last week and got the Max (again
) and now I feel I’m home. Now I’ve come in terms that this phone is made for two handed functionality and with that I’m much happier. And that display, oh my! What a treat it is.
So far so good!
Cheers.
Was a plus sized user since the 6. When the X came I was really looking forward to having a smaller iPhone with nearly the same display size as the Plus. Loved the X till the XS / XS Max were announced.
Launch day: picked up the Max and loved it for the first couple of days. Then I started missing the one handed usability of the X. So returned the Max and got the XS instead. Used that for a couple of days and felt there’s not much difference compared to the X besides the camera upgrades. So I’d thought what the heck let me give the Max another shot. So returned the XS last week and got the Max (again
) and now I feel I’m home. Now I’ve come in terms that this phone is made for two handed functionality and with that I’m much happier. And that display, oh my! What a treat it is.So far so good!
Cheers.
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After I've tried the Xs again, I'm sure now: I'll stay at the gorgeous screen of the Max!
Love it. My journey was the exact opposite: from xs to xsm back to xs. I also feel like I am home!Not sure if this is going to help you but here goes.
Was a plus sized user since the 6. When the X came I was really looking forward to having a smaller iPhone with nearly the same display size as the Plus. Loved the X till the XS / XS Max were announced.
Launch day: picked up the Max and loved it for the first couple of days. Then I started missing the one handed usability of the X. So returned the Max and got the XS instead. Used that for a couple of days and felt there’s not much difference compared to the X besides the camera upgrades. So I’d thought what the heck let me give the Max another shot. So returned the XS last week and got the Max (again
So for so good!
Cheers.
Love my Max! Missed the bigger phone last year when I got the X.
I’m currently using a 7 Plus 128 gb and would like the XS Max but I’m trying to figure out if it’s really worth the upgrade. Money aside, is it really just that much better of a phone? That might be a stupid question but one I have to ask because my 7 Plus still seems to perform pretty well. Thoughts?
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I’m in the same boat. My 7 Plus still performs pretty well but I can’t seem to ignore the “wow factor” of the XS Max. I’m not really concerned with the price but I want to know if I’m going to spend that kind of money that the phone is absolutely worth it.
This is true. The 45 min or so that I spent in an Apple Store handling both models definitely helped me settle on the Max, and I found that surprising, because I originally wasn't going to go that way. But after that decision I still had some re-adjusting to do. It has been about 5 days since I picked up the phone, and it feels much more natural in my hand and pocket than it did the day after I bought the phone.
But not everyone will adjust. The time spent in an Apple Store will hopefully be enough for most people to make the right decision. Just know you will still need some time to acclimate afterwards.
Point well taken. The iPhone Max s a great iPhone but ios12 is buggy