Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

A MacBook lover

Suspended
Original poster
May 22, 2009
2,011
4,582
D.C.
Just curious what previous max owners think about the new 11 Pro Max, obviously the camera and battery are significantly better... but any small things that you notice you think really makes it worth the upgrade?
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: MAXAAPL

dms_91

macrumors 6502
Sep 23, 2016
387
458
I have my XS MAX sitting on my counter. Giving it to my son... the 11 pro is an awesome phone...
Don’t miss the bigger phone? I currently am using the 11 Pro and really enjoy it’s size but at the same time thinking of getting that Max.
 

BoricuaHec01

macrumors 6502a
Sep 17, 2012
859
478
Chicago, IL
I can honestly say I'm enjoying my Pro Max way more than my previous Xs Max. Not only are the battery and camera a night and day difference, I'm really enjoying the display of 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio vs the previous 1,000,000:1, you can definitely tell the difference in color. I literally can't put this phone down, I'm glad I upgraded.
 

BeeGood

macrumors 68000
Sep 15, 2013
1,859
6,120
Lot 23E. Somewhere in Georgia.
Battery is the main thing for me. Other than that and the camera, here are some subtle improvements I appreciate:

-The screen definitely gets brighter outdoors. My XS Max was OK in sunlight, but the Pro Max is significantly better.

-With heavy use (gaming, using the camera for long periods), my XS Max would get hot. Not just warm, but hot. My Pro Max has yet to do that.

-Love the matte glass finish. It’s a little slippery and that’s taking some getting used to, but it does feel better than the glossy glass.

-It is heavier, but honestly I like the way it feels. The weight is distributed in a way that makes it more comfortable to hold IMO.

-It seems more solidly built. My XS Max creaked when it was flexed slightly. My Pro Max does none of that.
 

CyberCat

macrumors member
Jan 11, 2005
61
9
Is the 11 pro max worth it over the 11 pro?

If you watch a lot of videos, play games, or if you care about battery life, yes. The Max is noticeably heavier though and is a 2 handed device for sure.
 
Last edited:

George Knighton

macrumors 65816
Oct 13, 2010
1,392
346
Not a chance, I am not gonna upgrade. I still love my XS Max. Since the camera is last on the list of my wishes when I am buying a phone, I do not see a reason to throw another $1000+. OK, 11 Pro Max has better battery, also. But battery life on XS Max is more than enough for me, too.

This is my thinking, too, and I wonder whether Apple and other manufacturers are miscalculating how many of us appreciate the improvements to photography.

So much time and money spent on improving a feature that I am not convinced that all of us understand and use.

XS Max here and trying hard to hold the line until next year. Of course, I have said that before and failed.

:)
 
  • Like
Reactions: yui4

George Knighton

macrumors 65816
Oct 13, 2010
1,392
346
Is the 11 pro max worth it over the 11 pro?

I have an XS Max.

Aside from the obvious advantages for video, it is easier to manipulate documents and email.

You will also find that many Web sites will give you closer to desktop Safari views because the sites detect that you have the space.

Having the Max has made life easier and I will now leave home without my MacBook most of the time.
 

xbure9x

macrumors newbie
Oct 9, 2019
1
8
have the xs max and got the 11 pro max and i honestly like the xs max better. it is less difficult to hold and there is just something about it holding them side by side that i prefer the xs max. i think the bezels on the 11 pro max are slightly larger as well but that’s nitpicking. the xs max is easier to hold and yes while it’s nice to say i get 10 hours screen on time on the 11 pro, honestly the 6 1/2 to 7 on the xs max is perfectly fine for me.

reception is the same on both phones, meaning there was no clear improvement in the 11 pro. like a previous poster said, the new cameras are nice, but the ultra wide angle is pretty much useless for me and the xs max has the telephoto which is more important to me anyway. i don’t shoot in 4k regularly so no biggie there.

i wanted to really like the 11 pro max but in the end, they are just too similar to spend the money. 3d touch on the xs max makes the new haptic touch work much faster than on the new phones also.

so yeah i think the 11 pro max will be going back and i’ll keep my xs max until next year.
 

vistokid

macrumors 6502a
Jun 26, 2007
655
434
I'm really stuck on this as well. I got the Pro Max and am really enjoying it. I'm not really a photography guy so the XS Max is more than enough in that department.

The one thing I love is the battery life. The Pro Max is a TANK! But I think I'll end up going back to my XS Max.

As an aside - I'm shocked at the prices that the XS (Max included) is going for. There's really some great deals out there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wide opeN

AndrewR23

Contributor
Jun 24, 2010
4,643
1,795
Battery is the main thing for me. Other than that and the camera, here are some subtle improvements I appreciate:

-The screen definitely gets brighter outdoors. My XS Max was OK in sunlight, but the Pro Max is significantly better.

-With heavy use (gaming, using the camera for long periods), my XS Max would get hot. Not just warm, but hot. My Pro Max has yet to do that.

-Love the matte glass finish. It’s a little slippery and that’s taking some getting used to, but it does feel better than the glossy glass.

-It is heavier, but honestly I like the way it feels. The weight is distributed in a way that makes it more comfortable to hold IMO.

-It seems more solidly built. My XS Max creaked when it was flexed slightly. My Pro Max does none of that.
The last one you are just lucky you did not get a non creaking 11 Max. Seen a few threads here that creaked. My first one did and so do a few family members. Just the luck of the draw.
 

pilotkid

macrumors 6502a
Aug 22, 2006
993
178
Chandler, AZ
I went from a XS Max to the Pro Max...At the time of the purchase I was thinking I was making a mistake. However, after a few minutes of using the Pro Max I fell in love with the iPhone again. Here I am 1.5 weeks later and it still feels, looks, and performs better than my XS Max did. The cameras are amazing, and that battery life! The battery life is the probably the best part about the upgrade. Why? Because now I can actually use my phone free of worries about the battery dying.

If purchasing the Pro Max ment I would be late on bills then I would say its not worth it(Obviously). But if you are due for a upgrade or have the cash available then go for it! You will not be upset.
 

dmx

macrumors 6502a
Oct 25, 2008
734
1,507
I made this upgrade and I’m super happy. Key points:

battery. I’m a heavy user and it’s just a non-issue for the first time. (I do plug in randomly during the day, but even if I don’t, it’s fine). This is the number one most important issue for me.

camera: it’s great. Wide mode camera quality isn’t perfect, but provides some cool shots. Night mode is incredible especially when on a tripod or when you rest your phone on a surface.

display: key points are it is Brighter in direct sunlight, and the phone does not warm up and dim as quickly as my XS Max did (whether in sunlight or not). My XS Max would sometimes warm up in normal use (such as web browsing), the 11 PM stays totally cool.

Apple said this phone had the best sustained performance of any iPhone yet and I definitely believe that.

for me, worth the upgrade. then again, I am on the iUP and I had used my two accidental damage replacements on my XS Max, so also important for me to get new AppleCare.
 
Last edited:

mtneer

macrumors 68040
Sep 15, 2012
3,183
2,715
Not happening unless Apple bumps up their trade-in valuation like they did late last year.
 

soniasim

macrumors regular
May 1, 2008
173
73
Did anyone that has both phones try to take RAW photos on both and do a comparison?

Would love to see the real hardware differences between the two!

Also, I was wondering whether the problem with the 11 Pro Max that causes apps to refresh after taking a photo has been fixed in the latest release? I read quite a lot people mentioning that one and it keeps me from upgrading....

Thank you in advance!
 

Remington Steel

macrumors 6502
Dec 26, 2016
377
572
I'm really stuck on this as well. I got the Pro Max and am really enjoying it. I'm not really a photography guy so the XS Max is more than enough in that department.

The one thing I love is the battery life. The Pro Max is a TANK! But I think I'll end up going back to my XS Max.

As an aside - I'm shocked at the prices that the XS (Max included) is going for. There's really some great deals out there.
After reading this comment, I still don’t understand why you are considering going back to the XS Max. You said you are enjoying the Pro Max and love the battery life.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.