Other Zoomed Display mode supported on XS Max and XR but not XS.

[EugW]

I thought this would be worth a new thread, because it affects those of us with aging eyes.

Here are the widths of the various screens:

8 - 59 mm**
X/XS - 62 mmº
XR - 65 mm**
Plus - 68 mmº
Max - 69 mmº

(The measurements may be off by up to half a mm, due to rounding, but close enough.)

The XR, Plus, and Max all show the same amount of screen information width-wise. So that means the screen elements and default font size will be smaller on the XR.
The 8 and XS will show the same amount of screen information width-wise. So that means the screen elements and default font size will be smaller on the 8.

*Screen element and default font sizing is similar between the 8 and XR.
ºScreen element and default font sizing is similar between the XS, Plus, and Max.

Regarding Zoomed Display mode: Settings --> Display & Brightness --> View --> Zoomed --> Set

I know that in Zoomed Display mode, the 6s and 7 Plus have the same screen element and font sizes, despite the fact in Standard Display mode, the sizes are different. However, with the 326 ppi screens (8 and likely XR) using Zoomed Display mode can decrease quality, since you can sometimes see the anti-aliasing.

I have been reminded that the X simply doesn't have a Zoomed Display mode in iOS 11. This is likely purely a marketing choice, since as mentioned my wife's 6s has it, and Zoomed Display mode should look better on the X than the 6s. Does iOS 12 offer it on the X, or will X simply never have it? Despite the fact the iPhone 6-8 have it, it appears the X and Xs will never have it.

It makes me wonder if they'll have such a mode on the XS, XR (with the potential visible anti-aliasing as can be seen on the 6s), and even the Max. I suspect both the XR and the Max will have it, but you never know. Do any of the hands-on previews comment on this? Cuz I haven't seen anything about this yet. The Xs Max has been confirmed to have Zoomed Display mode. The Xr may have it, but it hasn't officially been confirmed by Apple yet.

Thus, I will wait before making any decisions. Right now, I'm fine with my 7 Plus, but my wife wants to replace her 6s. I may use Zoomed Display, since presbyopia is starting, meaning I prefer to hold my phone a bit further than usual, and bigger fonts can be helpful. My wife doesn't used Zoomed Display, so she's fine with the 326 ppi of the 6s. She just wants a newer and bigger phone.

So my options are:

1. I keep my 7 Plus for now and I get an XR for her. This would be the value option, and it would be perfect for her, esp. since she doesn't have a telephoto lens she'd miss. This would be a huge upgrade for her.

2. I give her my 7 Plus, and get an XR for myself. However, this would not be ideal if I decide to use Zoomed Display. The fonts would be bigger, but the quality would suffer. These 326 ppi phones look fine in Standard (non-zoomed) Display mode, but the default fonts are considerably smaller. Plus I'd probably miss the telephoto lens somewhat, even though I don't use it a huge amount.

3. I give her my 7 Plus, and I get a 64 GB Max and annoy myself with having to carefully manage my storage.

4. I give her my 7 Plus, and I splurge to get a 256 GB Max, which is complete overkill for me in terms of storage.

 

[GGJstudios]

From: https://help.apple.com/iphone/12/#/iph3e2e367e

 

[martin2345uk]

So not XR now??

 

[EugW]

So not XR now??

I think the jury is still out on this because the XR isn’t out yet.

Furthermore, there are references to XR (and not XS) support in iOS 12. Here are the references:

https://mobile.twitter.com/filipekids/status/1040133138557677568

 

[EugW]

I think the jury is still out on this because the XR isn’t out yet.

Furthermore, there are references to XR (and not XS) support in iOS 12. Here are the references:

https://mobile.twitter.com/filipekids/status/1040133138557677568

From: https://help.apple.com/iphone/12/#/iph3e2e367e

View attachment 783836

It turns out that Help guide doesn't mention the iPhone XR at all for anything.

https://help.apple.com/iphone/12/#/iphe3fa5df43

So it's probably just because the XR isn't out yet.

 

[EugW]

Does anyone have both a Max and an Xs or X? It would be nice to have a picture of the Max in Zoomed Display mode next to an Xs or X.

 

[jamesnoramus]

Does anyone have both a Max and an Xs or X? It would be nice to have a picture of the Max in Zoomed Display mode next to an Xs or X.

Got my XS Max today and I LOOOVE IT!!! Display Zoom is BACK! The keyboard is HUGE! I can finally see what I’m typing.. my icons are zoomed again! ALL IS WELL.. i dont have screen shots but i will grab some off my old X later on n post them

 

[EugW]

Got my XS Max today and I LOOOVE IT!!! Display Zoom is BACK! The keyboard is HUGE! I can finally see what I’m typing.. my icons are zoomed again! ALL IS WELL.. i dont have screen shots but i will grab some off my old X later on n post them

Thx. Looking forward to it. Did you further increase text size too? It is absolutely huge on your screen.

Here is Zoomed Display View on my 7 Plus:

Vs. yours:

 

[EugW]

According to XR reviews, XR is now confirmed to support Zoomed Display mode.

That leaves the XS as the only iPhone in Apple's current lineup that does not support Zoomed Display mode. All the other currently sold models support Zoomed Display.

Zoomed Display available:
iPhone 7
iPhone 8
iPhone 7 Plus
iPhone 8 Plus
iPhone XR
iPhone XS Max

Zoomed Display unavailable:
iPhone XS

 

[EugW]

And finally Zoomed Display mode support on the XR is officially confirmed by Apple itself too.

So for recent models, basically that just leaves out the XS and X (and SE).

 

[svbp]

It is there on XR indeed; but still does not even come close to iphone 7 text size even with a bigger screen -

 

[EugW]

It is there on XR indeed; but still does not even come close to iphone 7 text size even with a bigger screen -

Right.

Points per inch numbers indicate text size: The biggest numbers have the smallest text:

5/SE Standard mode: 163
6/7/8 Standard mode: 163
XR Standard mode: 163
Plus/X/Max Standard mode: 153-154

5/SE have no Zoomed mode
X/XS have no Zoomed mode

XR Zoomed mode: 148
6/7/8/Plus/Max Zoomed mode: 138-139

Why?

Cuz the XR is essentially a smaller version of the Max, with the same amount of information displayed on screen. So, in Zoomed mode, the text needs to be smaller to fit on screen. Think iPad mini vs iPad, but not to that extreme extent.

 

[svbp]

Right.

Points per inch numbers indicate text size: The biggest numbers have the smallest text:

5/SE Standard mode: 163
6/7/8 Standard mode: 163
XR Standard mode: 163
Plus/X/Max Standard mode: 153-154

5/SE have no Zoomed mode
X/XS have no Zoomed mode

XR Zoomed mode: 148
6/7/8/Plus/Max Zoomed mode: 138-139

Why?

Cuz the XR is essentially a smaller version of the Max, with the same amount of information displayed on screen. So, in Zoomed mode, the text needs to be smaller to fit on screen. Think iPad mini vs iPad, but not to that extreme extent.

This is very helpful. So iphone XS max will get me the text size I seem to "long" from iphone 7? The strange thing is that for email etc is all ok with increasing via dynamic text, where it hurts the most is in apps like google maps where when entering something or seeing some instructions; or going on certain websites or linked in apps etc....the text does not resize.

I would gladly stick to iphone 7 but for the fact that I do want the best phone camera out there; I wish I took my DSLR everywhere but with phones, atleast want the best for my photography enthusiasm.

i was thinking about how this works so your post is great but still can you clarify:

I was thinking how screen size affects this and you clarified above on 163->153. Is there any chance for apple to change this scheme ? Probably not....... the max is so expensive (I mean it not in terms of affordability but for a phone that I need more than 64gb and a delicate one to get apple care etc....it piles up).

Sorry for long reply but you answered what I was wondering about for 1 year; I bought X "two" times after being tempted but returned when I could not handle the fact that without reading glasses it is completely unusable compared to my iphone 7.

 

[EugW]

This is very helpful. So iphone XS max will get me the text size I seem to "long" from iphone 7? The strange thing is that for email etc is all ok with increasing via dynamic text, where it hurts the most is in apps like google maps where when entering something or seeing some instructions; or going on certain websites or linked in apps etc....the text does not resize.

I would gladly stick to iphone 7 but for the fact that I do want the best phone camera out there; I wish I took my DSLR everywhere but with phones, atleast want the best for my photography enthusiasm.

i was thinking about how this works so your post is great but still can you clarify:

I was thinking how screen size affects this and you clarified above on 163->153. Is there any chance for apple to change this scheme ? Probably not....... the max is so expensive (I mean it not in terms of affordability but for a phone that I need more than 64gb and a delicate one to get apple care etc....it piles up).

Sorry for long reply but you answered what I was wondering about for 1 year; I bought X "two" times after being tempted but returned when I could not handle the fact that without reading glasses it is completely unusable compared to my iphone 7.

No, they won’t change it because this is what makes the most sense in terms of the supported resolutions and the math.

If you want something cheap with big text in Zoomed mode with a bigger screen than your 7, an option might be a Plus for now.

I personally am still using my 7 Plus.

 

[mikehalloran]

I just went from a 7+ to an XS. I thought that I would miss Display Zoom but I don't — not a bit which surprised me.

The OLED is that much easier to read for me.

 

[Rockies]

This is the main reason I took back the XS because I could not read the text, mostly web sites. Also I find the screen to be too narrow. Now have XS Max and much easier to read in "Zoomed" mode. The extra real estate on the XS Max really is impressive. The XS Max is a BIG phone but it is mostly the weight that I have issues with. I wish Apple could reduce the weight of there phones similar to Google and Samsung.

 

[svbp]

This is the main reason I took back the XS because I could not read the text, mostly web sites. Also I find the screen to be too narrow. Now have XS Max and much easier to read in "Zoomed" mode. The extra real estate on the XS Max really is impressive. The XS Max is a BIG phone but it is mostly the weight that I have issues with. I wish Apple could reduce the weight of there phones similar to Google and Samsung.

Indeed it is the weight and not the size; that is why Pixel 3 is tempting for better readability...but am in the "ecosystem" as of now.

 

[jona2125]

So wait did they take this out in iOS 12? iOS 11 let you setup the iPhone X with Display Zoom.

Edit: I guess it never featured it. Some coworkers must have been using some other method to get it because they had X’s with what I called ‘grandpa mode’ enabled. Side note: I noticed that since launch of iOS 12 whenever I get a phone call the name of the person calling is now displayed gigantically as if it was using Display Zoom settings. I can’t even read the whole name it’s so big, but it does scroll across the screen so you can read it. That’s definitely something new and I don’t know how to turn it off.

 

[Cape Dave]

What are the chances that ZOOMED will come to the XS? It makes zero sense not to have it. A deal killer for me.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

What are the chances that ZOOMED will come to the XS? It makes zero sense not to have it. A deal killer for me.

It has been like that since the X came out. I doubt they will change it. If it’s a deal killer then return it and get an Xr or Max...

 

[Cape Dave]

It has been like that since the X came out. I doubt they will change it. If it’s a deal killer then return it and get an Xr or Max...

Or a Pixel 3 But I checked, and that does not have zoom either

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Or a Pixel 3 But I checked, and that does not have zoom either

I used display zoom on my 6s for a year until iOS11 came out and offered the one handed keyboard which could only be used if display zoom was off so I learned to live without it. After not using it for awhile I didn’t really mind and got use to not having it. Now that I’ve been using my X for a year, I really enjoy the phone and not having display zoom might not bug you as much as you think...

 

[EugW]

What are the chances that ZOOMED will come to the XS? It makes zero sense not to have it. A deal killer for me.

The chance is zero that the X/XS will get Zoomed Display. The reason the X & XS don't have it is because there is no corresponding smaller resolution to zoom to.

The iPhone 6 can perfectly zoom to iPhone 5 resolution, so there is a zoom option.
The iPhone 6 Plus can perfectly zoom to iPhone 6 resolution, so there is a zoom option.
The iPhone XR can perfectly zoom to iPhone X/XS resolution, so there is a zoom option.
The iPhone XS can perfectly zoom to iPhone X/XS resolution, so there is a zoom option.

The iPhone 5 cannot perfectly zoom to iPhone 4s resolution, so there is no zoom option.
The iPhone X/XS cannot perfectly zoom to iPhone 8 or 8 Plus resolution, so there is no zoom option.

Interestingly, as mentioned, both the XR and XS zoom to the same iPhone X/XS resolution, but since the XR has a smaller screen than the XS, the effective amount of zoom is less on the XR.
[doublepost=1543979941][/doublepost]

I used display zoom on my 6s for a year until iOS11 came out and offered the one handed keyboard which could only be used if display zoom was off so I learned to live without it. After not using it for awhile I didn’t really mind and got use to not having it. Now that I’ve been using my X for a year, I really enjoy the phone and not having display zoom might not bug you as much as you think...

Default text size on the X is larger than default text size on the 6s.

See my post here:

Points per inch numbers indicate text size: The biggest numbers have the smallest text:

5/SE Standard mode: 163
6/7/8 Standard mode: 163
XR Standard mode: 163
Plus/X/Max Standard mode: 153-154

5/SE have no Zoomed mode
X/XS have no Zoomed mode

XR Zoomed mode: 148
6/7/8/Plus/Max Zoomed mode: 138-139

For both my wife and me, standard mode at 163 ppi on the 6s and XR gives text that is a bit too small for our preferences.

However, my wife likes XR zoomed mode at 148 ppi on the XR, but I prefer bigger text. I personally like the 138ish ppi you get in zoomed mode on my 7 Plus and on the XS Max.

 

[Cape Dave]

I used display zoom on my 6s for a year until iOS11 came out and offered the one handed keyboard which could only be used if display zoom was off so I learned to live without it. After not using it for awhile I didn’t really mind and got use to not having it. Now that I’ve been using my X for a year, I really enjoy the phone and not having display zoom might not bug you as much as you think...

Possibly. But the reality is that at 66 my eyes are not getting much younger Such a shame. It is no small thing and will definitely slow sales of this phone

 

[EugW]

Possibly. But the reality is that at 66 my eyes are not getting much younger Such a shame. It is no small thing and will definitely slow sales of this phone

Do you have reading glasses / bifocals / progressive lenses? That should help a lot. Presbyopia is a biotch.