Apple just launched theiPhone 16line , and it ’s been quite an rising slope this yr . Though the fundament example pose some nice updates , like the A18 chip and some of the best colors I ’ve seen from Apple in years , I ’m still all about the Pro example . Once you go with1 TB storageand 120Hz ProMotion displays , it ’s hard to go back .
This class , thing are a niggling unlike . Ever since Apple introduced a Pro model , I ’ve always gone for the smaller variant . After one yr with a Plus model phone , I learned that I simply do n’t care for orotund phones , so I never tried out a Pro Max . I ’ve always just gawked at how humongous the size is , and this yr , Apple go forwards and made it evenbiggerwith a 6.9 - column inch presentation instead of 6.7 column inch .
I have been spending some clock time with an iPhone 16 Pro Max , and while there ’s one affair about it I love , another part of me ca n’t stand it .
Big phones are not meant for small hands
I ’ve had every generation of iPhone so far , and one of my best-loved theoretical account was the iPhone 5 . For me , that 4 - inch display was the sodding size for undivided - handed use , as I have flyspeck hands . That ’s why the first iPhone SE was a dandy compact sound , but the sequel that followed were n’t quite as perfect with the larger 4.7 - column inch showing size .
Then , Apple moved to the5.8 - inch size with the iPhone Xfor a couple of geezerhood . I find out to supervise one - handed usage with that size of it , though it still command some digit gymnastic exercise , but I put up with it . I was glad that Apple seemed to recognize the motivation for small phones when it insert the mini sizing with the iPhone 12 and 13 , butit sold so poorly that Apple replace it with a magnanimous “ Plus ” model .
Apple eventually moved on to 6.1 inches as the standard “ small ” size while have a 6.7 - column inch display for the Plus and Pro Max . This year , the Pro Max got bump up to 6.9 inch , which is n’t that big of a remainder from the previous size of it .
But still , for someone like me with bantam hands , this is a monster of a headphone , and I absolutely can not use this one - handed at all unless I ’m only scrolling through an app . When I hold back the phone with one hand ( typically from the bottom ) , the tip of my thumb barely reaches the middle of the bottom one-half of the screen . Reaching the top corner is unacceptable without two hands . And the phone ’s weightiness have weariness in my hands ( specially if my pinkie supports it from the bottom ) .
I can see why orotund phones like the iPhone 16 Pro Max appeal to those who are the contrary of me and have large helping hand , whereas the regular iPhone 16 Pro could be “ too modest . ” But after spending time with an iPhone 16 Pro Max , my very first Pro Max modeling after all these years , I discover that I was right — it ’s just too big for me .
The battery life is great, though
I have to give credit where credit is due . The battery life on the iPhone 16 Pro Max has been fantastic . Out of the intact iPhone 16 line , the iPhone 16 Pro Max has the most battery , followed by the iPhone 16 Plus .
As someone who has been using the smaller Pro models for the past several years , I can definitely treasure having a battery that can make it through the day and then some . It ’s the same flavour I had when I went from an Apple Watch Series 5 to an Apple Watch Ultra .
My oldiPhone 15 professional , which I have had since launch twenty-four hours , already has a degenerate battery that fell below the 90 % threshold . That think of I ’ve been let to charge it up at some percentage point in the middle of the day . I also have the regulariPhone 16 Pro , which appear to have unspoilt staying power with the battery , but the iPhone 16 Pro Max get hold of it to a whole dissimilar level . It ’s like some of the enceinte Android phones I ’ve tried , like theOnePlus 12orSamsung Galaxy S24 Ultra .
Perhaps if I did n’t have trouble with such a large phone , the iPhone 16 Pro Max would be my personal twist . The assault and battery really is that good .
The Camera Control placement is wrong
One of the big merchandising level for the entire iPhone 16 lineup is the newCamera Controlbutton , which is locate at the bottom right wing of the frame on all models . A single pressing opens the Camera app ( but you canchange it if you want ) , another click captures your photo or starts transcription , and you could do faint presses and slide gestures to line up various configurations . The Camera Control button makes your iPhone 16 feel more like a standalone tv camera .
While I ’ve try using it on both the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max , the placement of the button itself is not practical . It ’s even more of an issue with the Pro Max because of its orotund size of it .
If Apple had just put the Camera Control a smidge lower on the skeleton , closer to the rounded corner , it would have felt more comfortable for landscape photos . When I apply the camera in landscape orientation , my index digit is enclose around the side . But with the current position of the Camera Control , I ca n’t reach it that elbow room and need to impede part of the projection screen / viewfinder to press it .
Again , this issue is n’t just for the Pro Max mannequin ; it ’s not great on the smaller Pro either . But the with child size of it of the iPhone 16 Pro Max just exacerbates the issue .
A powerful iPhone, but not for everyone
This is the first time I ’ve used Apple ’s turgid - size headphone since the Plus interlingual rendition , and while I bed that superfluous battery biography and take care more on the display at once , the size just is n’t for me . Props to those who like the big size of it of the Pro Max , though ! It ’s just impossible for me to practice it comfortably .
I am glad that Apple at least give us a alternative with the iPhone card . This twelvemonth , there ’s feature parity with both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max . That means those who opt the smaller sizing are n’t missing out on major features , unlike last twelvemonth . Now , the choice just come down to whether or not you want a braggy headphone or a modest phone — and that ’s how it should be .
