iPhone 16 Pro Max

I tried to downsize, but I guess I wasn’t ready.

Most importantly, I got the phone I really wanted today instead of waiting another month. Now I can return the Pro easily and send in the 13 when the trade-in kit arrives, without any extra delays.

Setup

The setup was smooth, including the eSIM transfer and data migration.

Color

The black version was nice, but honestly, a little boring. I didn’t see the Max in black at the store, but I already knew I wanted to try the Natural Titanium, and I’m happier with it over the black.

Size and Weight

It feels lighter than the 13 Pro Max, and the rounded edges make it easier to handle. It also feels thinner in hand, though not as thin as the Galaxy S23. It’s slightly longer than the 13, which isn’t ideal for pockets.

Random thought: the 13 had a black box. Another small reason why I think it was the greatest iPhone ever made.

The side rails and buttons feel easier to press. I’m still unsure about the Action button, but it’s a nice addition. I never really used the mute switch anyway.

Display

This is more in line with what I wanted. I notice the screen is slightly larger, which adds to the experience, even if the difference is marginal. The smaller display looked great but felt too small. My eyes had a harder time adjusting to it.

Audio

The speakers sound great—louder and clearer than the 13 Pro Max.

Camera

The camera button feels a little better than expected, but I still don’t think I’ll use it much. Happy to be proven wrong, though.

Accessory Haul

• External 256GB USB-C drive: occasional use and file transfers. Already picked it up, and the color matches nicely.

• MagSafe wallet: new one from Satechi.

• Car adapter: 30W USB-C for the cigarette lighter, plus an Apple C-to-C cable for the car.

• Screen protector.

• Cases:

  • Blue (Grams28 leather): the more stylish, premium one.

  • Green (Moment): with lens support and CineBloom filter for shooting content.

  • Black (Anker): cheaper Amazon case with a ring on the back, perfect for gym use or casual carry.

  • Grey (Apple silicone): a clean, all-purpose OEM option. Reviews say Apple improved the silicone this year. I like the neutral tone; it should pair well with the wallet.

  No clear case this time. I was never a huge fan anyway. I usually front-load my case collection since finding good ones in years two and three gets harder.

Unlocked vs. Carrier Financing

This year, I decided to buy the phone outright with a basic trade-in and get it unlocked from Apple. I could have financed through the Apple Card interest-free for 24 months, but I’d rather keep my monthly bills low and pay upfront when I can.

Carrier Deal Pros and Cons

Previously, I was only paying $11 per month on my bill, and after serving the full 3-year term, I got the full $1,000 trade-in credit. That means my total cash outlay for the 13 Pro Max was only around $400. In that sense, it feels like I got it for free.

But this time, I can choose whatever option makes the most sense. I like the feeling of owning things outright and financing less when possible.

Drawbacks of Carrier Plans

You can’t upgrade early without added costs or forfeiting your trade-in deal. That’s probably fine; I kept my 13 for three years and could have easily stretched it another one or two. Still, you never know what Apple will drop next or what might end up being important. This probably isn’t a great reason to avoid carrier deals.

Also, AT&T charges an extra monthly fee just for the option to upgrade, which makes planning difficult. You end up paying that fee whether you upgrade or not. And if you do, you’re locked into paying off the phone, too.

No More Forcing It

There’s no reason to force myself to like the smaller model.

If smaller phones aren’t for me, that’s fine. It’s the same with the MacBook Air and Pro. The 13 was a great size and weight, but just a bit too small for everything I need. Since getting the Pro Max in hand, I feel much more at home. It feels like a proper upgrade. I handled it for five minutes and made my decision. I’ve already cleared the regular Pro and will prep it for return this week.

16 Pro vs. Pro Max: Side by Side

Side note: while digging in the settings, I found a 3-month Apple News+ offer. I didn’t see this on the regular Pro, so maybe it’s a Max-only perk or just something I missed earlier. Either way, nice bonus.

Final Decision

I thought I’d wait a week to compare both, but there’s no need. I was instantly uncomfortable with the Pro size and found myself mentally bargaining and trying to force it to work. But at these prices, I want to get exactly what I want without compromise.

One or two days isn’t enough to fully adjust to a new size, but I’d be lying if I said the smaller phone was what I wanted. It was harder to see the smaller screen, and I had to adjust font sizes, which I didn’t love. At the same time, I appreciated the smaller size for portability, which alone isn’t enough to make me switch.

Honestly, the smaller Pro would probably push me to use the Samsung more for the bigger screen. That’s not bad, but I won’t always want to carry both phones. I need the iPhone to be my go-to and the Samsung to remain secondary.

Coming from the super heavy 13 Pro Max, the 16 Pro Max feels lighter, closer to the S23 in weight and feel. I haven’t even had the 16 Pro Max a full day as of writing this, and I already like it more. Same with the color. The black felt a little too plain, and I like the titanium look. I’m sure the camera features are solid, and I’ll test them more over time. I might even explore additional accessories for content creation.

Should I Return Everything and Keep the 13 PM?

Honestly, I can’t think of a reason to do that. The 16 Pro Max feels like enough of a change to justify the upgrade. I love my 13 Pro Max. It’s been a fantastic phone so much that there’s no urgent need to replace it.

That said, I’m okay moving on. The 16 Pro Max was always the plan.