My Smartphone History: An Illogical List
Well, since no one asked, here’s a quick (recent) history of the phones I’ve used in the past 4-5 years. This is actually part of a future story I’ll be putting out soon, where the somewhat illogical list will make more sense (I promise), but for the purposes of this one, you should pay attention to the screen sizes of the phones below…
Huawei P20 (5.8-inch display)
Huawei P30 Pro (6.5-inch display)
iPhone 8 (4.7-inch display)
Pixel 6 Pro (6.7-inch display)
iPhone 13 mini (5.4-inch display)
I know, I know… Looking at the display sizes alone, my smartphone history makes absolutely no sense but that’s the thing – there’s a lot more to a phone than its screen size, which is sort of the moral of today’s story, as you’ll find out if you keep reading.
The Inconsistent Logic of My Smartphone Choices
Interestingly enough, some of you might’ve noticed a pattern in this messy lineup of upgrades – we have a small display, then a large one, then a small one, then a large one (again), and another very small one with my current daily phone, the iPhone 13 mini. So, by that consistently inconsistent logic, it actually comes as no surprise that I’m now considering an upgrade to the huge (compared to the iPhone 13 mini) iPhone 15 Pro Max – as long as my boss is paying. Wink, Wink.
The Benefits of Switching to the iPhone 15 Pro Max
In a nutshell, the iPhone 15 Pro Max should be closer in size to the Galaxy S23+ now, especially when it comes to the width of the device, which should make it easier to use with one hand. Perhaps even more importantly, the gentle curves on the front and back of the chassis should make Apple’s biggest iPhone feel more manageable compared to the 14 Pro Max, while the new titanium frame is expected to make it lighter.
Considering the Switch: Small vs. Large Phones
I don’t know how many of you find themselves on this “go big phone or go home” crossroad, but this one’s for you – those trying to pick between a small, “normal”, and a large phone. The iPhone 15 Pro Max might actually be the first big iPhone worth the sacrifice of ditching your super comfortable “normal size” phone.
Why Upgrade to the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
FYI: I’m trying to convince both you and myself here, so bear with me… It’s a process.
Easier Typing on a Larger Display
Lately I’ve been doing a lot of two-handed typing on my phone (Notes), which (surprise, surprise) isn’t ideal on the tiny screen of the iPhone 13 mini; the 6.7-inch display of the iPhone 15 Pro Max should make this exercise much easier and much more efficient; and if you’re wondering – no, I don’t care about the 120Hz all that much.
Improved Audio Experience
As someone who likes the convenience of playing music on their phone, I don’t have a dedicated Bluetooth speaker that I carry with me in the bathroom or when traveling, and that’s why I’d appreciate the set of more powerful speakers coming with a phone like the iPhone 15 Pro Max; Apple’s larger iPhones have some of the best (if not the best) speakers amongst mainstream flagships, so this upgrade isn’t one to look past if you consume media on your phone.
Longer Battery Life
I wouldn’t mind the longer lasting battery of the iPhone 15 Pro Max either – although I’ve gotten used to using the MagSafe battery pack when I travel, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has dramatically better endurance compared to my tiny iPhone 13 mini (it can last 2-3x longer); this means the more efficient chip and rumored battery increase coming to iPhone 15 Pro Max could allow me to charge my phone once every 2-3 days.
Enhanced Camera Capabilities
A larger phone also means more room for better cameras, and although I use my camera rarely nowadays (unless I’m traveling and exploring new places), the new periscope zoom lens expected to (finally) bless the iPhone 15 Pro Max would certainly be helpful for street photography and certain events; not to mention the 2x lossless zoom for portraits that comes with Apple’s 48MP camera, which I loved while testing the iPhone 14 Pro; the better news is that those are just a fraction of the camera upgrades likely to come with a switch from iPhone 13 mini to the 15 Pro Max – I hope Apple has more camera surprises ready.
The Action Button
Yes, in case you didn’t know, Apple is adding a new button to the iPhone 15 Pro, allegedly called the “Action Button”, which is replacing the Mute Switch to give you some extra functionality – you can read all about it in our dedicated iPhone 15 Pro Action Button story…
The Smaller, Lighter iPhone 15 Pro Max
Switching from a small iPhone to the large iPhone 15 Pro Max will be easier this year (but still not for everyone) The Pro Max iPhone is actually getting a bit smaller this year. But is ‘a bit smaller’ small enough? It should come as no surprise that the first thing making the 2023 iPhone 15 Pro Max more appealing to those who usually gravitate towards smaller phones is that this one’s actually supposed to get smaller, lighter, and easier to hold compared to the likes of the iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro Max, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Subtle Curves for Better Handling
In case you haven’t heard, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to feature subtle curves on the front and back, which should make a bigger difference to holding Apple’s largest iPhone than you’d expect. Trust me. I’ve held a few phones in my time.
Reduced Weight
Another upgrade expected to make the large iPhone 15 Pro Max feel like a lesser brick is the one to the weight of the device. While we still don’t know how much the 15 Pro Max will weigh, the rumored switch from a stainless steel to a titanium frame will likely end up making the 15 Pro Max some 10-20g lighter than the 14 Pro Max. Unless the larger battery expected in the 15 Pro Max doesn’t balance things out.
Slightly Smaller Dimensions
According to leaked schematics, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is getting almost a full millimeter shorter and narrower than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which (again), should be a noticeable difference considering the scale we’re at as well as the subtle curves coming to the 15 series. In other words, the 15 Pro Max should feel like a smaller phone despite having the exact same display as the 14 Pro Max.
Slimmer Bezels for a More Compact Look
Speaking of display size, the size reduction doesn’t come because Apple decided to make the screen of the iPhone 15 Pro Max smaller. We’re still taking a 6.7-inch panel but thanks to the much slimmer bezels surrounding that display, the new Pro Max should look and feel more compact. According to reliable tipster Ice Universe, the 1.5mm display borders of the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max should set a new record – at least before the rumored release of the Xiaomi 14 Pro.
A Galaxy S23+ Vibe
I happen to be a fan of the Galaxy S23+ form-factor, and I’m glad to report that (if all the rumors are true), the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s reduced size and added curves should make it feel a bit more like a Galaxy S23+ rather than an iPhone 14 Pro Max, and that should be a win. Samsung’s middle child flagship isn’t too big or too small, and the curves make it feel like a smaller phone than it actually is.
FAQs
1. Is the iPhone 15 Pro Max smaller than its predecessors?
Yes, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to be smaller and lighter compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro Max, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
2. Will the iPhone 15 Pro Max have better camera capabilities?
Yes, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is rumored to have a periscope zoom lens and improved camera upgrades, including a 48MP camera and 2x lossless zoom for portraits.
3. What is the “Action Button” on the iPhone 15 Pro?
The “Action Button” is a new button replacing the Mute Switch on the iPhone 15 Pro, offering extra functionality. Read more about it in our dedicated iPhone 15 Pro Action Button story.
4. Will the iPhone 15 Pro Max have a longer lasting battery?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to have a more efficient chip and rumored battery increase, which could result in longer battery life compared to the iPhone 13 mini.
5. How will the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s size compare to the Galaxy S23+?
The reduced size and added curves of the iPhone 15 Pro Max should make it feel more like a Galaxy S23+ in terms of form-factor, offering a balance between a small and large phone.
