The deed is completed. I’ve returned the iPhone 16 Professional Max after two months of utilizing the perfect iPhone that Apple has ever made. That was at all times the plan. In case you missed it, I used the iPhone 16 Plus for practically two months final 12 months.
After years of utilizing 6.1-inch iPhones, I knew I wished a bigger show from the iPhone. After years of at all times utilizing Professional variants, I additionally knew the non-Professional fashions have been ok for my wants. Lastly, I additionally knew the iPhone I actually wished was subsequent 12 months’s iPhone 17 Air, an ultra-thin non-Professional system with a show about as large because the iPhone 16 Plus.
With all that in thoughts, I made a decision to strive the iPhone 16 Professional Max earlier than switching again to a 6.1-inch mannequin. I mentioned on the time this may be the final time I get to make use of a Professional Max dimension. I’m eying the iPhone 17 Air for subsequent 12 months, and I’m most likely going to strive the foldable iPhone as quickly because it comes out subsequent 12 months.
I anticipated an iPhone 16 Plus expertise from the iPhone 16 Professional Max, solely barely higher. The display is barely bigger, the processor is barely quicker, and the digital camera system is upgraded. Additionally, the bezels are barely thinner. I didn’t count on to fall in love with the 6.9-inch cellphone the best way I did. I didn’t count on to wish to maintain on to the iPhone 16 Professional Max and overlook about my authentic plan.
However then one thing occurred that made me reassess my priorities and quit on the iPhone 16 Professional Max. Earlier than I clarify why I returned to my outdated iPhone 14 Professional, which is over two years outdated, I’ll inform you I gained’t purchase one other iPhone 16 anytime quickly, both.
The primary motive I returned the iPhone 16 Plus was its dimension. It was too large for my style, and I had issues dealing with it. Digicam Management use was additionally cumbersome, and the brand new button was considered one of my foremost causes for wanting an iPhone 16 cellphone.
Additionally, in November, I didn’t have entry to Apple Intelligence and Visible Intelligence, each delayed within the EU regardless of slowly rolling out to US consumers and different worldwide customers.
I had no drawback returning to the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Professional, however I did miss a number of iPhone 16 Plus options. The bigger display and higher battery life have been undisputed highlights.
That was my mindset once I purchased the iPhone 16 Professional Max. I feared I wouldn’t have a distinct expertise than the Plus, and I couldn’t wait to return it. I inform you this as a result of I may make the most of a loyalty program function that gave me an prolonged return window for purchases.
Then, one thing occurred that I nonetheless can’t clarify. The iPhone 16 Professional Max in some way felt extra snug in my hand than the Plus. The Professional Max is the bigger handset. It has a 6.9-inch show, it’s 2mm taller and 0.45mm thicker. It’s 0.2mm narrower too. Lastly, the Plus weighs 199, which makes it 28 lighter than the Professional Max.
After two months with every cellphone, I can safely say that the iPhone 16 Professional Max felt extra snug in my arms and pockets. I even ran a marathon with it and nearly didn’t really feel it. The Plus was in some way a problem when working, too.
Extra amazingly, the iPhone 16 Professional Max’s Digicam Management labored so a lot better than the Plus. That’s, I’ve been utilizing it persistently to activate the digital camera with one hand however not take footage. As I defined, I’m utilizing the iPhone with my left hand, which makes the Digicam Management unreachable on the Plus. The thicker iPhone 16 Professional Max helped with that. On that observe, I now fear the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air may make Digicam Management use annoying once more.
Add the superior digital camera setup and the even higher battery life, and the iPhone 16 Professional Max is an unbelievable system. Add the big display, and the system turns into an incredible device to make use of, particularly when touring. The iPhone 16 Professional Max was an incredible companion in Tokyo, the place I needed to navigate a overseas panorama, pull dual-SIM duties, and take a lot of pics.
However, like Cinarella, I knew my time would quickly expire, and I’d need to return the iPhone 16 Professional Max. In contrast to the story’s heroine, I used to be having second ideas. As I mentioned, I contemplated retaining the cellphone after which passing it on to somebody in my household when the iPhone 17 Air arrived.
Discover I’ve not talked about Apple Intelligence use on the iPhone 16 Professional Max as a result of Apple solely rolled it out to European iPhone customers in late February. As quickly as I obtained entry to it, I turned it on and located I couldn’t care much less that it was on.
Nonetheless, I used to be rocking the newest iOS 18.4 beta, which meant the sensible Siri expertise that Apple demoed at WWDC 2024 was about to drop. Little did I do know what was going to occur a number of weeks later. Apple would announce that the sensible Siri options in Apple Intelligence will likely be delayed no less than till 2026.
Apple virtually mentioned that the perfect function it imagined for Apple Intelligence was vaporware. I’m keen to attend for that Siri to change into actual. Earlier than Apple Intelligence rolled out in beta kind to customers in Europe, I mentioned I used to be keen to attend for Apple to make up with the EU. I used to be already prepared to attend some time additional.
However as soon as the Apple Intelligence mess got here to gentle I knew there was just one factor to do: Return the iPhone 16 Professional Max. It’s not the AI cellphone Apple bought us.
I’ve repeatedly written that I need Apple Intelligence on my iPhone, and that’s a giant motive to improve to an iPhone 16 mannequin. Additionally, AI was the primary speaking level in Apple adverts for weeks earlier than Apple Intelligence really began rolling out to the iPhone 16.
However the iPhone 16 Professional Max isn’t a greater AI system than the two-year-old iPhone 14 Professional as a result of each can use third-party AI apps. Apple Intelligence, with out the sensible Siri options, is ineffective. Apple virtually deceived consumers with its Apple Intelligence advertising and marketing, and the corporate has but to totally personal its deceptive advertising and marketing marketing campaign.
I can’t be a part of a category motion, and, frankly, I don’t assume I may very well be bothered with it. However I can do one thing concerning the iPhone Apple sells as an AI system earlier than that AI is even prepared: Return it.
The iPhone 16 will ultimately be an incredible system for Apple AI. It’s not one at present.
It’s a large handset, sure. The iPhone 16 has loads of thrilling options that don’t have anything to do with AI. I additionally mentioned that previously. It’s an incredible improve, particularly should you’re coming from older fashions. However I can use the iPhone 14 Professional for an additional few months till the iPhone 17 Air comes out.
Additionally, I understand that I’m fortunate to have the ability to return not one however two iPhone 16 variants after utilizing them for a number of months. That’s greater than the common iPhone 16 purchaser who may need purchased their unit for Apple Intelligence solely to search out out months later that Siri has an extended method to go till it may possibly do what Apple marketed.
That additionally means I gained’t be getting one of many smaller iPhone 16 variants, which I believed I’d find yourself retaining earlier than the iPhone 17 rolls out.
As for my subsequent iPhone buy, the primary motive for purchasing the iPhone 17 Air won’t be AI or the Digicam Management button. I need the brand new design. I desire a thinner, sleeker iPhone with a big show, and I gained’t thoughts the opposite compromises. I’m already conscious Apple Intelligence gained’t be prepared for some time, so I’ll know that from the second I purchase the iPhone 17 Air.
