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The deed is completed. I’ve returned the iPhone 16 Professional Max after two months of utilizing the most effective iPhone that Apple has ever made. That was all the time the plan. In case you missed it, I used the iPhone 16 Plus for almost two months final 12 months.
After years of utilizing 6.1-inch iPhones, I knew I needed a bigger show from the iPhone. After years of all the time utilizing Professional variants, I additionally knew the non-Professional fashions had been adequate for my wants. Lastly, I additionally knew the iPhone I actually needed was subsequent 12 months’s iPhone 17 Air, an ultra-thin non-Professional machine with a show about as huge because the iPhone 16 Plus.
With all that in thoughts, I decided to try the iPhone 16 Pro Max earlier than switching again to a 6.1-inch mannequin. I stated on the time this may be the final time I get to make use of a Professional Max measurement. 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 screen is barely bigger, the processor is barely quicker, and the digicam system is upgraded. Additionally, the bezels are barely thinner. I didn’t anticipate to fall in love with the 6.9-inch cellphone the best way I did. I didn’t anticipate 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 previous iPhone 14 Professional, which is over two years previous, 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 measurement. It was too huge for my style, and I had issues dealing with it. Digicam Management use was additionally cumbersome, and the brand new button was one among my principal 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 patrons and different worldwide customers.
I had no downside returning to the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Professional, however I did miss a few iPhone 16 Plus features. The bigger display screen and higher battery life had been undisputed highlights.
That was my mindset once I purchased the iPhone 16 Professional Max. I feared I wouldn’t have a special expertise than the Plus, and I couldn’t wait to return it. I inform you this as a result of I may benefit from a loyalty program characteristic that gave me an prolonged return window for purchases.
Then, one thing occurred that I nonetheless can’t clarify. The iPhone 16 Professional Max someway 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 virtually didn’t really feel it. The Plus was someway a problem when operating, too.
Extra amazingly, the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s Camera Control worked so much better than the Plus. That’s, I’ve been utilizing it persistently to activate the digicam 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 digicam setup and the even higher battery life, and the iPhone 16 Professional Max is an unimaginable machine. Add the massive display screen, and the machine turns into an awesome instrument 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 international panorama, pull dual-SIM duties, and take numerous pics.
However, like Cinderella, I knew my time would quickly expire, and I’d need to return the iPhone 16 Professional Max. Not like the story’s heroine, I used to be having second ideas. As I stated, I contemplated conserving 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 received entry to it, I turned it on and located I couldn’t care much less that it was on.
Nevertheless, 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 couple of weeks later. Apple would announce that the sensible Siri options in Apple Intelligence can be delayed a minimum of till 2026.
Apple virtually stated that the best feature it imagined for Apple Intelligence was vaporware. I’m prepared to attend for that Siri to turn into actual. Earlier than Apple Intelligence rolled out in beta kind to customers in Europe, I stated I used to be prepared 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 an enormous motive to improve to an iPhone 16 mannequin. Additionally, AI was the principle speaking level in Apple adverts for weeks earlier than Apple Intelligence truly began rolling out to the iPhone 16.
However the iPhone 16 Professional Max isn’t a greater AI machine 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 patrons 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 could possibly be bothered with it. However I can do one thing concerning the iPhone Apple sells as an AI machine earlier than that AI is even prepared: Return it.
The iPhone 16 will ultimately be an awesome machine for Apple AI. It’s not one at present.
It’s a large handset, sure. The iPhone 16 has plenty of exciting features that don’t have anything to do with AI. I additionally stated that previously. It’s an awesome improve, particularly when you’re coming from older fashions. However I can use the iPhone 14 Pro for another 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 typical iPhone 16 purchaser who may need purchased their unit for Apple Intelligence solely to seek out out months later that Siri has a protracted approach 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 conserving earlier than the iPhone 17 rolls out.
As for my subsequent iPhone buy, the principle motive for purchasing the iPhone 17 Air won’t be AI or the Digicam Management button. I need the brand new design. I need 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.
