I don't want the headline to imply that I will buy future giant iPhones -
the jury is <https://9to5mac.com/2020/07/28/iphone-se-2-3/> very much out
on whether I even keep this one - but it really does feel like I'm trying a
whole new product category here.
In the old Apple days, there were small screens, aka iPhones; medium
screens, aka iPads; and big screens, aka Macs. But things are not so simple
these days.
I own an iPad with a bigger screen than my old 11-inch MacBook Air, and
almost the same size display as the two latest MacBooks. And I now own an
iPhone with a screen that doesn't feel too far off that of an iPad mini.
I got an early hands-on
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/11/10/iphone-12-diary-the-case-arriving-early-give
s-me-a-hands-on-preview-of-the-size-of-the-pro-max/> preview of the size
when the case arrived ahead of the phone. I noted then that it was
comfortable to hold, and fits in all my jacket pockets, but does fail the
trouser test. However, even holding the case in my hand didn't fully prepare
me for just how big the <https://9to5mac.com/guides/iphone-12/> iPhone 12
Pro Max feels. It really does feel more like a next-gen iPad mini than an
iPhone.
I do love the slab-sided design. That was, truthfully, one of the factors
behind me "downgrading" from the iPhone 6S to
<https://9to5mac.com/guides/iphone-se-diary/> the original iPhone SE back in
the day.
However, unlike the matte finish of the classic iPhones, the highly polished
surface shows every speck of dust, and attracts fingerprints like that was
its sole purpose. I really wish that were matte.
Admittedly, it makes little difference in practice, as almost all of us are
going to keep it in a case, and I'm pleased to say Apple's MagSafe leather
case does nothing to disguise the shape.
In my world, gadgets should be silver or black. Apple seems to have a downer
on black, so mostly I've opted for whatever
<https://9to5mac.com/2015/09/16/opinion-emperors-new-clothes-rose-gold-iphon
e-6s/> this year's version of Space Gray might be. For the iPhone 12, it's a
color Apple calls Graphite, and which personally I'd describe as a silvery
gray. I must say, despite my silver-or-black preference, I do like it a lot.
Restoring the phone from an encrypted Finder backup was reasonably quick,
though it did remind me of a couple of very minor grumbles about the
process. Namely, that the syncing graphic ceases a little before the restore
is complete, so you get a slightly worrying period of the Mac seemingly
indicating the process is complete while the phone still says it's still
restoring. Second, it continues to download apps even after saying it's
complete.
I get there's a reason for that - it enables us to start using the phone
once all the data is copied across - but for me one of the benefits of a Mac
restore rather than an iCloud one is that it's quicker as well as more
complete, so I'd prefer it actually finish the process before claiming to be
ready.
The different banner ad sizes here disguise the fact that there is
significantly more screen real-estate compared to my iPhone 11 Pro.
I'll be interested to see how much benefit I feel from this in everyday
usage.
I haven't yet bothered to get a MagSafe charger. I'm a charging stand guy,
not a horizontal pad one, so I'm awaiting third-party versions. In the
meantime, it charges fine through the case on my existing
<https://amzn.to/32HbRtW> Choetech stands.
Of course, the only reason I've bought the Pro Max over the mini is
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/10/14/iphone-12-diary-steve-jobs-was-right/> the
improved camera capabilities. I outlined those in that earlier piece, and
highlighted the ones that most appealed to me. Low-light and night shots are
key here, and I hope to put both to the test over the weekend.
One additional thing I think I will appreciate is the larger "viewfinder"
when taking photos. The lack of an eyeball-filling viewfinder is, to me, one
of the drawbacks of using an iPhone as a camera. In the absence of filling
my field of view with the shot, a larger screen beats a smaller one.
So watch this space for an initial verdict next week once I've tried the
camera. In the meantime, did I mention that this thing feels. big?
Earlier posts:
*
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/10/12/iphone-12-diary-one-rumor-may-have-changed-m
y-plans/> iPhone 12 Diary: One rumor may have changed my plans
*
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/10/14/iphone-12-diary-steve-jobs-was-right/>
iPhone 12 Diary: Steve Jobs was right
*
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/11/10/iphone-12-diary-the-case-arriving-early-give
s-me-a-hands-on-preview-of-the-size-of-the-pro-max/> iPhone 12 Diary: The
case arriving early gives me a hands-on preview of the size of the Pro Max
By Ben Lovejoy
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