r/iphone18pro • u/Ok_Department_6045 • 9h ago
Help 18 Pro vs Pro Max?
I’m upgrading from an iPhone 11 and I’m really torn between the 18 Pro and Pro Max. I’m set on the burgundy colour. I checked out both in the Apple Store.
Dimension-wise, I know the Pro is supposedly slightly bigger or at least comparable to the iPhone 11, but when I saw it in person, it just felt so small and boxy I also wasn’t the biggest fan of how it looked when I saw it in other people’s hands.
On the other hand, I absolutely loved the burgundy Pro Max in person. It looked so much more premium to me, and less boxy. I just preferred its overall look and feel.
My main concern is practicality. I’m worried the Pro Max might end up inconvenient to carry around in my pockets/bag. I really don’t want to end up regretting the size!
The other option is to just hold on to my iPhone 11 for now and wait for Apple’s 20th-anniversary iPhone in 2027, especially since my current phone is still holding up fine. Part of me wonders if that might be a more worthwhile upgrade, but obviously there’s no guarantee it’ll be anything special.
Any advice from anyone who recently got the pro/promax or anyone who ended up switching between the 2?
Thanks!
3
u/diandakov 8h ago
How can an iPhone 11 be holding up well in 2026?!
1
u/Ok_Department_6045 8h ago
I got it just over 5 years ago and working speed is completely fine, battery is down slightly but not enough to cause issues. Had to upgrade on the storage but besides that not a single scratch!
1
u/diandakov 8h ago
I never had a phone for longer than a year and a half. Congratulations on yours. I had the iPhone 11 for 10 months only when it was the latest model and got back to Samsung. Now I am back to iPhone with 17 Pro Max :)
1
u/Ok_Department_6045 7h ago
Damn hahah time for a switch to an 18 pro for you then!
2
u/diandakov 7h ago
Nope. I bought the 17 PM on 16th of August. I am also no longer crazy about having the latest model
1
u/Ok_Department_6045 7h ago
Ahh fair enough, I always like to wait a few years so I can feel the upgrade 😂
3
u/CraigInCambodia 7h ago
Love the Burgundy. I bought the 18 Pro Max a few weeks ago. I don't feel it's overly large. Fits fine in my pockets. No problem holding in one hand. Battery lasts 1.5 - 2 days with normal use.
1
u/Ok_Department_6045 7h ago
Absolutely love that colour! That’s really reassuring to hear, although the opposite of what everyone else has convinced me for so far 😅 Thanks for sharing!
1
u/CraigInCambodia 7h ago
I'm just coming off the smaller size Pixel 9. I worried the larger 18 Pro Max might be too much, but so far it hasn't felt like it. The only time I use 2 hands is if there is a lot of typing so I can use both thumbs. It's slightly heavier than my Pixel 9, but part of that might be the case I chose.
Everyone is different, right? Personal preference. I have no complaints or regrets about my choice.
1
u/Ok_Department_6045 7h ago
Absolutely, in the end it comes down to personal preference. It’s good to hear you’re satisfied with the PM!
2
u/vgman94 7h ago
I’m in the exact same position, but with an X. I went to see the phones in person and the 18 Pro is so close to the size of the X that I don’t think it’ll make a real difference in that respect. On the other hand, I love the Max, but handling a relative’s 12 Pro Max for some time annoys my wrist. I’m deeply torn. One is much more practical, but one really do want the larger screen, better speakers and easier typing. They are so close in quality, it’s impossible to decide without owning one for a time.
1
u/Ok_Department_6045 7h ago
Yess exactly, you understand my dilemma perfectly!! Any inkling on which you might end up going for then? Or are you 50/50 still?
1
u/vgman94 7h ago
I want to try the Max because it will definitively be a different experience. Time will tell if my wrists can adapt. If they can’t, I’ll need to go back to the smaller size. And I want to experience the aforementioned stuff. I listen to music all the time and even through phone speakers when I get the chance, so the better audio would be nice. If I get a case with a kickstand, it’ll make a better viewing experience than the Pro. Only real drawback is not having the C2 chip, but I don’t think it’ll be a huge difference either way.
1
u/Ok_Department_6045 7h ago
Yeah it would definitely be good for a change and if you’re into watching things on your phone then it could be worth it. Thanks for sharing!
2
u/AVIZN4U 7h ago
I'm going to preface this by saying, I'm 6'2" 265 and in my youth (a million years ago) I was in the "Pest Control" end of the nightclub business in NYC back when everything was still...ahem..."organized"! (IYKYK)
I am not a diminutive person. BIG HANDS!!
Now, I was getting very invested in upgrading from my 15P to an 18PM for the first time. Specifically, I use my phone for video audition work and thought the bigger screen would be great...and it would. I had read a lot here about people complaining about the weight and size of the 18PM and I would chuckle to myself trying to understand how lame you had to be to complain about weight of a friggin smartphone.
My neighbor had an 18PM he bought for his wife, and she did NOT like it at all and wanted to trade it for a pro. He let me use it for an evening just to play games and surf the web...things I might ordinarily be doing while in the recliner after dinner. After about 2 hours, I was done. It was heavy and my now, mildly arthritic hands were NOT having it. Between the significant increase in weight and the stretching I forced my fingers to do to try and use it one-handed, it was all too much!! I am THAT lame guy!! I admit it.
So, I ordered a 18P in black and called it a day. Very happy with my choice.
2
u/Ok_Department_6045 6h ago
I’m almost a whole foot shorter and with much smaller hands so I can only imagine what it’s going to be like for me! Thank you for such a great insight and great storytelling btw
2
u/Ceezeecz 5h ago edited 5h ago
The Pro Max is not a one hand device. If you’re looking for that get the Pro.
For me it has to fit in my hand, in my purse, and in a leggings pocket. Otherwise I’ll just get annoyed with myself for choosing the larger one. I’m 5’3” and these things matter for usability.
I went from a 14 Pro to the 18 Pro and absolutely love it. So fast and the camera is flat out amazing.
I have an iPad if I need a larger screen for videos, etc.
4
u/just_grc 6h ago
Don't overthink it. Go with your gut.
FWIW I had an 11 Pro MAx and it died right before the 17 launch. Pro Max was too big. Really happy with a smaller profile phone for a change.
1
u/Ok_Department_6045 6h ago
Solid advice, appreciate it 👌
1
u/just_grc 4h ago
If I were you and your 11PM is in good condition, I'd wait.
Also good to manage your expectations for next year's launch. While I love my 17 Pro now, not gonna like the aluminum is crappy and dings even at the most minor drops even in a case. I don't give AF about thermals so it's lost on me. I really hated the 17s initially.
1
u/shdwmrk 9h ago
Go in store to hold them would be my best advice, but with some time the handling of the pro max gets easier and you dont want to go back to a small phone eventually
1
u/Ok_Department_6045 9h ago
Yup did that, was set on ordering the pro for convenience especially as I have small hands, until I saw the pro max in store and liked it better lol
1
u/CinnamonWaffle 8h ago
Depends on what you use it for. If you are glued to your phone and always watching YouTube and Netflix etc as in entertainment vs productivity and every day use. The Max is bigger but the phone and OS doesn’t utilise it. Most get the max for battery life and watching videos but I am a nurse and being able to have the smaller form factor to dump in my pocket and not feel like I’m being stabbed with it is nice on the 18 Pro lol
1
u/Ok_Department_6045 8h ago
It’ll mainly be for everyday/productivity use. The work aspect you mentioned is such an important factor because I’ll also be working in healthcare and it would be nice to be able to slip it easily into a pocket without it weighing down everything. Thank you so much for your insight, appreciate it!
1
u/Lilly_Meow993 8h ago
I was in the same boat… I came from android though… I thought the bigger screen would make a big difference. It doesn’t so much. The 18 pro is definitely big enough, and a lot easier to use during the day than the PM. I like being able to easily use one hand for my day to day tasks than having to two hand the PM.
I would consider your hand size though. Go to the Apple Store and try out the two different sizes to see which better fits you. I’m normally able to easily access a charger during the day so I’m not worried about the little bit extra battery you get with the PM. Especially with the super fast charging.
The hardest part of the purchase for me was the color 🫠 😆
1
u/Ok_Department_6045 8h ago
Yeah it definitely does sound more convenient and I’m glad you’re satisfied with what you chose in the end! I’m not too bothered about the little bit of extra charge either it was more just for the looks to be honest 😅
Oh really?! The colour was the only easy part for me lol. Which colours were you stuck between and what did you end up going for then?
1
u/Lilly_Meow993 7h ago
All the colors had their merits, but… burgundy and black were my two favorites. I ended up going with black, and I’m very happy with it! 😊 which color were you so certain of? 🤭
1
u/Ok_Department_6045 6h ago
Great choice, the black looks so sleek and timeless. For me it the one and only burgundy!
1
u/Defiant-Ad-7933 8h ago
There is going to be so much AI training data available on choosing between the pro and pro max.
1
u/hollowsinchris 8h ago
I always wanted to get the pro model but ended up with the pro max one and i moved from the 17 pro max to the 18 and i love it. I can type with one hand without issue and its lighter ( you can feel the difference ).
1
u/Ok_Department_6045 7h ago
Thanks for sharing! I’ve never had a max model so it’ll be the opposite way for me if I do go for it
1
u/hollowsinchris 7h ago
Oh no problem ! You can’t go wrong with either and the only downside I see is battery life which for me it’s been as good as the 17 pro max but I’ve seen the 18 pro max last more consistently.
1
u/Significant_Land2844 7h ago
I went from 13 pro max > 16 pro > 18 pro. I feel pro max is too heavy and bulky. Also it doesn’t fit my smaller purse
1
u/Ok_Department_6045 7h ago
Yeah the purse situation was definitely something I was considering. Thanks for sharing!
1
u/DaOneSavvyPanda 5h ago
Went from 15 pro to 17 pro to 17 pro max and almost to 18 pro. Ended up returning 18 pro because Face ID was clearly worse than my 17. I regret going from 17 pro to pro max tbh, the large screen is not worth the single handed use trade off in my opinion. It is a personal preference though.
1
u/FunnyJerry94 4h ago
Been using a Pro Max since the 13 Pro Max in 2021; wouldn’t go back to a smaller screen and battery! I’m on the shorter side and don’t have huge hands so I just treat it as a two handed device by default anyway
1
u/Rooster854 4h ago
18 pro max for me , in burgundy not much bigger than my X bought a case with a kickstand , loving it
1
u/Classic_Blossom 3h ago
I upgraded from an iPhone 11 to the 18 Pro Max. While I do not regret it, I could have waited a few more years. However, it was time for a new phone and I am glad I did.
1
u/dannyh2020 3h ago
Don’t know if you’d feel the same way but have been rocking the pro for 2 years and went back to the max since I always felt something lacking in size and battery, now I’m happy with the 18 pm.
1
1
u/MaverickSwap 3h ago
I went from 13p to 18pm. I had the same dilemma. Its really not that big or heavy once you got a grippy case like tech woven on it. I’ve easily been able to use it one handed. I dont have large hands either. I’d say get a pro max and use it for 14 days. Return if you don’t like. Chances are you’ll keep it. Big display and battery are a big plus!
1
u/TogNina 54m ago edited 37m ago
Hi OkD
Had my 11 Pro Max 7 years and it’s been fantastic but it’s now slowly dying (battery mostly) & overdue an upgrade
I got the 18 Pro and absolutely loved it. However, unfortunately, I kept hankering after the screen on the Max. I eventually swapped 18 P for the Max. I’m not concerned about battery life as never far away from a charger so it wasn’t part of my decision making
Had the Max a few days, with TechWoven case, and honestly it really is too big, cumbersome and heavy. Every time I picked it up I thought there’s no way I’m going to be comfortable using this phone for the many years I normally own my iPhones for. I imagined I’d get used to it so used it for many more days but the more I used it the more I disliked it. I was really missing the 18 Pro which was an absolute delight to use
If you use the Max without a case it’s just about ok but once in the TechWoven (which isn’t bulky!) it becomes tiring and, for me, slower to use compared to the 18 Pro
If you want/need the huge screen and/or the extra battery performance then the Max is the choice. However, in my experience, there’s absolutely no doubt you’re trading off the day-to-day fantastic usability of the 18 Pro. The extra screen size of the PM is very quickly forgotten about when you realise how much more enjoyment you’re having with the Pro
If you want to compare your 11 vs 18 Pro, size & weight etc, checkout this link:
https://www.apple.com/uk/iphone/compare/?modelList=iphone-11,iphone-18-pro
And your 11 vs 18 Pro Max:
https://www.apple.com/uk/iphone/compare/?modelList=iphone-11,iphone-18-pro-max
While the 18 Pro may appear smaller than your 11 (it’s actually almost identical in size) the screen is bigger…6.1” vs 6.3” which doesn’t sound much but you will notice it. The lack of bezels on 18 helped Apple make the screen bigger
I hope this helps but, of course, it’s only my opinion and you may think differently about the two 18’s
Whichever 18 you get I’m certain you will absolutely love it, it’s a great iPhone 😉
Why wait until next year when these beautiful 18’s are ready now?
I got Burgundy as well
8
u/LightMyKush124 8h ago
If you want a tablet in your pocket, Go with the max. If not the the normal pro is perfect. I’m a 6’2 bigger guy and the normal pro is just barley 1 hand able for me. No regrets on my end