Taking It To The “Max”…

…is bigger always better?…do I really need that large of a phone?…should I just wait until the next release?…

Big things come in, well, big packages! After spending weeks loving and adoring my iPhone 12 Mini, I couldn’t help but wonder why so many reviews knocked down this little companion in favor of its monster sibling the iPhone 12 Pro Max. I fully understand that there are some BIG differences, but it seemed a bit unfair to compare what I viewed as two entirely different phones marketed for two entirely different audiences. Nonetheless, in true TCG nature, I decided to take matters into my own hands and try out both phones, side-by-side as primary devices in my current mobile lineup. Luckily my work mobile line was available for a device upgrade and with the Microsoft Surface Duo just about out of runway with my patience (numerous quirks recently), it didn’t take much convincing to conduct a good old fashion competition…

I’ll be the first to admit, it was a conscious effort to make sure I was judging the Pro Max in complete isolation since the Mini was glued to my side for weeks by that point. I knew that the only way to fairly compare the two was to give the Pro Max my full and undivided attention as much as possible. For that reason, I bent my own “work phone” rules and installed a handful of personal-use apps (in addition to the standard email, internet, and messaging platforms) such as Instagram, TikTok, Etsy, WhatsApp, SiriusXM, WordPress, etc. Before any alarm bells go off, my organization has a Bring Your Own Device (“BYOD”) policy, therefore I wasn’t violating any corporate rules in mixing my phone’s use. It has been a personal choice to maintain two separate phones…for a number of reasons…so performing this experiment was in no way an issue in compliance with work guidelines Also, to keep the commentary as balanced as possible, I’ve decided to structure my thoughts (and post) in a very similar manner to the content posted regarding the Mini. Personally, I get very frustrated when I’m trying to decide between two items, and the reference articles/posts are laid out so differently that I am left with big gaps in comparison points…none of that here friends, I got you

Ok, it’s that time – grab a beverage, settle in, and let’s take it to the max!

phone emoji = tech talk …… handbag emoji = couture chat

The Pro Max has, in general, been a workhorse in terms of battery life and overall productivity – which is honestly, not a huge surprise. With a phone this large, I would have some pretty big expectations for life levels when it comes to the battery. On average, I charge the device every other day and that’s with moderate usage! I will admit that I don’t talk a ton on this phone so how that plays into battery I can’t speak to; however, I use this as my go-to for social media, email, and browsing/video watching…so even without flexing talk-time, this thing gets a substantial amount of activity. Now, I’ll admit the one thing that’s even more impressive than its longevity is its charge time to full battery. I can go from almost completely drained to half charged in about 25 minutes on the wireless MagSafe charger. For a phone this size, that’s pretty darn awesome. A full charge takes closer to 2.5 hours but still, something I can handle with the infrequency in which I’m charging. I’ve been predominantly using MagSafe chargers (since I did invest in them for my Mini after all) and haven’t had any complaints other than the outlay of money to actually buy the chargers. You’ll get similar charge times with the cable, so don’t worry there; but, it is worth mentioning that if you are going to opt for a generic wireless charger (i.e. not Apple’s MagSafe) then charging does take noticeably longer. Kudos to Apple for continuing to get people hook-line-and-sinker on their products

Now for the topic I couldn’t wait to address – size and weight! I have been in a love/hate cycle with this device’s dimensions and heft since hour one. It’s heavy, it requires two hands, it could break a tooth if it falls on your face while scrolling laying down, but wow is the screen pretty Jokes aside, this phone could absolutely second as a personal protection device if nothing else than for the weight it carries behind its “big-boned” figure. I’m by no means a petite person and I find myself switching dominant hands when holding the phone simply due to the fact it takes effort to hold. Two hands are a must and please don’t think you can just scroll your favorite social media platform endlessly without regard for your body and arm position. I am an avid night time, pre-sleep scroller and, more often than not, I start on the Pro Max, and approximately 20-30 minutes into browsing, I am turning to grab my Mini instead. Why do you ask? Well, either (1) my arm/wrist went numb, (2) I was getting sleepy enough that I became genuinely concerned for my face if this thing slipped from my hands, and/or (3) the screen was overwhelmingly too bright as I became more exhausted. Yes, this sounds stupid but it’s a real-life review folks! We can talk for days on end about how gorgeous the graphics are and what typing of gaming brings out the best sound quality, but when push comes to shove, I know I would personally want someone to talk about the not-so-glamorous usage…so there you go. I will say that given its size and weight, this phone does feel more luxurious than the Mini. For all my gamers out there, the Pro Max is the equivalent to holding the Nintendo Switch whereas the Mini is more like the Switch Lite.

If we want to focus on the “love” part of this relationship, we most definitely have to spend a few minutes on the screen. The ginormous screen is absolutely 100%, hands-down, worth every penny for anyone looking to make this a go-to productivity tool beyond the typical “phone” use case. Emails, document editing, graphic design, conference video meetings…you name it and this phone tackles it with an easy-on-the-eyes approach – literally. I’ve found myself readily able to respond to emails, edit work documents in Microsoft Teams, and navigate web-browsing without getting frustrated with screen size. I have definitely noticed that my propensity to run to my computer for an “easier response” experience has decreased these past few weeks, and that says a lot! Historically I would start using my work phone and then quickly migrate to a laptop/computer just to speed up the process of responding or sending files…not with the Pro Max though Additionally, unlike the Mini, the keyboard on this device does not detract from screen size one bit and in fact, I find plenty of space to see screen “content” with the keyboard open to a default size/height. Simply, keyboard interference is almost negligible regardless of the size you prefer.

If you couldn’t tell already, I’ll just go ahead and straight out say that functionality is at an all-time high with the Pro Max…however…practicality is still iffy. Yes, this is a delightful device for all of the needs you could ever think of, but at what cost? I hate to sound like a broken record, but this is not a small, portable, take everywhere phone. Don’t even think about those cute little “cell pocket pants” or any type of pant pocket carrying unless you are in loose/relaxed/non-bodycon clothing. At one point I put this in my regular-fit sweatpants pocket and I swore it was going to pull down the whole pant! In all seriousness, this isn’t for long haul clothing carrying. If you find yourself relatively stagnant or not constantly on-the-go, then size/weight is most likely an easy obstacle for you to overcome; however, if you are running around the house, doing errands, back and forth between meetings (::: sigh, office life:::), or anything that means carrying this bad boy from place to place, realize that some adjustments will need to be made. We’ll get into couture chat a little later on and cover the pros/cons of handbag coordination, but ultimately it comes down to understanding that this is more than just a “big” phone – it’s heavy and thick, compared to the prior-year iPhone models, and does require consideration for your lifestyle more so than other variations in the 12 series.

Speaking of lifestyle, let’s round this conversation out with some camera commentary. Excellent – that’s basically the camera in a nutshell. In all fairness, Apple always has had stellar camera quality, and even with my Mini, I have very few complaints when using this for product photo shoots, landscape moments, portraits, etc. I’ve never found myself spending a notable amount of time tweaking settings or wishing that the camera had something additional to improve the experience. That being said, I do find that Apple isn’t quite there in terms of auto photo correction and native photo editing capabilities when compared to Google or Samsung. Since apps more frequently favor Apple, this isn’t a huge deal since my photos will render and appear perfectly fine on social media or websites, but for personal use or sharing with family/friends, I do notice myself editing photos in non-Apple software to get that little something “extra” with quality and finish. If I had to try and boil down this section I would leave you with this thought: Apple makes absolutely phenomenal point-and-shoot cameras for mobile devices, requiring little to no settings changes to achieve photo greatness…Android counterparts have notably better quality cameras integrated into their devices but require some tinkering for photo nirvana. For the average and potentially even above average camera user (influencer, blogger, social media, designer, etc.), you really can’t go wrong with the Pro Max given its camera quality, ease of use, and interface experience; however, if you put this device in a non-Apple line-up, that’s when specifics matter and I find myself not as blown away with its capabilities. Just keeping it

So where does all this tech talk leave us? Well…confused! It’s a gorgeous, well crafted, long-lasting battery life, easy on the eyes device. On the flip side, it requires a bit of forethought with portability, doesn’t completely blow its (cheaper) siblings out of the water on technical specifications, and will likely be refined in a very short period of time for both physical and hardware shortfallings. Do I love using the phone – yes; am I completely committed to keeping it for the long term – no. I heavily base my overall conclusion on my hesitation in switching the device for something else…case in point my switch from my Pixel 4XL to the iPhone 12 Mini…now that was a tough one to swallow. After some (emotional) tears turning that device in and reluctantly re-enabling my Apple credentials, all I can say now is “Pixel, who?”. When I think about the potential of switching the Pro Max for either another iPhone 12 model or let’s say the Samsung Note, my mind immediately thinks “it’s been real, thanks for the memories”. Please don’t think that there is anything negative or reason to not try it out for yourself…all I can offer is that my indifference after such excitement in getting the device speaks volumes.

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Being strategic about accessories is really the name of the game when it comes to the Pro Max. It is not in any way a chameleon or device that could ‘adapt’…nope, if it fits it sits, otherwise tough luck However, this doesn’t equate to ‘limited’ options which surprised me. In fact, there are probably more cases and accessories for the Pro Max on the market than for the Mini! For example, Louis Vuitton has a line of iPhone 12 cases coming in February (barring any production delays), and guess which phone didn’t make the cut…yup, the Mini; rather, the Pro Max has a few cuties to pick from! So before we jump into the deep end on how we are going to get this baby from point A to point B, let’s take a deep breath and release all preconceived thoughts the tech talk may have conjured…

Ok, now that we all have a fresh mind, let’s chat couture! Similar to my post on the Mini, we are going to tackle this by breaking down the conversation into “case protection” and “accessory compatibility” for a more transparent one-for-one comparison. Spoiler alert, roles are going to reverse with what you (hopefully!) read about the Mini

Case Protection: Imagine for a moment, if you will, clouds parting…sun shining…and cases falling from the sky as if showering you in all of the plastic, silicon, leather, and polycarbonate you can dream That’s basically your case protection landscape in a nutshell! With manufacturers realizing that this phone may fall, drop, or slip from its user’s hands once or twice based on its Hulk-like size, cases were created and made available in record time. This also includes designer cases that will be coming in just a few short weeks. The main differentiator with cases (not unlike the Mini commentary) is whether you prefer to leverage Apple’s wireless charging capabilities, MagSafe, or continue to embrace the use of the lightning cord. If you opt for MagSafe, the playing field will narrow but still offer quality options, no doubt led by the Apple lineup (more on that in the next paragraph). If aesthetics are going to overshadow your desire to use MagSafe, then the world is your oyster! Cases options are plentiful and the only real consideration is how much ‘bulk’ will be added to an already sizeable device. Features like stands, rings, straps, etc. will make accessory compatibility more thoughtful, leaving you in a strategic position when it comes to handbags and small leather goods.

If you find yourself opting to keep your MagSafe options open, then Apple is most likely going to be your primary provider. This isn’t all bad news since Apple did spend time and effort in crafting some very appealing products with more curb appeal than prior years. I personally opted for the clear MagSafe case to showcase the device in all its colorful glory, but there are other Apple and Otterbox options available that will make the most of the MagSafe feature. If you hope to find a MagSafe compatible case not made by or bought directly from Apple, read the review and specifications carefully to (1) ensure that the case is thin enough to allow for the magnetic attachment and (2) there are no potential interferences with the wireless charging frequencies. If you are opting for a MagSafe compatible case, then you may also find yourself eyeing the Apple Wallet…I know I did! Ironically enough, after shelling out over a hundred dollars for chargers and a case, I couldn’t then justify another $59 for the Wallet. While there aren’t many Apple-alternatives in the MagSafe compatible “extras” space, I’ve got you covered for a solid choice in the wallet/stand category – Moft. Moft has a series of snap-on accessories that are fully MagSafe compatible and allow you to use other Apple products (case, charger, etc.) without issue. For $29.99 you can opt for a vegan leather wallet-and-stand-all-in-one instead of the $59 Apple Wallet, sans stand – which is precisely what I did. Other MagSafe designed accessories are pretty limited and will find you navigating back to Apple, so take any small wins wherever you can find them in this space!

Ultimately, the clear Apple MagSafe case is hands down my favorite protection option and now with my Moft snap-on, I have a solid phone stand + wallet that didn’t break the bank or keep me beholding to Apple Notable mentions for non-MagSafe cases include Incipio, Speck, and the LV line of standard cases coming during the February 2021 timeframe.

Accessory Compatibility: Soooooo, here’s where you need to buckle up for a bumpy ride. Unlike the wide world of case protection, accessory compatibility looks a little more overcast and hazy. The Pro Max is going to force you to be strategic in how and what you use on a daily basis and it will certainly be a factor in new accessory purchasing. Before we chat further, it’s important to do a bit of soul-searching and decide whether you will primarily be carrying your phone separately (pockets, jackets, with a specific case-on-chain, etc.) or within a handbag/clutch/etc. If you err on the side of carrying your phone separately, then the handbag world won’t be a big difference – it all works because the phone won’t be living there anyway. The good news is that you do not have to sacrifice “looks” with carrying the device separately because Chanel, (upcoming) LV, and Bandolier all have fantastic case-on-chain or case-with-chain collections to pick from. You’ll see a variety of pricing and options, but at a minimum anticipate $125 for a quality product and upwards of $1,500 for your more luxe designer selections. Now, if you are planning on throwing this baby into a handbag for portability, well, here we go…

Start off with a wide-sweeping omission of any mini/micro/nano pieces and enjoy the rare exceptions to this rule if/when they appear. If you are truly looking to make the Pro Max work with your teenie-tiny-lineup, then the trick is going to be in the layout of the open space (or “gen-pop”). If the mini or nano bag you are eyeing has one open, uninterrupted compartment for your content, the phone might work – for example, the Nano Speedy and Chanel Mini Rectangle. You will have to pay extra careful attention to interior bag dimensions and while dimensions may factually prove true the phone will fit, don’t forget about the “useful” part of the conversation. Even if the pure size of the device will wiggle its way into the piece, you might be left struggling to remove, replace, or access other interior content. I have yet to find a true “mini” or “micro” bag that will play as nicely with this phone as my Chanel Mini Rectangle and my MCM X-Mini Stark Bebe Boo Backpack. I can attest that these pieces work with the Pro Max in a meaningful, useful way. I would actually debate the “mini” classification of these bags given how “mini” has transformed over the past 12 months, but I’m sticking with what the label says to avoid any hint of confusion.

Let’s now shift to “small” options. A good percentage of small bags will actually accommodate a device of this size; however, I do find that the phone plus a full-sized wallet to be an epic task. You’ll find that more often than not, a card case or zippy/compact wallet will work best as the phone’s companion…or, even better, a wallet-on-chain (“WOC”). The rectangular style Chanel WOC, LV Pochette Felicie, and most pouch/cosmetic bags work really well with minimal sacrifice on additional content. My most recent favorite handbag is in the “small” classification (but by no means a small bag) is the LV Speedy Bandolier 25. I mean wow, it’s roomy. I would venture, just as with the above commentary on mini/nano bags, any small-sized bag with one main gen-pop space would work just fine…it’s when you start looking at flap, compartmentalized, or wristlet-esque style bags that choice on additional content really matters.

Once you reach the medium classification of handbag/accessory sizes, then your world will open up and space will not be at a premium. Depending on how you look to categorize bags falling in the “vanity” category, there are only a handful of exceptions that may cause a medium-sized bag to still cause some minor headaches in content organization. Structured medium handbags such as vanities or even chapeaus can be a bit tricky to navigate, but will generally accommodate the Pro Max with some strategic placement

To help visualize other size differences, here are the remaining bag/accessory photos from the iPhone 12 Mini shoot but with the Pro Max + a few extras for good measure…

Overall, the Pro Max has its fair share of cases on the market but finding the most appropriate accessory (handbag, pouch, clutch, etc.) is going to take some strategy. Of all the phones I have had over the past, let’s say 18 months, this device is absolutely the most thought-provoking when it comes to compatibility in the designer market + assimilation into current trends. The phone’s technology may outlast the movement towards micro, but will your patience?

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I want to take a moment to end this post addressing the very question that prompted the competition in the first place – which device wins the iPhone 12 series battle? Actually, neither The Pro Max is a do-it-all that can’t always go everywhere with ease whereas the Mini is a social butterfly needing tech re-enforcement from time-to-time. They are their own phone with their own unique vibe and for that reason, the consideration of which is a better “purchase” comes down to your lifestyle and daily use situation. Do I love both devices? Yes, very much so…but in a parental can’t-pick-a-favorite kinda way