I watched the Apple iPhone 16 event this week, and knew inside quarter-hour of the iPhone 16 Pro Max phase that I would be upgrading. My telephone is the one piece of tech I by no means go wherever with out; as a full-time digital nomad, I depend on a strong smartphone not solely to remain related to household and associates, but additionally to observe leisure, learn books, manage travel logistics and even run elements of my enterprise.
There are times when I’m on a bus or plane for hours on end (or worse, stranded in the airport terminal) and nonetheless must work, so a extra souped-up smartphone just like the iPhone Professional Max line is a greater match for me. Though I have already got the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which I purchased final 12 months whereas residing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the prospect of longer battery life, an excellent digicam and a barely bigger show has convinced me to trade up again.
Different customers seem to agree on these prospects. In a survey on smartphone buying carried out by CNET earlier this month, respondents mentioned the largest elements to upgrading their telephone are longer battery life, extra storage and higher digicam options (61%, 46% and 38%, respectively). It appeared like Apple’s Glowtime occasion centered extra on these upgrades than AI options like Apple Intelligence, and I preferred that the eye was extra on sensible enhancements than AI hype.
Listed below are 4 explanation why I am upgrading to the iPhone 16 Professional Max when preorders start this Friday, Sept. 13.
A brand new digicam management button
A separate digicam management button will simplify my selfie sport.
The brand new iPhone 16 Professional Max’s principal digicam is 48 megapixels and might shoot 4K video at 120 frames per second (which is new for the iPhone), however what obtained me much more excited is the new camera control button. After I noticed the brand new button’s features being demonstrated, I thought of how a lot simpler it will likely be to take selfies on the go, like what I lately did on the Paris Olympics, and have already began eager about the pictures I need to snap whereas at Mount Fuji in Japan, my subsequent journey vacation spot.
As CNET’s Corinne Reichert explained, the button “appears just like a facet fingerprint reader,” and is a bit of indented. Urgent the button will open the digicam app, and extra presses or glides of your finger will allow you to toggle between varied settings. This appears helpful for perfecting the shot whereas your arm remains to be outstretched with out having to reset a number of occasions.
Improved battery life
I ceaselessly use tech accessories in my travels to remain related and get work carried out. Exterior battery chargers and energy banks assist guarantee I do not run out of juice (until I neglect to cost the charger itself, which has positively occurred earlier than), however typically journey days get prolonged in methods I can not plan for. I additionally FaceTime with my youngsters lots, and do not need to should ration these alternatives due to battery life.
The iPhone 16 Professional Max battery life was solely talked about briefly, but it surely was sufficient for me to go examine the specs. Apple says the battery will allow as much as33 hoursofvideo playback, as much as 29 hours of streamed video playback and as much as 105 hours of audio playback. Apple additionally mentioned the most recent mannequin has 25W MagSafe fast-charging capabilities, which is able to allow you to wirelessly cost the telephone to 50% in round half-hour. I would like to check this for myself to substantiate, but it surely sounds promising.
Apple Intelligence and visible intelligence
I am not a giant AI person, so Apple integrating AI into a tool I already work together with on daily basis will assist somebody like me get extra acquainted with the expertise. To be clear, Apple Intelligence options can even be in iPhone 15 Professional and 15 Professional Max fashions as a part of iOS 18, which is presently accessible as a developer beta and formally releases later this month.
The characteristic I am most enthusiastic about is Apple’s visual intelligence, which makes use of AI to establish issues round you. This will probably be particularly useful when touring to overseas international locations and needing to establish issues I am not used to, although there is perhaps language obstacles at first; Apple mentioned the visible intelligence characteristic will solely work in English by the tip of this 12 months, and can broaden to different languages in 2025.
I am enthusiastic about Apple Intelligence’s writing and enhancing instruments, as I compose plenty of emails, social media posts and article drafts on the fly, so having these options on my iPhone will probably be helpful. I might additionally see myself getting plenty of utility out of the AI picture discovering perform. (Like lots of people, I’ve 1000’s of pictures on my telephone.) I am additionally wanting ahead to the Siri improve that also will get the gist of what you are saying in case you mumble your approach by a voice command.
A abstract of the iPhone 16 Professional and 16 Professional Max options, as proven through the Glowtime occasion.
Larger display screen, higher sturdiness
The iPhone 15 Professional Max I presently have has a 6.7-inch display screen, which is a good dimension. I like that the brand new iPhone 16 Professional Max has each a barely bigger 6.9-inch display screen and thinner bezels (the angled borders on the entrance of your telephone that are not part of the display screen itself). Thinner bezels will make the display screen really feel even bigger as I watch motion pictures, take video calls and browse books.
The brand new iPhone 16 Professional Max’s case is made with a ceramic defend. Apple says the fabric is “grade-five titanium,” which I am not completely acquainted with, however know the fabric will end in much less scratching, which I’m all too acquainted with. I’ve dropped my iPhone quite a lot of occasions as I scramble to catch a practice or flight, so the additional safety will come in useful.
The iPhone 16 Professional Max is a go for me
I feel the iPhone 16 Professional Max will enhance my day-to-day life as a digital nomad and enterprise proprietor. It is a way of life that may be difficult at occasions, however is price it for happening adventures and documenting new experiences alongside the way in which.
