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This isn’t a review of the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Instead, I’d like to reveal what it’s like to return to the iPhone, having spent at least seven months without one in my pocket.
To add some context, I’m a big Apple fan and, before I defected to Android this year, had spent over ten years with the fruit company’s phone. And loved it. And couldn’t imagine giving it up. And never thought Android would fill the void.
Etcetera.
This is what it feels like to return to the iPhone.
It feels more like home
I’m pretty sure the same goes for anyone who has spent most of their smartphone days in Android land. For me, though, diving back into iOS felt like sliding my feet into my favourite pair of slippers (I don’t actually own a pair of slippers, but you get my point).
Everything just felt right.
Despite what some of you might be thinking (or typing), this isn’t the epitome of fanboyism or of becoming so wedded to a piece of technology that you can’t look beyond it. I have looked beyond the iPhone all year, and ever since I started this reviews business, but, on balance, I’ve spent more time with iOS and it just works. I can get stuff done quickly, and I’m very rarely left scrabbling to find something.
It is ALL about the ecosystem
Smartphone innovation plateaued quite a while ago. The software that runs it, however, hasn’t. Or, at least, it shouldn’t.
Arguably, iOS hasn’t changed much over the last few years in terms of day-to-day functionality. The underpinnings have been consistently bolstered, boosted, and centred around machine learning – and we’ve had plenty of small feature and customisation updates, but the iPhone 16 feels very much like the iPhone from three years ago.
That’s fine. I have no issue with what some perceive as a lack of innovation on Apple’s behalf. The iPhone needs to work for a colossal number of people, all of whom have different use cases, needs, and approaches to tech. The more surprises that are thrown up via operating system overhauls, the worse the user experience.
This is why Apple has instead focused on the ecosystem. It is one of the stickiest out there; if you buy an iPhone, you’ll probably eventually buy an Apple Watch, too. Then you’ll pick up an Apple TV with a free intro subscription to Apple TV+ (which you’ll forget to cancel). An iPad will be sitting under the tree for you this Christmas, and before you know it, you’ll be ditching your terrible Windows laptop for an M3 MacBook Air.
Read my full M3 MacBook Air review!
Once you’ve got all that stuff, it just gets better. Everything talks to each other. Your Apple Watch unlocks your Mac. You can copy a piece of text on your iPhone and paste it onto your iPad. Did your kids lose the Apple TV remote again? No hassle – just use your phone, immediately.
If you want the best example of how sticky and peerless the Apple ecosystem is, look no further than the combination of the iPhone and the Apple Watch. Every time I look at my Apple Watch, it’s doing something I expect it to be doing – usually based on what’s happening on my iPhone.
I’d genuinely forgotten how good the Apple ecosystem was until I’d got my iPhone 16 Pro Max set up.
Apps ‘feel’ better
I’ve mentioned this several times before, so I’ll keep this brief, but now that I’m back in iOS land, I’m reminded of how more polished a lot of third-party apps are on the iPhone.
WhatsApp, Instagram, and a whole bunch more I use every day just feel like they’ve had more time spent on them, for iOS. Android versions of those apps often have little quirks, strange UI decisions, and even entire pieces of functionality missing.
This isn’t fair, and I wish it wasn’t the case, but it’s always noticeable when you switch between the two platforms.
It didn’t need the Camera Control
I’ve made my feelings about the new Camera Control button pretty clear in my review of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, but just to be clear, I really don’t like it. At all. It’s attempting to solve a problem that didn’t exist and, worse, it’s dreadfully implemented.
The white software shutter button on the screen worked – and still works – absolutely fine.
Don’t want the Pro Max? Our iPhone 16 buying guide is here!
Since I’ve gone back to the iPhone, it’s clear just how much of a poor decision the Camera Control has been. There are so many buttons on this thing now. I liked the direction Apple was headed in when we appeared to be losing buttons on the iPhone.
The iPhone – and, indeed, any smartphone – shines brightest when it focuses on simplicity. It’s what I’ve always loved about Apple’s smartphone, but this silly new button has dented that opinion a little.
It probably doesn’t need Apple Intelligence
Hold onto your trousers.
What if we don’t actually need Apple Intelligence?
Hear me out. If you’re anything like me, you’re probably a bit AI’d out by now. It is definitely some form of revolution, and we use it within my business every day to speed up processes. But the constant stream of consumer-focused AI features being added to new devices is as overwhelming as it is desperately boring.
Since going back to the iPhone, I’ve not for one minute felt that I’m missing any of the Apple Intelligence features Apple demoed at WWDC in June. Even Siri has been ok, to be honest (like most people, I only really use it to set timers).
The jury is out on Apple Intelligence, but considering we’re not going to get the full version until 2025, I’m happy to plod along without it at the moment because, once again, I never asked for it.
Final thought (for now)
I’m already getting lots of comments from people on YouTube who are asking when I’ll switch back to Android. Many assume it’ll be early next year when the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is launched.
I genuinely have no idea, though. It depends on what Samsung’s new flagship is like; it might be terrible. Equally, switching my main phone is a right ol’ pain in the arse, and if I’m totally honest, I really can’t be bothered to do it again any time soon.
I’m happy to be back with the iPhone. It’s a slightly more complex relationship than it once was, but the fire is still burning away somewhere.
Before you go
