4 reasons why I, as a digital nomad, am ordering the iPhone 16 Pro Max
I watched Apple’s iPhone 16 event this week and knew within 15 minutes of the iPhone 16 Pro Max segment that I’d be upgrading. My phone is the one piece of technology I never go anywhere without; as a full-time digital nomad, I rely on a rugged smartphone to not only stay in touch with family and friends, but also to watch entertainment, read books, manage travel logistics, and even run parts of my business.
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There are times when I sit on the bus or plane for hours (or worse, stranded in the airport terminal) and still need to work, so a more souped-up smartphone like the iPhone Pro Max line is a better fit for me. While I already own the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which I bought last year when I was living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the prospect of longer battery life, a great camera, and a slightly larger screen has me convinced to upgrade again.
Other users seem to agree with this sentiment. In a survey about smartphone purchases conducted by CNET earlier this month, respondents said the biggest factors for upgrading their phone were longer battery life, more storage, and better camera capabilities (61%, 46%, and 38%, respectively). Apple’s Glowtime event seemed to focus more on these upgrades than on AI features like Apple Intelligence, and I liked that the focus was more on practical improvements than AI hype.
Here are four reasons why I’ll be switching to the iPhone 16 Pro Max when pre-orders begin this Friday, September 13.
A new camera control button
A dedicated camera control button makes taking selfies a lot easier.
The new iPhone 16 Pro Max’s main camera is 48-megapixels and can record 4K video at 120 frames per second (which is a first for iPhone), but what got me even more excited is the new camera control button. Seeing the new button’s functions got me thinking about how much easier it would be to take selfies on the go, like I recently did at the Paris Olympics, and I’ve already started thinking about the photos I want to take on Mount Fuji in Japan, my next travel destination.
As CNET’s Corinne Reichert explained, the button “looks like a fingerprint reader on the side” and is slightly dented. Pressing the button opens the camera app, and additional presses or slides of your finger let you toggle through different settings. This seems handy for perfecting the shot while your arm is still outstretched, without having to reframe multiple times.
Improved battery life
I regularly use tech accessories while traveling to stay connected and get work done. External battery chargers and power banks ensure that I don’t run out of juice (unless I forget to charge the charger itself, which has certainly happened before), but sometimes travel days get extended in ways I can’t plan for. I also FaceTime my kids a lot and don’t want to have to ration those capabilities for the sake of battery life.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max’s battery life was only briefly mentioned, but it was enough for me to investigate the specs. Apple says the battery lasts up to33 hoursbyVideo playback, up to 29 hours of streaming video playback, and up to 105 hours of audio playback. Apple also said the latest model will have 25W MagSafe fast charging capabilities, allowing you to wirelessly charge the phone up to 50% in about 30 minutes. I’ll have to test this myself to confirm, but it sounds promising.
Apple Intelligence and Visual Intelligence
I’m not a big AI user, so Apple integrating AI into a device I already interact with every day will help someone like me become more comfortable with the technology. To be clear, Apple Intelligence features will also be coming to the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max models as part of iOS 18, which is currently in a developer beta and will be officially released later this month.
The feature I’m most excited about is Apple’s visual intelligence, which uses AI to identify things around you. This will be especially useful if you’re traveling abroad and need to identify things I’m not used to, though there may be a language barrier at first; Apple said the visual intelligence feature will only work in English until the end of the year, expanding to other languages in 2025.
I’m excited about Apple’s writing and editing tools, since I compose a lot of emails, social media posts, and draft articles, so having those features on my iPhone will be useful. I can also imagine getting a lot of use out of the AI image search feature. (Like many people, I have thousands of photos on my phone.) I’m also looking forward to the Siri upgrade, which will still pick up the gist of what you’re saying, in case you’re mumbling a voice command.
A feature overview of the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, as showcased during the Glowtime event.
Bigger screen, better durability
The iPhone 15 Pro Max that I currently have has a 6.7-inch display, which is a decent size. I like that the new iPhone 16 Pro Max has both a slightly larger 6.9-inch display and thinner bezels (the beveled edges on the front of your phone that aren’t part of the display itself). Thinner bezels make the screen feel even larger when I’m watching movies, video calling, and reading books.
The new iPhone 16 Pro Max case is made of a Ceramic Shield. Apple says the material is “grade-five titanium,” which I’m not entirely familiar with, but I do know the material is less likely to scratch, which I’m all too familiar with. I’ve dropped my iPhone more than a few times when I’m rushing to catch a train or flight, so the extra protection comes in handy.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a go for me
I think the iPhone 16 Pro Max will improve my daily life as a digital nomad and entrepreneur. It’s a lifestyle that can be challenging at times, but worth it for the adventures and capturing new experiences along the way.
