Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max : First Impressions

My iPhone 16 Pro Max was delivered four days ago, and I’ve spent around 96 hours with the phone. Not much has changed between the 15 Pro Max and the 16 Pro Max, but there have been many refinements. These are my initial impressions. Physical Impressions The interesting thing about this phone is that when I held it in my hands, it didn’t necessarily feel physically bigger than my 15 Pro Max, but the display feels larger. It’s only 0.2 inches bigger, but when I use my 16 Pro Max and then go back to the 15 Pro Max, it…

8 iPhone Camera Settings on iOS18 To Help Take Better Photos

I wrote something similar last year for iOS17 and most people said this was really helpful, so I have updated this for iOS18, nothing much has changed in terms of Camera settings between both version of iOS. I am not claiming to be a great photographer (my imposter syndrome ensures that); changing a few settings on your iPhone will give you more control over your camera and assist you in being a better photographer. [If you would rather see this guide as images you can view it here, or if you want this as a PDF you can buy it here.]…

Halide on iOS 18: Unlock Camera Access Directly from the Lock Screen – Finally!

Halide, one of my favourite iPhone apps can now be accessed from the lock screen - even when the phone is locked! This is thanks to iOS 18, which allows users to customise the torch and camera shortcut buttons on the lock screen. This is something I’ve wanted for ages, especially when the native iPhone camera app didn’t support shooting in RAW. Now that the default camera app lets you shoot in RAW, I don’t use Halide as much as I used to, but I often switch to it when I need more manual control. There are times when the…

iOS and iPadOS 18 Review by Federico Viticci

https://www.macstories.net/stories/ios-and-ipados-18-the-macstories-review/ This is the most definitive review you can read. Reading Federico’s past reviews sparked my love for technology and inspired me to write about it as well. I know what I am reading tonight.

Thoughts on the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, Pro, and 16 Pro Max

iPhone 16 and 16 Plus My initial impression of the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus was how great the colours are. They look cheery and vibrant, unlike the dull and muted shades of the iPhone 15. I’d say the colours are better than those on the Pro iPhones, but this has been the case for a while now. My favourite colour is the blue one. Apple, of course, has a different name for it—because “blue” would be too basic. “Ultramarine” is what Apple is calling it, and I think it’s a cool name. In terms of features, this is the…

Thoughts on the new 2024 AirPods

AirPods 4 The long stem design of the original AirPods is now gone, and the new AirPods 4 are an iteration of the AirPods 3. The original AirPods, launched in 2017 at £159 in the UK, whereas the new AirPods 4 cost £129 - making the entry price much lower. The case battery life has also been boosted to 30 hours. What’s new with this design is the introduction of ANC (Active Noise Cancellation), meaning there are now two models of AirPods 4 - one without ANC and one with. The ANC model raises the price to £179, but I’m…

Thoughts on the Series 10 Apple Watch and the Ultra 2

Apple Watch Series 10 When the Apple Watch was first introduced in 2014, it came in two sizes: 38mm and 42mm. Now, the smallest Apple Watch is 42mm (excluding the Apple Watch SE, which didn’t receive an update this year anyway). I don’t mind the smallest size being 42mm, but with each major design iteration, Apple seems to be increasing the size of the Watch. Where does this end? At what point does the smallest size become too big? On the wrist, every millimetre counts and can make a huge difference on how a watch wears and feels. Apple Watch…

The PS5 Pro: A Costly Upgrade, is it Worth the Price?

Sony just announced the mid-generation refresh of the PS5. Geoff Keighley’s tweet gives a very good summary of the three main features of the console. The price is set at £699.99 in the UK, without a disc drive or a vertical stand. I buy a lot of physical games, play them, and either keep them for replaying or sell them. Most of the games I've bought have been sold on Facebook Marketplace. I got a copy of Spider-Man: Miles Morales for £20, played it to completion, and sold it for £20 again ,meaning I didn't spend a penny to play…

A Year with the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max: Insights and Impressions

Design When the iPhone 15 Pro Max was released last year, I wrote about how it is the nicest-feeling iPhone yet. And, I still think this is the best iteration of the flat-edged iPhone design. The titanium frame and the weight distribution do wonders to the hold-ability of the phone. This is especially noticeable if you're coming from the 14 Pro Max, as the phone does not feel heavy as before. The 15 Pro Max weights 19 grams less than its predecessor, but the distribution of weight on the phone has been refined, and it feels much more comfortable in…