What's the damn point of having the base line and the "Pro" line if some features are still going to be locked behind a larger (more expensive) device?

I'm considering upgrading but I don't want to carry around a Max sized device. I doubt it will fit in my pockets even.

For those that want the rest of the Pro features like newer SoC which don't require additional physical space in the phone.

Right. But why have the "pro" line if the phones aren't equivalent? I'm sure there's probably some opaque reason why the smaller size can't have the 5x optical zoom as well but I still think it's dumb.

I want the Pro version. I want all of the features, but not the Max size. But that phone doesn't exist for some reason. I want to believe it's a practical limitation, but my guess is the main reason is to up sell.

As the person you responded to just stated, the reason is the physical size of the device itself. Apple has done this before before w/ the 12 pro vs. pro max.

It shouldn't be any more opaque than why the larger device also has a larger battery. Optical zoom requires additional physical space for the optics doing the zoom. This doesn't make all smaller device options the basic models it makes them the smaller options of their class.

I have a 13 Pro Max and carry it in my jeans back pocket.

It's not about the pocket for me, it's about being able to reach the screen when using the phone with just a single hand. I can barely do this on my 13 Pro (I skipped the 14 Pro), I sure can't on any Pro Max, and I sure understand why my wife says she won't replace her 13 Mini.

Depending on where you live, that may not be a great idea. In my parts, you could pretty much bet that it would get stolen if you carried it like that.

They cited the actual available space under the camera module for why the Max gets it and not the Pro: https://youtu.be/ZiP1l7jlIIA?t=4556 (1:15:56)

> What's the damn point

Monnney. Monney monney money.

They did the same thing with the iPhone 7 Plus, the first iPhone with two cameras.

It could also be because there’s extra room in the larger phone but… I’ll stick with because Timmy loooves money. Point in case, they just increased the price of the Max and said “same price as last year (for the higher storage you don’t need)!”

I think you're right—Pro Max has 5x, Pro has 3x.

3x :(

Man, I was really hoping for at least 4. There is just no way I want to carry a Max.