Hardware

Mobile Phone

Long-term Field Test: 16.09.2022 to 08.04.2023

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Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

• Introduction
• Purchasing
• Equipment
• I'm unpacking!
• Tech Specs
• Power Adapter
• Practice
• Setup
• Battery Performance
• Profile Settings (“Focus”)
• Call Filter (“Do Not Disturb”)
• Assistant Siri
• Data Synchronisation
• Backup
• Backup with iTunes/Finder
• Backup with iMazing
• Music Player
• Messaging
• Telephony
• iOS
• Software
• Hardware
• Leather Sleeve
• Pros
• Cons
• Conclusion
• Alternatives
• Reference
• Text auf Deutsch

My new Camera and Hi-Fi System

As a hobby photographer, I use the iPhone as an always-on camera. I rarely take the Panasonic DMC-GF2 compact system camera with me.

The camera of the previous model iPhone 11 Pro Max had already made a leap in quality and I was very happy with it. Many photos on this website were taken with it.

The camera of the iPhone 14 Pro (Max) is even better. Even the difference to the direct predecessor model 13 Pro (Max) is visible in details in the comparison, which some YouTube videos clearly show.

My Sony MDR-EX90LP in-ear hi-fi stereo headphones, which are pretty much fourteen years old, have signs of disintegration on the housing. My Bluetooth headsets Jabra Supreme+, Plantronics M50 and M70 are also all on the verge of total failure after years.

During Apple's online product presentation (“Keynote” as “stream”), I decide to buy the new iPhone including new AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) …

This is my eighth iPhone test. Enjoy reading!

Purchasing

Pre-ordered online

09.09.2022: Pre-orders can be placed today (Friday) from 14:00.
Only the first pre-orderers will receive their units next Friday (first day of sale). For later pre-orderers, experience has shown that delivery times will be delayed by weeks! So I'll be at the start on time.
With some delay, Apple opens the online shop and right at the beginning it is virtually overrun, which is shown by the overload symptoms.
It is not until 14:40 that I can successfully send my order:
• 1 Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max with 1 TB storage in gold colour
• 1 Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
• 1 Apple magnetic quick charger with USB-C cable (1 m)

The delivery date for the iPhone is stated as “19.09.–21.09.”.
The delivery date for the quick charger is stated as “14.09.”.
The delivery date for the AirPods Pro is listed as “23.09.”.

13.09.2022: DHL delivers the fast charger via DHL Packstation.
16.09.2022: The DHL express courier rings at exactly 12:00 and I can't answer the door. Fortunately, a neighbour takes the parcel.
23.09.2022: DHL delivers the AirPods Pro via DHL Packstation.

Equipment

• Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max 1 TB Gold with iOS version 16.0
• USB‑C-to-Lightning-Cable
• SIM card slot needle
• Documentation

Now I'm unpacking!

Photo 1: Original box Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max in gold colour, 1 TB

Photo 2: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max box bottom still sealed

Photo 3: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max box bottom unsealed

Photo 4: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max - Box opened, view on the back of the iPhone

Photo 5: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max beside the box and its contents

Photo 6: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max beside the box and its contents

Photo 7: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max in gold colour, back, right side

Photo 8: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max in gold colour, back, left side

Photo 9: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max in gold colour, back side

Photo 10: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max in gold colour, frontside

Photo 11: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max in gold colour, display greets its new user with “hello”

Tech Specs

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Modell: A2894 (MQC43ZD/A)

Colour: Gold (also available in space black, silver and dark purple)
Storage capacity: 1 TB (also available with 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB)
Dimensions and weight: 160.7 × 77.6 × 7.85 mm, 240 g

Display

LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED with Haptic Touch
6.7 inch All-Screen OLED Multi-Touch
HDR display, resolution: 1290 × 2796 pixels; 460 pixels per inch

Dynamic Island
Always-On Display
ProMotion technology with adaptive refresh rates up to 120 Hz
True Tone
Wide colour gamut (P3)
Typical contrast ratio: 2,000,000:1
1,000 nits maximum typical brightness, 1,600 nits peak brightness (HDR), 2,000 nits peak brightness (outdoor)
Grease-repellent coating
Support for displaying multiple languages and characters simultaneously

Protection against Water and Dust

Classified under IP68 according to IEC standard 60529 (up to 6 metres for up to 30 minutes)

Processor

A16 Bionic chip with 64-bit architecture, neural architecture, integrated M16 motion coprocessor
Processor architecture: ARMv8
Microarchitecture: 2×3,2 GHz Avalanche + 4×1,8 GHz Blizzard
Main memory (RAM): 6 GB (type: LPDDR5)

Cameras

48-megapixel camera with ultra-wide, wide-angle and telephoto lenses
Ultra-wide angle: 12 MP, f/2.2 aperture, 13 mm and 120° angle of view
Wide angle: aperture f/1.8
Telephoto lens: aperture f/2.0
2x optical zoom, up to 10x digital zoom
Portrait mode with bokeh and depth control
Portrait light with 6 effects (natural, studio, contour, stage, stage mono, high-key mono)
Dual optical image stabilisation for wide angle and telephoto
Lens with 5 elements (ultra wide angle), lens with 6 elements (wide angle and telephoto)
True-tone flash with long-time synchronisation
Panorama recording up to 63 megapixels
Night mode
Sapphire crystal lens cap
Body and face recognition
Next-generation Smart HDR for photos
Advanced red eye correction
Geotagging for photos
Automatic image stabilisation
Continuous shooting mode
Self-timer
Picture formats HEIF and JPEG

Wireless Technologies

5G NR (bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n26, n28, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n53, n66, n70, n77, n78, п79)
FDD-LTE (bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 66)
TD-LTE (bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 53)
UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1,700/2,100, 1,900, 2,100 MHz)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1,800, 1,900 MHz)
5G (sub-6 GHz) with 4x4 MIMO4
Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO and LAA4
WLAN 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth 5.3
Ultra-wideband chip for spatial awareness
NFC with read mode
Express Cards with power reserve

Locating Function

Precise dual-frequency GPS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS and BeiDou)
Digital compass
WLAN
Mobile communications
iBeacon Micro Location

Audio Calls

FaceTime audio calls
Voice over LTE (VoLTE)
Calls via WiFi
Share experiences like movies, TV shows, music and other apps in a FaceTime call with SharePlay
Screen sharing
3D Audio
Microphone modes: Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum

Video Calls

FaceTime video calls via mobile phone or WiFi
FaceTime HD (1080p) video calls over 5G or Wi-Fi
Share experiences like movies, TV shows, music and other apps in a FaceTime call with SharePlay
Screen sharing
Portrait Mode in FaceTime Video
3D Audio
Microphone modes: Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum
Optical zoom with the rear camera

Audio Playback

Supported formats include AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Atmos
3D audio playback
Maximum volume can be set by the user

TV and Video

Supported formats include HEVC, H.264 and ProRes
HDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG
Up to 4K HDR AirPlay for mirroring, photos and video output to Apple TV (2nd generation or newer) or AirPlay 2 enabled Smart TVVideo Mirroring and Video Output: Support for up to 1080p via Lightning Digital AV Adapter and Lightning to VGA Adapter (adapters sold separately)

Assistant Siri

Send messages, make calls, create a reminder and more in your own voice.Get predictive suggestions, hands-free, listen to and recognise songs.
Send messages with your own voice, create reminders and more
Simply activate “Hey Siri” with your own voice
Use your own voice to execute shortcuts in your favourite apps

Reference: Apple

Power Adapter

Manufacturer's Information

Talk time (wireless): no information
Internet usage: no information
Video playback: up to 29 h
Video playback (streamed): up to 25 h
Audio playback: up to 95 h
Fixed lithium-ion battery: 4323 mAh
Wireless charging: up to 15 watts with MagSafe
Wireless charging: up to 7.5 watts with Qi
Charging via USB: on the computer or power supply unit
Fast charging: Up to 50% in approx. 30 minutes with 20 watt power supply or higher (sold separately)

Note: Apple hides the capacity of the battery as well as the size of RAM.
I got this information from other sources.

Practice

• Setup
• Battery Performance
• Battery Life
• Profile Settings (“Focus”)
• Call Filter
• Assistant Siri
• Data Synchronisation
• Backup
• Backup with iTunes/Finder
• Backup with iMazing
• Music Player
• Messaging
• Telephony
• iOS

Setup

Apple Quick Start

Since this function for making a 1:1 copy of an iPhone has been available, switching to a new device is really fantastically easy.

For the transfer to work properly, the same iOS version must be installed on both devices and the newer model should of course not have less memory than the old one, in case the memory on the old device is already exhausted. A stable WLAN connection is also required.

What many customers don't know: you can save a lot of time if you have a Lightning-to-Lightning cable (possibly via an adapter)!
Although data transfer via Lightning is much slower than via USB-C, it is usually faster than via WLAN.
I wasn't able to test the cable solution because I also learned about this possibility too late.

My iPhones estimate the transfer time first at one, then at two hours and later agree on three hours. As far as I remember, it ended up being two and a half hours.

Everything was copied completely; even the two messengers Threema and Session, including chat histories and media, were transferred flawlessly and completely to the new iPhone.
• Threema is my regular messenger. It also offers backups.
• Session has no backup function yet. I had installed it on my iPhone 11 Pro Max for testing purposes when my decision to buy the iPhone 14 Pro Max had already been made. I wanted to check whether all chat histories and media were copied to the new device or lost during the quick start. However, chat histories & media were not really transferred from the old device, but from the server swarm. Read more about it in my Messenger test report about Session.

Dual SIM and Dual eSIM

The new iPhone 14 Pro (Max) supports Dual SIM and Dual eSIM!
• Dual SIM: SIM card slot for nano-SIM + eSIM chip to load tariff profiles from mobile telephony providers (only one profile active at a time).
• Dual eSIM: two eSIM chips; at least eight eSIM profiles can be stored. Only one eSIM profile can be actively used per eSIM. A plastic SIM card is superfluous. If you later insert a nano-SIM card into the SIM card drawer, the iPhone asks which of the two eSIM profiles should be (temporarily) deactivated for it. After removing the nano-SIM, the deactivated eSIM can simply be reactivated.

The SIM card needle for the SIM card drawer remains in the box.
I already have two Multicards as eSIMs that are now to be used in my new iPhone. Unfortunately, Telefónica does not allow moving eSIMs from device to device. Instead, I have to order replacement eSIMs free of charge …

Order replacement eSIM via the “My o2” app for my o2 Free Unlimited Max tariff (previously in the Fairphone 4) + replacement eSIM for my o2 Free S Boost tariff (previously in the iPhone 11 Pro).
Setup within minutes, activation of the first eSIM takes a quarter of an hour and only half as long for the second eSIM.

Setup 5G

Menu path: Settings/Mobile Telephony/SIMs:

eSIM Profile #1

Mobile Phone Tariff (Label): o2 Free S Boost
Voice & Data: LTE
Data mode: Data-saving mode

There is no negative impact on energy consumption if you select “Voice & Data: 5G automatic” with “Data mode: Standard”. Because Telefónica unfortunately still does not activate 5G for this tariff, I chose “LTE” again after a temporary test comparing with a “5G automatic” setting for this profile. With data-saving mode because I use profile #2 for unlimited mobile data:

eSIM Profile #2

Mobile Phone Tariff (Label): o2 Free Unlimited Max
Voice & Data: 5G automatic
Data mode: Allow more data over 5G

09.02.2023: Would like to use the nicer number of the SIM card in the second device iPhone 11 Pro with the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Order an eSIM from Telefónica to replace this SIM card. After adding and activating the eSIM profile within 10 minutes, it now looks like this:

Mobile Phone Tariff (Label): o2 Free Unlimited Max Online
Voice & Data: 5G automatic
Data mode: Allow more data over 5G

Then I order a replacement for the previously used eSIM and activate it in the second device iPhone 11 Pro. After successful changeover, I delete the deactivated eSIM profile in the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Battery Performance

Battery Life, Battery Saving, Charging Time

Battery Life

I observe more closely and analyse screenshots, which I take instead of notes. Time-consuming work.

With previous models it was something like this:
Minimum use: 2 days (Siri assistant, some emails and SMS, calendar, notes, minimal web).
Heavy use: 1 day (book reading [Kindle app], Siri, emails, SMS, calendar, notes, calls, 5 h music listening, 3 h web).

Battery Saving

To protect the battery, which cannot be changed by the user, I rarely push it to its limits, because that wears it out unnecessarily.

The shortcut app can only tell you the battery status in 5 percent increments. That's why I am reminded to charge the battery when it is “below 35%” and to stop charging when it is “above 65%”.

In standby, charging from 30–70 per cent via MagSafe on the 35W power supply takes about 50 minutes. If I use the iPhone 14 Pro Max as Wi-Fi hotspot for my MacBook Air M2 to stream TV at the same time, the charge takes about 1 hour.
Nevertheless, iPhone does not get too warm (33–38 °C, max. 41 °C).

Tip

Conventional wireless charging options have the disadvantage that the smartphone becomes much warmer when charging than when charging by cable.

I inserted Apple's MagSafe puck into Stouchi's specially designed charging stand (see photo).
This aluminium stand effectively dissipates the heat generated by Apple's MagSafe puck. Therefore, the iPhone becomes not more warm as by charging via cable – this depends also from charger and charging speed.

Photo: Cardboard box of the Stouchi MagSafe charging stand

14.10.2022: I finally found the reason why the Shortcuts app did not show me the Battery Charge Alarm app to choose from. The latter can remind you to unplug the device when the battery level is reached.
Solution: Settings/Battery/Siri & Search/Suggest App (on).
Now I have set up a short command to automatically start the Battery Charge Alarm app, as I did on iPhone Xs & iPhone 11 Pro. Because the percentage value is infinitely variable, I set it to 70%.

If you let the battery get almost empty and charge it up to 100% (e.g. overnight), you stress it and consume a full charging cycle.
Modern lithium-ion batteries can withstand 300 to 500 charging cycles. In practice, these are achieved within 1–5 years, depending on treatment.
Apple promises 500 charging cycles before the performance of an iPhone battery drops to 80% (and it has to be replaced soon after).

Charging Time

Battery-saving slow charging: a Lightning-to-USB-A (0.5 m from Apple) is plugged into a socket on the D-Link DUB-H7. Not yet tested.

So far I have only charged the battery of the iPhone 14 Pro Max via MagSafe and via USB-C on my MacBook Air M2.
Interesting: when charging via USB cable, the iPhone became slightly warmer than on Stouchi's charger stand via MagSafe.

For fast charging, I could also use the lower front socket on the Anker PowerExpands Elite (marked “PD”). Not yet tried.

You can expect these Charging Times (sorted chronologically)

The charging times are not only dependent on whether the low-power mode is active or not. If the batteries of the MacBook are being charged at the same time or the iPhone 14 Pro Max serves as a Hotspot during charging, this also extends its charging time.

Without Low-Power Mode

For reasons of space, I write “Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand” in the list in short form “MagSafe”.

• 16.10.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:01 h (32%–70%)
• 17.10.2022: Lightning to USB on Apple MacBook Air M2: 0:49 h (31%–70%)
• 20.10.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:50 h (33%–70%)
• 24.10.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:09 h (30%–70%)
• 25.10.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:01 h (31%–70%)
• 27.10.2022: Lightning to USB on Apple MacBook Air M2: 0:52 h (30%–70%)
• 28.10.2022: Lightning to USB on Apple MacBook Air M2: 0:49 h (31%–70%)
• 29.10.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:01 h (30%–70%)
• 29.10.2022: Lightning to USB on Apple MacBook Air M2: 0:50 h (30%–70%)
• 01.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:51 h (30%–70%)
• 02.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:53 h (30%–71%)
• 03.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:57 h (29%–71%)
• 04.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:01 h (30%–70%)
• 05.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:48 h (31%–70%)
• 06.11.2022: Lightning to USB on Apple MacBook Air M2: 0:54 h (30%–70%)
• 07.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:23 h (30%–70%)
• 08.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:47 h (30%–70%)
• 09.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:26 h (30%–70%)
• 10.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:58 h (30%–70%)
• 11.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:04 h (30%–70%)
• 13.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:08 h (30%–70%)
• 13.11.2022: Lightning to USB on Apple MacBook Air M2: 0:52 h (31%–70%)
• 14.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:13 h (30%–70%)
• 16.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:05 h (30%–70%)
• 17.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:49 h (30%–70%)
• 19.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:04 h (31%–70%)
• 21.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:56 h (28%–70%)
• 22.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:58 h (30%–71%)
• 23.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:56 h (30%–70%)
• 26.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:43 h (31%–70%)
• 27.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:58 h (32%–71%)
• 28.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:31 h (33%–49%)
• 29.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:42 h (34%–70%)
• 30.11.2022: Lightning to USB on Apple MacBook Air M2: 0:52 h (39%–70%)
• 01.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:48 h (30%–70%)
• 02.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:53 h (29%–70%)
• 03.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:54 h (30%–70%)
• 06.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:51 h (30%–70%)
• 07.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:55 h (30%–70%)
• 10.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:58 h (30%–70%)
• 11.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:56 h (30%–70%)
• 12.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:47 h (31%–70%)
• 14.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:54 h (30%–70%)
• 14.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:58 h (30%–70%)
• 15.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:58 h (30%–70%)
• 18.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:41 h (30%–70%)
• 19.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:57 h (30%–72%)
• 20.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:55 h (30%–70%)
• 22.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:56 h (31%–70%)
• 23.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:54 h (32%–70%)
• 24.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:49 h (34%–70%)
• 24.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:47 h (30%–70%)
• 26.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:06 h (30%–71%)
• 27.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:45 h (30%–70%)
• 28.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:11 h (32%–70%)
• 29.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:10 h (30%–70%)
• 30.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:57 h (32%–70%)
• 31.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:55 h (30%–70%)
• 01.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:47 h (31%–71%)
• 02.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:46 h (31%–70%)
• 03.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:06 h (30%–70%)
• 04.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:00 h (33%–70%)
• 05.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:12 h (32%–70%)
• 05.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:07 h (30%–70%)
• 06.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:58 h (31%–70%)
• 07.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:07 h (31%–70%)
• 09.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:55 h (24%–70%)
• 10.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:43 h (35%–70%)
• 11.01.2023: Lightning to USB on Apple MacBook Air M2: 0:56 h (31%–70%)
• 12.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:02 h (32%–70%)
• 13.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:46 h (31%–70%)
• 14.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:01 h (31%–70%)
• 15.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:55 h (30%–70%)
• 16.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:02 h (30%–70%)
• 17.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:01 h (32%–70%)
• 19.01.2023: Lightning to USB on Apple MacBook Air M2: 0:49 h (35%–70%)
• 20.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:37 h (32%–60%)
• 21.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:50 h (27%–70%)
• 22.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:13 h (30%–70%)
• 24.01.2023: Lightning to USB on Apple MacBook Air M2: 0:51 h (32%–70%)
• 25.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:57 h (30%–70%)
• 27.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:04 h (30%–70%)
• 30.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:59 h (30%–70%)
• 31.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:52 h (30%–70%)
• 01.02.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:51 h (29%–70%)
• 02.02.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:47 h (31%–70%)
• 03.02.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:13 h (32%–70%)
• 04.02.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:44 h (32%–70%)
• 05.02.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:57 h (30%–70%)
• 07.02.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:49 h (30%–70%)
• 08.02.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:54 h (30%–70%)
• 09.02.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:48 h (34%–70%)
• 09.02.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:01 h (30%–70%)
• 11.02.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:55 h (32%–70%)
• 12.02.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:02 h (30%–70%)
• 13.02.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:02 h (30%–70%)
• 14.02.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:09 h (30%–70%)
• 16.02.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:50 h (30%–70%)
• 17.02.2023: Lightning to USB on Apple MacBook Air M2: 0:51 h (31%–65%)
• 18.02.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:05 h (32%–70%)
• 20.02.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:04 h (31%–70%)
• 21.02.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:47 h (31%–70%)
• 22.02.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:50 h (30%–70%)
• 23.02.2023: Lightning to USB on Apple MacBook Air M2: 0:58 h (30%–70%)
• 25.02.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:04 h (30%–70%)
• 28.02.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:03 h (30%–70%)
• 02.03.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:50 h (32%–62%)
• 02.03.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:42 h (42%–70%)
• 04.03.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:54 h (31%–70%)
• 05.03.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:50 h (34%–70%)
• 06.03.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:10 h (31%–70%)
• 07.03.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:39 h (36%–70%)
• 08.03.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:54 h (30%–70%)
• 09.03.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:52 h (30%–70%)
• 11.03.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:56 h (32%–70%)

With activated Low-Power Mode

• MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:40 h (34%–66%)
• MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:46 h (32%–70%)
• MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:55 h (32%–70%)
  (now the MacBook Air M2 also hung on the power supply for almost the entire charging time)
• 18.10.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:07 h (31%–70%)
• 19.10.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:18 h (30%–70%)
• 20.10.2022: Lightning to USB on Apple MacBook Air M2: 0:26 h (33%–54%)
• 21.10.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:46 h (31%–70%)
• 22.10.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:00 h (31%–70%)
  (Backup via WLAN, Chat via Threema Desktop and charging the MacBook Air M2)
• 23.10.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:00 h (30%–70%)
  (simultaneously use as WLAN Hotspot; streaming TV)
• 26.10.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:58 h (32%–71%)
• 30.10.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:04 h (30%–70%)
• 31.10.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:03 h (30%–70%)
• 07.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:03 h (31%–70%)
• 18.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:07 h (32%–70%)
• 24.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:02 h (30%–70%)
• 24.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:47 h (30%–70%)
• 27.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:57 h (31%–70%)
• 30.11.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:54 h (30%–70%)
• 05.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 1:04 h (29%–85%)
• 09.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:55 h (34%–70%)
• 16.12.2022: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:49 h (34%–70%)
• 23.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:46 h (32%–70%)
• 29.01.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:49 h (30%–70%)
• 27.02.2023: MagSafe with Apple's 35 Watt Power Supply: 0:52 h (34%–70%)

Battery Life (Time between two Charges)

Very individual, difficult to compare. Everybody defines infrequent users and frequent users differently, not to mention the term normal user.

Unfortunately, there exists no battery monitor for iOS like BatteryBot Pro for Android OS. Some battery apps for iOS allow a small insight into charging times. Good system monitor apps for macOS use an interface to external Apple devices such as iPhones and iPads to read their battery data.
But there are no serious battery monitor apps specifically for iOS!

After initial operation, I also used the new Always-On function of the display. Later, I deactivated it again to be able to determine differences in energy consumption.

In the period of the values published here up to the battery charge before the software update on 24.10.2022, “Always-On” was switched off.

• 17.10.2022: after 24:44 h charging at 31% to 70% (via USB on Apple MacBook Air M2)
• 18.10.2022: after 40:09 h charging at 31% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 19.10.2022: after    8:02 h charging at 35% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 19.10.2022: after 19:58 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 20.10.2022: after    6:45 h charging at 33% to 70% (via USB on Apple MacBook Air M2)
• 20.10.2022: after    8:26 h charging at 33% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 21.10.2022: after 23:11 h charging at 31% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 22.10.2022: after 26:10 h charging at 31% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 23.10.2022: after 23:30 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 24.10.2022: after 24:54 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 25.10.2022: after 15:18 h charging at 31% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 26.10.2022: after 26:43 h charging at 32% to 71% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 27.10.2022: after    6:15 h charging at 30% to 70% (via USB on Apple MacBook Air M2)
• 28.10.2022: after 25:52 h charging at 31% to 70% (via USB on Apple MacBook Air M2)
• 29.10.2022: after 20:21 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 29.10.2022: after 20:33 h charging at 30% to 70% (via USB on Apple MacBook Air M2)
• 30.10.2022: after 19:52 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 31.10.2022: after 23:10 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 01.11.2022: after 22:45 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 02.11.2022: after 22:38 h charging at 32% to 71% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 03.11.2022: after 23:37 h charging at 29% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 04.11.2022: after 24:20 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 05.11.2022: after 18:12 h charging at 31% to 70% (via USB on Apple MacBook Air M2)
• 06.11.2022: after 12:20 h charging at 30% to 70% (via USB on Apple MacBook Air M2)
• 07.11.2022: after 22:21 h charging at 31% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 07.11.2022: after 19:48 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 08.11.2022: after 22:58 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 09.11.2022: after 25:01 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 10.11.2022: after 19:40 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 11.11.2022: after 25:28 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 13.11.2022: after 24:40 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 13.11.2022: after 21:16 h charging at 31% to 70% (via USB on Apple MacBook Air M2)
• 14.11.2022: after 22:32 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 16.11.2022: after 26:35 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 17.11.2022: after 23:01 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 18.11.2022: after 27:14 h charging at 32% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 19.11.2022: after 20:43 h charging at 31% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 21.11.2022: after 35:58 h charging at 28% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 22.11.2022: after 22:50 h charging at 30% to 71% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 23.11.2022: after 26:21 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 24.11.2022: after    7:00 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 24.11.2022: after 17:42 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 26.11.2022: after 37:26 h charging at 31% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 27.11.2022: after 10:44 h charging at 32% to 71% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 27.11.2022: after 19:23 h charging at 31% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 28.11.2022: after 23:43 h charging at 33% to 49% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 29.11.2022: after    3:15 h charging at 34% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 30.11.2022: after 22:00 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 30.11.2022: after 23:00 h charging at 39% to 70% (via USB on Apple MacBook Air M2)
• 01.12.2022: after 22:50 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 02.12.2022: after 22:01 h charging at 29% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 03.12.2022: after 24:33 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 05.12.2022: after 37:17 h charging at 29% to 85% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 06.12.2022: after 30:30 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 07.12.2022: after 24:52 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 09.12.2022: after 28:18 h charging at 34% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 10.12.2022: after 35:45 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 11.12.2022: after 29:00 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 12.12.2022: after 22:14 h charging at 31% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 14.12.2022: after 25:03 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 14.12.2022: after 20:46 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 15.12.2022: after 20:43 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 16.12.2022: after 23:17 h charging at 34% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 18.12.2022: after 42:55 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 19.12.2022: after 23:51 h charging at 30% to 72% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 20.12.2022: after 28:26 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 22.12.2022: after 26:36 h charging at 31% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 23.12.2022: after 38:34 h charging at 32% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 24.12.2022: after 11:30 h charging at 34% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 24.12.2022: after 19:07 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 26.12.2022: after 23:23 h charging at 30% to 71% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 27.12.2022: after 23:11 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 28.12.2022: after 21:21 h charging at 32% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 29.12.2022: after 22:56 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 30.12.2022: after 22:16 h charging at 32% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 31.12.2022: after 23:49 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 01.01.2023: after 18:32 h charging at 31% to 71% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 02.01.2023: after 22:51 h charging at 31% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 03.01.2023: after 26:27 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 04.01.2023: after    7:17 h charging at 33% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 05.01.2023: after 23:17 h charging at 32% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 05.01.2023: after 18:28 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 06.01.2023: after 21:47 h charging at 31% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 07.01.2023: after 23:49 h charging at 31% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 09.01.2023: after 38:21 h charging at 24% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 10.01.2023: after 14:17 h charging at 35% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 11.01.2023: after 18:00 h charging at 31% to 70% (via USB on Apple MacBook Air M2)
• 12.01.2023: after 22:22 h charging at 32% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 13.01.2023: after 39:40 h charging at 31% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 14.01.2023: after 28:32 h charging at 31% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 15.01.2023: after 21:37 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 16.01.2023: after 25:04 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 17.01.2023: after 22:11 h charging at 32% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 19.01.2023: after 28:38 h charging at 35% to 70% (via USB on Apple MacBook Air M2)
• 20.01.2023: after 38:00 h charging at 32% to 60% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 21.01.2023: after 21:14 h charging at 27% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 22.01.2023: after 27:27 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 23.01.2023: after 20:15 h charging at 32% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 24.01.2023: after    6:17 h charging at 32% to 70% (via USB on Apple MacBook Air M2)
• 25.01.2023: after 44:31 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 27.01.2023: after 47:20 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 29.01.2023: after 25:51 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 30.01.2023: after 41:38 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 31.01.2023: after 27:16 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 01.02.2023: after 21:52 h charging at 29% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 02.02.2023: after 23:23 h charging at 31% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 03.02.2023: after 22:00 h charging at 32% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 04.02.2023: after 22:00 h charging at 32% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 05.02.2023: after 24:36 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 07.02.2023: after 40:29 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 08.02.2023: after 23:23 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 09.02.2023: after    9:00 h charging at 34% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 09.02.2023: after 19:57 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 11.02.2023: after 25:25 h charging at 32% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 12.02.2023: after 22:30 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 13.02.2023: after 41:50 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 14.02.2023: after 23:36 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 16.02.2023: after 26:42 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 17.02.2023: after 44:44 h charging at 31% to 65% (via USB on Apple MacBook Air M2)
• 18.02.2023: after 22:00 h charging at 32% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 20.02.2023: after 29:09 h charging at 31% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 21.02.2023: after 21:32 h charging at 31% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 22.02.2023: after 24:32 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 23.02.2023: after 42:48 h charging at 30% to 70% (via USB on Apple MacBook Air M2)
• 25.02.2023: after 44:48 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 27.02.2023: after 28:11 h charging at 34% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 28.02.2023: after 44:08 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 02.03.2023: after 42:30 h charging at 32% to 62% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 02.03.2023: after    3:20 h charging at 42% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 04.03.2023: after 27:30 h charging at 31% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 05.03.2023: after 24:24 h charging at 34% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 06.03.2023: after 39:30 h charging at 31% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 07.03.2023: after    6:25 h charging at 36% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 08.03.2023: after 40:22 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 09.03.2023: after 25:59 h charging at 30% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)
• 11.03.2023: after 28:18 h charging at 32% to 70% (via Stouchi MagSafe Charger Stand)

24.10.2022: After charging the battery, I reactivated “Always-On”.

25.10.2022: A shorter operating time directly after the update is normal.
Only after 24 to 48 hours can you really tell whether the update has improved or worsened the battery life. Before that, a shorter battery life may be due to the system or the user trying out the new functions.

27.10.2022: As of today, low-power mode only during battery charging. Until now, I had also activated this at night (airplane mode + low-power mode).

30.10.2022: Tried last night without airplane mode. Within 11:56 h resting on the table 14% energy lost. So not less than during a day with minimal use.

31.10.2022: From now on, low-power mode + airplane mode again at night, so that the energy consumption for doing nothing remains below 5% as far as possible.

07.11.2022: Two battery charges on one day. One at night and the next in the evening.

10.11.2022: Despite time for software update, long use of the messenger apps Threema and Session and approx. 2 h streaming, still 19:40 h runtime. I'm curious about the next few days …

16.11.2022: It seems that energy consumption is lower since last iOS update.

21.11.2022: Almost 36 h operating time! At 2. evening 47% remaining charge, then 8 h airplane mode, then continued standby. 17:19 h with 19% energy consumption. More than 1% per hour, of which 8 h airplane mode!

24.11.2022: WLAN Hotspot for streaming TV, 4 h Session (2 h group chat, 2 h phone call). 40 min. testing messenger app SimpleX Chat.

26.11.2022: Finally a little less power consumption in airplane mode! But every 3 hours 1% in airplane mode with low-power mode is still clearly too high! For this I had to deactivate the encounter notifications and uninstall the two apps 1Blocker & CWA!
Encounter notifications and these apps ignore airplane mode completely and pointlessly try to go online without a break anyway. The developer of 1Blocker now offers scripts for the Shortcuts app to turn off the firewall when needed. Maybe that helps. I'm currently testing it on my iPhone Xs. If successful, I'll install 1Blocker again on my daily driver iPhone 14 Pro Max.
I'm still thinking about whether I'll use encounter notifications & CWA on this iPhone again. For now, I'll also take my second iPhone 11 Pro with me when I leave the flat.

27.11.2022: Long use as WLAN Hotspot for Internet TV (streaming), therefore short operating time (10:44 h). After that, long use as a WLAN hotspot without TV streaming (19:23 h).

28.11.2022: 1Blocker installed again; shortcuts app extended with scripts to activate/deactivate its firewall. Finally, no more activity and almost no more energy consumption in airplane mode!
Voice calls via instant messenger (first Session, then Threema) during battery charging with MagSafe heated up the iPhone more, therefore I have ended battery charging at 49%. After the battery charge the energy consumption was about 1% per hour while voice calling via Threema.

29.11.2022: Last charge only up to 49% and then 46 minutes voice call via Threema, therefore shorter operating time than usual.

30.11.2022: Apple released an iOS update this evening that may hopefully also reduce energy consumption. On a trial basis, I have removed the low-power mode as filter from the Focus “Sleep”. In the coming night, only airplane mode will be activated.

02.12.2022: I cannot get a grip on the excessive energy consumption without additionally activating low-power mode. Added the focus filter low-power mode to the the Focus “Sleep” again. Also, in the Shortcuts app, set low-power mode to be activated again as soon as airplane mode is active.

03.12.2022: Energy consumption last night: 9:30 h 0% in airplane + low-power mode!

04.12.2022: Energy consumption last night: 8:00 h 4% in airplane + low-power mode.

05.12.2022: Energy consumption last night: 8:00 h 4% in airplane + low-power mode.

06.12.2022: Energy consumption last night: 8:30 h 1% in airplane + low-power mode.

07.12.2022: Energy consumption last night: 9:30 h 6% in airplane + low-power mode.

08.12.2022: Energy consumption last night: 10:30 h 0%. Of these, 8:30 h were in low-power mode and 8:00 h in airplane mode.

11.12.2022: Energy consumption last night: 8:00 h 1% in airplane + low-power mode.

16.12.2022: Last night energy consumption as during the day despite airplane + low-power mode! Apple has removed the battery status query from the Shortcuts app. In addition, the Bluetooth error is probably still present (airplane mode is only really active when you manually switch off Bluetooth!). This is probably also the reason why encounter notifications are active again at night in airplane mode ...
So the last iOS update didn't do anything except for closing security gaps! And the new app Freeform is for the bin anyway …

I adjusted my scripts in the Shortcuts app and then activated airplane mode for about three hours. Then checked the battery menu to see if anything is still active and consuming energy. Looks good …

17.12.2022: After 27 hours, battery still has 40% left in the evening! Last night energy consumption: 0% (airplane + low-power mode/Bluetooth off)! With Focus “Sleep”, it remained quiet & offline.

18.12.2022: New endurance record! Two nights with real airplane mode made a total of 42:55 h of operation possible this time!

19.12.2022: Today only 23:51 h. iPhone was not inactive at night. This was probably due to the focus setting “Share across devices”. Because after the planned start of sleep time, I was still online with the other iPhone and this most likely had an effect on my main device.

20.12.2022: I deactivated the Focus setting “Share across devices” on all devices.

22.12.2022: Energy consumption last night: 12:30 h 0%! Of this, only 8:00 h were in airplane + low-power mode!
In the evening, the battery still has 57% remaining charge and thus lasts another night without charging …

23.12.2022: Energy consumption last night: 9:00 h 2% in airplane + low-power mode.

24.12.2022: Energy consumption last night: 9:30 h 0%!
Of this, 8:15 h were in airplane + low-power mode.
Heavy use; due to recharging already at 34% only 11:30 h operating time. Charged earlier, because of possible holiday calls and greeting messages. Charge again before midnight after 19:07 h operating time.

04.01.2023: Heavy use as WLAN Hotspot (ZDF Mediathek). Therefore only 7:17 h operating time.

09.01.2023: The night before last, the energy consumption was at 1% for just under twelve hours. Last night, the remaining charge before activation of  Focus “Sleep” was 39% and I assumed that there would still be over 30% left this morning. But I became disappointed – my iPhone consumed whopping 15% energy in airplane + low-power mode within 12:55 h!

10.01.2023: Much too high energy consumption: after 4:48 h in airplane mode, I see that 7% was used. So recharging instantly at 35%. As a trial, I replace 1Blocker with DNSCloak.

12.01.2023: Energy consumption last night: 9:00 h 1% in airplane + low-power mode. If it stays like this for the next few nights, DNSCloak can stay permanently on the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

13.01.2023: Energy consumption last night: 9:00 h 0% in airplane + low-power mode! Afterwards (during the day) within 14:17 h only 4%!

14.01.2023: Energy consumption last night: 8:00 h 1% in airplane + low-power mode. Because 1Blocker showed no activity overnight on two older devices iPhone Xs and iPhone 11 Pro, I want to try it again with 1Blocker and have replaced DNSCloak with 1Blocker again.

15.01.2023: Energy consumption last night: 8:00 h 5% in airplane + low-power mode. 1Blocker was active for a few minutes every hour during Focus “Sleep”. Therefore replaced 1Blocker with DSNCloak again!

16.01.2023: Energy consumption last night: 8:30 h 1% in airplane mode, including 8:00 h in low-power mode.

17.01.2023: Energy consumption last night: 9:15 h 0% in airplane mode + low-power mode! 22:11 h operating time with heavy use, including a phone call via Threema lasting just under 2 h.

18.01.2023: Energy consumption last night: 9:45 h 0% in airplane mode, including 9:00 h with low-power mode.

19.01.2023: Energy consumption last night: 10:45 h 0%! Of this, only 7:45 h were in airplane + low-power mode.

20.01.2023: Energy consumption last night: 12:30 h 1% in airplane + low-power mode. 9:15 h Of this, time consumption were 0%!

21.01.2023: Energy consumption last night: 13:00 h 13%! Of this, 9:00 h in airplane + low-power mode. Merely within 9:00 h with Focus “Sleep” the iPhone lost 9% energy! Reason: DNSCloak woke up every hour for ca. 6 minutes!

22.01.2023: Energy consumption last night: 8:00 h 1% in airplane + low-power mode. DNSCloak uninstalled. I give 1Blocker a new chance …

23.01.2023: Energy consumption last night: 16:00 h 16%! Of this, 10:15 h were in airplane + low-power mode. Merely within  10:15 h with Focus “Sleep” the iPhone lost 11% energy! Reason: 1Blocker woke up every hour for ca. 2–12 minutes! 1Blocker uninstalled!

24.01.2023: Last night heavy use; also as WLAN Hotspot for software updates (iOS 16.3 & macOS 13.2).

25.01.2023: Energy consumption last night: 14:46 h 0%! Of this, only 9:45 h were in airplane + low-power mode. After Focus “Sleep”, the consumption in standby remained at zero for another 5:31 h!
The new iOS version 16.3 optimises energy consumption. 

26.01.2023: Energy consumption last night: 13:00 h 0%! Of this, only 11:00 h were in airplane + low-power mode.

27.01.2023: Energy consumption last night: 10:00 h 1% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane + low-power mode.

28.01.2023: Energy consumption last night: 10:00 h 0% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane + low-power mode.

29.01.2023: Energy consumption last night: 13:45 h 0%! Of this, only 7:45 h were in airplane + low-power mode! After Focus “Sleep”, the energy consumption in standby remained at 0% for another 6:00 h!

02.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 12:00 h 0% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane + low-power mode! Now I have removed the low-power mode as Focus filter and in shortcuts app as combination with airplane mode. Testing whether energy consumption under iOS version 16.3 also remains at zero without low-power mode in airplane mode?

03.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 8:20 h 2% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane mode, but without low-power mode! To get the consumption down to zero, low-power mode must be on!

04.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 10:00 h 1% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane + low-power mode.

05.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 9:00 h 0% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane + low-power mode.

06.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 13:00 h 0%! Of these, only 8:37 h were with Focus “Sleep” with airplane + low-power mode.

07.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 10:00 h 1% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane + low-power mode. Voice call via Session: 2:14 h.

08.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 10:15 h 0% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane + low-power mode.

09.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 9:00 h 0% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane + low-power mode.

10.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 9:00 h 0% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane + low-power mode.

11.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 13:00 h 0%! Of this, only 9:00 h were in airplane + low-power mode.

12.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 11:15 h 0%! Of this, only 8:15 h were in airplane + low-power mode.

13.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 11:00 h 3%! Of this, 10:15 h were in airplane + low-power mode.

14.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 8:45 h 1% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane + low-power mode.

15.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 12:00 h 0% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane + low-power mode.

16.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 15:00 h 0%! Of this, only 11:15 h were in airplane + low-power mode.

17.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 12:00 h 2% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane + low-power mode. Voice call via Threema: 1:00 h.

18.02.2023: At 00:10 I activated the Lockdown mode. I had already activated it yesterday on my iPhone Xs and iPhone 11 Pro. Since everything works smoothly, I now also activated it on the main device as a test. Energy consumption last night: 12:00 h 5% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane + low-power mode. Reason for the high energy consumption: I had deactivated the “Background Activity” completely on a trial basis. Therefore, Apple's system apps “Exposure Notifications” & “Where is” activated themselves every hour and tried to go online despite airplane mode!

19.02.2023: Settings: Background Activity: On (WLAN & Mobile Data). Since I don't want to delete CWA yet, “Background Activity” must be permanently active for it. Otherwise, Apple's buggy system app “Exposure Notifications” causes high energy consumption due to pointless update attempts hourly in spite of airplane mode! If the CWA keeps annoying me, I'll delete it.
Energy consumption last night: 10:00 h 1% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane + low-power mode.

20.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 12:30 h 0%! Of this, 10:00 h with Focus “Sleep” in airplane mode, 9:45 h in low-power mode.

21.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 13:15 h 0%! Of this, only 9:00 h with Focus “Sleep” in airplane + low-power mode.

22.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 11:00 h 0% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane and low-power mode! After that, the energy consumption with Focus “Daytime” remained at 0% for another 4:00 h! In the evening, after 18:20 h runtime, still 56% left, so next charge not until tomorrow.

23.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 12:00 h 2% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane + low-power mode.

24.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 12:00 h 0% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane + low-power mode. In the evening, after 21:50 h runtime, still 54% left, so next charge not until tomorrow.

25.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 12:00 h 1%! Of this, 11:15 h with Focus “Sleep” in airplane + low-power mode.

26.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 11:00 h 1% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane mode. The low-power mode remained deactivated for unknown reasons.

27.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 11:00 h 0% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane and low-power mode! After that, the energy consumption with Focus “Daytime” remained at 0% for another 2:45 h! In the evening, still 55% left, so next charge not until tomorrow.

28.02.2023: Energy consumption last night: 14:00 h 3% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane and low-power mode.

01.03.2023: Energy consumption last night: 14:00 h 1% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane and low-power mode.

02.03.2023: Energy consumption last night: 15:00 h 3% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane and low-power mode. Since last backup on 25 February, iMazing no longer connects to my iPhone 14 Pro Max via WLAN. So today I'm only charging the battery wirelessly up to 62% so that I don't exceed 70% while backing up data by cable. The backup only takes 4 minutes by cable.

03.03.2023: Energy consumption last night: 16:00 h 1% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane and low-power mode.

04.03.2023: Energy consumption last night: 9:00 h 0% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane and low-power mode.

05.03.2023: Energy consumption last night: 13:45 h 0% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane and low-power mode.

06.03.2023: Energy consumption last night: 6:00 h 1% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane and low-power mode.

07.03.2023: Energy consumption last night: 13:00 h 0% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane and low-power mode.

08.03.2023: Energy consumption last night: 16:00 h 2% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane and low-power mode.

09.03.2023: Energy consumption last night: 16:00 h 0% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane and low-power mode.

10.03.2023: Energy consumption last night: 16:00 h 1% with Focus “Sleep” in airplane and low-power mode.

11.03.2023: Energy consumption last night: 14:20 h 0%! Of this, 12:15 h with Focus “Sleep” in airplane + low-power mode.

Measured Value Acquisition

Screenshots of the start and end of each load.
It will take a while until I have evaluated the screenshots so far.

Low-Power Mode

Apple's iOS operating system automatically activates low-power mode when the battery has 20% remaining charge and deactivates it when the charge reaches 80%. I don't let it get that far without necessity (stress for the battery!). I often charge at 35% to max. 70%. Proven method!

Profile Settings

Apple customers had to wait seventeen years for this standard function. Apple sells us this well-known basic smartphone function as a new feature named Focus. Profile controls were already available for SymbianOS in 2004. This automatic feature could also be installed as an app for Android OS and BlackBerry 10.
Profile control means: settings for ringtone volume, display brightness, airplane mode etc. adapted to the situation and/or time.
This was already available in 2000 on the Nokia 6310(i).

Examples

Switch off low-power mode and airplane mode in the morning, volume normal. Switch off WLAN when leaving the flat. Set the doorbell to silent in certain places. Activate “Do Not disturb” for dinner or television. From 10 p.m., activate “Do Not disturb” (reachable by phone for favourites) and low-power mode. Activate airplane mode at bedtime if you do not need to be reachable for emergencies.

For some of the functions mentioned above, Shortcuts app is required.

Call Filter

Do Not Disturb is the name of Apple's call filter, which was subordinated to the new profile settings “Focus” with the introduction of iOS 15 (20.09.2021). It now also filters messages and apps.

Allow Messages

Messages from selected people and apps are allowed, all others are muted.

Persons

• Mute messages from

When Do Not Disturb focus is activated, messages from selected people are muted and sent to the message centre.

• Allow messages from

With Do Not Disturb focus activated, messages from people you select are allowed. All others are muted and sent to the message centre.

Apps

• Mute messages from

When “Do Not Disturb” focus is activated, messages from selected apps are muted and sent to the message centre.

• Allow messages from

With “Do Not Disturb” focus enabled, messages from apps you select are allowed. All others are muted and sent to the message centre.

Allow Calls from

• All (put callers through unfiltered)
• Only permitted persons (selection from address book)
• Favourites (narrow selection from address book)
• Only for contacts (stored in the address book)

Favourites = Anonymous callers get busy signal or mailbox.
Callers with a suppressed call number immediately receive a busy signal or are sent to the mailbox if “Do Not Disturb” is active.

Time Frame for eternally Outdated and Stubborn, who you like nevertheless

Stubborn acquaintances and relatives who do not want to have the free number transmission switched on by the network operator can still reach you at certain times if you do not leave “Do Not Disturb” active all day, but e.g. 20:00–18:00.
For example, between 6 and 8 p.m., callers with suppressed numbers would also be let through.

You could formulate the announcement text of your mailbox accordingly:
“… landed on my mailbox due to a suppressed call number, … next time better call with activated caller ID!”

Telephone Terror

As soon as diallers of dubious advertising callers start calling you in short intervals and suppress their own phone number or display a fake, constantly changing phone number, “Do Not Disturb” must remain active, otherwise you are no longer reachable for serious callers! For businesses and also for private individuals, it is then worthwhile to buy a real call filter from the App Store. But beware, most of them are crap!
Two notable exceptions: Call Ranger and Number Shield.

Since iOS version 16, you can finally create groups in the address book! Apple now calls them “lists” and you don't need iCloud or an extra app to assign your contacts to groups lists.

Blocking individual Phone Numbers

Since iOS 14.7 (?), unwanted phone numbers can be blocked directly from the call list without having to save them in the address book!

Block dubious Numbers directly from the Caller List

1. open the caller list
2. tap the (i) to the far right of the phone number
3. tap on the red lettering “Block caller” at the very bottom
4. the safety note appears:
   “You will not receive any calls, messages or FaceTime calls from the blocked person.”
   Block contact | Cancel
5. tap “Block contact”, if you are sure, otherwise tap “Cancel”

If you make a mistake (e.g. slipped in a line, got the wrong contact), you can tap on “Unblock” immediately afterwards.
If you want to unblock the contact later or check all blocks already stored, you can do this via the settings menu:
Settings/Phone/Blocked contacts/Add contact. Search for names in the address book, select, done. While you're at it, you can also add annoying insurance agents, colleagues etc. When you are done, press Cancel in the top right-hand corner. This will take you directly back to the “black list” without selecting a new candidate and you can also undo blockings by swiping the name to the left. Then “Unblock” appears to the right of the entry, which you tap to confirm.

• If you do not need to answer every call, you can use the phone app to
  “Mute unknown callers” and
• with Settings/Do Not Disturb/Allow Calls limit to “All Contacts”
  – anyone who is not in the address book can then no longer bother you

Assistant Siri

Most technology enthusiasts and sci-fi fans would like to operate their computers by voice, just like in the sci-fi series Star Trek.

History

• In 2007, the company Siri Inc. had started the development of a digital assistant
• In 2010, Apple bought the company Siri Inc. in April with all rights to the products and the iPhone 4s became the first smartphone with the digital assistant called Siri

Since then, the iPhone can be controlled by voice. Unfortunately, Steve Jobs had decided to let the very powerful software work online in a much slimmed-down way. The original software could run on the iPhone without an online connection to the data centre and would not be as restricted as we know it!

Usage

I see the main purpose of a digital assistant as being to operate the smartphone without having to pick it up. Users of a Bluetooth headset are particularly happy about this possibility, because this way the iPhone can stay protected in the pocket as often as possible!

With most headsets, voice control is started with a long press on the answer button. If you use a headset on an Apple iPhone from version 4s upwards, the assistant Siri is also addressed via it and instead of saying “Hey, Siri!” you immediately state your wish. Siri answers questions about the weather, can send dictated messages, dial phone numbers, read out received messages, remind you of appointments, wake you up in the morning, play your own music, tell you the artist of a current music track and the scores of sporting events etc.

Scope of Functions

A few practical Examples …

Stock Exchange

• Share price of [name of the share]
• How is the DAX?

Telephone and Contacts

• Call [Name]
• Dial [Phone number]
• Redial
• Start FaceTime with [Name]

Search Friends

• Where is [Name]?
• Who is near me?

Messages

• Send a Message to [Name]
• Send an iMessage to [Name]

Mail

• Write a mail to [name] with the content: [content]

Appointments

• When is my next appointment?
• Appointments today? (short: appointments?)
• What appointments do I have tomorrow?
• Create an appointment tomorrow at [time]
• Move today's appointment from [time] to [time]

Reminders

• Remind me on [date] at [time]: [content].
• Remind me of [content] as soon as I get home.

Notes

• Note: […] shop

Time and Alarm Clock

• What time is it?
• Time?
• Which date do we have?
• Set alarm clock to [time]

System

• Battery charge iPhone? (this way Siri understands that the phone itself is meant)
• Battery charge? (indicates remaining charge of the connected BT headset in%)
• Switch [Function] on/off.
• Is WLAN on?

Maps & Navigation

• Where am I? (Siri used to name the street, now only the place)
• Start navigation from here to home
• When do we arrive?
• Exit navigation

Music

• Play Blue Monday by New Order
• Play My Playlist [Name]
• Play something by Yello
• Pause

Weather

• Do I need an umbrella?
• Humidity?
• How cold is it now?
• How warm is it now?
• How will the weather be tonight?
• What will the weather be like tomorrow morning? (max. 24 h forecast)

Sport

• Name the current football results

Hey, Siri!

This way, you call the assistant and immediately attach the question or request to it when you hold the iPhone in your hand or have it on the table.
Siri understands freely formulated questions/instructions and also answers some questions with a comment …
Example: To the question “How cold is it now?” Siri answered: “It's 6 degrees now, but I don't think it's cold at all, Michael”.

By the way: Siri finds less than 4 degrees bitterly cold, anything above that Siri comments with “… but I don't think it's cold at all”.
And since iOS 10 was distributed, Siri has commented on all temperatures above about 20 °Celsius with “hot”.
So the question “How warm is it now?” was answered with “20 degrees, … hot!” (after a few weeks, Siri was no longer used to this).
When Siri wants to be funny, she answers questions about temperature: “No matter how warm it is outside – it's always room temperature inside. Just kidding”.

Not so funny in German Language

Because foreign languages do not have the same priority at Apple, Siri in German is not yet as quick-witted and witty as in her mother tongue.
There is a separate database for each language.

Data Synchronisation with your Personal Computer

Media Content

Screenshot: Import pictures and videos

After establishing the USB connection with a Windows computer, Windows asks the user whether the pictures and videos found on the iPhone should be displayed in the Explorer window or copied to the hard disk (see illustration above). This is a possibility to at least get pictures and videos from the iPhone to the Windows computer without additional software (Apple iTunes or e.g. DigiDNA iMazing).

This works similarly under macOS. Here you start Apple Photos after connecting the iPhone to the Mac via cable. Apple Photos recognises the connected iPhone and offers to import new photos and delete them on the iPhone after successful import. Importing new photos is fine, but deleting them on the iPhone afterwards is better left unchecked. Because if there are problems with the hard disk/SSD shortly after the import or if you accidentally delete imported photos before the next backup, they are lost. It's better to keep them on the iPhone for a long time, then you'll always have them with you everywhere. You can always delete them later.

Backup with iTunes, Finder or iMazing

Since macOS version Catalina (07.10.2019), synchronisation and backup have been integrated into Apple's file manager “Finder”.
Only customers with Windows computers must continue to struggle with a not so smoothly running iTunes version. There is no comparable solution for Linux users.

For data protection reasons, German business people must avoid the iCloud. Instead, use iTunes or iMazing (without backing up to the iCloud!). Security-conscious private users avoid any cloud anyway.

Regular Data Backup with iTunes

Illustration: Optimal backup setting for iTunes

When recharging the battery in the evening at the USB port of your PC, you can have iTunes create an encrypted backup on the hard disk or SSD (see illustration).

It is also possible to synchronise your music collection on the hard disk with the iPhone. Then you should definitely (!) make a backup of your music folders beforehand.Because if you are a music lover and have already invested a lot of time in tidying up your collection, you could experience a nasty surprise after synchronisation with the iPhone (or even the Mac).

It has already given me high blood pressure twice and cost me a lot of time and effort to get everything back in order to some extent.
Many album covers are still wrong and can only be replaced by the right covers in time-consuming manual work.

Cause? Apple's database & tinkered music app (Mac/iPhone).

E-Mail, Addresses, Contacts, Tasks, Notes

An iCloud email account can, but does not have to be created!
PIM data such as email, addresses, contacts, tasks and notes can be easily synchronised with your existing email accounts.

I have never used Apple's Mail app. In April 2020, security experts from ZecOps reported a security vulnerability in Apple Mail that has existed since at least 2012 (iOS 6). It was only with iOS version 13.4.5 that this loophole in the system was closed, allowing attackers to access all messages – including reading, modifying and deleting a mail.
For security reasons, I had banned the Mail app from my iPhones.

I have already been a premium customer of Tutao since June 2019 and use their own app Tutanota (emails, contacts and calendar).

I will never use iCloud Backup, iCloud Drive or iCloud Photos because American authorities can gain access for no reason.
It is easy to become collateral damage of mass surveillance: backdoor keys are rarely secured carefully enough and, like security gaps that are deliberately concealed, are a coveted target for criminals.

Regular Data Backup with iMazing

Much better than iTunes is iMazing, a Swiss quality product from the Geneva-based software company DigiDNA. For years I had been using iMazing on my Windows notebook because I don't like Apple's patchwork iTunes.

iMazing automatically backs up the data from my iPhones to my MacBook Air M2 via WLAN every day. Without a cloud. Works like a charm.
The feature-rich and user-friendly iMazing is the best manager for iOS devices on Mac and PC.

24.10.2022: In iOS version 16.1 Apple has built in a chicane that prevents automated local data backups. As soon as one starts a local data backup (via cable connection or WLAN), the password is requested, although the computer (whether from Apple or not) is known to the iPhone/iPad as a trusted device!
Previously, this was only necessary for the first connection to a computer.

Either Apple has a serious security problem and no other choice to protect customers from it until it is solved – or customers are to be persuaded to push their data to the iCloud (or both?) …

Music Player? Portable Hi-Fi System!

iPhones have offered excellent acoustics for years and, in combination with high-quality headphones, can replace or at least supplement a hi-fi system. Apple's music app was really great at first, until Apple failed in its attempt to improve its user interface.

This even led music lover Mike Clay to teach himself programming and develop a user interface that brought us back the popular simple and clear menu navigation.

So far, I have used the Sony MDR-EX90LP as headphones.
These in-ear headphones in studio monitor quality offer a quite undistorted reproduction.

Apple AirPods Pro (2. Generation)

23.09.2022: Immediately after receiving the AirPods Pro, I listen to the 2nd track from my favourite album “The Best Of The Art Of Noise (1992)”: Yebo (Mbaqanga Mix). This is also a good way to test the low bass reproduction!
Additional play tip: 7th track: Legacy.
Because everything sounds even better than with my 14 years old Sony in-ears, I immediately listen to the entire album and then another album by Art Of Noise: “And What Have You Done With My Body, God?”

This is synthesiser sound at its best, which is not ideal for testing the sound quality of a music player. Electronic music sounds good on any device. But I know the above-mentioned favourite album inside out and have listened to it very often on various MP3 players (encoding with constant quality; dynamic data rate up to max. 320 kbit/s).

To objectively test the sound quality, I use music tracks with acoustic instruments and frequently heard musicians' voices.
The listening test CD “Stakkato” produced by the German hi-fi magazine Audio was also very helpful in objectively testing the acoustics.

Linear Smooth Frequency Response

The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max can really show that it has a ruler-like frequency response down to the low bass range. Otherwise, the bass would not be so abysmally deep, undistorted and clear (unfortunately, I can't measure it).

Messaging

iMessage targeted for Years

Time and again one can read in the IT news that iPhones of journalists and other vulnerable persons have been spied on. Often the spy software got onto the iPhone unnoticed through a security hole in iMessage.

Cryptology professor Matthew Green recommends Apple to completely rewrite the code base of iMessage (Reference).

Apple had always closed security holes relatively quickly, but as long as the code of iMessage is not significantly improved, there will always be successful attacks.
That is why I have deactivated iMessage (and also FaceTime).

Alternative: Threema

Threema can optionally be used without personal data such as telephone number or e-mail address. The Threema ID is sufficient!
Chats are end-to-end encrypted and phone calls are tap-proof.

Alternative: Session

Session does not use any personal data, i.e. neither telephone number nor e-mail address! There is no connection to the device's address book!
The Session ID is generated locally on the device and serves as public key.
Chats are end-to-end encrypted and phone calls are tap-proof.
Further advantages: decentralised onion routing network, free of charge.

Excellent Acoustics for relaxed Telephoning

The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max offers excellent sound quality and supports HD Voice (Plus) – even with Voice over LTE (VoLTE).
If the person you're talking to is also using VoLTE with HD Voice (Plus), you'll experience much better sound quality than with ISDN on a landline!
You recognise callers and their state of mind immediately by their voice and conversations remain more relaxed because no background noise is annoying.
06.02.2023: Great voice quality during mobile call: 0:29 h.
25.02.2023: Great voice quality during mobile call: 0:46 h.
(both calls in the Telefónica Germany mobile network)

iOS

Apple iOS, formerly known as iPhone OS

iOS Versions

• 16.09.2022: supply w. iOS version 15.7
• 16.09.2022: update to iOS version 16.0
• 18.09.2022: update to iOS version 16.0.1
• 22.09.2022: update to iOS version 16.0.2
• 10.10.2022: update to iOS version 16.0.3
• 24.10.2022: update to iOS version 16.1
• 09.11.2022: update to iOS version 16.1.1
• 30.11.2022: update to iOS version 16.1.2
• 13.12.2022: update to iOS version 16.2
• 23.01.2023: update to iOS version 16.3
• 13.02.2023: update to iOS version 16.3.1
• 27.03.2023: update to iOS version 16.4
• 07.04.2023: update to iOS version 16.4.1

30.10.2022: Hopefully Apple will optimise power consumption with the next iOS version. 14% at night without airplane mode/low-power mode is lousy!
Even in airplane mode, the energy consumption is far too high when idle.
The fact that you also have to activate low-power mode to reduce energy consumption to 4–6% at night is a negative record!
09.11.2022: Unscheduled security update.
30.11.2022: Unscheduled security update.
Includes important security updates and the following improvements:
• improved compatibility with mobile network operators
• optimised accident detection on iPhones of the 14 series

13.12.2022: Apple has removed an important battery query in the Shortcuts app:
Within a script, such a thing no longer works as another query:
• if the battery status is n per cent, do this, otherwise do that.
• if battery status is above n per cent, then low-power mode off

Instead, Apple has distributed a half-finished new app: Freeform.
It looks like someone has given team capability to Apple's Notes app, but has taken important functions …
Teams can use it to create worksheets/graphs/plans together, but iPhone screens are far too small for that and folders can't be created. Nothing half and nothing whole at the moment. Too bad!
If you like clutter and have an iPad, you might be happy with it.

16.12.2022: I have probably found the cause for the enormous energy consumption in airplane mode: a bug in iOS that is still not fixed: if you do not manually switch off Bluetooth, the iPhone is not really in airplane mode after airplane mode activation, although it is displayed! If you have installed Corona Warning App and Encounter Notifications are activated, they remain active as long as Bluetooth is turned on.
Other apps such as Warnwetter App and 1Blocker also remain active.
I have therefore adjusted my scripts in the Shortcuts app and used airplane mode for about three hours as a test. Seems to work …

17.12.2022: My workaround (turning off Bluetooth when airplane mode is active, implemented via script in the Shortcuts app) works reliable.

23.01.2023: Apple's software updates today bring enhanced data protection for the iCloud to Germany: this means that backups and photos can now also be stored in the iCloud with end-to-end encryption. Only address book, calendar and email remain unencrypted. I still stick to local backup to encrypted SSDs. Other improvements: Apple's Push Notification Service (APNS) signals incoming calls more reliably or if they were no longer signalled on an app such as Threema, the update can help. In addition, security gaps have been closed again and other bugs have been fixed.

24.01.2023: Yesterday's software update to iOS 16.3 also optimised energy consumption.

Software (Apps)

Integrated Apps

Camera, Photos, Health, Messages, Phone, FaceTime, Mail, Music, Wallet, Safari, Maps, Siri, Calendar, iTunes Store, App Store, Notes, Contacts, Books, Home, Weather, Reminders, Clock, TV, Stocks, Calculator, Voice Memos, Compass, Podcasts, Watch, Tips, Where Is, Settings, Files, Tape Measure, Magnifier, Shortcuts, Translate

Free Apps from Apple

Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iMovie, GarageBand, Clips and the Apple Store app are pre-installed.

Highly recommended Apps in Apple's App Store

• 1Blocker Ad Blocker and Firewall by Salavat Khanov
• Battery Charge Alarm by Bastiaan Modderkolk
• Number Shield by Kinnaman Software LLC
• Cs Cesium Music Player by Mike Clay
• Date & Time Calculator by Thomas Tsopanakis
• Shortcuts by Apple
• Privee – Photo Zensor by Zenlogic LLC
• Strongbox (Zero) – KeePass & PwSafe by Mark McGuill (Phoebe Code Ltd.)

You can find apps that I have already tested on the Mobile Apps page.
Most of these have proven themselves.
For apps that I have not yet tested myself, I link to developer's website or to Apple's App Store.

Hardware

Acoustic Properties

Linear frequency response, high impedance, good channel separation and very low distortion ensure high fidelity!

Glass Housing with Stainless Steel Frame and Chassis

Superbly crafted case. Unfortunately, it is not as comfortable to hold as the iPhone 11 Pro (Max), which fits even better in the hand thanks to rounded corners. But it is a nice feeling to hold such a high-quality device weighing a whopping 240 grams in your hand.

Isn't it golden?

This year, Apple has done a great job with the “gold” case colour. It no longer looks like copper or rose gold like previous models.

High-Resolution 6.7-inch Display

This OLED display shows photos and text sharply and in natural colours. The size of the screen is enough to be able to edit this website on the go. Maybe I'll watch a TV programme on it sometime.

A16 Bionic: fastest Smartphone Processor on the World Market

Normal operation leaves the iPhone cold, everything runs smoothly and the case never gets very warm. Maximum value I have one time seen (only very briefly during battery charging): 41 °C Mostly max. 38 °C.

Face ID replaced Touch ID

Unlocking became comfortable

Your face has been used to secure your personal data since the iPhone X. The fingerprint scanner of older iPhones does not recognise users as reliably as the infrared camera in the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Depending on the weather (humidity?!) and the condition of my skin, iPhone 6s Plus/iPhone 7 Plus/iPhone 8 sometimes didn't recognise me. Then I had to type in my very long password. My iPhone 14 Pro Max has always recognised me immediately, even with a mask!

Now also in Landscape Format and with Mask

For this, you can have your face scanned in a separate process, whereby the iPhone prioritises the uncovered parts of the face.

Not for Children or Twins

Face ID is very secure with two exceptions: it cannot safely distinguish between children's faces and twins (triplets/quadruplets/…). They could unlock each other's devices …
But: does an expensive iPhone with glass casing belong in children's hands?

In the truest Sense of the Word: outstandingly good Camera

Photo: “outstanding” camera of the iPhone 14 Pro Max

Apple's designers ignore all criticism and make the lenses of the main camera on the back of the new model stand out even more. The reason: good optics consist of several lenses with the appropriate distance between them, and they need space! A flat back can be achieved, for example, with a leather case. It has a suitable opening for the lens bulge. This camera takes really outstanding photos even in very low light. In daylight, the quality corresponds to that of good compact cameras. Some journalists from daily newspapers even take many of their photos with it.

Localisation via GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and QZSS

Thanks to the use of four satellite systems, localisation is almost always possible.

Lightning Jack and Cable

A Lightning plug can be easily and precisely inserted into the Lightning socket. Better than the fiddly micro-USB socket previously used by other manufacturers.
Except for the low transfer speed, this is as good as the USB-C sockets and plugs common everywhere except iPhones.

fitBAG Nappa Leather Sleeve

No Smartphone without a Leather Sleeve from fitBAG

When I buy a new smartphone, I always buy a black leather case for it too from fitBAG (made in Germany) …

Photo: fitBAG leather bag in black nappa leather with golden contents (close-up)

Stainless steel and glass are susceptible to scratches. That's why I protect my iPhone with a black nappa leather case from fitBAG.

Pros

• Tempered glass front and back - buy Apple's leather case if you prefer a leather back
• Stainless steel housing frame in surgical quality
• Absolutely flawless processing quality
• Very efficient coordination of software and hardware
• Dual eSIM plus nano-SIM tray (simultaneous operation of two eSIMs or eSIM + nano-SIM)
• good reception performance
• Excellent noise-free sound quality when making phone calls
• HD Voice + HD Voice Plus = EVS)
• Outstandingly good acoustics even for music reproduction with linear-smooth frequency response
• Reliability and stability of the operating system
• fast storage with secure hardware encryption
• Face ID quickly unlocks the iPhone; can also be used for App Store purchases (if desired)
• Software keyboard with intelligent word suggestion algorithm - ex-BlackBerry users discover the ingenious role model!
• Display with excellent performance in resolution, brightness and colour fidelity
• 6 GB RAM
• Model with 1 TB internal memory also available in Germany
• very user-friendly
• Safari web browser with very fast page loading and reading mode for suitable web pages
• Excellent camera with full automatic and few, but very useful functions
• Apple A16 is the most powerful smartphone processor on the world market
• Screen shot made easy: Press power button + upper volume button simultaneously
  (or use the operating aid: e.g. tap 2× on the back)
• ex works no bloatware

Cons

• Apple's music app has been disimproved (many therefore prefer Cs Music)
• mechanical switch does not switch off all sounds – YT videos etc. still blare away!
• Loud camera shutter release is annoying (cannot be turned off for screenshots!)
• No exchangeable battery – battery not easily exchangeable by the customer
• No memory card slot – memory not expandable
• Storage size suitable for everyday use and future-proof extremely expensive (at least 256 GB are a must due to lack of expandability!)
• Despite expensive “Apple Care+” insurance, no new device as replacement in case of damage
• Core NFC programming interface enable provides minimal access to near-field radio chip ⁽¹⁾

Note

(1): One of many NFC applications that cannot be used via iPhone:
Reading eTickets (season tickets for local public transport) via the RMV app to check the expiry date of the ticket.
Until Apple comes to its senses, this function is reserved for Android users. Even the consumer protection in Canada could not achieve anything.

Conclusion

Some Apple peculiarities make a blanket recommendation impossible.
If you are willing to compromise and accept the disadvantages (maybe even because of the advantages), you get a nice and solid smartphone!

Alternatives

Similar Models and Successors

• Apple iPhone 14 Pro – Glass body, angular stainless steel frame, 6 GB RAM, max. 1 TB storage, 6.1-inch OLED display, triple camera (48 MP) + Lidar, 5G, Dual eSIM
• Fairphone 4 – Aluminium body, plastic back, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB storage, max. 2 TB (microSDXC card), 6.3-inch LCD display, dual camera (48 MP WA/SWA), 5G, Dual SIM
• Google Pixel 8 Pro – Glass housing, aluminium frame, 12 GB RAM, max. 512 GB storage, 6,7-inch full-screen OLED display, triple camera (50 MP WW, 48 MP UWW, 48 MP TP), 5G, Dual eSIM
• Google Pixel 8 – Glass housing, aluminium frame, 8 GB RAM, max. 256 GB storage, 6,2-inch full-screen OLED display, dual camera (50 MP WW, 12 MP UWW), 5G, Dual eSIM
• Google Pixel 7 Pro – Glass housing, aluminium frame, 12 GB RAM, max. 256 GB storage, 6,7-inch full-screen OLED display, triple camera (50 MP WW, 12 MP UWW, 48 MP TP), 5G, Dual eSIM
• Google Pixel 7 – Glass housing, aluminium frame, 8 GB RAM, max. 256 GB storage, 6.3-inch full-screen OLED display, dual camera (50 MP WA, 12 MP UWA), 5G, Dual eSIM
• Google Pixel 7a – Plastic housing, aluminium frame, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB storage, 6.1-inch full-screen OLED display, dual camera (64 MP WA, 13 MP UWA), 5G, Dual eSIM

Memory Expansion impossible - don't save at the wrong End

The internal memory cannot be subsequently expanded!
128 GB (minimum size) are quickly occupied, because:

• the smartphone camera takes excellent photos in very high resolution
• the MP3 music collection grows and grows
• Video podcast collections need space
• You don't want to keep deleting eBooks and audiobooks either

If you underestimate the amount of memory you need, you will not be able to use your iPhone as intended for long, then it will limit you and become virtually unusable.

If you only buy this iPhone to make phone calls (status symbol?), 128 GB will also suffice. That would be tantamount to misuse …
If your interests change later and you still want to save your music collection or photo albums, you're screwed …
BTW: Apple ProRAW only works with 256 GB of storage or more …

But there is the iCloud?

Storage outsourcing to a cloud requires a reliably available unlimited data connection so that you have access to all your data at all times. Without a WLAN connection, this will be more expensive in the long run than the one-off extra price for an iPhone with enough memory, as real mobile flat rates are expensive in Germany. Talking about additional price: 5 GB are free you have paid for with the device price – they are neither enough for backups nor for further data collections.

Privacy in Danger

iMessage conversations are only private if no backup is made to the iCloud! As soon as the iCloud is used for even a single backup, all your confidential iMessage conversations including the key are available to American authorities, because Apple attaches the key to every iCloud backup!

Breach of the EU-GDPR

You should care that American authorities have access to the iCloud at any time – for business use (EU-DSGVO) and to protect the privacy of your fellow human beings (!) the use of iCloud is therefore absolutely taboo!

Extended Data Protection: E2E Encryption for Backups and Photos

The prerequisite for end-to-end encryption of almost all iCloud data is iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3, watchOS 9.3, macOS 13.2, tvOS 16.3 and for Windows users the current version of iCloud for Windows. In addition, the user must switch on two-factor authentication.
1) For end-to-end encryption, users must set up one or more account recovery contacts.
2) Alternatively, the system can generate a recovery key.
The first precaution requires reliable people with an iPhone/iPad and the second precaution requires a safe place for the 28-digit recovery key. A password safe on the Apple device is not suitable for this because it remains inaccessible when the device is locked!
Therefore many customers will prefer to do without extended data protection.

Reference

Apple: Specifications of iPhone 14 Pro Max

WIRED: Apple Expands End-to-End Encryption to iCloud Backups

heise.de: iMessage: Code better be completely rewritten (German-language)

Matthew Green: A case against security nihilism

netzpolitik.org: Famous IT security researchers warn (German-language)