[MikeElmendorf]

The upcoming iPhone 12 Pro Max (or whatever they end up calling it) with the 6.7" screen is slightly bigger than the current iPhone 11 Pro Max, which, if you have one, you know BARELY fits in the charging tray in the 5 series.

So, the question has been, will the new one fit?

Well, to find out, I ordered an inexpensive, low profile silicone case from Amazon that was delivered today. It seems very similar to the Apple silicone cases I typically use.

Without a phone in the case, I can get it to fit in the tray. I can also get it to fit with my iPhone 11 in the case, but there is still some give on either end because it is about .01" or so smaller than the 12.

So, I stuck a coin in the end of the case to tried to fill the gap to make sure it wasn't the gap allowing it to fit. With the coin in there, it will NOT go all the way down to sit at the bottom of the tray but does get close enough for it to charge.

I'm still not 100% that the fit is identical to what it will be if the actual phone was in the case, but I think it SHOULD work. Also, if you are NOT using a case, I think the phone itself would probably fit just about the same as my iPhone 11 with the silicone case on.

I guess we'll find out for sure next week, but food for though for those considering the new phone but concerned about wireless charging capability in the case like I am.

As I have a 2021 M550 inbound now to replace my 2018 540, I'm a little surprise that the same car that touts being the first to work with Apple Car Key (which, if I'm not mistaken, requires the phone to be in the tray for it to start the car) may NOT work with Apple's new flagship phone. Seems like that's a planning or communications fail on BMW's part.

Also I wonder if BMW will eventually alter and/or make possible retrofit of the charging tray to make it work if it does not. It seems like there is some room to get rid of some material on the sides.

[Jas387]

That’s really helpful, thanks. I have an iPhone 11 with a silicone case and I’ve been wondering whether mine will fit. Sounds like it will...just!

[sandwi54]

Just to be clear, you guys are talking about iPhone 11 "pro max" and iPhone 12 "pro max," not iPhone 11 and iPhone 12, right? They are different phones. The pro max is the 6.5" and 6.7", and the regular iPhone 11 is 6.1", and iPhone 12 is 5.8".

[MikeElmendorf]

Yes. Talking about the larger phones; the smaller ones fit no problem.

[ted8715]

Now that we have official specs for the new 12 Pro Max and the new MagSafe cases appear to be lower profile, what do you think about the fit?

iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max Specs

iPhone 12 Pro Max Silicone Magsafe Case

[sandwi54]

The 12 pro max is 6.33" long and 11 pro max is 6.22" long, so the 12 pro max will not fit the wireless charging slot with any case on.

[tateintx]

I have a 2021 M550i and my 11 pro max with case fits (barely) and charges. I am using the Apple leather case with the phone. I don't think the 12 pro max is going to work at all.

[malpatti]

Pay $10 a month for Apple Care and go caseless. That’s what I do, the device feels better too. I think the 12 Pro Max will fit my LCI’s wireless charger as there’s a little wiggle room with the (naked) 11 Pro Max I currently have.

[sandwi54]

Originally Posted by malpatti

Pay $10 a month for Apple Care and go caseless. That’s what I do, the device feels better too. I think the 12 Pro Max will fit my LCI’s wireless charger as there’s a little wiggle room with the (naked) 11 Pro Max I currently have.

This won't work for me who has a 4 year old and 1.5 year old. They are constant grabbing my phone and throwing it... plus I drop it once in a while too. I don't want to have to claim apple care every week.

[crypto]

I agree without a case feels better but since the iPhone 7 Max the devices got too big and sleek it’s not worth it to me anymore. I like to wear sweat pants.. especially with always working from home and this phone falls out of my pocket all the time. My kids are surprisingly good with the phone though. 😀

As for AppleCare.. I think you get two repairs a year and there’s a $29 fee each time. On top of that something to keep in mind is that it seems Genius Bar appointments can be a week out now. I need to get battery replaced in an old MacBook Pro and it seems all the appointments for the Apple Store are 4-7 days out when I have checked. Maybe they have more slots for iPhone stuff (not sure) but it seems the scheduling something same or next day is out unless you get lucky.

[MikeElmendorf]

I put my 11 Pro Max in the 12 Pro Max case I bought (not one of the MagSafe ones, so it may be slightly larger than those) and while it would not go all the way down in the charging tray to be flush to the bottom, it DID get close enough to charge the phone. And, because of the way it fit (didn’t fit?) it was actually easier to get out than my 11.

So, I think in fact in may work, especially if the Apple MagSafe cases are thinner.

[ted8715]

Does Wireless CarPlay still work if you plug the phone into the USB port in the center console to charge?

I have a pre-LCI 530e, I don't mind losing the wireless charging and using corded charging for longer trips as long as CarPlay still works.

[ramparts]

Originally Posted by ted8715

Does Wireless CarPlay still work if you plug the phone into the USB port in the center console to charge?

I have a pre-LCI 530e, I don't mind losing the wireless charging and using corded charging for longer trips as long as CarPlay still works.

Yes

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by ted8715

Does Wireless CarPlay still work if you plug the phone into the USB port in the center console to charge?

I have a pre-LCI 530e, I don't mind losing the wireless charging and using corded charging for longer trips as long as CarPlay still works.

It might also be needed to use a cable. I only did one longer drive (300 miles) where I turned on CarPlay and put it in the wireless charger. Somewhere about halfway through the iPhone shutoff from overheating. I didn't have a cable on hand so I just swapped over to iDrive.

Potentially the cable would be less prone to overheating (wireless charging generates a fair bit of heat and the GPS on top can be too much).

Even the LCI uses the same wireless charging setup without any ventilation into the cavity from my understanding. A shame for them to have overlooked this since the AC ducts are so close by.

[clee1982]

Sort of topic, but for the guys who get Pro Max, how do you carry your phone daily (when just walking)? It's definitely too big for back pocket (thus why I never look at the pro max)

[crypto]

Originally Posted by clee1982

Sort of topic, but for the guys who get Pro Max, how do you carry your phone daily (when just walking)? It's definitely too big for back pocket (thus why I never look at the pro max)

I have an XS Max (basically identical in size to 11 Pro Max) and it fits in my pocket just fine -- jeans/shorts/dress pants. I namely used my left front pocket and not a back pocket though. The only issue I have more so with the bigger phones (mentioned above) is with sweat pants. The phone falls out super easily when siting down (e.g. really just when getting in/out of a vehicle).

[DBV1]

Originally Posted by crypto

I have an XS Max (basically identical in size to 11 Pro Max) and it fits in my pocket just fine -- jeans/shorts/dress pants. I namely used my left front pocket and not a back pocket though. The only issue I have more so with the bigger phones (mentioned above) is with sweat pants. The phone falls out super easily when siting down (e.g. really just when getting in/out of a vehicle).

It also tends to fall out with shorts as well. I usually go for the normal Pro, not the Max, but Apple had to ruin it by making the Max this time with the better camera. Steve Jobs would have never had made so many phones and all different. Dumb move Apple.

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by DBV1

It also tends to fall out with shorts as well. I usually go for the normal Pro, not the Max, but Apple had to ruin it by making the Max this time with the better camera. Steve Jobs would have never had made so many phones and all different. Dumb move Apple.

Hasn’t that always been the case? The best camera and battery life is on the larger size due to the larger physical size of the bigger phone?

I will be skipping the Max as I always do. Too big.

[kring]

I find the wireless charging is soooo slow, it's never worth it. like 2% an hour... where as I could just plug it in and get 10% in 5 minutes. that slow charging plus how hard it is to get the phone out of the space (even the iphone 11 pro non-max) it just isn't really a good solution in my opinion.

[crypto]

Originally Posted by kring

I find the wireless charging is soooo slow, it's never worth it. like 2% an hour... where as I could just plug it in and get 10% in 5 minutes. that slow charging plus how hard it is to get the phone out of the space (even the iphone 11 pro non-max) it just isn't really a good solution in my opinion.

Yea the wireless charger in the BMW from what I read is 5W. The max wattage iPhones can even do wirelessly is 7.5W -- so it's definitely slower than the maximum but you can't charge that much quicker wirelessly anyway. I'm not sure that the wattage increases and time to charge are linear -- e.g. I'm don't believe that 7.5W will charge 50% faster than 5W. Also, the wireless charging should also be about the same speed as the standard little charging block that comes with iPhones (until iPhone12 .. that comes with no charger..hah) but way slower than a quick charger that can prob do 20W+.

[jondoc72]

I have the 2021 m550, placed the iphone 11pro max naked and drove 1hour, did not gain 20% charge. Placing it with the clear apple case will fit with little room and kind of thight. I dont think the big 12 will fit at all

[DBV1]

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

Hasn’t that always been the case? The best camera and battery life is on the larger size due to the larger physical size of the bigger phone?

I will be skipping the Max as I always do. Too big.

No - iPhone 11 Pro and Max had the exact same camera specs.