It's only life changing if you use your phone for most of your computing. I don't, I tried a foldable and barely used it unfolded, just didn't "get it." If I need to do something that's frustrating on a phone screen, I don't use my phone - I almost always have my laptop with me, or my iPad near by. If I don't, it can probably wait until I get home anyway.

Consequently, probably why I might be "downgrading" from a pro max down to the new iPhone Air. No bulk, no excessive camera array...just a thin, light phone.

That's exactly my phone use. I still want a fast phone because a laggy interface will make my phone use even more annoying for the use I do have, but trying a foldable for a week or so it just felt like something clunkier to carry around in between using my tablet or desktop.

Then you got the wrong foldable phone - you should have gone for the flip - that's way smaller and more pocketable than air. Will probably get you similar battery stats.