Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 16 Plus
The Verdict
iPhone 15 Pro Max delivers premium flagship performance with its A17 Pro chip, 120Hz ProMotion display, and superior 5x telephoto camera, justifying its $1199 price for power users who demand cutting-edge specs. iPhone 16 Plus offers exceptional value at $899, featuring the capable A18 chip, larger 4674 mAh battery, Wi-Fi 7, and newer iOS 18,losing only the 120Hz refresh rate and telephoto lens. Both share identical main sensors, resolution, and peak brightness. For professionals prioritizing computational photography and zoom capabilities, the Pro Max edges ahead; for everyday users seeking a larger screen and better battery life at a significant discount, the 16 Plus represents smarter value. The 15 Pro Max's titanium build and LTPO technology justify premium pricing only if 120Hz smoothness matters to you.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if…
- →First Apple titanium frame, lighter than predecessor
- →Powerful A17 Pro chip with hardware ray tracing
- →New 5x tetraprism telephoto camera
Buy the Apple iPhone 16 Plus if…
- →Excellent battery life from large 4674 mAh cell
- →A18 chip supports Apple Intelligence
- →New Camera Control button
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Pros
- First Apple titanium frame, lighter than predecessor
- Powerful A17 Pro chip with hardware ray tracing
- New 5x tetraprism telephoto camera
- USB-C with USB 3 transfer speeds
- Excellent ProMotion 120Hz display
Cons
- Premium pricing
- Heavy device despite titanium
- No charging speed improvements
- Initial overheating reports at launch
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Pros
- Excellent battery life from large 4674 mAh cell
- A18 chip supports Apple Intelligence
- New Camera Control button
- Bright 2000-nit display
- More affordable than Pro Max
Cons
- Still locked to 60Hz refresh rate
- No telephoto camera
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
- No always-on display
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 17 | iOS 18 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 221 g | 199 g |
| Material | Titanium frame | Aluminum frame |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision |
| Telephoto | 12 MP 5x | — |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4422 mAh | 4674 mAh |
| Charging | 27W wired | 20W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 25W MagSafe |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED, LTPO | Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2796 x 1290 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 2000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Hexa-core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (6-core) | Apple GPU (5-core) |
| Chipset | Apple A17 Pro | Apple A18 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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