Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Side-by-side specifications, scores and verdict.
Quick Verdict
Both flagship phones arrive at identical $1199 price points, but the iPhone 16 Pro Max edges ahead with meaningful upgrades. Camera improvements stand out: the 16 Pro Max features a 48MP ultrawide (vs 12MP) and 4K@120fps video recording compared to 60fps on the 15 Pro Max. Battery capacity increases from 4422mAh to 4685mAh, paired with faster 25W MagSafe charging. The display grows to 6.9 inches with slightly higher resolution (2868x1320), while the A18 Pro chipset offers better performance and efficiency than the A17 Pro. WiFi 7 support provides future-proofing advantages. The 15 Pro Max remains an excellent device, but the 16 Pro Max's superior camera versatility, enhanced battery life, and incremental processor gains justify the modest performance premium. For new buyers, the 16 Pro Max represents better long-term value despite marginal improvements.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 17 | iOS 18 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 221 g | 227 g |
| Material | Titanium frame | Titanium frame |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm | 163 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@120fps Dolby Vision |
| Telephoto | 12 MP 5x | 12 MP 5x |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 48 MP |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4422 mAh | 4685 mAh |
| Charging | 27W wired | 27W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 25W MagSafe |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.9 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED, LTPO | Super Retina XDR OLED, LTPO |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2868 x 1320 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 2000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Hexa-core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (6-core) | Apple GPU (6-core) |
| Chipset | Apple A17 Pro | Apple A18 Pro |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
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 Pro Max
Pros
- Class-leading A18 Pro performance
- Versatile camera system with 5x tetraprism telephoto
- Premium titanium build
- Bright 2000-nit ProMotion display
- Excellent battery life
Cons
- Very expensive starting price
- Heavy at 227 g
- Slow charging vs Android flagships
- Apple Intelligence features rolling out gradually
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