The iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max comparison launched in September 2024 is the latest in Apple smartphone lineup improving upon the iPhone 15 Pro Max that was released a year earlier. While both phone offer feature the iPhone 16 Pro Max introduce a range of enhancement that make it stand out in term of design performance camera capabilities and battery life. Let dive into a detailed comparison of the two device.
Design and Display
iPhone 15 Pro Max Design:
- Display: 6 point 7 inch Super Retina XDR OLED
- Material: Titanium frame with textured matte glass back
- Resolution: 2796 x 1290 pixel ~460 ppi
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz ProMotion
iPhone 16 Pro Max Design:
- Display: 6 point 9 inch Super Retina XDR OLED
- Material: Titanium frame with textured matte glass back
- Resolution: 3100 x 1400 pixels (~490 ppi)
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz ProMotion
Changes and Comparison: The iPhone 16 Pro Max brings a slight size increase with a 6 point 9 inch display surpassing the 6 point 7 inch display of the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Both models have a similar premium build with titanium frames but the iPhone 16 Pro Max bezels are thinner which results in a larger screen in a comparable sized body. Additionally the iPhone 16 Pro Max feature an upgraded resolution with improved sharpness offering a more immersive display experience.
Both model sport a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate ensuring fluid scrolling and smooth animation. However the iPhone 16 Pro Max display reache a peak brightness of 2000 nits while the iPhone 15 Pro Max peak at around 1600 nits. This improvement help in providing better visibility under bright outdoor condition.
Performance
iPhone 15 Pro Max (A17 Pro Chip):
- Built on a 3nm process
- 6 core CPU (2 performance 4 efficiency cores)
- 5 core GPU
- 16 core Neural Engine
- Storage options: 256GB and 512GB and 1TB
iPhone 16 Pro Max (A18 Pro Chip):
- Built on a 3nm process (second generation)
- 6 core CPU (2 performance and 4 efficiency cores)
- 6 core GPU
- 16 core Neural Engine
- Storage options: 256GB and 512GB and 1TB and 2TB
Change and Comparison: The iPhone 16 Pro Max is powered by the new A18 Pro chip a more efficient and powerful upgrade to the A17 Pro chip in the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The A18 Pro offers slightly faster processing speed and a more capable GPU improving gaming performance and multitasking efficiency. The A18 Pro also provides better energy efficiency helping extend battery life despite the increased screen size and additional feature.
Benchmark scores reveal the difference: The iPhone 16 Pro Max scores 3331 in single-core performance and 8106 in multi core surpassing the iPhone 15 Pro Max scores of 2958 and 7288 respectively.
Camera
iPhone 15 Pro Max Camera System:
- 48MP main sensor with sensor shift optical image stabilization
- 12MP ultra wide camera
- 3x optical zoom telephoto lens
- 4K Dolby Vision HDR video recording
iPhone 16 Pro Max Camera System:
- 48MP main sensor with sensor shift optical image stabilization
- 48MP ultra wide camera
- 5x optical zoom telephoto lens
- 4K Dolby Vision HDR video recording at 120 fps
Change and Comparison: Both model feature a 48MP main sensor but the iPhone 16 Pro Max introduce a 48MP ultra wide lens a significant upgrade from the 12MP ultra wide lens in the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 Pro Max also improve it telephoto capabilities with a 5x optical zoom compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max 3x optical zoom. This allow for better zoomed in shot without compromising image quality.
In terms of video capabilities both phone support 4K Dolby Vision HDR but the iPhone 16 Pro Max introduce an upgrade with 120 fps video recording allowing for smoother slow motion video compared to the 60 fps on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Battery and Charging
iPhone 15 Pro Max Battery:
- 4422mAh
- Supports 15W MagSafe wireless charging
- Fast charging up to 50% in 30 minutes with a 20W adapter
iPhone 16 Pro Max Battery:
- 4,685mAh
- Supports 25W MagSafe wireless charging
- Fast charging up to 50% in 25 minutes with a 20W adapter
Changes and Comparison: The iPhone 16 Pro Max features a larger 4685mAh battery an increase from the 4422mAh battery in the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This provide a longer battery life even with the larger screen size. The iPhone 16 Pro Max also support 25W wireless charging offering slightly faster charging speed compared to the 15W wireless charging in the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Additional Feature
iPhone 15 Pro Max Feature:
- Apple Dynamic Island for interactive notification
- Face ID
- MagSafe support
- Dual SIM support (Nano SIM + eSIM)
iPhone 16 Pro Max Feature:
- Apple Dynamic Island for interactive notification
- Face ID
- MagSafe support
- Dual SIM support (Nano SIM + eSIM)
- New Camera Control button for quicker access to camera function
- Apple Intelligence integration (AI driven feature)
Change and Comparison: The iPhone 16 Pro Max introduces a new Camera Control button placed on the right side of the device which provides quick access to various camera mode and function. However it placement may not be comfortable for all user. Another notable addition is the integration of Apple Intelligence which offers enhanced AI driven feature to assist in task such as photography navigation and system optimization.
Advantage of iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Larger Display: A bigger 6 point 9 inch screen with thinner bezel offer a more immersive viewing experience.
- Performance: The 16 Pro chip provide better performance and energy efficiency smoother operation and improved battery life.
- Improved Camera System: The 48MP ultra wide lens and 5x optical zoom telephoto len offer photography and video capabilities.
- Better Battery Life: The larger battery and faster wireless charging support allow for longer usage time.
- Additional Feature: The Camera Control button and Apple Intelligence integration enhance the user experience though some feature are region dependent.
Disadvantage of iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Higher Price: The iPhone 16 Pro Max come at a premium price making it less affordable compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
- Camera Control Button: While innovative the Camera Control button may not suit all user ergonomic preference.
- Not All Feature Available in All Region: Apple Intelligence feature may require future update or are not available in all region at launch.
Conclusion
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a significant upgrade over the iPhone 15 Pro Max offering a larger display enhanced performance improved camera capabilities and longer battery life. However these improvement come at a higher price. The iPhone 15 Pro Max remain a powerful device with most of the flagship feature at a slightly lower cost making it a great choice for those who do not necessarily need the latest enhancement.
If you are seeking the newest technology with the best performance and feature the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a compelling choice. On the other hand if you are looking for a premium device at a more affordable price the iPhone 15 Pro Max still deliver excellent value.