Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Verdict

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max scores higher in 1 of 6 sections (design & durability), while the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max leads in battery, performance and camera; they are even on display and connectivity & features.

The biggest difference is battery: 67 vs 74 points.

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is the newer model, announced 12 months after the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Choose the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max for design & durability; choose the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max for battery and performance.

iPhone 15 Pro Max leads in 1 field
iPhone 16 Pro Max leads in 5 fields
32 ties

38 scored fields compared

Score by section

Section scores	iPhone 15 Pro Max	iPhone 16 Pro Max
Overall
Performance	82	87
Camera	93	96
Battery	67	74
Display	92	92
Design & durability	85	80
Connectivity & features	82	84

Full specifications

Only differences

Performance

Chipset performance index: iPhone 15 Pro Max: 82/100; iPhone 16 Pro Max: 89/100(Better)
Chipset: iPhone 15 Pro Max: Apple A17 Pro; iPhone 16 Pro Max: Apple A18 Pro
RAM (max): iPhone 15 Pro Max: 8 GB; iPhone 16 Pro Max: 8 GB
Storage (max): iPhone 15 Pro Max: 1 TB; iPhone 16 Pro Max: 1 TB
Process node: iPhone 15 Pro Max: 3 nm; iPhone 16 Pro Max: 3 nm

Camera

Main camera resolution: iPhone 15 Pro Max: 48 MP; iPhone 16 Pro Max: 48 MP
Main sensor size: iPhone 15 Pro Max: 1/1.28″; iPhone 16 Pro Max: 1/1.28″
Optical stabilization (OIS): iPhone 15 Pro Max: Yes; iPhone 16 Pro Max: Yes
Ultra-wide camera: iPhone 15 Pro Max: Yes; iPhone 16 Pro Max: Yes
Telephoto camera: iPhone 15 Pro Max: Yes; iPhone 16 Pro Max: Yes
Periscope lens: iPhone 15 Pro Max: Yes; iPhone 16 Pro Max: Yes
Optical zoom: iPhone 15 Pro Max: 5×; iPhone 16 Pro Max: 5×
Video recording: iPhone 15 Pro Max: 4K 60 fps; iPhone 16 Pro Max: 4K 120 fps(Better)
Front camera: iPhone 15 Pro Max: 12 MP; iPhone 16 Pro Max: 12 MP
Front camera 4K video: iPhone 15 Pro Max: Yes; iPhone 16 Pro Max: Yes

Battery

Battery capacity: iPhone 15 Pro Max: 4441 mAh; iPhone 16 Pro Max: 4685 mAh(Better)
Battery endurance (EU label): iPhone 15 Pro Max: Unknown; iPhone 16 Pro Max: 48:00 h
EU label cycles: iPhone 15 Pro Max: Unknown; iPhone 16 Pro Max: 1000
Wireless charging: iPhone 15 Pro Max: 15 W; iPhone 16 Pro Max: 25 W(Better)
Reverse charging: iPhone 15 Pro Max: Yes; iPhone 16 Pro Max: Yes
Reverse charging type: iPhone 15 Pro Max: Wired; iPhone 16 Pro Max: Wired

Display

Screen size: iPhone 15 Pro Max: 6.7″; iPhone 16 Pro Max: 6.9″
Panel type: iPhone 15 Pro Max: LTPO OLED; iPhone 16 Pro Max: LTPO OLED
Refresh rate: iPhone 15 Pro Max: 120 Hz; iPhone 16 Pro Max: 120 Hz
Pixel density: iPhone 15 Pro Max: 460 ppi; iPhone 16 Pro Max: 460 ppi
Peak brightness: iPhone 15 Pro Max: 2000 nits; iPhone 16 Pro Max: 2000 nits
Resolution: iPhone 15 Pro Max: 1290x2796; iPhone 16 Pro Max: 1320x2868
Screen protection: iPhone 15 Pro Max: Ceramic Shield glass; iPhone 16 Pro Max: Ceramic Shield glass

Design & durability

Weight: iPhone 15 Pro Max: 221 g(Better); iPhone 16 Pro Max: 227 g
Thickness: iPhone 15 Pro Max: 8.3 mm; iPhone 16 Pro Max: 8.3 mm
Dust & water resistance: iPhone 15 Pro Max: IP68; iPhone 16 Pro Max: IP68
Back material: iPhone 15 Pro Max: Glass; iPhone 16 Pro Max: Glass
Frame material: iPhone 15 Pro Max: Titanium; iPhone 16 Pro Max: Titanium
EU repairability class: iPhone 15 Pro Max: Unknown; iPhone 16 Pro Max: C
EU drop resistance class: iPhone 15 Pro Max: Unknown; iPhone 16 Pro Max: C
EU energy class: iPhone 15 Pro Max: Unknown; iPhone 16 Pro Max: B

Connectivity & features

5G: iPhone 15 Pro Max: Yes; iPhone 16 Pro Max: Yes
Wi-Fi: iPhone 15 Pro Max: Wi-Fi 6E; iPhone 16 Pro Max: Wi-Fi 7(Better)
Bluetooth: iPhone 15 Pro Max: 5.3; iPhone 16 Pro Max: 5.3
USB speed: iPhone 15 Pro Max: USB 3.x; iPhone 16 Pro Max: USB 3.x
USB port: iPhone 15 Pro Max: USB-C 3.2 Gen 2; iPhone 16 Pro Max: USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
DisplayPort output: iPhone 15 Pro Max: Yes; iPhone 16 Pro Max: Yes
NFC: iPhone 15 Pro Max: Yes; iPhone 16 Pro Max: Yes
eSIM: iPhone 15 Pro Max: Yes; iPhone 16 Pro Max: Yes
Ultra-wideband (UWB): iPhone 15 Pro Max: Yes; iPhone 16 Pro Max: Yes
Satellite connectivity: iPhone 15 Pro Max: Yes; iPhone 16 Pro Max: Yes
Stereo speakers: iPhone 15 Pro Max: Yes; iPhone 16 Pro Max: Yes
3.5 mm headphone jack: iPhone 15 Pro Max: No; iPhone 16 Pro Max: No
Fingerprint reader: iPhone 15 Pro Max: None; iPhone 16 Pro Max: None
3D face unlock: iPhone 15 Pro Max: Yes; iPhone 16 Pro Max: Yes
Infrared blaster: iPhone 15 Pro Max: No; iPhone 16 Pro Max: No
FM radio: iPhone 15 Pro Max: No; iPhone 16 Pro Max: No
microSD slot: iPhone 15 Pro Max: No; iPhone 16 Pro Max: No
Card slot: iPhone 15 Pro Max: No; iPhone 16 Pro Max: No

General

Operating system: iPhone 15 Pro Max: iOS 17; iPhone 16 Pro Max: iOS 18
Launch price: iPhone 15 Pro Max: $ 494.45; iPhone 16 Pro Max: $ 649.00
Year: iPhone 15 Pro Max: 2023; iPhone 16 Pro Max: 2024

Show raw spec text

Original text from the source spec sheet, for reference.

—	iPhone 15 Pro Max	iPhone 16 Pro Max
Network
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 CDMA 800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 CDMA 800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 53, 66 - A3106 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 53, 66, 71 - A2849 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 53, 66, 71 - A3105 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A3108	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66 - A3296 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 71 - A3084 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 71 - A3295 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 - A3297
5G bands	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3106 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - A2849 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3105 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3108	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3296 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - A3084 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3295 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3297
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps	HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
Launch
Announced	2023, September 12	2024, September 09
Status	Available. Released 2023, September 22	Available. Released 2024, September 20
Body
Dimensions	159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in)	163 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm (6.42 x 3.06 x 0.33 in)
Weight	221 g (7.80 oz)	227 g (8.01 oz)
Build	Glass front, glass back, titanium frame (grade 5)	Glass front (Ceramic Shield), glass back, titanium frame (grade 5)
SIM	· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International) · eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA) · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China) IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 6m for 30 min)	· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International) · eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA) · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China) IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 6m for 30 min)
Display
Type	LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)	LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)
Size	6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)	6.9 inches, 115.6 cm2 (~91.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution	1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)	1320 x 2868 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Protection	Ceramic Shield glass	Ceramic Shield glass (2024 gen)
Platform
OS	iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 27.2	iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 27.2
Chipset	Apple A17 Pro (3 nm)	Apple A18 Pro (3 nm)
CPU	Hexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz)	Hexa-core (2x4.05 GHz + 4x2.42 GHz)
GPU	Apple GPU (6-core graphics)	Apple GPU (6-core graphics)
Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM NVMe	256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM NVMe
Main Camera
Triple	48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)	48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 5x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)
Features	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Video	4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, 3D (spatial) video, stereo sound rec.	4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, 3D (spatial) video/audio, stereo sound rec.
Selfie camera
Single	12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)	12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Features	HDR, Dolby Vision HDR	HDR, Dolby Vision HDR, 3D (spatial) audio, stereo sound rec.
Video	4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS	4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers
3.5mm jack	No	No
Comms
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, hotspot	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, hotspot
Bluetooth	5.3, A2DP, LE	5.3, A2DP, LE
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
NFC	Yes	Yes
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort	USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort
Features
Sensors	Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer Ultra Wideband (UWB) support (gen2 chip) Emergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite	Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer Ultra Wideband (UWB) support (gen2 chip) Emergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite
Battery
Type	Li-Ion 4441 mAh	Li-Ion 4685 mAh
Charging	Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update 4.5W reverse wired	Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 25W wireless MagSafe/Qi2, 50% in 30 min (15W - China) 4.5W reverse wired
Misc
Colors	Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium	Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Desert Titanium
Models	A2849, A3105, A3106, A3108, iPhone16,2	A3296, A3084, A3295, A3297, iPhone17,2
SAR	1.07 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body)	1.01 W/kg (head) 1.15 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	0.98 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body)	1.22 W/kg (head) 1.45 W/kg (body)
Price	$ 494.45 / € 595.00 / £ 519.75	$ 649.00 / € 800.59 / £ 660.00
EU LABEL
Energy	–	Class B
Battery	–	48:00h endurance, 1000 cycles
Free fall	–	Class C (90 falls)
Repairability	–	Class C