Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Feature Battle

Apple has once again upped the ante with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, building on the success of last year’s iPhone 15 Pro Max. While the new model introduces some enhancements, frankly speaking, the upgrades are relatively modest compared to its predecessor. However, subtle improvements in camera technology, processing power, and battery life make the iPhone 16 Pro Max a worthy contender in the 2024 smartphone arena. Whether you’re considering an upgrade or simply curious about the latest advancements in Apple’s technology, this detailed comparison will guide you in determining if the new model is worth the investment.

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. 15 Pro Max: Key Upgrades

The iPhone 16 Pro Max introduces a host of exciting upgrades, reflecting a shift from purely hardware improvements to a blend of hardware and software enhancements. The new model boasts a larger display with a refined Dynamic Island, offering a more immersive and seamless visual experience. One of the most talked-about upgrades is the new Camera Control button as we will see in the iPhone 16 Pro Max camera review. This innovative feature allows for effortless management of your photos and videos, enhancing your shooting experience with greater ease and precision.

Camera enthusiasts will appreciate the advancements in the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s photography capabilities. The 48MP main camera is complemented by a second-generation quad-pixel sensor that eliminates shutter lag for quicker, more precise shots. Additionally, the Ultra Wide camera has also been upgraded to 48MP, providing even greater flexibility in capturing wide-angle scenes. 

The iPhone 16 Pro Max also debuts a striking Desert Titanium color, a bold contrast to the serene blue of the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This new hue adds a distinctive flair to the device’s design. In terms of battery life, the iPhone 16 Pro Max extends video playback up to 33 hours, surpassing the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 27-hour limit. Additionally, MagSafe wireless charging has been boosted to 25W, compared to the 15W support of the previous model.

Design and Build Quality

On the surface, the new iPhone 16 Pro Max design and iPhone 15 Pro Max might seem similar, but subtle yet impactful differences set them apart. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is slightly larger and heavier, measuring 163 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm and weighing 227 grams, compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm dimensions and 221 grams. This increase in size accommodates the new 6.9-inch OLED display, offering a more immersive viewing experience compared to the 6.7-inch screen of its predecessor.

While the overall design ethos remains consistent, the iPhone 16 Pro Max features a new Camera Control button. This innovative addition allows users to easily access and control camera functions with a simple tap or press. The button’s haptic feedback mimics the feel of a traditional camera shutter, providing an intuitive way to take photos or start recording video. Future updates will even expand its functionality to include Google Lens-style visual searches directly from the button.

Both models feature a luxurious Corning-made glass front and back, complemented by a robust grade 5 titanium frame. However, the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s finishes appear smoother and less matte compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which may give it a more refined look. Apple has also added four microphones to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, enhancing spatial audio capture for richer sound experiences with compatible devices like AirPods or Vision Pro.

Display

As mentioned above, the display on this year's model is bigger compared to last year’s version. At 6.9 inches, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is bigger than even the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. For some users, this expansive screen may seem imposing, but it offers a dramatic leap in display real estate, especially when paired with thinner bezels that make the screen appear even more expansive. This design tweak allows for easier gesture-based navigation and adds a sleek, modern touch.

But aside from the screen bump, there isn’t much more in the way of upgrades. Both models feature an LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of around 460 pixels per inch, ensuring vibrant colors and deep contrasts. They both support HDR10 and Dolby Vision, providing an exceptional viewing experience for movies and shows.

Brightness levels remain impressive, with peak brightness reaching up to 2000 nits on both devices. This capability ensures visibility in bright outdoor conditions, making it easy to read or watch content without straining your eyes. While the refresh rate of 120Hz also remains consistent between the two devices, the iPhone 16 Pro Max boasts a resolution of 1320 x 2868 pixels compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which has a resolution of 1290 x 2796 pixels. This slight increase in resolution enhances the overall clarity and sharpness of the display, further enriching the user experience.

Camera

The camera systems on the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the iPhone 15 Pro Max represent the pinnacle of mobile photography, with the newer model introducing several enhancements that elevate the photographic experience. Both models feature a robust 48 MP wide camera with an f/1.8 aperture, which captures exceptionally detailed images with vibrant colors and minimal noise. 

One of the most noticeable enhancements is the new 48MP ultra-wide lens on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max has 12 MP ultra-wide lens. This new lens captures more detail and excels in low-light conditions, as it combines four sensor pixels into one to significantly boost image sensitivity, resulting in clearer and more vibrant photos, even in dim lighting. Additionally, the improved optics on the ultra-wide lens reduce distortion, resulting in more natural-looking images.

The telephoto lens on the iPhone 16 Pro Max is still an impressive 5x optical zoom. However, video recording enthusiasts will appreciate the ability to shoot ProRes 4K at up to 120 frames per second, a significant upgrade from the 60-fps limit of the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This upgrade unlocks a new realm of creative possibilities, enabling stunning slow-motion effects and cinematic scene captures that elevate your storytelling to the next level.

On the front, the iPhone 16 Pro Max continues to excel with its 12MP selfie camera. This camera features an f/1.9 aperture, a 23mm wide lens, and both PDAF (Phase Detection Autofocus) and OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) for sharp and stable selfies. It also includes a 3D depth sensor for enhanced biometric security and portrait effects. 

Performance: A18 Pro Chip vs. A17 Pro Chip

The iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max showcase Apple's evolution in chip technology with their respective A17 Pro and A18 Pro processors. The A18 Pro chip, built on an enhanced 3nm process, introduces noteworthy advancements over its predecessor. It delivers the same performance as the A17 Pro but with 20% less power consumption. This efficiency boost is attributed to its refined transistor technology and architectural enhancements, making it both faster and more power-efficient.

Performance-wise, the A18 Pro is 15% faster than the A17 Pro. This boost is achieved through larger caches and dynamic caching, enhancing overall speed and responsiveness. In comparison, the A17 Pro had a 10% performance increase over its predecessor, making the A18 Pro's leap more substantial. The A18 Pro's neural engine is another highlight, featuring 16 cores and capable of 35 trillion operations per second. This is a major upgrade from the A17 Pro's neural engine, offering 17% more memory bandwidth. The new Machine Learning accelerators in the A18 Pro provide programmable features, with some exclusive to the iPhone 16 Pro.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max elevates connectivity with the addition of the cutting-edge Snapdragon X75 modem, designed to deliver blazing-fast 5G performance. It also brings Wi-Fi 7 support, although it currently lacks compatibility with the 6GHz band. Furthermore, Apple has addressed previous heat management concerns with a revamped passive cooling system in the iPhone 16 Pro Max. This addition is expected to provide a more comfortable user experience by maintaining optimal device temperatures during intensive use.

Battery Life and Charging: 

The iPhone 16 Pro Max battery life results recently came in, showcasing impressive performance. The device features a battery capacity of approximately 4,685mAh, compared to the 4,441mAh found in the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This bump, combined with the efficiency of the A18 Pro chip, translates into a longer-lasting device that’s ideal for those who rely on their phone throughout the day.

In terms of real-world use, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is set to outperform its predecessor in several key areas. According to the iPhone 15 Pro Max review, the older model offers up to 29 hours of video playback, 25 hours of streamed video, and 95 hours of audio playback. The new iPhone 16 Pro Max, on the other hand, is estimated to deliver up to 33 hours of video playback, 29 hours of streamed video, and 105 hours of audio playback. So, whether you’re streaming videos or listening to music on the go, the iPhone 16 Pro Max's superior battery life offers a noticeable advantage.

Apple has also improved charging capabilities with the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The phone supports faster MagSafe wireless charging at 25W, a significant upgrade from the 15W charging offered by the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This means faster wireless top-ups, allowing you to get more battery life in less time. Additionally, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is compatible with the new Qi2 standard, promising more efficient and faster wireless charging experiences across the board.

Software Features: 

The iPhone 16 Pro Max ships with iOS 18 preinstalled, bringing a fresh wave of features and enhancements right out of the box. Apple’s latest operating system introduces a range of exciting updates, including revamped customization options for app icons, expanded functionalities in the Control Center, and significant upgrades to the Photos and Camera apps. The new iOS 18 also includes advanced intelligence features that aim to enhance user experience with more intuitive controls and smarter app interactions.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max also supports iOS 18, allowing users to enjoy all the new functionalities and enhancements that come with the latest operating system. However, it misses out on some exclusive features tied to the iPhone 16 Pro Max's Camera Control button, such as enhanced manual controls and advanced visual search capabilities. Despite this, the overall experience should be largely similar across both devices, thanks to Apple's consistent and comprehensive update strategy.

With Apple’s strong track record of delivering software updates for several years, both models will benefit from continued improvements and support. The key advantage of the iPhone 16 Pro Max here is its extra year of software support, making it a slightly more future-proof choice. However, for users already on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, upgrading to iOS 18 will still provide a rich and feature-rich experience without major sacrifices.

Pricing: 

The iPhone 16 Pro Max price starts at A$2,149 for 256GB storage. That's a bit less than the iPhone 15 Pro Max's launch price of A$2,199. This price adjustment makes the latest iPhone 2024 a more appealing option. As the new model hits the market, refurbished versions of the iPhone 15 Pro Max become more accessible. Currently, you can find a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max starting from A$1,649 at Phonebot. Therefore, if you're looking for a Cheap iPhone without compromising on performance, the refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max offers excellent value

Wrap Up

In the iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max showdown, the iPhone 16 Pro Max stands out with its superior performance, vibrant display, and advanced camera features. It offers a more immersive experience with its powerful processing, expansive screen, and enhanced battery life, making it the top choice for tech enthusiasts eager for the latest innovations. For those seeking a more budget-friendly option, consider exploring our selection of refurbished iPhones. You’ll find a range of devices that deliver excellent value while meeting your needs.