Here’s a comprehensive comparison between the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Table of Contents
- Size Comparison
- Display Comparison
- Battery Life
- Charging Speed
- Speaker Test
- Performance
- Benchmark Performance
- Camera Comparison
- Video Quality
- Overall Verdict
Size Comparison
Feature | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth) | 163.0 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm (6.42 x 3.06 x 0.32 inches) | 160.7 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm (6.33 x 3.06 x 0.32 inches) |
Weight | 229 grams (8.08 ounces) | 221 grams (7.81 ounces) |
Display Size | 6.9 inches Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion (120Hz) | 6.7 inches Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion (120Hz) |
Bezel Thickness | Slightly thinner bezels for a more immersive experience | Thicker bezels compared to iPhone 16 Pro Max |
Build Material | Titanium frame (same as iPhone 15 Pro Max) | Titanium frame |
Button Placement | New Action Button introduced, replacing the mute switch | Traditional mute switch |
Camera Bump Size | Slightly larger camera bump due to upgraded sensors | Smaller camera bump compared to iPhone 16 Pro Max |
Color Options | New exclusive colors (e.g., Midnight Blue, Rose Gold) | Existing color options (e.g., Space Black, Gold, Silver) |
Port Location | USB-C port (centered at the bottom) | USB-C port (centered at the bottom) |
Overall Size Difference | Slightly taller and heavier than iPhone 15 Pro Max | Slightly shorter and lighter than iPhone 16 Pro Max |
Display Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 6.9 inches (expected) | 6.7 inches |
| Display Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Resolution | ~2796 x 1290 pixels (expected) | 2796 x 1290 pixels |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 120Hz ProMotion |
| Brightness | ~2000 nits (peak, expected) | 2000 nits (peak, HDR) |
| Always-On Display | Yes (improved) | Yes |
| HDR Support | Dolby Vision, HDR10 | Dolby Vision, HDR10 |
| Screen Protection | Ceramic Shield | Ceramic Shield |
| Bezel Size | Slimmer bezels (expected) | Slim bezels |
Battery Life
| Feature | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | ~4,900 mAh (expected) | ~4,422 mAh |
| Usage Time | ~28-32 hours (mixed usage) | ~25-29 hours (mixed usage) |
| Video Playback | Up to 30 hours | Up to 28 hours |
| Audio Playback | Up to 100 hours | Up to 95 hours |
| Standby Time | Up to 3 days | Up to 2.5 days |
| Charging Efficiency | Improved power management | Standard power management |
| Battery Technology | Advanced lithium-ion (expected) | Standard lithium-ion |
Charging Speed
| Feature | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Wired Charging | Up to 30W (expected) | Up to 27W |
| Wireless Charging | MagSafe (15W), Qi (7.5W) | MagSafe (15W), Qi (7.5W) |
| Reverse Wireless | Yes (expected) | No |
| Charging Time (0-50%) | ~30 minutes (expected) | ~35 minutes |
| Battery Capacity | ~4,900 mAh (expected) | ~4,441 mAh |
| Fast Charging Tech | Improved efficiency (expected) | Standard fast charging |
Speaker Test
| Feature | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Speaker Setup | Stereo speakers (spatial audio) | Stereo speakers (spatial audio) |
| Loudness | Improved (10-15% louder) | Excellent |
| Bass | Deeper and richer | Good |
| Clarity | Enhanced clarity and detail | Clear |
| Spatial Audio | Yes (improved) | Yes |
| Dolby Atmos Support | Yes | Yes |
| Distortion Levels | Minimal at high volumes | Minimal at high volumes |
| 3D Audio Experience | Enhanced | Standard |
Performance
| Feature | iPhone 16 Pro Max | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | A18 Pro Chip | A17 Pro Chip |
| CPU Performance | Up to 15% faster | Baseline |
| Graphics Performance | Up to 20% faster | Baseline |
| Memory Bandwidth | 17% increase | Baseline |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
| Storage Options | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
Benchmark Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A18 Pro (3nm) | A17 Pro (3nm) |
| GeekBench 6 | ||
| – Single-Core | ~2,800 (expected) | ~2,900 |
| – Multi-Core | ~7,200 (expected) | ~7,200 |
| AnTuTu v10 | ~2,000,000 (expected) | ~1,500,000 |
| 3DMark Wild Life | ~18,000 (expected) | ~14,000 |
| AI Benchmark | ~4,500 (expected) | ~3,800 |
| Thermal Throttling | Improved thermal management | Slight throttling under heavy load |
Camera Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48 MP (f/1.78, larger sensor) | 48 MP (f/1.78) |
| Ultra-Wide Camera | 12 MP (f/2.2, improved low-light) | 12 MP (f/2.2) |
| Telephoto Camera | 12 MP (f/2.8, 5x optical zoom) | 12 MP (f/2.8, 5x optical zoom) |
| Front Camera | 12 MP (f/1.9, improved autofocus) | 12 MP (f/1.9) |
| Sensor Size | Larger sensor for better low-light | Standard sensor size |
| Photonic Engine | Next-gen computational photography | Current-gen Photonic Engine |
| ProRAW Support | Yes (improved) | Yes |
| ProRes Video | 4K @ 60fps | 4K @ 60fps |
| Cinematic Mode | 4K @ 60fps (improved) | 4K @ 30fps |
| Low-Light Performance | Enhanced Night Mode | Excellent Night Mode |
| Zoom Capabilities | 5x optical, 25x digital | 5x optical, 25x digital |
| AI Features | Advanced AI scene detection | Standard AI scene detection |
Video Quality
| Feature | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Max Video Resolution | Up to 8K @ 30fps | Up to 4K @ 60fps |
| Cinematic Mode | 4K @ 60fps (improved) | 4K @ 30fps |
| Stabilization | Advanced sensor-shift + EIS | Sensor-shift + EIS |
| HDR Support | Dolby Vision HDR (improved) | Dolby Vision HDR |
| Low-Light Video | Enhanced Night Mode Video | Night Mode Video |
| Slow Motion | 1080p @ 480fps (expected) | 1080p @ 240fps |
| Audio Zoom | Yes (improved spatial audio) | Yes |
| Video Formats | H.265, H.264, ProRes | H.265, H.264, ProRes |
| Front Camera Video | 4K @ 60fps (expected) | 4K @ 60fps |
| AI Enhancements | Real-time AI video enhancements | Standard AI enhancements |
🏆Overall Verdict
📌 iPhone 16 Pro Max
✅ Pros:
- Faster A18 Pro chip with better CPU and GPU performance
- Bigger display (6.9″) for an improved viewing experience
- Better battery life due to a larger battery
- Improved 5x optical zoom vs. 3x on the 15 Pro Max
- Brighter display with peak brightness improvements
- Better speakers with improved clarity and loudness
❌ Cons:
- More expensive than the iPhone 15 Pro Max
- No major design changes
- No microSD expansion (same as before)
📌 iPhone 15 Pro Max
✅ Pros:
- Still powerful with the A17 Pro chip
- Excellent battery life (though slightly lower than the iPhone 16 Pro Max)
- 3x optical zoom is still great for most users
- Lower price compared to the new iPhone 16 Pro Max
❌ Cons:
- Older processor (A17 Pro) is slightly slower than the A18 Pro
- Lower optical zoom (3x vs. 5x)
- Slightly smaller battery
