Apple’s ‘It’s Glowtime’ event brought us the latest iteration of the iPhone, and this year, the focus shifted towards Apple Intelligence, rather than dramatic hardware upgrades. While the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max retain familiar design elements, they introduce subtle refinements like a multi-functional Camera Control button and a new, slightly controversial Desert Titanium color.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max reigned as the best-selling iPhone until June 2024, so if you’re part of the millions who snagged one, you’re likely wondering if the iPhone 16 Pro Max is worth the upgrade. Let’s delve into the details and answer that very question!
## iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: Design and Display
At first glance, the iPhone 16 Pro Max might appear indistinguishable from its predecessor, but there are subtle differences. The new model is slightly taller, wider, and consequently heavier, accommodating a larger 6.9-inch OLED display – a jump from the 6.7 inches of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The most noticeable addition is the new Camera Control button. This physical button acts like a dedicated camera shutter button, allowing you to quickly launch the Camera app, snap photos, or start recording videos. The two-step click, accompanied by haptic feedback, offers intuitive control for zooming, manual adjustments, and more. Apple plans to expand the button’s functionality in the coming months, potentially including a Google Lens-like visual search feature.
Beyond the new button, the iPhone 16 Pro Max boasts a refined finish on both the glass back and titanium frame. While the color names remain largely the same, the new models appear less matte than their predecessors. The display, as mentioned, has increased in size, surpassing even the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. While this might be overwhelming for some, others will appreciate the reduced bezels and the slightly improved gesture-based swiping experience. The larger display also translates to a higher resolution, but Apple remains conservative with brightness, offering the same 1,600 nits of typical brightness and 2,000 nits in high-brightness mode. The 120Hz refresh rate and the Dynamic Island remain unchanged.
## iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: Performance and Battery
Under the hood, the iPhone 16 Pro Max receives a significant performance boost with Apple’s new A18 Pro chip. Fabricated on TSMC’s N3E process, the A18 Pro offers improved efficiency and boasts a 15% performance increase over the A17 Pro. The CPU features a six-core design, with enhanced frequencies, while the GPU maintains a six-core design but delivers a 20% performance improvement.
The A18 Pro chip also brings a faster 16-core neural engine capable of up to 35 tera operations per second (TOPS), doubling the speed of the A16 but not necessarily exceeding the A17 Pro. However, the 17% faster memory on the iPhone 16 Pro Max could contribute to overall performance improvements, particularly for AI applications. Apple also claims a “huge leap” in battery life with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, although it doesn’t specify the battery capacity. The claimed figures for video playback and streaming are impressive, exceeding the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s performance. However, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has experienced inconsistent battery life, so we’ll need to test the new model thoroughly to see if these claims hold true.
## iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: Camera and Software
While the exterior of the camera system appears similar, the iPhone 16 Pro Max houses upgraded sensors. The 48MP primary sensor from the iPhone 15 Pro Max is replaced with a new “Fusion” camera sensor, also with 48MP resolution, but designed to capture photos faster. The ultrawide camera also receives a boost, now featuring a 48MP sensor instead of the 12MP sensor in the previous model. This allows for wider field of view and 48MP ProRAW shots. The 5X periscopic telephoto and the 12MP selfie camera remain unchanged.
Both the iPhone 16 Pro Max and other iPhone 16 models can now capture spatial photos, offering a third dimension of depth. Previously, the iPhone 15 Pro models could only record spatial videos.
The new primary camera and the improved image signal processors on the A18 Pro enable 4K video recording at 120fps with Dolby Vision, ProRes, and Log. These videos can also be slowed down to 24fps for cinematic slow-motion effects.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max comes pre-installed with iOS 18, featuring new customization options, enhanced Photos and Camera apps, and a range of intelligent features. While the iPhone 15 Pro Max will also be eligible for iOS 18, the newer model will benefit from an extra year of software support.
## iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: The Verdict
The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers incremental improvements over its predecessor, but these enhancements are not drastic enough to warrant an immediate upgrade for iPhone 15 Pro Max owners. The iPhone 15 Pro Max remains a capable phone that will serve you well for years to come.
However, if you’re looking for the new Camera Control button’s added functionality, the performance boost offered by the A18 Pro chip, or the potentially improved battery life, the iPhone 16 Pro Max might be worth considering. Also, consider the tempting trade-in benefits and pre-order offers that can significantly reduce the overall cost of the new model.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to upgrade boils down to your individual needs and priorities. If you’re satisfied with your iPhone 15 Pro Max, there’s no need to rush into an upgrade. But if you desire the latest features and enhancements, the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers a compelling option.
