iPhone 15 Pro Max Vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: Elaborated Guide (2025)

| Updated on February 25, 2025
d-iPhone 15 Pro Max Vs iPhone 16 Pro Max

Each year, we come across several new iPhone models that expose us to a variety of features. Further, making us wonder which phone is better, the iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max, and whether it is worth switching from the iPhone 15 to the 16 model.

To help our readers navigate this question with ease, our professional tech geeks took it upon themselves to find the answer to this query. So scroll down to learn and understand the differences between iPhone 15 Pro Max Vs iPhone 16 Pro Max.

What is the Difference Between iPhone 15 Pro Max Vs iPhone 16 Pro Max?

We understand that it might be difficult when it comes to switching your existing phone for a new model, especially when you have little to no knowledge of the specifications. For this reason, we have listed a comprehensive table highlighting key characteristics of the iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max. 

SpecificationiPhone 15 Pro MaxiPhone 16 Pro Max
Display6.9” ProMotion Technology6.7” ProMotion Technology
Apple IntelligenceYesYes
ChipA18 Pro chipA17 Pro chip
Camera ControlEasier and faster access with Camera Control Button– 
Camera System48MP Fusion48MP Main
48MP Ultra WideUltra Wide
TelephotoTelephoto
48MP Macro PhotographyMacro Photography
Dolby Vision up to 4K at 120fpsDolby Vision up to 4K at 60fps
Visual Intelligence
Optical Zoom.5x, 1x, 2x, 5x.5x, 1x, 2x, 5x
Dynamic IslandYesYes
SOSEmergency SOS via SatelliteEmergency SOS via Satellite
Crash DetectionCrash Detection
Roadside Assistance via SatelliteRoadside Assistance via Satellite
Messages via SatelliteMessages via Satellite
Playback Up to 33 hours video playbackUp to 29 hours video playback
USB-CSupports USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfersSupports USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers
Face IDYesYes
5GSuperfast 5 cellularSuperfast 5 cellular
Ceramic ShieldLatest-generation Ceramic Shield frontCeramic Shield tougher than any smartphone glass
Capacity256GB256GB
512GB512GB
1TB1TB
Weight7.99 ounces7.81 ounces
Apple PayPay with your phonePay with your phone
Send or receive money via iMessageSend or receive money via iMessage
Pay using the Express TransitPay using the Express Transit
Fast-charge CapabilityUp to 50% in 35 minutes with 20W adapterUp to 50% in 35 minutes with 20W adapter
SensorsLiDAR ScannerLiDAR Scanner
Dual ambient light sensorsDual ambient light sensors
Proximity sensorProximity sensor
SIM CardDual eSIMDual eSIM
Connector USB-CUSB-C
Supports USB 3 (up to 10Gb/s)Supports USB 3 (up to 10Gb/s)

This is how the two models, 15 Pro Max and 16 Pro Max, differ and share similar elements amongst one another. 

Also Read: How to Record a Phone Call on an iPhone With or Without a Third Party Application? Your Step-by-Step Guide 

iPhone 15 Pro Max Vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: Key Specification

If you are currently confused about the iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max comparison, then this section can help you out with your query. Here we have listed a detailed difference between the two models for you to make an informed decision. So without any further ado, let’s begin. 

Size and Storage

Both the models, 15 Pro Max and 16 Pro Max, come in three variants, namely 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB, offering users a broad set of capacities to choose from. However, they share a significant difference in terms of size and weight, as you can tell by the table mentioned below. 

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
AspectiPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone 15 Pro Max
Weight7.99 ounces (227 grams)7.81 ounces (221 grams)
Depth0.32 inch (8.25 mm)0.32 inch (8.25 mm)
Height6.42 inches (163 mm)6.29 inches (159.9 mm)
Width3.06 inches (77.6 mm)3.02 inches (76.7 mm)

Looking at the table above, you can already tell that the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a bit heavier with a bigger build.

Camera & Video Systems

15 Pro Max Vs 16 Pro Max

Camera and video quality make and break the model, and in both iPhones, it is one of the things that differs. This means, in the iPhone 16 Pro Max, you get the camera system of 48MP Fusion, 48MP Ultra Wide, along with 12MP Telephoto. 

Whereas, in the iPhone 15 Pro Max, you get to experience a 48MP Main, 12MP Ultra Wide with a 12MP Telephoto. Other than this, everything else remains constant, with various zoom options and second-generation sensor shift optical image stabilization. 

Camera AspectiPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone 15 Pro Max
Pro Camera System48MP Fusion, 48MP Ultra Wide, and 12MP Telephoto48MP Main, 12MP Ultra Wide, and 12MP Telephoto
ApertureFusion: 48MP, f/1.78 aperture
Ultra Wide: 48MP, f/2.2 aperture
Telephoto: 12MP, f/2.8 aperture
Main: 48MP, f/1.78 aperture
Ultra Wide: 12MP, f/2.2 aperture
Telephoto: 12MP, f/2.8 aperture
Optimal Zoom Options.5x, 1x, 2x, 5x.5x, 1x, 2x, 5x
Adaptive True Tone FlashYesYes
Photonic EngineYesYes
Deep FusionYesYes
Smart HDR 5 for photosYesYes
Night ModeYesYes
Night Mode PortraitsYesYes
Photographic StylesLatest-generationYes
Macro Photography48MP Yes
Spatial PhotosYesYes
Apple ProRAWYesYes

In the video aspect, both models support 4K Dolby Vision video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, and 60 fps. However, in the 16 Pro Max model, you can also record at 100 fps or 120 fps in Fusion. Along with this, in the ProRes video, you can record up to 4K at 120 fps in the 16 Pro Max model, whereas in the 15 Pro Max model, you can record up to 4K at 60 fps only.

iPhone 16 Pro Max Vs iPhone 15 Pro Max
Video AspectiPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone 15 Pro Max
4K Dolby Vision VideoRecording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps, 100 fps (Fusion), and 120 fps (Fusion)Recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, and 60 fps
1080p Dolby Vision VideoRecording at 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps, 100 fps (Fusion), and 120 fps (Fusion)Recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, and 60 fps
Action ModeYesYes
ProRes Video Recording Up to 4K at 120 fpsUp to 4K at 60 fps
Log Video RecordingYesYes
Macro Video RecordingIncluding slo-mo and time-lapseIncluding slo-mo and time-lapse
Night mode Time-lapseYesYes
Spatial Audio and stereo recordingSpatial Audio and stereo recordingStereo recording
Studio-quality four-mic arrayYes
Wind noise reductionYes
Audio MixYes– 

The front camera specifications are the same across both the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Overall, we’d say the 16 model creates a bit warmer images than the other one. 

Battery Life

16 Pro Max Vs 15 Pro Max

The more battery life a device has, the more endurance it will have in the long run. Moreover, that will be the number of times you will be charging it for use. In the comparison of these models, the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers more playback time than the iPhone 15 Pro Max. 

AspectiPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone 15 Pro Max
Video playbackUp to 33 hoursUp to 29 hours
Video playback (streamed)Up to 29 hoursUp to 25 hours
Audio playbackUp to 105 hoursUp to 95 hours
Fast-charge capableUp to 50% in 35 minutes with 20W adapterUp to 50% in 35 minutes with 20W adapter
Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion batteryYesYes

Other than this, you can play games up to 10 hours on both devices, with a 5-hour difference in calls, where 16 Pro Max is more powerful. Moreover, the efficient Camera Control button makes it easier to capture and access the photos and videos. 

Performance and Apple Chip

iPhone 15 Pro Max Vs 16 Pro Max

On the basis of performance, the iPhone 16 Pro Max definitely supports a newer, faster, and much better-performing chip. For instance, it supports the A18 Pro chip in comparison to the A17 Pro chip, which is present in the 15 Pro Max model. 

AspectiPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone 15 Pro Max
Apple ChipA18 Pro chipA17 Pro chip
CPU 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores
GPU6–core GPU6–core GPU
Neural Engine16-core Neural Engine16-core Neural Engine

The overall specs of the devices mirror each other, other than the usual Apple chip, which is better in the iPhone 16 Pro Max model than the iPhone 15 Pro Max device.

Display

iPhone 16 Vs 15 Pro Max

Other than the different sizes of the two devices, both offer similar features to their users. This includes how the phone looks and interacts on the physical front with the user. 

However, in the iPhone 16 Pro Max, you get to experience the 1 nit minimum brightness, which means that you can lower the brightness to a level of a single candle placed in a one-meter square area.

AspectiPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone 15 Pro Max
Super Retina XDR displayYesYes
OLED display6.9”6.7”
Dynamic IslandYesYes
Always-On displayYesYes
HDR displayYesYes
True Tone displayYesYes
Haptic TouchYesYes
Wide color display (P3)YesYes
1 nit minimum brightnessYes

If you like to keep your phone on very low brightness with a bigger screen size, then the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the one for you.

Price Comparisons and Color Options

Difference Between 15 Pro Max And 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 15 Pro Max comes in Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, White Titanium, and Black Titanium. On the other hand, the iPhone 16 Pro Max comes in Desert Titanium, Natural Titanium, White Titanium, and Black Titanium. Both models come in the same capacity range, i.e., 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, etc.

AspectiPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone 15 Pro Max
256 GB$1199$835
512 GB$1399$829
1 TB$1599$931

However, one significant change between the models is the price range it comes in; that means where you can get a 256 GB iPhone 16 Pro Max at $1199, at the same place the iPhone 15 Pro Max comes at just $835.

Now you know the major differences between the iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Is it Worth to Switch from iPhone 15 to 16?

After the entire analysis, we have come down to the question of whether it is worth switching from iPhone 15 Pro Max to 16 Pro Max or waiting for the iPhone 17 release date or to check the fresh look of iPhone 17 pro max and feature breakdown is the way to go.

However, we have realized that both the iPhones in question (15 Pro Max and 16 Pro Max) are just a generation apart from one another, making them perform very similarly to each other, from camera performance to operational efficiency. 

The iPhone 16 Pro Max does bring a bigger display, better speaker quality, a longer battery life, faster wireless charging, and Camera Control. However, the iPhone 15 Pro Max can provide a very similar experience with a similar user experience at a lower price, and it is more compact making it more user-friendly.

So as per our conclusion, if you are currently on the iPhone 15 Pro Max and have no issue with your handset, then there is no need to switch to the iPhone 16 Pro Max model.

Moreover, if you are persistent on changing to the newer model of iPhone and wondering how to transfer contacts, or getting back your deleted data. Then don’t be hesitant. This is because iOS gives the option to resolve this effortlessly to all its users.

Also Read: How to Change Apple ID on iPhone Without Getting Stressed in 2025? 

Frequently Asked Questions

Ans: Yes, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is better than the 15 Pro Max model, as it has a better chipset, a larger display, better performance, a longer battery life, and quicker MagSafe charging.

Ans: No, the iPhone 17 isn’t out just yet. However, like every year, the common date for it will be out by September 2025. 

Ans: The iPhone 15 Pro Max has the same display as the 15 Plus; however, the Pro Max version is way heavier than the Plus model. 

Sources

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