Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14
iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 16 Pro Max lines up the September 2023 iPhone 15 Plus with the September 2024 iPhone 16 Pro Max. The spec score is a weighted share of comparable published rows. Manufacturer spec sheets are the source.
iPhone 16 Pro Max leads iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 16 Pro Max on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, storage, and camera hardware.
Spec sheet
| Spec | iPhone 15 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2796×1290, 460 ppi, 60Hz, 2,000 nits peak | 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 2,000 nits peak, always-onLeads |
| Chip | A16 Bionic | A18 ProLeads |
| Memory | Not published | Not published |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TBLeads |
| Camera hardware | 48MP f/1.6 main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop | 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 12MP 5x tetraprism telephotoLeads |
| Optical zoom | No optical telephoto | 5xLeads |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Battery | up to 26 hours video playback | up to 33 hours video playbackLeads |
| Charging | 50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter. MagSafe up to 15WTie | 50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter. MagSafe up to 25WTie |
| Weight | 201 gLeads | 227 g |
| Water resistance | IP68Tie | IP68Tie |
| Software support | Apple does not publish a fixed OS support window | Apple does not publish a fixed OS support window |
| Launch price | $899 launch priceLeads | $1,199 launch price |
| Software | iOS 17 at launch | iOS 18 at launch |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
| Connectivity | USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | USB-C (USB 3), 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 |
Who should buy which
Choose the iPhone 15 Plus if you want iOS 17 at launch. It leads on weight and launch price.
Choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want iOS 18 at launch. It leads on display, chip, storage, camera hardware, optical zoom, and battery.
Questions
Which is better, iPhone 15 Plus or iPhone 16 Pro Max?
iPhone 16 Pro Max leads iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 16 Pro Max on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, storage, and camera hardware.
iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: which has the better battery?
iPhone 16 Pro Max leads on battery. iPhone 15 Plus: up to 26 hours video playback. iPhone 16 Pro Max: up to 33 hours video playback.
iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: which has the better camera?
iPhone 16 Pro Max leads on camera hardware. iPhone 15 Plus: 48MP f/1.6 main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop. iPhone 16 Pro Max: 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 12MP 5x tetraprism telephoto. This rank is hardware class, not a photo lab test.
What did iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro Max cost at launch?
iPhone 15 Plus leads on launch price. iPhone 15 Plus: $899 launch price. iPhone 16 Pro Max: $1,199 launch price.
Sources
- Apple iPhone 15 Plus technical specifications
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max technical specifications