Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Plus
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Plus lines up the September 2023 iPhone 15 Pro Max with the September 2024 iPhone 16 Plus. The spec score is a weighted share of comparable published rows. Manufacturer spec sheets are the source.
iPhone 15 Pro Max leads iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Plus on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, storage, camera hardware, and optical zoom.
Spec sheet
| Spec | iPhone 15 Pro Max | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2796×1290, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 2,000 nits peak, always-onLeads | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2796×1290, 460 ppi, 60Hz, 2,000 nits peak |
| Chip | A17 Pro | A18Leads |
| Memory | Not published | Not published |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TBLeads | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Camera hardware | 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP 5x tetraprism telephotoLeads | 48MP Fusion main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop |
| Optical zoom | 5xLeads | No optical telephoto |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Battery | up to 29 hours video playbackLeads | up to 27 hours video playback |
| 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 | 221 g | 199 gLeads |
| 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 | $1,199 launch price | $899 launch priceLeads |
| Software | iOS 17 at launch | iOS 18 at launch |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
| Connectivity | USB-C (USB 3), 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 |
Who should buy which
Choose the iPhone 15 Pro Max if you want iOS 17 at launch. It leads on display, storage, camera hardware, optical zoom, and battery.
Choose the iPhone 16 Plus if you want iOS 18 at launch. It leads on chip, weight, and launch price.
Questions
Which is better, iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPhone 16 Plus?
iPhone 15 Pro Max leads iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Plus on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, storage, camera hardware, and optical zoom.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Plus: which has the better battery?
iPhone 15 Pro Max leads on battery. iPhone 15 Pro Max: up to 29 hours video playback. iPhone 16 Plus: up to 27 hours video playback.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Plus: which has the better camera?
iPhone 15 Pro Max leads on camera hardware. iPhone 15 Pro Max: 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP 5x tetraprism telephoto. iPhone 16 Plus: 48MP Fusion main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop. This rank is hardware class, not a photo lab test.
What did iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Plus cost at launch?
iPhone 16 Plus leads on launch price. iPhone 15 Pro Max: $1,199 launch price. iPhone 16 Plus: $899 launch price.
Sources
- Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max technical specifications
- Apple iPhone 16 Plus technical specifications