Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 15
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 lines up the September 2024 iPhone 16 Pro Max with the September 2023 iPhone 15. The spec score is a weighted share of comparable published rows. Manufacturer spec sheets are the source.
iPhone 16 Pro Max leads iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, storage, and camera hardware.
Spec sheet
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro Max | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 2,000 nits peak, always-onLeads | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2556×1179, 460 ppi, 60Hz, 2,000 nits peak |
| Chip | A18 ProLeads | A16 Bionic |
| Memory | Not published | Not published |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TBLeads | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Camera hardware | 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 12MP 5x tetraprism telephotoLeads | 48MP f/1.6 main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop |
| Optical zoom | 5xLeads | No optical telephoto |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Battery | up to 33 hours video playbackLeads | up to 20 hours video playback |
| Charging | 50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter. MagSafe up to 25WTie | 50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter. MagSafe up to 15WTie |
| Weight | 227 g | 171 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 | $799 launch priceLeads |
| Software | iOS 18 at launch | iOS 17 at launch |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
| Connectivity | USB-C (USB 3), 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 | USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
Who should buy which
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.
Choose the iPhone 15 if you want iOS 17 at launch. It leads on weight and launch price.
Questions
Which is better, iPhone 16 Pro Max or iPhone 15?
iPhone 16 Pro Max leads iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, storage, and camera hardware.
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 15: which has the better battery?
iPhone 16 Pro Max leads on battery. iPhone 16 Pro Max: up to 33 hours video playback. iPhone 15: up to 20 hours video playback.
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 15: which has the better camera?
iPhone 16 Pro Max leads on camera hardware. iPhone 16 Pro Max: 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 12MP 5x tetraprism telephoto. iPhone 15: 48MP f/1.6 main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop. This rank is hardware class, not a photo lab test.
What did iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 15 cost at launch?
iPhone 15 leads on launch price. iPhone 16 Pro Max: $1,199 launch price. iPhone 15: $799 launch price.
Sources
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max technical specifications
- Apple iPhone 15 technical specifications