Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Plus
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Plus lines up the September 2026 iPhone 18 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 18 Pro Max leads iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Plus on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, storage, and camera hardware.
Spec sheet
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onLeads | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2796×1290, 460 ppi, 60Hz, 2,000 nits peak |
| Chip | A20 ProLeads | A18 |
| Memory | Not published | Not published |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TBLeads | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Camera hardware | 48MP main with variable aperture f/1.48–f/4, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality)Leads | 48MP Fusion main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop |
| Optical zoom | 4xLeads | No optical telephoto |
| Front camera | 18MP Center Stage | 12MP |
| Battery | up to 45 hours video playbackLeads | up to 27 hours video playback |
| Charging | 50% in about 15 minutes wired. 50% in 30 minutes wirelessLeads | 50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter. MagSafe up to 25W |
| Weight | 249 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 | $1,299 launch price | $899 launch priceLeads |
| Software | iOS 27 | iOS 18 at launch |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
| Connectivity | USB-C, 5G (C2 modem), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread | USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 |
Who should buy which
Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want iOS 27. It leads on display, chip, storage, camera hardware, optical zoom, battery, and charging.
Choose the iPhone 16 Plus if you want iOS 18 at launch. It leads on weight and launch price.
Questions
Which is better, iPhone 18 Pro Max or iPhone 16 Plus?
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Plus on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, storage, and camera hardware.
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Plus: which has the better battery?
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on battery. iPhone 18 Pro Max: up to 45 hours video playback. iPhone 16 Plus: up to 27 hours video playback.
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Plus: which has the better camera?
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on camera hardware. iPhone 18 Pro Max: 48MP main with variable aperture f/1.48–f/4, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality). 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 18 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Plus cost at launch?
iPhone 16 Plus leads on launch price. iPhone 18 Pro Max: $1,299 launch price. iPhone 16 Plus: $899 launch price.
Sources
- Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max technical specifications
- Apple newsroom, September 9, 2026
- Apple iPhone 16 Plus technical specifications