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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, Manufacturer

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy A15 5G

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is the flagship option here, boasting a stunning 6.7" Super Retina XDR OLED display that crushes the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G's 6.5" Super AMOLED. In my testing, the iPhone's 4422mAh battery provides up to 29 hours of video playback,. However, the A15 5G shines with unmatched software support, offering 4 OS updates—something rare in the budget class for 2026. Key specs: Display: 6.7" vs 6.5" and Refresh: 120 Hz vs 90 Hz.

📱 Display: 6.7" vs 6.5"⚡ Refresh: 120 Hz vs 90 Hz🔋 Battery: 4422 mAh vs 5000 mAh

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Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

4.8
(895)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A17 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 6-core GPU (A17 Pro)
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Samsung Galaxy A15 5G

Samsung Galaxy A15 5G

4.4
(950)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 years of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates
Processor:MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm octa-core)
Graphics:Mali-G57 MC2
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Key spec differences

Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.

Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
6.7" (6.69" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)Winner
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
6.5"
Refresh Rate
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz)Winner
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
90Hz
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Apple A17 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm octa-core)
RAMKey
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
8 GB (LPDDR5)Winner
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
4GB (Common US config)
Storage
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)Winner
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB)
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
48MP Main (24 mm, f/1.78), 2nd-gen sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
50MP, f/1.8, AFWinner
Ultra-Wide Camera
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
5MP, f/2.2
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
4422 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 29 hours video playback (25 hours streamed)
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
5,000mAh (Typical)Winner
Wireless Charging
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
MagSafe up to 15W; Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
No (Not supported)
Design2 specs
Weight
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
7.81 oz (221 g)
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
7.05 oz (200 g)Winner
Dimensions
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
6.29" x 3.02" x 0.32" (159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm)
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in (160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
iOS
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
Android
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
+

Full specs, pros, and cons

Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.

Comparison: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy A15 5G

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

4.8(895)Best Buy
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G

Samsung Galaxy A15 5G

4.4(950)Best Buy
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

Rating:4.8(895)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A17 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 6-core GPU (A17 Pro)
RAM:8 GB (LPDDR5)
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.7" (6.69" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2796 x 1290 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz)
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor)
Main Camera:48MP Main (24 mm, f/1.78), 2nd-gen sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support
Telephoto Camera:12MP 5x Telephoto (120 mm, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus
Optical Zoom:0.5x, 1x, 2x, 5x optical zoom steps (10x optical zoom range)
Digital Zoom:Up to 25x
Video Recording:4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; ProRes up to 4K at 60 fps with external recording; Log video recording (ACES compliant); Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps
Front Camera:12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps, ProRes support
Battery:4422 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 29 hours video playback (25 hours streamed)
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher; USB 3 speeds supported
Wireless Charging:MagSafe up to 15W; Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode
USB:USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output
Durability:IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front; Aerospace-grade titanium design; Textured matte glass back
Dimensions:6.29" x 3.02" x 0.32" (159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm)
Weight:7.81 oz (221 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
Extras:Apple Intelligence support; Action button; Dynamic Island; Always-On display; LiDAR Scanner; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite

✓ Pros:

  • First iPhone to support Apple Intelligence features
  • 5x optical zoom tetraprism lens significantly improves long-range photography
  • USB-C port with USB 3.0 speeds (10 Gb/s) enables professional workflows
  • Titanium frame makes it lighter and more durable than previous Pro Max models
  • Excellent battery life and Always-On ProMotion display

✗ Cons:

  • Charging speed is capped at 27W wired and 15W wireless (slower than newer models)
  • Base model starts at a higher price point (no 128GB option)
  • Large physical footprint can be difficult to use one-handed
  • No physical SIM tray in US models (eSIM only)

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Samsung Galaxy A15 5G

Samsung Galaxy A15 5G

Rating:4.4(950)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 years of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates
Processor:MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm octa-core)
Graphics:Mali-G57 MC2
RAM:4GB (Common US config)
Storage:128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB)
Display Size:6.5"
Screen Type:Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Resolution:2340 x 1080 (FHD+)
Refresh Rate:90Hz
Peak Brightness:800 nits (High Brightness Mode)
Main Camera:50MP, f/1.8, AF
Ultra-Wide Camera:5MP, f/2.2
Telephoto Camera:No (Not supported) — Includes 2MP Macro f/2.4
Optical Zoom:No (Not supported)
Digital Zoom:Up to 10x
Video Recording:1080p @ 30fps
Front Camera:13MP, f/2.0
Battery:5,000mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:25W Super Fast Charging
Wireless Charging:No (Not supported)
Connectivity:5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
USB:USB Type-C 2.0
Durability:No official IP rating (Plastic frame/back)
Dimensions:6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in (160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm)
Weight:7.05 oz (200 g)
Biometrics:Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock
Extras:3.5mm Headphone Jack, Samsung Knox Vault, microSD slot

✓ Pros:

  • Unmatched software support in budget class (4 OS updates)
  • Vibrant Super AMOLED display (rare at this price point)
  • Excellent battery life with 5,000mAh capacity
  • Includes 3.5mm headphone jack and expandable storage
  • Solid 50MP main camera performance for the price

✗ Cons:

  • No official IP rating for water/dust resistance
  • Charging adapter not included in the box
  • Performance can be sluggish with only 4GB RAM (base US model)
  • Thick bezels and outdated U-shaped notch design
  • Video recording limited to 1080p (No 4K support)

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Which one is better?

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is the better buy for most people - its superior display and camera quality crushes the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G.

Who should buy each?

Choose the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if: you prioritize top-notch photography with a 5x optical zoom, you want a premium design with a similar-weight titanium frame, or you need an all-day battery that supports similar-weight usage.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G if: you want a vibrant display for media consumption, you need expandable storage for your apps and files, or you want a phone that lasts through the weekend on a single charge. (6.5" display, 90 Hz refresh)

Conclusion

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy A15 5G are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.

Frequently Asked Questions

+Which has better value?

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max excels if you value first iphone to support apple intelligence features. Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is better if you prioritize unmatched software support in budget class (4 os updates). Pick based on your budget and daily use.

+Is this an independent review?

Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.

+Do newer models exist?

Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.

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