Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 15
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is the flagship choice, boasting a massive 6.9-inch display that elevates your viewing experience, while the Apple iPhone 15 is the more budget-friendly option with a still impressive 6.1-inch screen. In real-world use, the 4685mAh battery in the iPhone 16 Pro Max means you can enjoy up to 33 hours of video playback, making it perfect for binge-watching on long trips. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 offers a decent 3349mAh battery, lasting up to 20 hours, sufficient for daily tasks but not ideal for media consumption. Key specs: Display: 6.9" vs 6.1" and Refresh: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
Why compare these? The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (premium flagship) and Apple iPhone 15 (mid-range) represent different approaches to smartphones. While they may appeal to different budgets, many buyers consider both options. This 2026 comparison helps you decide if the differences justify the price gap.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Apple iPhone | Apple iPhone |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.7★ (348 reviews) | ✓4.8★ (951 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Largest iPhone display ever at 6.9 inches with ultra-thin borders | High-resolution 48MP main camera with useful 2x optical-quality crop |
| Main Drawback | Large physical dimensions can be unwieldy for some users | Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion 120 Hz) |
| Market Position | ✓Flagship | Mid-range |
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A18 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 6-core GPU (A18 Pro)
Apple iPhone 15
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A16 Bionic chip (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 5-core GPU (A16 Bionic)
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 15
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 15
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(348)Best Buy | ★4.8(951)Best Buy |
Operating System | iOS | iOS |
Software Support | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades |
Processor | Apple A18 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) | Apple A16 Bionic chip (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) |
Graphics | Apple 6-core GPU (A18 Pro) | Apple 5-core GPU (A16 Bionic) |
RAM | 8 GB (LPDDR5X) | 6 GB (LPDDR5) |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe) | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe) |
Display Size | 6.9" (6.86" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) | 6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) |
Screen Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED |
Resolution | 2868 x 1320 pixels (460 ppi) | 2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display | 60 Hz |
Peak Brightness | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor) |
Main Camera | 48MP Fusion (24 mm, f/1.78), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) | 48MP Main (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 48MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.4, 120° field of view) |
Telephoto Camera | 12MP 5x Telephoto (120 mm, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus, 100% Focus Pixels | No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP quad-pixel sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS |
Optical Zoom | 5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 10x optical zoom range | 0.5x, 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (4x optical zoom range) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 25x | Up to 10x |
Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60/100/120 fps (Fusion); Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps; ProRes up to 4K 120 fps with external recording | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps |
Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps | 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps |
Battery | 4685 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 33 hours video playback (29 hours streamed) | 3349 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 20 hours video playback (16 hours streamed) |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher; USB 3 speeds supported | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W (via iOS update); Qi up to 7.5W | 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 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); NFC with reader mode |
USB | USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output | USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output |
Durability | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield (latest generation) front; Titanium design (Grade 5); Textured matte glass back | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front; Aerospace-grade aluminum; Color-infused glass back |
Dimensions | 6.42" x 3.06" x 0.32" (163.0 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm) | 5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm) |
Weight | 7.99 oz (227 g) | 6.02 oz (171 g) |
Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
Extras | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; LiDAR Scanner; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite | Dynamic Island; Ring/Silent switch; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite |
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Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A18 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 6-core GPU (A18 Pro)
8 GB (LPDDR5X)
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Pros
- Largest iPhone display ever at 6.9 inches with ultra-thin borders
- 48MP Ultra Wide camera improves macro and wide-angle detail significantly
Cons
- Large physical dimensions can be unwieldy for some users
- Fastest charging speeds (MagSafe 25W) require purchasing a new puck and adapter
Apple iPhone 15
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A16 Bionic chip (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 5-core GPU (A16 Bionic)
6 GB (LPDDR5)
128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe)
Pros
- High-resolution 48MP main camera with useful 2x optical-quality crop
- Bright, color-accurate OLED display (up to 2000 nits outdoor)
Cons
- Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion 120 Hz)
- USB-C port limited to USB 2.0 data transfer speeds (480 Mb/s)
Which one is better?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is the better buy for most people - its 4685mAh battery crushes the iPhone 15's 3349mAh. That said, grab the iPhone 15 if you prefer a lighter phone at 6.02oz - it's lighter than the Pro Max.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if: you watch a lot of videos, need a larger display for multitasking, or want the latest camera tech with 48MP.
Choose the Apple iPhone 15 if: you want to save money, prefer a lighter device for daily use, or don't need the absolute best battery life. (6.1" display, 60 Hz refresh)
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.8★ vs 4.7★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 951 reviews vs 348
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Conclusion
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 15 are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Bottom line: The Apple iPhone 15 leads with a 4.8★ rating versus 4.7★. That said, Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max could still be the right pick depending on your specific priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Apple iPhone 15?
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is the better choice if you prioritize largest iphone display ever at 6.9 inches with ultra-thin borders. Apple iPhone 15 wins if you value high-resolution 48mp main camera with useful 2x optical-quality crop. Both are rated highly (4.7★ vs 4.8★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 15?
Key differences: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max offers largest iphone display ever at 6.9 inches with ultra-thin borders, while Apple iPhone 15 stands out with high-resolution 48mp main camera with useful 2x optical-quality crop. Consider that Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max large physical dimensions can be unwieldy for some users. Meanwhile, Apple iPhone 15 display limited to 60 hz (no promotion 120 hz). Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+Where can US buyers get the best price?
For US buyers, Amazon typically offers competitive pricing with Prime shipping, easy returns, and reliable warranty support. We recommend comparing prices on both products using our affiliate links above—prices fluctuate regularly, and you may find sales or deals.
+Is this comparison up to date?
Yes, this comparison is current for 2026. We regularly verify specs, ratings, and availability. Last verified: January 27, 2026. PageBen uses affiliate links for monetization, but our recommendations are research-driven and independent.
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