Apple iPhone 16 vs Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
The Apple iPhone 16 is the premium option here, boasting an A18 chip and lighter design. In real-world use, the 4323 mAh battery in the iPhone 14 Pro Max lasts up to 29 hours, while the iPhone 16 manages 22 hours with its 3561 mAh battery. When it comes to display, the iPhone 14 Pro Max features a 6.7" screen with a buttery-smooth 120 Hz refresh rate, making it superior for gaming and scrolling. The iPhone 16's 6.1" display feels smaller and less responsive due to its 60 Hz refresh rate, which might disappoint gamers and streamers alike. Key specs: Display: 6.1" vs 6.7" and Refresh: 60 Hz vs 120 Hz.
Why compare these? Both the Apple iPhone 16 and Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max are high-end smartphones competing in the same market segment. This makes them direct rivals for buyers looking for high-end features and performance in 2026. Understanding their differences helps you choose the right one for your specific needs.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Apple iPhone | Apple iPhone |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | ✓4.8★ (219 reviews) | 4.4★ (250 reviews) |
| Top Strength | A18 chip with 8GB RAM specifically optimized for Apple Intelligence | First iPhone to introduce the Dynamic Island interface |
| Main Drawback | Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion 120 Hz) | Uses the obsolete Lightning port instead of USB-C |
| Market Position | Premium | Premium |
Apple iPhone 16
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 5-core GPU (A18)
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A16 Bionic chip (4nm; 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 vs Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 16
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 16 | Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(219)Best Buy | ★4.4(250)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 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) | Apple A16 Bionic chip (4nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) |
Graphics | Apple 5-core GPU (A18) | Apple 5-core GPU (A16 Bionic) |
RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB (LPDDR5) |
Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe) | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe) |
Display Size | 6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) | 6.7" (6.69" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) |
Screen Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED |
Resolution | 2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi) | 2796 x 1290 pixels (460 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display |
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 (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) | 48MP Main (24 mm, f/1.78), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support |
Telephoto Camera | No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS | 12MP 3x Telephoto (77 mm, f/2.8), optical image stabilization, 6-element lens |
Optical Zoom | 0.5x, 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (4x optical zoom range) | 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 3x optical zoom steps (6x optical zoom range) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 10x | Up to 15x |
Video 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 | 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; ProRes video recording up to 4K at 30 fps (1080p at 30 fps for 128GB storage) |
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 | 3561 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback | 4323 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 | Lightning; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W | MagSafe 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 (First-generation); NFC with reader mode |
USB | USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output | Lightning connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s) |
Durability | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front (latest generation); Aerospace-grade aluminum; Color-infused glass back | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front; Surgical-grade stainless steel; Textured matte glass back |
Dimensions | 5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm) | 6.33" x 3.06" x 0.31" (160.7 x 77.6 x 7.85 mm) |
Weight | 6.00 oz (170 g) | 8.47 oz (240 g) |
Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
Extras | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite | Dynamic Island; Always-On display; LiDAR Scanner; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Ring/Silent switch |
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Apple iPhone 16
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 5-core GPU (A18)
8 GB
128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe)
Pros
- A18 chip with 8GB RAM specifically optimized for Apple Intelligence
- 48MP Fusion camera enables optical-quality 2x telephoto crop
Cons
- Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion 120 Hz)
- USB-C port limited to USB 2.0 data transfer speeds (480 Mb/s)
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A16 Bionic chip (4nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 5-core GPU (A16 Bionic)
6 GB (LPDDR5)
128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Pros
- First iPhone to introduce the Dynamic Island interface
- Excellent battery life (4323 mAh), still competitive with newer models
Cons
- Uses the obsolete Lightning port instead of USB-C
- Significantly heavier (240 g) than the newer Titanium 'Pro Max' models
Which one is better?
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max is the better buy for most people - its 4323 mAh battery crushes the iPhone 16's 3561 mAh. That said, grab the iPhone 16 if you want a lighter device at 6.00 oz vs 8.47 oz and need the latest A18 chip performance.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 16 if: you value a lighter design at 6.00 oz, prefer the latest A18 chip for performance, or want the new Camera Control features.
Choose the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max if: you need longer battery life with up to 29 hours of video playback, enjoy a larger 6.7" display for media consumption, or want a high-refresh-rate experience for gaming.
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.8★ vs 4.4★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Apple iPhone
A18 chip with Priority
A18 chip with 8GB RAM specifically optimized for Apple Intelligence
→ Choose Apple iPhone
First iPhone to Priority
First iPhone to introduce the Dynamic Island interface
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Bottom line: The Apple iPhone 16 edges ahead with a 4.8★ rating compared to 4.4★. However, Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max remains a strong contender if its strengths align better with your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Apple iPhone 16 or Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max?
Apple iPhone 16 is the better choice if you prioritize a18 chip with 8gb ram specifically optimized for apple intelligence. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max wins if you value first iphone to introduce the dynamic island interface. Both are rated highly (4.8★ vs 4.4★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Apple iPhone 16 and Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max?
Key differences: Apple iPhone 16 offers a18 chip with 8gb ram specifically optimized for apple intelligence, while Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max stands out with first iphone to introduce the dynamic island interface. Consider that Apple iPhone 16 display limited to 60 hz (no promotion 120 hz). Meanwhile, Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max uses the obsolete lightning port instead of usb-c. 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.
Affiliate disclosure
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