DATA-DRIVEN PHONE COMPARE

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 16

27 source-backed differences · 8 fields the same. Official sources below.

✓Both records verified · latest Aug 19, 2026

Pick two phones to see a source-backed comparison.

Comparing shared product base specs.

VS

Direct answer

iPhone 15 Pro Max has advantages in battery, performance, while iPhone 16 has advantages in design & dimensions.

Top Differences

Prioritize what matters to you, then expand the full shared field set.

✓44 registry fields

Streamed video hours25 → 18
Refresh rate120 Hz → Unknown
ChipA17 Pro → A18
Video playback29 hours → 22 hours
Fast chargeUp to 50% charge in around 30 minutes 19 with 20W adapter or higher (available separately) → Up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes 6 with 20W adapter or higher (available separately) paired with USB-C charging cable, or 30W adapter or higher paired with MagSafe Charger (both available separately)

What Changed

Deterministic differences from the verified structured records.

Streamed video hoursiPhone 15 Pro Max

25 compared with 18

Refresh rateDifferent, with no automatic winner

120 Hz compared with Unknown

ChipDifferent, with no automatic winner

A17 Pro compared with A18

Video playbackiPhone 15 Pro Max

29 hours compared with 22 hours

Fast chargeDifferent, with no automatic winner

Up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes 19 with 20W adapter or higher (available separately) compared with Up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes 6 with 20W adapter or higher (available separately) paired with USB-C charging cable, or 30W adapter or higher paired with MagSafe Charger (both available separately)

Full Comparison

Expand every verified field and inspect the complete side-by-side data.

✓44 registry fields

FieldiPhone 15 Pro MaxiPhone 16Why it matters
ZoomMarginal difference2 official sources5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 10x optical zoom range2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 4x optical zoom rangeNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
VideoMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknown4K Dolby Vision video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fpsNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 15 Pro MaxiPhone 16Why it matters
Display sizeMinor difference2 official sources6.7 in6.1 inMore screen space changes reading and media comfort.
Refresh rateMarginal difference1 official source120 HzUnknownHigher refresh rates make motion and scrolling feel smoother.
ResolutionMarginal difference2 official sources2796-by-1290-pixel resolution at 460 ppi2556-by-1179-pixel resolution at 460 ppiNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 15 Pro MaxiPhone 16Why it matters
ChipMarginal difference2 official sourcesA17 ProA18Newer silicon generally extends performance headroom.
Gpu coresMarginal difference2 official sources65No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 15 Pro MaxiPhone 16Why it matters
Video playbackMarginal difference2 official sources29 hours22 hoursApple’s common playback test gives a comparable endurance signal.
Fast chargeMarginal difference2 official sourcesUp to 50% charge in around 30 minutes 19 with 20W adapter or higher (available separately)Up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes 6 with 20W adapter or higher (available separately) paired with USB-C charging cable, or 30W adapter or higher paired with MagSafe Charger (both available separately)Shorter top-up time matters during travel and busy days.
Audio playback hoursMarginal difference2 official sources9580No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Streamed video hoursMeaningful difference2 official sources2518No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 15 Pro MaxiPhone 16Why it matters
WeightMarginal difference2 official sources221 g170 gWeight affects long sessions and one-handed comfort.
Depth mmMarginal difference2 official sources8.257.8No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Height mmMarginal difference2 official sources159.9147.6No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Width mmMarginal difference2 official sources76.771.6No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
ColorsMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknownBlack, White, Pink, Teal, UltramarineNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
MaterialsMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknownAluminum design, Ceramic Shield front, Color-infused glass back (Black, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine)No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 15 Pro MaxiPhone 16Why it matters
Storage optionsMarginal difference2 official sources256 GB, 512 GB128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GBAvailable capacities determine local media and app headroom.
ContentsMarginal difference2 official sourcesiPhone 15 Pro Max, USB-C Charge Cable (1 m), Documentation, We encourage you to use any compatible USB-C power adapter. If you need a new Apple power adapter or headphones, they are available for purchase.iPhone 16, USB-C Charge Cable (1 m), Documentation, We encourage you to use any compatible USB-C power adapter. If you need a new Apple power adapter or headphones, they are available for purchase.No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
ReleaseYearMarginal difference2 official sources20232024No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
ListMarginal difference2 official sourcesFace ID, LiDAR Scanner, Barometer, High dynamic range gyro, High-g accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Dual ambient light sensorsFace ID, Barometer, High dynamic range gyro, High-g accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Dual ambient light sensorsNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 15 Pro MaxiPhone 16Why it matters
Magsafe wMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknown25No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Qi2 wMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknown25No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 15 Pro MaxiPhone 16Why it matters
UwbMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknownYesNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
WifiMarginal difference2 official sourcesWi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 15 Pro MaxiPhone 16Why it matters
Usb speedMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknownUSB 2 (up to 480Mb/s)No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 15 Pro MaxiPhone 16Why it matters
Fresh ordinary priceMarginal difference1 official sourceUnavailable$829 · 128GBOrdinary unlocked prices avoid presenting carrier-dependent discounts as universal.

What’s the same

Outdoor brightness2,000 nits outdoor
Main camera48 MP
Ultra Wide camera12 MP
RatingRated IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes) under IEC standard 60529
Front camera12 MP
BluetoothBluetooth 5.3
U.S. SIMDual eSIM only
Apertureƒ/1.9 aperture

Which should you buy?

iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 trade strengths: iPhone 15 Pro Max leads in Battery and Performance, while iPhone 16 leads in Design.

CHOOSE IPHONE 15 PRO MAX
  • Choose iPhone 15 Pro Max if you prioritize battery and performance.
CHOOSE IPHONE 16
  • Choose iPhone 16 if you prioritize design.

Category-by-category

BATTERY · iPhone 15 Pro Max

Leads in battery.

PERFORMANCE · iPhone 15 Pro Max

Leads in performance.

DESIGN & DIMENSIONS · iPhone 16

Leads in design.

DISPLAY · Comparable

Comparable across display.

OTHER · Comparable

Comparable across other.

REAR CAMERAS · Comparable

Comparable across camera.

CHARGING · Comparable

Comparable across charging.

CONNECTIVITY · Comparable

Comparable across connectivity.

PORTS · Comparable

Comparable across ports.

PRICE · Comparable

Comparable across price.

FIELD-LEVEL PROVENANCE

3 official sources

Every compared field traces to an official product source. No model-generated specs, prices or winners.

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