DATA-DRIVEN PHONE COMPARE

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 16

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

✓Both records verified · latest Aug 19, 2026

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Direct answer

iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 trade strengths: iPhone 15 Pro Max leads in battery, Display, Battery and performance, while iPhone 16 leads in Design, camera and charging.

Key differences

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

✓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.
FieldiPhone 15 Pro MaxiPhone 16Why it matters
ChipMarginal difference2 official sourcesA17 ProA18Newer silicon generally extends performance headroom.
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.
FieldiPhone 15 Pro MaxiPhone 16Why it matters
WeightMarginal difference2 official sources221 g170 gWeight affects long sessions and one-handed comfort.
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.
FieldiPhone 15 Pro MaxiPhone 16Why it matters
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
Depth mmMinor difference2 official sources8.257.8No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Height mmMinor difference2 official sources159.9147.6No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Width mmMinor difference2 official sources76.771.6No 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
Gpu coresMarginal difference2 official sources65No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 15 Pro MaxiPhone 16Why it matters
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
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
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$729 · 128GBOrdinary unlocked prices avoid presenting carrier-dependent discounts as universal.

What’s the same

Outdoor brightness2000 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
ContentsiPhone 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.

Which should you buy?

iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 trade strengths: iPhone 15 Pro Max leads in battery, Display, Battery and performance, while iPhone 16 leads in Design, camera and charging.

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

Category-by-category

BATTERY · iPhone 15 Pro Max

Leads in battery.

DISPLAY · iPhone 15 Pro Max

Leads in display.

BATTERY · iPhone 15 Pro Max

Leads in battery.

DESIGN · iPhone 16

Leads in design.

CAMERA · iPhone 16

Leads in camera.

CHARGING · iPhone 16

Leads in charging.

PERFORMANCE · iPhone 15 Pro Max

Leads in performance.

PERFORMANCE · Comparable

Comparable across performance.

STORAGE · Comparable

Comparable across storage.

CONNECTIVITY · Comparable

Comparable across connectivity.

DISPLAY · Comparable

Comparable across display.

PORTS · Comparable

Comparable across ports.

PRICE · Comparable

Comparable across price.

BODY · Comparable

Comparable across body.

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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