iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Plus
If the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 16 Plus look alike to you, that’s by design: they belong to the same family. The details below are where they part ways. The iPhone 15 Pro Max wins more of the areas that we compared (3 of 5), and its most convincing lead is in display. Keep the price gap in mind throughout: $300 separates the iPhone 16 Plus from the iPhone 15 Pro Max at launch.
At a glance
- Display iPhone 15 Pro Max wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage iPhone 15 Pro Max wins
- Camera iPhone 15 Pro Max wins
- Battery & Charging Trade-off
- Price iPhone 16 Plus wins
- Display6.0
- Memory & Storage4.5
- Camera2.3
- Battery & Charging4.0
- Display2.6
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera1.7
- Battery & Charging3.9
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
The numbers aren’t close. The iPhone 15 Pro Max lists 120 Hz for refresh rate, while the iPhone 16 Plus lists 60 Hz. A higher refresh rate makes scrolling, animations and games look smoother. Once you’re used to it, a lower-rate screen can feel sluggish by comparison.
-
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB
A clear win for the iPhone 15 Pro Max: 256 GB against 128 GB. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. If you shoot a lot of video or keep music and maps offline, base storage is one of the specs you’ll feel most over the years.
-
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has 2 h more rated video playback
The iPhone 15 Pro Max nudges ahead with 29 h, while the iPhone 16 Plus lists 27 h. Rated video playback is the manufacturer’s own endurance figure, so it reflects efficiency as well as battery size.
-
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has an extra rear camera
Here the iPhone 15 Pro Max pulls well ahead of the iPhone 16 Plus, with 3 compared to 2. An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
-
The iPhone 16 Plus has a 0.78 oz lighter build
This one is close enough that other factors could outweigh it, but on paper the iPhone 16 Plus leads with 7.02 oz to 7.80 oz. The iPhone 16 Plus is easier on your wrist during long reading or gaming sessions.
Design & Size
- iPhone 15 Pro Max 6.30 in × 3.02 in × 0.32 in
- iPhone 16 Plus 6.33 in × 3.06 in × 0.31 in
The footprint is practically the same, so size is not a reason to pick one over the other. The iPhone 15 Pro Max weighs in 0.78 oz above the iPhone 16 Plus. Measured edge to edge, the iPhone 16 Plus is the thinner one, by 0.02 in.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 15 Pro Max | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.30 in | 6.33 in |
| Width | 3.02 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.32 in | 0.31 in (winner) |
| Weight | 7.80 oz | 7.02 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Titanium | Aluminum |
Display
iPhone 15 Pro Max leads
For display, the verdict is easy: the iPhone 15 Pro Max leads, and not by a little. The iPhone 15 Pro Max steps ahead thanks to a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. You notice refresh rate every time you scroll a feed or a web page, which is why the iPhone 15 Pro Max feels more fluid in everyday use. Weighing only display, the iPhone 15 Pro Max comes out ahead.
Refresh rate
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 120 Hz iPhone 16 Plus: 60 Hz Smoother motion is one of the most visible display upgrades, and adaptive high-refresh panels can slow down on static content to save power.
Always-on display
iPhone 15 Pro Max: yes iPhone 16 Plus: no An always-on display shows the time and notifications without waking the phone, so you check it more and unlock it less.
Performance
Too close to call
On performance, the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 16 Plus are effectively level. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Memory & Storage
iPhone 15 Pro Max leads
The iPhone 16 Plus is outclassed on memory & storage; the iPhone 15 Pro Max leads by a clear margin. On the iPhone 15 Pro Max, you get 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. The iPhone 15 Pro Max starts with more room, which means fewer “storage full” warnings and less time deleting old videos. Anyone shopping mainly on memory & storage should start with the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Base storage
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 256 GB iPhone 16 Plus: 128 GB Base storage is what you get without paying extra. Photos, videos and apps add up quickly, so more space at the entry price is real value.
Max storage
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 1 TB iPhone 16 Plus: 512 GB Most buyers are fine with a base or middle tier, so this is a niche advantage, but a real one if you need it.
Camera
iPhone 15 Pro Max leads
Slight edge to the iPhone 15 Pro Max on camera. Most buyers could live happily with either. On its side, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has an extra rear camera. The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the iPhone 15 Pro Max gives you more lenses to choose from. So if camera tops your list, lean toward the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Rear cameras
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 3 iPhone 16 Plus: 2 More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s extra lens adds.
Battery & Charging
Trade-off
In the battery & charging category, the iPhone 15 Pro Max counts 2 h more rated video playback in its favor, and the iPhone 16 Plus answers with faster 25 W wireless charging. So on battery & charging, match the strength to your needs and you’ll choose well.
Rated video playback
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 29 h iPhone 16 Plus: 27 h Lab ratings rarely match real life exactly, but comparing them between two phones is still a useful endurance hint.
Wireless charging
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 15 W iPhone 16 Plus: 25 W Faster wireless charging makes a pad or stand more practical as your main way to top up.
Software & Updates
The software & updates comparison is about what’s inside rather than how much. See the table for the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s and the iPhone 16 Plus’s entries.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 15 Pro Max | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.7 in | 6.7 in |
| Panel type | OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz (Super Retina XDR) | OLED (Super Retina XDR) |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2796 x 1290 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz (winner) | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 2,000 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes (winner) | No |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 15 Pro Max | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A17 Pro | A18 |
| CPU cores | 6 | 6 |
| Process node | 3 nm | 3 nm |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 15 Pro Max | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 256 GB (winner) | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 1 TB (winner) | 512 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 15 Pro Max | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | 12 MP | N/A (not specified) |
| Optical zoom | 5× | N/A (not specified) |
| Rear cameras | 3 (winner) | 2 |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 4K60 Dolby Vision |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 15 Pro Max | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 29 h (winner) | 27 h |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 25 W (winner) |
| Port | USB-C (USB 3, 10 Gb/s) | USB-C (USB 2) |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 15 Pro Max | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 17 | iOS 18 |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 15 Pro Max | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.30 in | 6.33 in |
| Width | 3.02 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.32 in | 0.31 in (winner) |
| Weight | 7.80 oz | 7.02 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Titanium | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 15 Pro Max | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $1,199 | $899 (winner) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
At launch, the iPhone 15 Pro Max cost $300 more than the iPhone 16 Plus. In percentage terms, that’s 33%. The extra $300 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max buys a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB.
Launch prices in the US as of September 2024; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 15 Pro Max if…
- you game or scroll a lot and like motion to look fluid (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you shoot a lot of photos and video (256 GB vs 128 GB base storage)
- you want the longer rated endurance (29 h vs 27 h)
- you want more lenses to choose from (3 vs 2 rear cameras)
Choose the iPhone 16 Plus if…
- you want the lighter phone (7.02 oz vs 7.80 oz)
- you want faster wireless charging (25 W vs 15 W)
- you want the slimmer phone (0.31 in vs 0.32 in)
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($300 less)
- you’d rather start with the later of the two generations
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPhone 15 Pro Max or the iPhone 16 Plus?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless what you want most is a 0.78 oz lighter build.
Is the iPhone 16 Plus worth it over the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
It’s one of the more worthwhile generational jumps: the iPhone 16 Plus offers a 0.78 oz lighter build, faster 25 W wireless charging and a 0.02 in slimmer body compared with the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Which has better battery life, the iPhone 15 Pro Max or the iPhone 16 Plus?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max does better here. It lists 29 h for rated video playback, while the iPhone 16 Plus lists 27 h.
Which is larger, the iPhone 15 Pro Max or the iPhone 16 Plus?
Neither by much. The iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 16 Plus have nearly identical dimensions.
Does the iPhone 15 Pro Max have a stronger camera setup than the iPhone 16 Plus?
Going by the hardware, the iPhone 15 Pro Max comes out ahead: an extra rear camera.
Is the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s display better than the iPhone 16 Plus’s?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has the edge here, offering a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and an always-on display.
Executive Summary
I spent more time than I’d like to admit on the spec sheets of the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 16 Plus. My main argument for the iPhone 15 Pro Max? It comes with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. It also helps that the iPhone 15 Pro Max has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. To be fair, the iPhone 16 Plus has a 0.78 oz lighter build, and that’s not nothing.
In my head, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the display pick and the iPhone 16 Plus is the portability pick.
My pick: the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the one I’d buy, unless you value a 0.78 oz lighter build above everything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.