iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
The iPhone 16 Plus and the iPhone 16 Pro Max are close relatives, and close relatives are exactly the ones that are hard to choose between. The iPhone 16 Pro Max wins more of the areas that we compared (4 of 5), and its most convincing lead is in display. The launch prices sit $300 apart, with the iPhone 16 Plus on the more affordable side. Let’s go through the details, area by area.
At a glance
- Display iPhone 16 Pro Max wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage iPhone 16 Pro Max wins
- Camera iPhone 16 Pro Max wins
- Battery & Charging iPhone 16 Pro Max wins
- Price iPhone 16 Plus wins
- Display2.6
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera1.7
- Battery & Charging3.9
- Display6.0
- Memory & Storage4.5
- Camera4.2
- Battery & Charging5.3
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 16 Pro Max has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
It’s a lopsided result (120 Hz for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, 60 Hz for the iPhone 16 Plus) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. Smoother motion is one of the most visible display upgrades, and adaptive high-refresh panels can slow down on static content to save power.
-
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has 6 h more rated video playback
The spread here is large: 33 h on the iPhone 16 Pro Max versus 27 h on the iPhone 16 Plus. Expect to notice it. Rated video playback is the manufacturer’s own endurance figure, so it reflects efficiency as well as battery size.
-
The iPhone 16 Plus has a 0.99 oz lighter build
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the iPhone 16 Plus makes its strongest case: 7.02 oz against 8.01 oz. The iPhone 16 Plus is easier on your wrist during long reading or gaming sessions.
-
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB
The iPhone 16 Pro Max clearly leads on base storage, and 256 GB versus 128 GB is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. The iPhone 16 Pro Max starts with more room, which means fewer “storage full” warnings and less time deleting old videos.
-
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has an extra rear camera
On rear cameras, the iPhone 16 Pro Max posts 3 against 2 for the iPhone 16 Plus, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
-
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a bigger top storage option
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 1 TB for the iPhone 16 Pro Max versus 512 GB for the iPhone 16 Plus. Heavy video shooters and people with large offline libraries benefit from the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s bigger maximum.
Design & Size
- iPhone 16 Plus 6.33 in × 3.06 in × 0.31 in
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 6.42 in × 3.06 in × 0.32 in
The official dimensions put the iPhone 16 Plus and the iPhone 16 Pro Max within a whisker of each other. On the scale, the iPhone 16 Plus comes in 0.99 oz lighter. Slimness goes to the iPhone 16 Plus, 0.02 in thinner overall.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.33 in | 6.42 in |
| Width | 3.06 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in (winner) | 0.32 in |
| Weight | 7.02 oz (winner) | 8.01 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Titanium |
Display
iPhone 16 Pro Max leads
In the display category, the iPhone 16 Pro Max isn’t just ahead; it’s clearly ahead. Here the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers 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 16 Pro Max feels more fluid in everyday use. If display is your priority, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the phone to pick.
Refresh rate
iPhone 16 Plus: 60 Hz iPhone 16 Pro Max: 120 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.
Always-on display
iPhone 16 Plus: no iPhone 16 Pro Max: yes With the iPhone 16 Pro Max, a glance at the table tells you what’s new; the iPhone 16 Plus needs a tap or a lift to wake up.
Performance
Too close to call
On performance, the iPhone 16 Plus and the iPhone 16 Pro Max are effectively level. Both cover performance well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
Memory & Storage
iPhone 16 Pro Max leads
When it comes to memory & storage, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is comfortably ahead. The iPhone 16 Pro Max wins here with 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. 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. That makes the iPhone 16 Pro Max the natural choice for buyers focused on memory & storage.
Base storage
iPhone 16 Plus: 128 GB iPhone 16 Pro Max: 256 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 16 Plus: 512 GB iPhone 16 Pro Max: 1 TB 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 16 Pro Max leads
Here the iPhone 16 Pro Max opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. The iPhone 16 Pro Max gives you an extra rear camera. The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the iPhone 16 Pro Max gives you more lenses to choose from. Anyone shopping mainly on camera should start with the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Rear cameras
iPhone 16 Plus: 2 iPhone 16 Pro Max: 3 More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s extra lens adds.
Ultra-wide camera
iPhone 16 Plus: 12 MP iPhone 16 Pro Max: 48 MP Ultra-wide cameras often lag behind the main one, so the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s higher resolution helps narrow that gap.
Battery & Charging
iPhone 16 Pro Max leads
The battery & charging comparison is one-sided. The iPhone 16 Pro Max leads where it counts. On its side, the iPhone 16 Pro Max has 6 h more rated video playback. More rated playback suggests the iPhone 16 Pro Max lasts longer on a long flight or an evening of streaming. In short, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the better-equipped phone for battery & charging.
Rated video playback
iPhone 16 Plus: 27 h iPhone 16 Pro Max: 33 h Lab ratings rarely match real life exactly, but comparing them between two phones is still a useful endurance hint.
Software & Updates
In the software & updates section, the key entries are names rather than numbers, so compare what the iPhone 16 Plus and the iPhone 16 Pro Max list in the table below.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.7 in | 6.9 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz (Super Retina XDR) |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2868 x 1320 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (winner) |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 2,000 nits |
| Always-on display | No | Yes (winner) |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A18 | A18 Pro |
| CPU cores | 6 | 6 |
| Process node | 3 nm | 3 nm |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 256 GB (winner) |
| Max storage | 512 GB | 1 TB (winner) |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 48 MP (winner) |
| Telephoto camera | N/A (not specified) | 12 MP |
| Optical zoom | N/A (not specified) | 5× |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 3 (winner) |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 4K120 Dolby Vision |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 27 h | 33 h (winner) |
| Wireless charging | 25 W | 25 W |
| Port | USB-C (USB 2) | USB-C (USB 3, 10 Gb/s) |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 18 | iOS 18 |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.33 in | 6.42 in |
| Width | 3.06 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in (winner) | 0.32 in |
| Weight | 7.02 oz (winner) | 8.01 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Titanium |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $899 (winner) | $1,199 |
“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
That’s $300 between the two launch prices, a spread of 33% that makes the iPhone 16 Plus the value-minded choice. Is the iPhone 16 Pro Max worth $300 extra? What you get for the money is a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 6 h more rated video playback.
Launch prices (US) as of September 2024. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 16 Plus if…
- you want the lighter phone (7.02 oz vs 8.01 oz)
- you care about a thin profile in your pocket (0.31 in vs 0.32 in)
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($300 less)
Choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max if…
- you want smoother scrolling (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you stream a lot of video on the go (33 h vs 27 h rated playback)
- you want more storage without paying for an upgrade (256 GB vs 128 GB)
- you like switching between focal lengths (3 vs 2 cameras)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPhone 16 Plus or the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
The iPhone 16 Pro Max wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless having a 0.99 oz lighter build matters more to you than the rest.
Does the iPhone 16 Plus last longer on a charge than the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
The iPhone 16 Pro Max does better here. It lists 33 h for rated video playback, while the iPhone 16 Plus lists 27 h.
Is the iPhone 16 Plus bigger than the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
Neither by much. The iPhone 16 Plus and the iPhone 16 Pro Max have nearly identical dimensions.
Which has the better camera, the iPhone 16 Plus or the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
The iPhone 16 Pro Max leads on camera specs thanks to an extra rear camera and a sharper 48 MP ultra-wide. Processing and personal taste also play a big part in photos.
Which has the better screen, the iPhone 16 Plus or the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has the edge here, offering a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and an always-on display.
Which costs less, the iPhone 16 Plus or the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
Going by launch prices, the iPhone 16 Plus costs $300 less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Prices as of September 2024; current offers may differ.
Is the iPhone 16 Plus lighter than the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
The iPhone 16 Plus is lighter, by 0.99 oz.
Which has more storage, the iPhone 16 Plus or the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
Going by the spec sheets, the iPhone 16 Pro Max has the larger figure: 256 GB, against 128 GB.
Executive Summary
I get why people hesitate between the iPhone 16 Plus and the iPhone 16 Pro Max. On the surface, they look like two versions of the same idea. I think the iPhone 16 Pro Max makes its strongest case with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. A second point goes to the iPhone 16 Pro Max for 6 h more rated video playback. Don’t write off the iPhone 16 Plus entirely: it has a 0.99 oz lighter build.
The iPhone 16 Plus makes sense for anyone who values portability; the iPhone 16 Pro Max for anyone who values display.
My pick: the iPhone 16 Pro Max, though I’d happily point you to the iPhone 16 Plus if what you want most is a 0.99 oz lighter build.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.