iPhone 16 vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: Which Is Better?
Both carry the Apple name, which makes it easy to assume they’re close. The iPhone 16 and the iPhone 14 Pro Max actually come from different lines, so it’s worth checking what that means. Look at the scorecard and the iPhone 14 Pro Max stands out, ahead in 4 of 5 areas. The display numbers explain a lot of that. And the price tags aren’t close: the iPhone 16 came in $300 below the iPhone 14 Pro Max at launch.
At a glance
- Display iPhone 14 Pro Max wins
- Performance iPhone 16 wins
- Memory & Storage iPhone 14 Pro Max wins
- Camera iPhone 14 Pro Max wins
- Battery & Charging iPhone 14 Pro Max wins
- Price iPhone 16 wins
- Display2.6
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera1.7
- Battery & Charging2.7
- Display6.0
- Memory & Storage2.8
- Camera2.3
- Battery & Charging4.0
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 14 Pro Max has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
When it comes to refresh rate, the iPhone 14 Pro Max wins comfortably with 120 Hz against 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.
-
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has 7 h more rated video playback
It’s a lopsided result (29 h for the iPhone 14 Pro Max, 22 h for the iPhone 16) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. Rated video playback is the manufacturer’s own endurance figure, so it reflects efficiency as well as battery size.
-
The iPhone 16 has a 2.47 oz lighter build
The spread here is large: 6 oz on the iPhone 16 versus 8.47 oz on the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Expect to notice it. The iPhone 16 is easier on your wrist during long reading or gaming sessions.
-
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has an extra rear camera
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the iPhone 14 Pro Max makes its strongest case: 3 against 2. An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
-
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has a 0.6-inch larger screen
Numbers like 6.7 in against 6.1 in only tell you which is larger (here, the iPhone 14 Pro Max), not which is better. A larger display also means a larger phone overall, so this is as much about your hands and pockets as it is about the picture.
Design & Size
- iPhone 16 5.81 in × 2.82 in × 0.31 in
- iPhone 14 Pro Max 6.33 in × 3.06 in × 0.31 in
Size is a trade-off, not a score: the iPhone 14 Pro Max is larger, the iPhone 16 more compact. In the weight column, the iPhone 16 leads by 2.47 oz.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 14 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.81 in | 6.33 in |
| Width | 2.82 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in | 0.31 in |
| Weight | 6 oz (winner) | 8.47 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Stainless steel |
Display
iPhone 14 Pro Max leads
Few areas are as clear-cut as this one: the iPhone 14 Pro Max leads the display section with room to spare. On the iPhone 14 Pro Max, you get a 120 Hz display instead of 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. Bottom line for display: the iPhone 14 Pro Max has the edge.
Refresh rate
iPhone 16: 60 Hz iPhone 14 Pro Max: 120 Hz You notice refresh rate every time you scroll a feed or a web page, which is why the iPhone 14 Pro Max feels more fluid in everyday use.
Screen size
iPhone 16: 6.1 in iPhone 14 Pro Max: 6.7 in A bigger screen makes reading, video and maps more comfortable, while a smaller one is easier to use with one hand and slips into more pockets.
Performance
iPhone 16 leads
The iPhone 16 takes performance by a nose. The iPhone 16 steps ahead thanks to a newer 3 nm chip process. The iPhone 16’s chip is built on a more advanced process. That usually points to efficiency gains, though chip design matters just as much. If this section decides it for you, choose the iPhone 16.
Process node
iPhone 16: 3 nm iPhone 14 Pro Max: 4 nm Process numbers are partly marketing labels these days, so read this as a hint about efficiency rather than a verdict.
Memory & Storage
iPhone 14 Pro Max leads
The iPhone 14 Pro Max edges the memory & storage section, though the iPhone 16 stays close. The iPhone 14 Pro Max scores with a bigger top storage option. Most buyers are fine with a base or middle tier, so this is a niche advantage, but a real one if you need it. In short, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the better-equipped phone for memory & storage.
Max storage
iPhone 16: 512 GB iPhone 14 Pro Max: 1 TB The top storage option only matters if you plan to buy a high-capacity version, but it caps how much you can ever keep on the phone.
Camera
iPhone 14 Pro Max leads
If you’re keeping score, the camera point goes narrowly to the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Here the iPhone 14 Pro Max offers an extra rear camera. The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the iPhone 14 Pro Max gives you more lenses to choose from. On camera alone, the iPhone 14 Pro Max gets the nod.
Rear cameras
iPhone 16: 2 iPhone 14 Pro Max: 3 More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s extra lens adds.
Battery & Charging
iPhone 14 Pro Max leads
The battery & charging numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The iPhone 14 Pro Max stands out with 7 h more rated video playback. More rated playback suggests the iPhone 14 Pro Max lasts longer on a long flight or an evening of streaming. Choose the iPhone 16 and you get faster 25 W wireless charging. Prioritize battery & charging, and the iPhone 14 Pro Max is where you should land.
Rated video playback
iPhone 16: 22 h iPhone 14 Pro Max: 29 h Lab ratings rarely match real life exactly, but comparing them between two phones is still a useful endurance hint.
Wireless charging
iPhone 16: 25 W iPhone 14 Pro Max: 15 W Wireless charging is usually slower than a cable, so this edge matters mainly to people who value the convenience.
Software & Updates
Here the spec sheet speaks in model names and types. Compare the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 14 Pro Max row by row in the table below.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 14 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 in | 6.7 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz (Super Retina XDR) |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 2796 x 1290 |
| 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 | iPhone 14 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A18 | A16 Bionic |
| CPU cores | 6 | 6 |
| Process node | 3 nm (winner) | 4 nm |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 14 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB | 1 TB (winner) |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 14 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | N/A (not specified) | 12 MP |
| Optical zoom | N/A (not specified) | 3× |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 3 (winner) |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 4K60 Dolby Vision |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 14 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 22 h | 29 h (winner) |
| Wireless charging | 25 W (winner) | 15 W |
| Port | USB-C (USB 2) | Lightning |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 14 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 18 | iOS 16 |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 14 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.81 in | 6.33 in |
| Width | 2.82 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in | 0.31 in |
| Weight | 6 oz (winner) | 8.47 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Stainless steel |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 14 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 (winner) | $1,099 |
“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
The iPhone 16 came in $300 lower than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, a sizable gap of 38%. For $300 more, the iPhone 14 Pro Max adds a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 7 h more rated video playback. Whether that’s good value depends on how much you need those upgrades.
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 if…
- you want the lighter phone (6 oz vs 8.47 oz)
- you use a wireless charging pad every day (25 W vs 15 W)
- you want a chip built on a finer process (3 nm vs 4 nm)
- you’d put the $300 saving toward something else
- you’re buying fresh and prefer the more recent model
Choose the iPhone 14 Pro Max if…
- you want smoother scrolling (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you stream a lot of video on the go (29 h vs 22 h rated playback)
- you like switching between focal lengths (3 vs 2 cameras)
- you plan to buy a high-capacity version (1 TB vs 512 GB maximum)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPhone 16 or the iPhone 14 Pro Max?
For most people, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the stronger choice, unless you care more about a 2.47 oz lighter build than anything else.
Should I upgrade from the iPhone 14 Pro Max to the iPhone 16?
The iPhone 16 makes a solid case for upgrading, with a 2.47 oz lighter build, faster 25 W wireless charging and a newer 3 nm chip process over the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Does the iPhone 16 last longer on a charge than the iPhone 14 Pro Max?
Going by the official figures, the iPhone 14 Pro Max leads: 29 h versus 22 h for rated video playback. Screen use, settings and efficiency will shape your own results.
Which is larger, the iPhone 16 or the iPhone 14 Pro Max?
The iPhone 14 Pro Max takes that one. With dimensions of 6.33 × 3.06 × 0.31 in, it is larger than the iPhone 16 (5.81 × 2.82 × 0.31 in).
Which is faster, the iPhone 16 or the iPhone 14 Pro Max?
On paper, the iPhone 16 is the stronger performer, with a newer 3 nm chip process.
Does the iPhone 16 have a stronger camera setup than the iPhone 14 Pro Max?
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has the edge for photography, offering an extra rear camera.
Executive Summary
Here’s my take on the iPhone 16 versus the iPhone 14 Pro Max, two models from one lineup. What I like most about the iPhone 14 Pro Max here is a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. There’s a bonus as well: the iPhone 14 Pro Max has 7 h more rated video playback. The iPhone 16 isn’t without merit: a 2.47 oz lighter build is a real advantage.
For performance, the iPhone 16 fits better. For display, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the better match.
My pick: the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the one I’d buy, unless you need a 2.47 oz lighter build, which only the iPhone 16 offers.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.