Apple iPhone 15 vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Compare Apple iPhone 15 vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max side by side: Apple A16 Bionic vs Apple A18 Pro, 48MP vs 48MP camera, 3349mAh vs 4685mAh battery, $799 vs…
Apple
iPhone 15
$799
3categories won
Apple
iPhone 16 Pro Max
$1,199
12categories won
6 categories tied · 21 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max takes the overall win
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max proves superior overall against the Apple iPhone 15, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the iPhone 16 Pro Max leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the iPhone 15 if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
iPhone 16 Pro Max takes battery honors offering 4,685 mAh alongside 30W charging.
iPhone 16 Pro Max provides greater sustained gaming output with its Apple A18 Pro and 8GB RAM.
iPhone 16 Pro Max takes photography with 48MP optics and 5x optical telephoto capabilities.
iPhone 15 provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $799 vs $1199.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.9" |
| Resolution | 1179 x 2556 | 1320 x 2868Winner |
| Pixel density | 461 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 HzWinner |
| Peak brightness | 2000 nits | 2000 nits |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Apple A18 Pro |
| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 1,380,000 | 1,810,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 6650 | 8580Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 6 GB | 8 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 512GB | 1TBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 3Winner |
| Optical zoom | — | 5x |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 48 MPWinner |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K at 60fps Dolby Vision HDR | 4K at 120fps Dolby Vision |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3,349 mAh | 4,685 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 20 W | 30 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 25 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 171 gWinner | 227 g |
| Thickness | 7.8 mmWinner | 8.25 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front, color-infused matte glass back | Grade 5 Titanium frame, textured matte glass back |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 17 | iOS 18 |
| OS updates | 6 years | 6 years |
| Security updates | 7 years | 7 years |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $799Winner | $1,199 |
Apple iPhone 15
The iPhone 15 gains the interactive Dynamic Island, a 48MP dual camera capturing 24MP default snaps with 2x lossless digital cropping, 2000-nit outdoor brightness, USB-C convenience, and pastel matte glass styling.
- Display
- 6.1"
- Chipset
- Apple A16 Bionic
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 3,349mAh
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
With an expansive 6.9-inch borderless Super Retina XDR OLED, the powerful 3nm A18 Pro silicon, and dedicated 4K 120fps Dolby Vision capture, Apple sets a towering standard for creator-centric mobile performance.
- Display
- 6.9"
- Chipset
- Apple A18 Pro
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 4,685mAh
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