Apple iPhone 15 vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Compare Apple iPhone 15 vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max side by side: Apple A16 Bionic vs Apple A20 Pro, 48MP vs 48MP camera, 3349mAh vs 5567mAh battery, $799 vs…
Apple
iPhone 15
$799
4categories won
Apple
iPhone 18 Pro Max
$1,299
7categories won
2 categories tied · 13 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max takes the overall win
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max proves superior overall against the Apple iPhone 15, outperforming on battery endurance and daily usability. In camera testing, the iPhone 15 leads with sharper imaging, while battery endurance leans towards the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Choose the iPhone 18 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 18 Pro Max takes battery honors offering 5,567 mAh.
iPhone 18 Pro Max provides greater sustained gaming output with its Apple A20 Pro and 12GB RAM.
iPhone 15 wins photography with 48MP main imaging.
iPhone 15 provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $799 vs $1299.
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 18 Pro Max: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 18 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 | 3000 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Apple A20 Pro |
| Process node | 4 nm | — |
| AnTuTu score | 1,380,000 | — |
| Geekbench multi | 6650 | — |
| Maximum RAM | 6 GB | 12 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 512GB | 2TBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Rear cameras | 2Winner | 1 |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | — |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | — |
| Max video | 4K at 60fps Dolby Vision HDR | 4K |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3,349 mAh | 5,567 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 20 W | — |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 25 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 171 gWinner | 249 g |
| Thickness | 7.8 mmWinner | 8.75 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front, color-infused matte glass back | Aluminum frame, glass back |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 17 | iOS 27 |
| OS updates | 6 years | — |
| Security updates | 7 years | — |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | — |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $799Winner | $1,299 |
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 18 Pro Max
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a $1299 super-sized flagship aimed at power users and mobile gamers. Featuring a massive 6.9-inch OLED display, a huge 5567 mAh battery, and a new variable aperture 48MP camera, it offers peak hardware performance but compromises with a surprisingly heavy 249g aluminum chassis.
- Display
- 6.9"
- Chipset
- Apple A20 Pro
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 5,567mAh
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