Apple iPhone 16e vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Compare Apple iPhone 16e vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max side by side: Apple A18 (3 nm, 16-core Neural Engine) vs Apple A20 Pro, 48MP vs 48MP camera, 3960mAh vs…
Apple
iPhone 16e
$599
3categories won
Apple
iPhone 18 Pro Max
$1,299
7categories won
3 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 16e, outperforming on battery endurance and daily usability. In camera testing, the two devices offer similar flexibility, 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 16e 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.
Both camera setups are closely matched for daily street photography and low-light shooting.
iPhone 16e provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $599 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 16e vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone 16e | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.9" |
| Resolution | 1170 x 2532 | 1320 x 2868Winner |
| Pixel density | 457 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 HzWinner |
| Peak brightness | 2000 nits | 3000 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone 16e | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A18 (3 nm, 16-core Neural Engine) | Apple A20 Pro |
| Process node | 3 nm | — |
| AnTuTu score | 1,650,000 | — |
| Geekbench multi | 8120 | — |
| Maximum RAM | 8 GB | 12 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 128GB | 2TBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone 16e | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Rear cameras | 1 | 1 |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | — |
| Max video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision HDR | 4K |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone 16e | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3,960 mAh | 5,567 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 25 W | — |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 25 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | iPhone 16e | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 167 gWinner | 249 g |
| Thickness | 7.8 mmWinner | 8.75 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Aerospace-grade aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front, color-infused glass back | Aluminum frame, glass back |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone 16e | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 18.3 | iOS 27 |
| OS updates | 6 years | — |
| Security updates | 7 years | — |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iPhone 16e | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | — |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $599Winner | $1,299 |
Apple iPhone 16e
The iPhone 16e brings Apple's apex 3nm A18 silicon and full Apple Intelligence generative AI support to a sub-$600 form factor. Featuring an upgraded 48MP 2-in-1 Fusion camera with 2x lossless telephoto cropping, Face ID, USB-C, and class-leading battery endurance, it replaces both legacy SE models and previous base offerings.
- Display
- 6.1"
- Chipset
- Apple A18 (3 nm, 16-core Neural Engine)
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 3,960mAh
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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