iPhone 16 Pro Max & iPhone 15 Pro share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the iPhone 16 Pro Max rather than the iPhone 15 Pro.
Why Do I Recommend The iPhone 16 Pro Max?
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with thinner bezels for a more immersive viewing experience, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro has a smaller 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with less screen real estate.
- iPhone 16 Pro Max comes with the A18 Pro chip for faster CPU performance, improved GPU efficiency, and enhanced AI processing, while the iPhone 15 Pro uses the older A17 Pro chip with lower processing capabilities.
- It includes a 48MP ultra-wide camera for sharper landscape and low-light shots, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro features a 12MP ultra-wide camera.
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max supports a 5× telephoto zoom lens for distant photography with greater clarity, while the iPhone 15 Pro uses a 3× telephoto zoom lens.
- iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 4,685 mAh battery for up to 33 hours of video playback and longer daily usage, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro comes with a smaller 3,274 mAh battery.
- It supports Wi-Fi 7 for faster wireless connectivity and improved stability in crowded networks, while the iPhone 15 Pro uses Wi-Fi 6.
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max comes with a dedicated Camera Control button for quick access to camera modes and functions, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro uses a general Action button that requires customization for camera use.
- iPhone 16 Pro Max includes improved thermal architecture with a graphite-clad aluminum structure for sustained performance during heavy use, while the iPhone 15 Pro relies on a standard thermal design.
Maybe the iPhone 15 Pro price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | iPhone 16 Pro Max | iPhone 15 Pro |
| Display size | 6.9 in | 6.1 in |
| CPU–GPU–NPU | A18 Pro | A17 Pro |
| Neural engine TOPS | 35 TOPS | Lower |
| RAM | 8 GB LPDDR5X | 8 GB LPDDR5 |
| Rear ultrawide | 48 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto zoom | 5× optical | 3× optical |
| Battery capacity | 4,685 mAh | 3,274 mAh |
| Video playback (hrs) | 33 hours | Not specified |
| Connectivity: Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6/6e |
| New button | Camera Control button | Action button |
| Materials & color | Titanium frame; Desert, Natural, White, Black Titanium | Titanium frame; Black, White, Blue, Natural Titanium |
| Bezels | Thinner borders | Thin |
| Speakers | Four-mic array; spatial audio | Standard speaker setup |
| Thermal architecture | Improved thermal, graphite clad aluminum internal structure | Standard thermal design |
| Wi-Fi and modem chip | Qualcomm Snapdragon X71 5G | Qualcomm Snapdragon X70 5G |
| Weight | ~227 g | ~187 g |
| Dimensions (H × W) | 163 × 77.6 mm | 146.6 × 70.6 mm |
| Software support | Preinstalled iOS 18; supports Visual Intelligence via Camera Control | iOS 17 → iOS 18; supports Visual Intelligence via Action button |
| Ceramic Shield strength | Improved Ceramic Shield | Standard Ceramic Shield |
| Price | Check iPhone 16 Pro Max Price | Check iPhone 15 Pro Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Titanium frame: Both models use a premium titanium body, providing high strength with a lighter build—offering durability while keeping weight manageable.
- ProMotion 120 Hz display: Each device incorporates high-refresh-rate OLED screens (up to 120 Hz), delivering smooth scrolling and silky visuals across the board.
- IP68 water/dust resistance: Both are built to the IP68 standard, making them resistant to dust and water immersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes.
- Rear LiDAR scanner: Both models include a LiDAR scanner on the back, enhancing autofocus and enabling AR capabilities.
- Dual-SIM (eSIM support): Both support multiple SIM configurations—switching between carriers or regions is made easy via eSIM.
- Face ID facial recognition: Both use Face ID for secure authentication, offering fast and reliable facial recognition even in varied light.
- MagSafe wireless charging: Each offers MagSafe support for fast wireless charging and accessory attachment with magnetic alignment.
- Ultra-wideband (UWB): Both are equipped with UWB chips, enabling precise spatial awareness—useful for AirTag localization and AirDrop suggestions.
- Thread support: Both support the Thread protocol for smart home devices, enabling reliable, low-power mesh networking.
- Dolby Atmos spatial audio: Both deliver immersive sound with Dolby Atmos support, especially when paired with compatible headphones or speakers.
- Satellite Emergency SOS: Each model supports emergency SOS via satellite, enabling off-network messaging in critical situations.
- HDR and Dolby Vision video capture: Both are capable of recording HDR video and support Dolby Vision, ensuring vivid, cinema-grade footage.
- OLED Super Retina XDR display: Each uses OLED Super Retina XDR panels, delivering high contrast, deep blacks, and vivid colors.
- Always-On display: Both devices retain an always-on display feature, useful for glanceable widgets and time display without waking the screen fully.
- USB-C reversible connector: Both adopt USB-C ports, making charging and data transfer more convenient with industry-standard cables.
Common Features
| Feature | iPhone 16 Pro Max | iPhone 15 Pro |
| Titanium frame | Yes | Yes |
| ProMotion 120 Hz display | Yes | Yes |
| IP68 water/dust resistance | Yes | Yes |
| Rear LiDAR scanner | Yes | Yes |
| Dual-SIM (eSIM support) | Yes | Yes |
| Face ID facial recognition | Yes | Yes |
| MagSafe wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Ultra-wideband (UWB) | Yes | Yes |
| Thread support | Yes | Yes |
| Dolby Atmos spatial audio | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite Emergency SOS | Yes | Yes |
| HDR and Dolby Vision video | Yes | Yes |
| OLED Super Retina XDR display | Yes | Yes |
| Always-On display | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C reversible connector | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check iPhone 16 Pro Max Price | Check iPhone 15 Pro Price |
FAQ
What materials are used in both the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro? Do both models feature a high refresh rate display? Are both iPhones water and dust resistant? Do they both include a LiDAR scanner? Can both models support dual SIM with eSIM technology? Do they both use Face ID for security? Is MagSafe available on both devices? Do they both come with Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology? Do both models support the Thread smart home protocol? Is spatial audio supported on both phones? Do both phones have Emergency SOS via satellite? Can both models capture Dolby Vision HDR video? Do they both use an OLED Super Retina XDR display? Is Always-On display available on both phones? Do both models have USB-C ports? |
