Apple iPhone 15 ProvsApple iPhone 16 Pro Max
SETTLEDUpdated September 8, 2026
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max wins
Verdict
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max wins 3 of 5 categories — our overall pick
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is the overall winner, 3 / 5 — camera is its standout. It costs USD 1,199 — USD 300 more than the Apple iPhone 15 Pro. Pay the premium if camera is your priority.
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max takes Performance — led by storage (256 GB).
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max takes Display — led by screen size (6.9 in).
- Too close to call between Apple iPhone 15 Pro and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max.
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max takes Battery — led by battery (4,685 mAh).
- Apple iPhone 15 Pro takes Price — led by price (899 USD).
Scores follow our published methodology · v2026.09
In plain English
Choose Apple iPhone 15 Pro if you want…
- Choose Apple iPhone 15 Pro if you want a better camera — 152 pts vs 151 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 15 Pro if you want a lower price — 899 USD vs 1,199 USD.
Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want…
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want a faster phone for apps and games — 1,700,000 pts vs 1,600,000 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want more room for photos and apps — 256 GB vs 128 GB.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want a bigger screen — 6.9 in vs 6.1 in.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want better video quality — 98 pts vs 97 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want longer battery life — 4,685 mAh vs 3,274 mAh.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want faster charging — 25 W vs 20 W.
At a glance
- Apple iPhone 15 Pro
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
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Best price now
The cheap alternative
Full record
Every spec, side by side — winners get a check and a proportional bar. Ties share the badge.
Performance score
Approximate benchmark score of the chipset — higher is faster for apps, games and AI.
Chipset
The processor inside — shown for reference, never decides a winner.
RAM
More RAM keeps more apps alive in the background.
Storage
Base onboard storage for photos, apps and media.
Screen size
Diagonal screen size — bigger is better for media, smaller is easier to hold.
Pixel density
Sharpness of the screen — above ~400 ppi looks crisp.
Refresh rate
How smooth scrolling and motion feel. 120 Hz is the modern standard.
Peak brightness
Peak brightness in sunlight — higher stays readable outdoors.
Main camera
Resolution of the primary rear camera — photo quality is judged by the Camera quality score, not megapixels.
Selfie camera
Resolution of the front camera.
Telephoto
A dedicated zoom lens for distant subjects without quality loss.
Video score
Composite video rating — stabilisation, 4K/8K support and colour.
Camera score
Composite camera quality from independent testing — how good the photos actually are.
Battery
Battery capacity — higher generally lasts longer.
Charging speed
Wired charging speed — higher refills faster.
Wireless charging
Whether the phone charges wirelessly.
Price
Typical MSRP in US dollars — lower is better value.
Which one should you buy?
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
Choose Apple iPhone 15 Pro if camera matters most. It costs USD 899, the lowest price in this group.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if camera matters most — it wins the most categories overall. It costs USD 1,199.
Pros & cons
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
- Titanium build
- A17 Pro chip
- Great video
- Small battery
- 20 W charging
- Pricey vs Android rivals
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Best-in-class video
- Large 6.9-inch display
- Excellent battery life
- Very expensive
- Heavy
- Slow 25 W charging