Apple iPhone 16 ProvsApple iPhone 15 Pro Max
SETTLEDUpdated September 8, 2026
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max wins
Verdict
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max wins 3 of 5 categories — our overall pick
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is the overall winner, 3 / 5 — display is its standout. It costs USD 1,099 — USD 100 more than the Apple iPhone 16 Pro. Pay the premium if display is your priority.
- Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max takes Performance — led by storage (256 GB).
- Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max takes Display — led by screen size (6.7 in).
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro takes Camera — led by camera score (154 pts).
- Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max takes Battery — led by battery (4,441 mAh).
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro takes Price — led by price (999 USD).
Scores follow our published methodology · v2026.09
In plain English
Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro if you want…
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro if you want a faster phone for apps and games — 1,650,000 pts vs 1,600,000 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro if you want better video quality — 98 pts vs 97 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro if you want a better camera — 154 pts vs 150 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro if you want faster charging — 27 W vs 20 W.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro if you want a lower price — 999 USD vs 1,099 USD.
Choose Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if you want…
- Choose Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if you want more room for photos and apps — 256 GB vs 128 GB.
- Choose Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if you want a bigger screen — 6.7 in vs 6.3 in.
- Choose Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if you want longer battery life — 4,441 mAh vs 3,582 mAh.
At a glance
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro
- Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
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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 16 Pro
Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro if camera matters most. It costs USD 999, the lowest price in this group.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Choose Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if display matters most — it wins the most categories overall. It costs USD 1,099.
Pros & cons
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
- A18 Pro performance
- Excellent 4K/120 video
- Premium build
- Pricey
- Battery is modest
- 27 W charging is slow
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
- Titanium build
- 5x telephoto
- Great video
- Slow 20 W charging
- Heavy
- Pricey vs Android rivals