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WhichPhoneToBuy

Apple iPhone 15 vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max comes out ahead on 8 counts and the Apple iPhone 15 on 4.

Which should you buy?

Pick the Apple iPhone 15 for

  • Lighter: 171 g vs 227 g (56 g less)
  • Thinner: 7.8 mm vs 8.3 mm
  • More compact: 15.4 mm shorter
  • Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $1,199

Pick the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max for

  • Bigger battery: 4,685 vs 3,349 mAh (40% more)
  • Faster wireless charging: 25 W vs 15 W
  • Bigger screen: 6.9" vs 6.1"
  • Smoother display: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • Optical zoom (5×), which the other lacks
  • More RAM: up to 8 GB vs 6 GB
  • More storage: up to 1 TB vs 512 GB
  • Newer: launched September 2024

Size comparison

The Apple iPhone 15 is 15.4 mm shorter, 6 mm narrower, 0.5 mm thinner and 56 g lighter than the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. Its screen is 0.8" smaller.

  • Apple iPhone 15147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm
  • Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max163 × 77.6 × 8.25 mm

Specs side by side

LaunchApple iPhone 15Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
AnnouncedSeptember 12, 2023September 9, 20241
ReleasedSeptember 22, 2023September 20, 2024
Launch price$7991 (better)$1,199
BodyApple iPhone 15Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Size147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm163 × 77.6 × 8.3 mm
Thickness7.8 mm (better)8.3 mm
Weight171 g (better)227 g
FrameAluminumtitanium
BackColor-infused glasstextured matte glass
Water resistanceIP68IP68
ColoursBlack, Blue, Green, Yellow, PinkBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Desert Titanium
DisplayApple iPhone 15Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Size6.1"6.9"
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLEDSuper Retina XDR OLED
Resolution1179 × 25561320 × 2868 (better)
Refresh rate60 Hz120 Hz (better)
Peak brightness2,000 nits2,000 nits
ProtectionCeramic ShieldCeramic Shield
Performance and softwareApple iPhone 15Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
ChipsetA16 BionicA18 Pro
CPU6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores6-core (2 performance + 4 efficiency)
Process4 nm1—
Ships withiOSiOS
OS updates5 years (to Sep 2028)1—
MemoryApple iPhone 15Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
RAM6 GB18 GB (better)
Storage128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB (better)
Card slotNo1—
CamerasApple iPhone 15Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Rear48 MP Main, OIS 12 MP Ultrawide48 MP Main, OIS 12 MP Telephoto (5× optical), OIS 48 MP Ultrawide
Main camera48 MP48 MP
Optical zoomNone5× (better)
Front12 MP12 MP
Video4K Dolby Vision at 60 fps4K Dolby Vision at 120 fps
BatteryApple iPhone 15Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Capacity3,349 mAh14,685 mAh1 (better)
Wired charging20 W1—
Wireless charging15 W25 W (better)
ConnectivityApple iPhone 15Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
5GYesYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMOWi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Bluetooth5.35.3
NFCYesYes
USBUSB-C with USB 2 (up to 480Mb/s) and DisplayPortUSB-C, USB 3 (up to 10Gb/s)
Headphone jackNo1—
eSIMYesYes
Satellite messagingYesYes

Highlighted: the better value where one is clearly better. Sources for each phone are listed on the Apple iPhone 15 and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max pages.

Quick answers

Is the Apple iPhone 15 bigger than the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone 15 is 15.4 mm shorter, 6 mm narrower, 0.5 mm thinner and 56 g lighter than the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. Its screen is 0.8" smaller.
Which has the bigger battery, the Apple iPhone 15 or the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has the bigger battery: 4,685 mAh against 3,349 mAh. Real battery life also depends on the chip and screen.
Which was cheaper at launch?
The Apple iPhone 15 launched at $799, against $1,199 for the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (US launch prices; street prices drop over time).

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