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WhichPhoneToBuy

Apple iPhone 16 vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max comes out ahead on 5 counts and the Apple iPhone 16 on 4.

Which should you buy?

Pick the Apple iPhone 16 for

  • Lighter: 170 g vs 227 g (57 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 3,561 mAh (32% more)
  • Bigger screen: 6.9" vs 6.1"
  • Smoother display: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • Optical zoom (5×), which the other lacks
  • More storage: up to 1 TB vs 512 GB

Size comparison

The Apple iPhone 16 is 15.4 mm shorter, 6 mm narrower, 0.5 mm thinner and 57 g lighter than the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. Its screen is 0.8" smaller.

  • Apple iPhone 16147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm
  • Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max163 × 77.6 × 8.25 mm

Specs side by side

LaunchApple iPhone 16Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
AnnouncedSeptember 9, 20241September 9, 20241
ReleasedSeptember 20, 20241September 20, 2024
Launch price$799 (better)$1,199
BodyApple iPhone 16Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Size147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm163 × 77.6 × 8.3 mm
Thickness7.8 mm (better)8.3 mm
Weight170 g (better)227 g
FrameAluminumtitanium
BackColor-infused glasstextured matte glass
Water resistanceIP68IP68
ColoursBlack, White, Pink, Teal, UltramarineBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Desert Titanium
DisplayApple iPhone 16Apple 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 16Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
ChipsetA18A18 Pro
CPU6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores6-core (2 performance + 4 efficiency)
Ships withiOSiOS
MemoryApple iPhone 16Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
RAM8 GB18 GB
Storage128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB (better)
Card slotNo—
CamerasApple iPhone 16Apple 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 16Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Capacity3,561 mAh14,685 mAh1 (better)
Wireless charging25 W25 W
ConnectivityApple iPhone 16Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
5GYesYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMOWi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Bluetooth5.35.3
NFCYesYes
USBUSB-C, USB 2 (up to 480Mb/s)USB-C, USB 3 (up to 10Gb/s)
Headphone jackNo1—
eSIMYesYes
Satellite messagingYesYes
FeaturesApple iPhone 16Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
FingerprintNone (Face ID)1—
Stereo speakersYes—

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

Quick answers

Is the Apple iPhone 16 bigger than the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone 16 is 15.4 mm shorter, 6 mm narrower, 0.5 mm thinner and 57 g lighter than the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. Its screen is 0.8" smaller.
Which has the bigger battery, the Apple iPhone 16 or the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has the bigger battery: 4,685 mAh against 3,561 mAh. Real battery life also depends on the chip and screen.
Which was cheaper at launch?
The Apple iPhone 16 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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