Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max leads on display, scoring 68/100 vs 53/100 for Apple iPhone 15 Plus. The biggest gap is refresh rate, where Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has 120 vs 60 Hz.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 15 Plus
Updated Jun 2026 · Scored by the Let’s Compare Data Engine · How we score
For most buyers the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is the better pick — it scores 73/100 to the Apple iPhone 15 Plus's 66, leading on Chip and Memory. Choose the Apple iPhone 15 Plus instead if design & weight matters most to you, where it comes out ahead.
Verdict
Our overall take, at a glance
Key takeaways
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max leads Apple iPhone 15 Plus overall by 7 points (73 vs 66 out of 100).
- Key differences: refresh rate, where Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has 120 vs 60 Hz; optical zoom, where Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has 5 vs 1; geekbench single-core score, where Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has 3,490 vs 2,627; rear camera aperture, where Apple iPhone 15 Plus has f/1.6 vs f/1.8; RAM capacity, where Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has 8 GB vs 6 GB.
- Best value: Apple iPhone 15 Plus (from $899) — the strongest score-per-dollar of the two.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max leads overall
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
73
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
66
Key differences
- Refresh rateApple iPhone 16 Pro Max 120 vs 60 Hz
- Optical zoomApple iPhone 16 Pro Max 5 vs 1
- Geekbench single-core scoreApple iPhone 16 Pro Max 3,490 vs 2,627
- Rear camera apertureApple iPhone 15 Plus f/1.6 vs f/1.8
- RAM capacityApple iPhone 16 Pro Max 8 GB vs 6 GB
Performance
Higher benchmark score = faster
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max1,838,828
Apple iPhone 15 Plus1,385,649
Benchmark score — a measured indicator of raw performance, not a guarantee of real-world speed.
Battery capacity
Larger cell — a hardware spec, not battery life
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max4,685 mAh
Apple iPhone 15 Plus4,383 mAh
Capacity is the raw battery size. Real-world battery life depends just as much on the processor, software and display.
Scores by Category
Head-to-head score per category, out of 100
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max wins 8 of 14 categories · Apple iPhone 15 Plus wins 1
Apple iPhone 16 Pro MaxApple iPhone 15 Plus
- DisplayApple iPhone 16 Pro Max leadsApple iPhone 16 Pro Max68Apple iPhone 15 Plus53
- Rear CameraApple iPhone 16 Pro Max leadsApple iPhone 16 Pro Max74Apple iPhone 15 Plus68
- Power & BatteryApple iPhone 16 Pro Max leadsApple iPhone 16 Pro Max72Apple iPhone 15 Plus68
- BenchmarkApple iPhone 16 Pro Max leadsApple iPhone 16 Pro Max82Apple iPhone 15 Plus63
- ChipApple iPhone 16 Pro Max leadsApple iPhone 16 Pro Max84Apple iPhone 15 Plus73
- MemoryApple iPhone 16 Pro Max leadsApple iPhone 16 Pro Max78Apple iPhone 15 Plus68
- SecurityTieApple iPhone 16 Pro Max85Apple iPhone 15 Plus85
- Design & WeightApple iPhone 15 Plus leadsApple iPhone 16 Pro Max48Apple iPhone 15 Plus59
- MiscellaneousTieApple iPhone 16 Pro Max66Apple iPhone 15 Plus65
- StorageApple iPhone 16 Pro Max leadsApple iPhone 16 Pro Max55Apple iPhone 15 Plus35
- CellularTieApple iPhone 16 Pro Max84Apple iPhone 15 Plus84
- Front CameraTieApple iPhone 16 Pro Max77Apple iPhone 15 Plus77
- ConnectivityApple iPhone 16 Pro Max leadsApple iPhone 16 Pro Max73Apple iPhone 15 Plus64
- SensorsTieApple iPhone 16 Pro Max85Apple iPhone 15 Plus85
Physical Comparison
Weigh them up, then compare real dimensions in 3D
Apple iPhone 16 Pro MaxApple iPhone 15 Plus
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is 26 g (13%) heavier than Apple iPhone 15 Plus.
In-depth analysisAI
AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Jun 2026.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Pros
- 6.9-inch 120Hz Super Retina XDR OLED display
- 48 MP main camera with 5x optical zoom
- Apple A18 Pro chip with 8 GB RAM
Cons
- Weighs 227 g
- No headphone jack
- Storage is not expandable
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, an Apple A18 Pro chip, and a 48 MP triple camera system. It runs on iOS 18 and includes a 4,685 mAh battery.
Best for video creationBest for heavy media consumption
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
Pros
- 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display
- 4,383 mAh battery capacity
- 48 MP main camera with OIS
Cons
- 60 Hz screen refresh rate
- No expandable storage
- No headphone jack
The iPhone 15 Plus features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, an Apple A16 Bionic processor, and a 4,383 mAh battery. It includes dual cameras with a 48 MP main sensor, USB-C connectivity, and IP68 water resistance.
Best for media consumptionBest for large screen fans
Watch-outs
Compromises to know before you buy
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
No notable compromises found.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
- 60 Hz display — less smooth scrolling than 90/120 Hz rivals.
Value for Money
What the price difference buys you
Launch prices — enter today's prices (same currency for both).
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
Detailed Specifications
The specs that count most, side by side
Memory
| Feature | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 15 Plus |
|---|---|---|
RAM capacity | 8 GB33% more | 6 GB |
Storage
| Feature | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 15 Plus |
|---|---|---|
Storage capacity | 256 GB100% more | 128 GB |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 15 Plus |
|---|---|---|
Resolution | 1320 × 2868 px | 1290 × 2796 px |
Refresh rate | 120 Hz100% more | 60 Hz |
Display technology | ||
Protection |
Rear Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 15 Plus |
|---|---|---|
Rear camera aperture | 1.8 | 1.611% less |
Optical zoom | 5400% more | 1 |
High Dynamic Range (HDR) | Yes | Yes |
Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) | Yes | Yes |
Cellular
| Feature | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 15 Plus |
|---|---|---|
Cellular technology |
Design & Weight
| Feature | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 15 Plus |
|---|---|---|
Weight | 227 g | 201 g11% less |
Power & Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 15 Plus |
|---|---|---|
Battery capacity | 4,685 mAh7% more | 4,383 mAh |
Wireless charging support | Yes | Yes |
Fast charging support | Yes | Yes |
Benchmark
| Feature | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 15 Plus |
|---|---|---|
Geekbench single-core score | 3,49033% more | 2,627 |
Miscellaneous
| Feature | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 15 Plus |
|---|---|---|
Dust & Water resistance |
Security
| Feature | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 15 Plus |
|---|---|---|
Fingerprint scanner | No | No |
Specification Note
Specifications are compiled from official manufacturer data and other reliable internet sources. Some features may vary by region or model configuration.
Review Videos
Hand-picked expert reviews for each product
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 15 Plus comparison
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has the bigger battery: 4,685 mAh vs 4,383 mAh for Apple iPhone 15 Plus (7% more). Real-world battery life also depends on the chip, display and software.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max launched in Sep 2024, 12 months after Apple iPhone 15 Plus. It scores 73/100 vs 66/100 head-to-head — a clear step up. Launch prices were $1,199 vs $899.
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