Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on display, scoring 70/100 vs 51/100 for Apple iPhone 16. The biggest gap is refresh rate, where Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has 120 vs 60 Hz.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 16
Updated Sep 2026 · Scored by the Let’s Compare Data Engine · How we score
For most buyers the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is the better pick — it scores 78/100 to the Apple iPhone 16's 69, leading on Chip and Memory. Choose the Apple iPhone 16 instead if design & weight and miscellaneous matter most to you, where it comes out ahead.
Verdict
Our overall take, at a glance
Key takeaways
- Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads Apple iPhone 16 overall by 9 points (78 vs 69 out of 100).
- Key differences: refresh rate, where Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has 120 vs 60 Hz; optical zoom, where Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has 4 vs 1; battery capacity, where Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has 5,391 vs 3,561 mAh; geekbench single-core score, where Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has 4,735 vs 3,263; RAM capacity, where Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- Best value: Apple iPhone 16 (from $799) — the strongest score-per-dollar of the two.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads overall
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
78
Apple iPhone 16
69
Key differences
- Refresh rateApple iPhone 18 Pro Max 120 vs 60 Hz
- Optical zoomApple iPhone 18 Pro Max 4 vs 1
- Battery capacityApple iPhone 18 Pro Max 5,391 vs 3,561 mAh
- Geekbench single-core scoreApple iPhone 18 Pro Max 4,735 vs 3,263
- RAM capacityApple iPhone 18 Pro Max 12 GB vs 8 GB
Performance
Higher benchmark score = faster
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max3,463,072
Apple iPhone 161,721,149
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 18 Pro Max5,391 mAh
Apple iPhone 163,561 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 18 Pro Max wins 9 of 14 categories · Apple iPhone 16 wins 2
Apple iPhone 18 Pro MaxApple iPhone 16
- DisplayApple iPhone 18 Pro Max leadsApple iPhone 18 Pro Max70Apple iPhone 1651
- Rear CameraApple iPhone 18 Pro Max leadsApple iPhone 18 Pro Max78Apple iPhone 1668
- Power & BatteryApple iPhone 18 Pro Max leadsApple iPhone 18 Pro Max82Apple iPhone 1657
- BenchmarkApple iPhone 18 Pro Max leadsApple iPhone 18 Pro Max91Apple iPhone 1670
- ChipApple iPhone 18 Pro Max leadsApple iPhone 18 Pro Max86Apple iPhone 1678
- MemoryApple iPhone 18 Pro Max leadsApple iPhone 18 Pro Max90Apple iPhone 1676
- SecurityTieApple iPhone 18 Pro Max85Apple iPhone 1685
- Design & WeightApple iPhone 16 leadsApple iPhone 18 Pro Max35Apple iPhone 1669
- MiscellaneousApple iPhone 16 leadsApple iPhone 18 Pro Max85Apple iPhone 1692
- StorageApple iPhone 18 Pro Max leadsApple iPhone 18 Pro Max55Apple iPhone 1635
- CellularTieApple iPhone 18 Pro Max84Apple iPhone 1684
- Front CameraApple iPhone 18 Pro Max leadsApple iPhone 18 Pro Max81Apple iPhone 1673
- ConnectivityApple iPhone 18 Pro Max leadsApple iPhone 18 Pro Max74Apple iPhone 1671
- SensorsTieApple iPhone 18 Pro Max85Apple iPhone 1685
Physical Comparison
Weigh them up, then compare real dimensions in 3D
Apple iPhone 18 Pro MaxApple iPhone 16
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is 79 g (46%) heavier than Apple iPhone 16.
In-depth analysisAI
AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Sep 2026.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Pros
- Triple 48 MP rear camera system with 4x optical zoom
- 6.9-inch 120Hz Super Retina XDR display
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support
Cons
- 249 g heavy build
- Not expandable
- No headphone jack
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch 120Hz OLED display, an Apple A20 Pro chip, and a 5,391 mAh battery. It includes a triple 48 MP rear camera system with 4x optical zoom.
Best for Large-screen mobile mediaBest for Advanced mobile photography
Apple iPhone 16
Pros
- Apple A18 chip with 8 GB RAM
- 48 MP rear camera with OIS
- Wi-Fi 7 and 5G cellular support
Cons
- Storage starts at 128 GB without expansion
- 60 Hz display refresh rate
The iPhone 16 runs on iOS 18 with the Apple A18 chip and an 8 GB RAM. It features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, dual cameras including a 48 MP rear sensor, and IP68 water resistance.
Best for Apple ecosystem usersBest for Mobile photography
Watch-outs
Compromises to know before you buy
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
No notable compromises found.
Apple iPhone 16
- 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 18 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 16
Detailed Specifications
The specs that count most, side by side
Memory
| Feature | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
RAM capacity | 12 GB50% more | 8 GB |
Storage
| Feature | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
Storage capacity | 256 GB100% more | 128 GB |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
Resolution | 1320 × 2868 px | 1179 × 2556 px |
Refresh rate | 120 Hz100% more | 60 Hz |
Display technology | ||
Protection |
Rear Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
Rear camera aperture | 1.488% less | 1.6 |
Optical zoom | 4300% more | 1 |
Has High Dynamic Range (HDR) | Yes | Yes |
Has Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) | Yes | Yes |
Cellular
| Feature | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
Cellular technology |
Design & Weight
| Feature | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
Weight | 249 g | 170 g32% less |
Power & Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
Battery capacity | 5,391 mAh51% more | 3,561 mAh |
Has wireless charging support | Yes | Yes |
Has fast charging support | Yes | Yes |
Benchmark
| Feature | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
Geekbench single-core score | 4,73545% more | 3,263 |
Miscellaneous
| Feature | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
Dust & Water resistance |
Security
| Feature | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
Has a 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 18 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 16 comparison
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery: 5,391 mAh vs 3,561 mAh for Apple iPhone 16 (51% more). Real-world battery life also depends on the chip, display and software.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max launched in Sep 2026, 24 months after Apple iPhone 16. It scores 78/100 vs 69/100 head-to-head — a clear step up. Launch prices were $1,299 vs $799.
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