iPhone 14 Pro Max vs iPhone 15
Winner
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
The iPhone 14 Pro Max wins this one, taking display and battery decisively. Against the iPhone 15 it's also the sounder buy at $11.60 per month of safe use.
Value Score: iPhone 14 Pro Max 67 · iPhone 15 61 — methodology
Who should pick which
Beyond the scores — our take on each phone and the buyer it actually suits.
The 2022 flagship at ~$437 used: 120Hz 6.7-inch display, 3x telephoto, big battery, and an estimated three-plus years of updates. Strong — but a used 15 Pro Max isn't much more per month.
Pick it if
- ✓ Flagship camera and display on a sub-$450 budget
- ✓ Big-screen power users
- ✓ Keeping a phone ~3 years
Skip it if
- ✗ You want USB-C or AI features — a used 15 Pro Max adds both plus a year of support
- ✗ 240g is too heavy for you
The standard iPhone 15 brings USB-C, the 48MP camera and Dynamic Island to the affordable tier, but its 60Hz screen now feels dated.
Pick it if
- ✓ Buyers upgrading from an older iPhone who want a long support window
- ✓ Photographers on a budget who value the 48MP main sensor
- ✓ Anyone wanting to standardize on USB-C without paying Pro prices
Skip it if
- ✗ You care about a high-refresh 120Hz screen for scrolling and gaming
- ✗ You shoot a lot of zoomed photos and need a dedicated telephoto lens
The lifespan decider
When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.
Category by category
The iPhone 14 Pro Max's screen is the better one — 6.7-inch ltpo super retina xdr oled, promotion 120hz, always-on, up to 2000 nits peak.
Performance is a wash — same chip tier.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 2).
4,323mAh vs 3,349mAh — the iPhone 14 Pro Max lasts longer between charges.
The iPhone 15 is supported until Sep 2030 — 12 months longer than the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Overall value goes to the iPhone 14 Pro Max at $11.60 per month of safe use.
Frequently asked
Is the iPhone 14 Pro Max still supported in 2026?
Yes. It runs the latest iOS in 2026, and Apple confirmed at WWDC 2026 that it will get iOS 27. Based on Apple's typical seven-year pattern, we estimate updates until around September 2029 — just over three more years.
Is the iPhone 14 Pro Max worth buying used in 2026?
At around $437 it's a fair buy — about $11 per month of remaining safe use for a phone whose display and cameras still feel flagship. But compare prices before committing: used 15 Pro Max units add USB-C, a 5x zoom, Apple Intelligence, and an extra year of support.
How long will the iPhone 15 get updates?
Apple does not publish a fixed promise, but its recent iPhones have received roughly seven years of iOS and security updates. On that basis the iPhone 15, released in September 2023, should get updates into about 2030, making it a safe long-term buy in 2026.
Is a used iPhone 15 worth it in 2026?
Yes, for most people. At a used price around 430 dollars it offers USB-C, a strong 48MP camera, the fast A16 chip and several more years of updates. The main compromise is the 60Hz screen, which is fine for everyday use but not as smooth as 120Hz panels.
Full spec table
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (street) | $437 | $430 |
| Display | 6.7-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 120Hz, always-on, up to 2000 nits peak | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, Dynamic Island, up to 2000 nits peak |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Apple A16 Bionic |
| RAM | 6GB | 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB | 128GB/256GB/512GB |
| Battery | 4,323 mAh | 3,349 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired (50% in ~30 min), MagSafe 15W wireless | Wired ~50% in 30 min with 20W+; MagSafe 15W wireless |
| Rear cameras | 48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto 3x | 48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide |
| Dimensions | 160.7 × 77.6 × 7.85 mm | 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.80 mm |
| Weight | 240 g | 171 g |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Supported until | Sep 2029 | Sep 2030 |
More comparisons
Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.