iPhone 15 Pro Max vs 5

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

The iPhone 15 Pro Max wins this one, taking performance and display decisively. Against the 5 it's also the sounder buy at $14.85 per month of safe use.

Value Score: iPhone 15 Pro Max 63 · 5 57 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max $760

Safe to buy$14.85/mo

2023◆ Buy-by Sep 20282030

Fairphone 5 $600

Safe to buy$9.54/mo

2023◆ Buy-by Sep 20292031

Category by category

Display

iPhone 15 Pro Max 805 50

The iPhone 15 Pro Max's screen is the better one — 6.7-inch super retina xdr oled, 120hz promotion, always-on, dynamic island, up to 2000 nits peak.

Performance

iPhone 15 Pro Max 885 55

The iPhone 15 Pro Max's Apple A17 Pro is simply the faster chip.

Camera

iPhone 15 Pro Max 745 67

The iPhone 15 Pro Max has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 2).

Battery

iPhone 15 Pro Max 685 64

4,422mAh vs 4,200mAh — the iPhone 15 Pro Max lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone 15 Pro Max 615 75

The 5 is supported until Sep 2031 — 12 months longer than the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Value

iPhone 15 Pro Max 635 57

Overall value goes to the iPhone 15 Pro Max at $14.85 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone 15 Pro Max	5
Price (street)	$760	$600
Display	6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz ProMotion, Always-On, Dynamic Island, up to 2000 nits peak	6.46-inch OLED, FHD+, 90Hz, Gorilla Glass 5
Chipset	Apple A17 Pro	Qualcomm QCM6490 (6nm)
RAM	8GB	8GB
Storage	256GB/512GB/1TB	256GB
Battery	4,422 mAh	4,200 mAh
Charging	Wired ~50% in 30 min with 20W+; MagSafe 15W wireless	30W wired; user-removable battery
Rear cameras	48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto	50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide
Dimensions	159.9 × 76.7 × 8.25 mm	161.6 × 75.8 × 9.6 mm
Weight	221 g	212 g
Water resistance	IP68	IP55 (also MIL-STD-810H)
Supported until	Sep 2030	Sep 2031

iPhone 15 Pro Max full verdict →5 full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.