iPhone 15 Pro Max vs 15 Ultra

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

Lifespan decides this one: the iPhone 15 Pro Max is supported until Sep 2030 at $14.81 per month of safe use, while the 15 Ultra runs out in Mar 2030 ($30.26/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: iPhone 15 Pro Max 63 · 15 Ultra 65 — 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$14.81/mo

2023◆ Buy-by Sep 20282030

Xiaomi 15 Ultra $1350

Safe to buy$30.26/mo

2025◆ Buy-by Mar 20282030

Category by category

Display

iPhone 15 Pro Max 8015 Ultra 100

The 15 Ultra's screen is the better one — 6.73-inch 2k (1440×3200) ltpo amoled, 1–120hz, up to 3200 nits peak.

Performance

iPhone 15 Pro Max 8815 Ultra 98

The 15 Ultra's Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) is simply the faster chip.

Camera

iPhone 15 Pro Max 7415 Ultra 96

The 15 Ultra has the stronger camera system (4 real rear lenses vs 3).

Battery

iPhone 15 Pro Max 6815 Ultra 88

5,410mAh vs 4,422mAh — the 15 Ultra lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone 15 Pro Max 6115 Ultra 53

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is supported until Sep 2030 — 7 months longer than the 15 Ultra.

Value

iPhone 15 Pro Max 6315 Ultra 65

Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone 15 Pro Max	15 Ultra
Price (street)	$760	$1350
Display	6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz ProMotion, Always-On, Dynamic Island, up to 2000 nits peak	6.73-inch 2K (1440×3200) LTPO AMOLED, 1–120Hz, up to 3200 nits peak
Chipset	Apple A17 Pro	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)
RAM	8GB	16GB
Storage	256GB/512GB/1TB	512GB/1TB
Battery	4,422 mAh	5,410 mAh
Charging	Wired ~50% in 30 min with 20W+; MagSafe 15W wireless	90W wired, 80W wireless
Rear cameras	48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto	50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP telephoto (70mm floating), 200MP periscope telephoto
Dimensions	159.9 × 76.7 × 8.25 mm	161.3 × 75.3 × 9.35 mm
Weight	221 g	226 g
Water resistance	IP68	IP68
Supported until	Sep 2030	Mar 2030

iPhone 15 Pro Max full verdict →15 Ultra 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.