iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro Max wins this one, taking display and battery decisively. Against the iPhone 15 it's also the sounder buy at $10.26 per month of safe use.

Value Score: iPhone 15 62 · iPhone 16 Pro Max 71 — 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 $430

Safe to buy$8.38/mo

2023◆ Buy-by Sep 20282030

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max $649

Safe to buy$10.26/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Sep 20292031

Category by category

Display

iPhone 15 50iPhone 16 Pro Max 80

The iPhone 16 Pro Max's screen is the better one — 6.9-inch super retina xdr oled, promotion 1–120hz, up to 2000 nits peak.

Performance

iPhone 15 80iPhone 16 Pro Max 95

The iPhone 16 Pro Max's Apple A18 Pro is simply the faster chip.

Camera

iPhone 15 62iPhone 16 Pro Max 74

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 2).

Battery

iPhone 15 47iPhone 16 Pro Max 74

4,685mAh vs 3,349mAh — the iPhone 16 Pro Max lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone 15 61iPhone 16 Pro Max 75

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is supported until Sep 2031 — 12 months longer than the iPhone 15.

Value

iPhone 15 62iPhone 16 Pro Max 71

Overall value goes to the iPhone 16 Pro Max at $10.26 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone 15	iPhone 16 Pro Max
Price (street)	$430	$649
Display	6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, Dynamic Island, up to 2000 nits peak	6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 1–120Hz, up to 2000 nits peak
Chipset	Apple A16 Bionic	Apple A18 Pro
RAM	6GB	8GB
Storage	128GB/256GB/512GB	256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery	3,349 mAh	4,685 mAh
Charging	Wired ~50% in 30 min with 20W+; MagSafe 15W wireless	Wired fast charge — 50% in ~30 min with a 20W+ adapter; MagSafe wireless up to 25W
Rear cameras	48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide	48MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 12MP periscope 5x
Dimensions	147.6 × 71.6 × 7.80 mm	163 × 77.6 × 8.25 mm
Weight	171 g	227 g
Water resistance	IP68	IP68
Supported until	Sep 2030	Sep 2031

iPhone 15 full verdict →iPhone 16 Pro Max 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.