iPhone 16 Pro Max vs 5

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro Max wins this one, taking performance and display decisively. Against the 5 it's also the sounder buy at $10.29 per month of safe use.

Value Score: iPhone 16 Pro Max 71 · 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 16 Pro Max $649

Safe to buy$10.29/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Sep 20292031

Fairphone 5 $600

Safe to buy$9.54/mo

2023◆ Buy-by Sep 20292031

Category by category

Display

iPhone 16 Pro Max 805 50

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 16 Pro Max 955 55

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

Camera

iPhone 16 Pro Max 745 67

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

Battery

iPhone 16 Pro Max 745 64

4,685mAh vs 4,200mAh — the iPhone 16 Pro Max lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone 16 Pro Max 755 75

Both phones' support windows end around the same time.

Value

iPhone 16 Pro Max 715 57

Overall value goes to the iPhone 16 Pro Max at $10.29 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone 16 Pro Max	5
Price (street)	$649	$600
Display	6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 1–120Hz, up to 2000 nits peak	6.46-inch OLED, FHD+, 90Hz, Gorilla Glass 5
Chipset	Apple A18 Pro	Qualcomm QCM6490 (6nm)
RAM	8GB	8GB
Storage	256GB/512GB/1TB	256GB
Battery	4,685 mAh	4,200 mAh
Charging	Wired fast charge — 50% in ~30 min with a 20W+ adapter; MagSafe wireless up to 25W	30W wired; user-removable battery
Rear cameras	48MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 12MP periscope 5x	50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide
Dimensions	163 × 77.6 × 8.25 mm	161.6 × 75.8 × 9.6 mm
Weight	227 g	212 g
Water resistance	IP68	IP55 (also MIL-STD-810H)
Supported until	Sep 2031	Sep 2031

iPhone 16 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.