iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Phone (3)
It depends
Too close to call outright
These two are within 1 point overall, so it depends on you: keep phones for years → Phone (3) (supported until Jul 2032); want maximum speed → iPhone 16 Pro Max (Apple A18 Pro).
Value Score: iPhone 16 Pro Max 71 · Phone (3) 70 — methodology
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 16 Pro Max's screen is the better one — 6.9-inch super retina xdr oled, promotion 1–120hz, up to 2000 nits peak.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max's Apple A18 Pro is simply the faster chip.
The Phone (3) has the stronger camera system — same lens count, higher-grade sensors.
5,150mAh vs 4,685mAh — the Phone (3) lasts longer between charges.
The Phone (3) is supported until Jul 2032 — 10 months longer than the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.
Full spec table
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro Max | Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Price (street) | $649 | $799 |
| Display | 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 1–120Hz, up to 2000 nits peak | 6.67-inch LTPS AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 960Hz PWM dimming |
| Chipset | Apple A18 Pro | Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB/16GB |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB/1TB | 256GB/512GB |
| Battery | 4,685 mAh | 5,150 mAh |
| Charging | Wired fast charge — 50% in ~30 min with a 20W+ adapter; MagSafe wireless up to 25W | 65W wired, 15W wireless |
| Rear cameras | 48MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 12MP periscope 5x | 50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP periscope 3x |
| Dimensions | 163 × 77.6 × 8.25 mm | 160.6 × 75.6 × 9.0 mm |
| Weight | 227 g | 218 g |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Supported until | Sep 2031 | Jul 2032 |
Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.