Smartphone Comparison

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro

Verdict
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro: iPhone 16 Pro Max is the faster phone

Head-to-head specifications

MetriciPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone 15 ProDifference
AnTuTu v10 score1,780,4161,533,780+16.1%
ChipsetApple A18 ProApple A17 Pro
Display6.9" 120 Hz6.1" 120 Hz
Battery (mAh)4,6853,274+43.1%
Rear cameras48+48+12+LiDAR MP48+12+12+LiDAR MP
Front camera (MP)1212
RAM / storage (base)8 GB / 256 GB8 GB / 128 GB
Max configuration8 GB / 1024 GB8 GB / 1024 GB
Weight (g)227187+21.4%
Connectivity / unlock5G · No - Face ID5G · No - Face ID
Launch price (USD)$1,199–$1,599$999–$1,499+20.0%
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 16% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A18 Pro vs Apple A17 Pro).
  • iPhone 15 Pro is the cheaper option at launch pricing.

Verdict: iPhone 16 Pro Max or iPhone 15 Pro?

Our recommendation
These two are closely matched — the right pick comes down to which specific strengths you value and the price you actually pay.

iPhone 16 Pro Max advantages

  • Raw performance (+14%)
  • Battery capacity (+30%)

iPhone 15 Pro advantages

  • Lightness (+18%)
  • Affordability (+17%)

Which should you choose?

  • Choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
  • Choose the iPhone 15 Pro if you want a lighter phone for one-handed use.
  • Choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max if you need all-day (or two-day) battery life.

Value for money

iPhone 15 Pro delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro: which should you choose?

iPhone 16 Pro Max — Apple iOS 18 smartphone (2024) with a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A18 Pro, 4685 mAh battery and 48MP main camera, scoring about 1,780,416 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,199.

iPhone 15 Pro — Apple iOS 17 smartphone (2023) with a 6.1-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A17 Pro, 3274 mAh battery and 48MP main camera, scoring about 1,533,780 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $999.

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro: iPhone 16 Pro Max is the faster phone. iPhone 16 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 16% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A18 Pro vs Apple A17 Pro). iPhone 15 Pro is the cheaper option at launch pricing.

Performance and everyday use

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the faster device on raw benchmarks (1,780,416 vs 1,533,780 on AnTuTu v10), running the Apple A18 Pro against the Apple A17 Pro. For messaging, browsing and social apps both feel instant — the gap matters most for gaming and long-term headroom.

Display and battery

iPhone 16 Pro Max carries a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED against a 6.1-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED on the iPhone 15 Pro. Batteries are 4,685 and 3,274 mAh — though software tuning and chipset efficiency shape real-world endurance as much as capacity.

Cameras, storage and price

Rear arrays are 48+48+12+LiDAR MP versus 48+12+12+LiDAR MP, with 12 MP and 12 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 8 GB / 256 GB and 8 GB / 128 GB. The iPhone 15 Pro is the more affordable at about $999 launch price, which may matter more than a small spec gap.

The verdict

Both are credible choices in the smartphone comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.

Frequently asked questions

Is the iPhone 16 Pro Max better than the iPhone 15 Pro?

These two are closely matched — the right pick comes down to which specific strengths you value and the price you actually pay. iPhone 16 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 16% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A18 Pro vs Apple A17 Pro).

What is the main difference between the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the iPhone 15 Pro?

iPhone 16 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 16% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A18 Pro vs Apple A17 Pro). iPhone 15 Pro is the cheaper option at launch pricing.

Which is better value?

iPhone 15 Pro delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.

Which should I choose?

Choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates. Choose the iPhone 15 Pro if you want a lighter phone for one-handed use.

Methodology

Smartphones are compared on AnTuTu v10 benchmark scores, chipset, display size and refresh rate, battery capacity, rear and front camera resolution, RAM and storage across launch variants, weight, and launch pricing (USD). Each model shows its base variant with the top-spec configuration noted where multiple variants exist. Benchmark scores reflect the listed chipset variant; real-world battery life and camera quality depend on software tuning, not just hardware numbers.

ER
EquivalentTo Research
Data & Benchmarks Team

We compile published benchmark results (Cinebench 2024, Geekbench 6, AnTuTu v10, 3DMark), manufacturer specifications and market pricing from nine regions into normalized, comparable datasets. Every figure traces to a named public source listed on each page.

Benchmark leaderboard compilationMulti-market pricing normalizationUnit & currency conversion
✓ Reviewed by EquivalentTo Editorial Review, Data Quality & Methodology.
Last updated 2026-07-01
iPhone 16 Pro Max profile → iPhone 15 Pro profile → Compare something else

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