iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | iPhone 18 Pro Max | iPhone 15 Pro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 score | 2,980,000 | 1,533,780 | +94.3% |
| Chipset | Apple A20 | Apple A17 Pro | — |
| Display | 6.9" 120 Hz | 6.1" 120 Hz | — |
| Battery (mAh) | 4,900 | 3,274 | +49.7% |
| Rear cameras | 48+48+48+LiDAR MP | 48+12+12+LiDAR MP | — |
| Front camera (MP) | 24 | 12 | — |
| RAM / storage (base) | 12 GB / 256 GB | 8 GB / 128 GB | — |
| Max configuration | 12 GB / 1024 GB | 8 GB / 1024 GB | — |
| Weight (g) | 219 | 187 | +17.1% |
| Connectivity / unlock | 5G · No - Face ID | 5G · No - Face ID | — |
| Launch price (USD) | $1,249–$1,649 | $999–$1,499 | +25.0% |
- iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 94% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A20 vs Apple A17 Pro).
- iPhone 15 Pro is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 3 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Verdict: iPhone 18 Pro Max or iPhone 15 Pro?
iPhone 18 Pro Max advantages
- Raw performance (+49%)
- Battery capacity (+33%)
- Memory (+33%)
iPhone 15 Pro advantages
- Lightness (+15%)
- Affordability (+20%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the iPhone 18 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 18 Pro Max if you need all-day (or two-day) battery life.
Value for money
iPhone 18 Pro Max delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro: which should you choose?
iPhone 18 Pro Max — Apple iOS 20 smartphone (2026) with a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A20, 4900 mAh battery and 48MP main camera, scoring about 2,980,000 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,249.
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 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro: iPhone 18 Pro Max is the faster phone. iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 94% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A20 vs Apple A17 Pro). iPhone 15 Pro is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 3 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Performance and everyday use
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is the faster device on raw benchmarks (2,980,000 vs 1,533,780 on AnTuTu v10), running the Apple A20 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 18 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 4,900 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+48+LiDAR MP versus 48+12+12+LiDAR MP, with 24 MP and 12 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 12 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 18 Pro Max better than the iPhone 15 Pro?
iPhone 18 Pro Max takes the overall edge, though iPhone 15 Pro wins in specific areas worth weighing. iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 94% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A20 vs Apple A17 Pro).
What is the main difference between the iPhone 18 Pro Max and the iPhone 15 Pro?
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 94% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A20 vs Apple A17 Pro). iPhone 15 Pro is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 3 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Which is better value?
iPhone 18 Pro Max delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Which should I choose?
Choose the iPhone 18 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.