iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max
An honest, side-by-side look at the iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max decision — specs, camera, battery and refurbished price — so you can buy the right one with confidence.
These are the two biggest, best-equipped iPhones of their generations. The 16 Pro Max pushes the screen to a huge 6.9 inches, adds the Camera Control button, a 48MP ultrawide and the A18 Pro chip. The 15 Pro Max already had the 5× tetraprism telephoto that made it a photography favourite.
For buyers who want the ultimate iPhone, this is the comparison that matters — and refurbished pricing makes last year's Max very tempting.
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: specs side by side
| Feature | iPhone 16 Pro Max | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2024 | 2023 |
| Display | 6.9" LTPO OLED, 120Hz ProMotion | 6.7" LTPO OLED, 120Hz ProMotion |
| Chip | A18 Pro | A17 Pro |
| Camera | 48MP main, 5× tele, 48MP ultrawide | 48MP main, 5× tetraprism tele, ultrawide |
| Battery | Up to 33h video | Up to 29h video |
| Standout | Largest iPhone screen, Camera Control, titanium | Titanium, Action button, USB-C 3 (10Gbps) |
| Refurbished from | £700 | £565 |
The verdict
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the most capable iPhone you can buy refurbished: the largest screen, the longest battery life of any iPhone, an upgraded 48MP ultrawide and Apple Intelligence. If you want the absolute best and biggest, it's this.
The 15 Pro Max is the value flagship. It already had the 5× telephoto, the titanium build and 120Hz ProMotion — you give up the newest chip, a slightly bigger screen and a couple of hours of battery for a noticeably lower price.
Buy the iPhone 16 Pro Max if…
You want the biggest screen, the best battery of any iPhone and the newest camera and AI features. No compromises.
Shop refurbished iPhone 16 Pro MaxBuy the iPhone 15 Pro Max if…
You want a big-screen Pro Max with the same 5× zoom and titanium build, one generation back, for a real saving.
Shop refurbished iPhone 15 Pro MaxCommon questions
Is the iPhone 16 Pro Max worth it over the 15 Pro Max?+
As a fresh buy it's the better phone — bigger 6.9-inch screen, longer battery, improved ultrawide and Apple Intelligence. But the 15 Pro Max shares the same 5× telephoto and titanium build, so the refurbished 15 Pro Max is often the smarter-value flagship.
Which iPhone has the best battery life?+
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has the longest battery life of any iPhone to date, edging out the already-excellent 15 Pro Max thanks to its larger body and more efficient A18 Pro chip.