Apple
iPhone 15 128GB
A16 · iOS · 128GB
86
/ 100
From $799
VS
iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue) wins by 12
Apple
iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue)
A19 Pro · 256GB · Deep Blue
98
/ 100
From $1,199
Specdex verdict
iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, iPhone 15 128GB lands at 86 and iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue) at 98. That puts iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue) ahead by 12 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick iPhone 15 128GB if…
- ✓iOS ecosystem
- ✓Long update support
- ✓Polished hardware
Pick iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue) if…
- ✓Apple A19 Pro silicon
- ✓120 Hz ProMotion (Pro/Air)
- ✓Apple Intelligence Gen 2
iPhone 15 128GB 86
vs 98 iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue)
Score breakdown
iPhone 15 128GB
86 cpu 86
gpu 84
camera 85
battery 80
display 83
design 86
iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue)
98 cpu 99
gpu 98
camera 97
battery 92
display 96
design 99
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPhone 15 128GB | iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue) |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A16 | A19 Pro |
| Storage | 128GB | ▲ 256GB |
| OS | iOS 17 | iOS 19 |
| Release year | 2023 | 2025 |
| Color | — | Deep Blue |
iPhone 15 128GB
Pros
- +iOS ecosystem
- +Long update support
- +Polished hardware
Cons
- −Premium pricing
- −Limited customization
- −Lightning/USB-C split across generations
iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue)
Pros
- +Apple A19 Pro silicon
- +120 Hz ProMotion (Pro/Air)
- +Apple Intelligence Gen 2
Cons
- −Still Lightning-free, USB-C only
- −Premium pricing
- −AI features require online offload for some tasks
FAQ: iPhone 15 128GB vs iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue)
Which is better, iPhone 15 128GB or iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue)? +
iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue) scores 98 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 12. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is iPhone 15 128GB worth the price? +
At $799, iPhone 15 128GB delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in cpu.
Is iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue) worth the price? +
At $1,199, iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue) delivers a Specdex score of 98 — strongest in cpu.
Does iPhone 15 128GB or iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue) last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.