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iPhone 15 Plus 512GB — A16 · iOS · 512GB
Apple

iPhone 15 Plus 512GB

A16 · iOS · 512GB

87
/ 100
From $1,099
VS
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked) wins by 9
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked) — A18 Pro · iOS · 256GB · Unlocked
Apple

iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked)

A18 Pro · iOS · 256GB · Unlocked

96
/ 100
From $1,299
Specdex verdict

iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked) takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, iPhone 15 Plus 512GB lands at 87 and iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked) at 96. That puts iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked) ahead by 9 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick iPhone 15 Plus 512GB if…

  • ✓iOS ecosystem
  • ✓Long update support
  • ✓Polished hardware

Pick iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked) if…

  • ✓iOS ecosystem
  • ✓Long update support
  • ✓Polished hardware
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Photography

iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked)

Stills and video quality across lenses

iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked) leads on camera (95 vs 86).

Battery life

iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked)

Screen-on time and charging

iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked) leads on battery (90 vs 81).

Performance

iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked)

Chipset speed for gaming and heavy apps

iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked) leads on cpu (96 vs 87).

Display

iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked)

Panel quality, brightness, refresh rate

iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked) leads on display (93 vs 84).

Value for money

Tie

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.

iPhone 15 Plus 512GB 87
vs
96 iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked)

Score breakdown

iPhone 15 Plus 512GB
87
cpu 87
gpu 85
camera 86
battery 81
display 84
design 87
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked)
96
cpu 96
gpu 94
camera 95
battery 90
display 93
design 96

Specs side-by-side

iPhone 15 Plus 512GB versus iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked) — full spec comparison
Spec iPhone 15 Plus 512GB iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked)
Chipset
A16
A18 Pro
Storage
▲ 512GB
256GB
OS
iOS 17
iOS 18
Release year
2023
2024

iPhone 15 Plus 512GB

Pros
  • +iOS ecosystem
  • +Long update support
  • +Polished hardware
Cons
  • −Premium pricing
  • −Limited customization
  • −Lightning/USB-C split across generations

iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked)

Pros
  • +iOS ecosystem
  • +Long update support
  • +Polished hardware
Cons
  • −Premium pricing
  • −Limited customization
  • −Lightning/USB-C split across generations

FAQ: iPhone 15 Plus 512GB vs iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked)

Which is better, iPhone 15 Plus 512GB or iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked)? +

iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked) scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 9. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is iPhone 15 Plus 512GB worth the price? +

At $1,099, iPhone 15 Plus 512GB delivers a Specdex score of 87 — strongest in cpu.

Is iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked) worth the price? +

At $1,299, iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked) delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in cpu.

Does iPhone 15 Plus 512GB or iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked) 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.

Which is better for photography, iPhone 15 Plus 512GB or iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked)? +

iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked) — leads on camera (95 vs 86). Stills and video quality across lenses.

Which is better for battery life, iPhone 15 Plus 512GB or iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked)? +

iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Unlocked) — leads on battery (90 vs 81). Screen-on time and charging.