iPhone 15 Pro 128GB (Black)
A17 Pro · iOS · 128GB · Black
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan)
A18 Pro · iOS · 256GB · Japan
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, iPhone 15 Pro 128GB (Black) lands at 91 and iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan) at 96. That puts iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan) ahead by 5 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick iPhone 15 Pro 128GB (Black) if…
- ✓iOS ecosystem
- ✓Long update support
- ✓Polished hardware
Pick iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan) if…
- ✓iOS ecosystem
- ✓Long update support
- ✓Polished hardware
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testPhotography
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan)Stills and video quality across lenses
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan) leads on camera (95 vs 90).
Battery life
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan)Screen-on time and charging
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan) leads on battery (90 vs 85).
Performance
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan)Chipset speed for gaming and heavy apps
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan) leads on cpu (96 vs 91).
Display
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan)Panel quality, brightness, refresh rate
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan) leads on display (93 vs 88).
Value for money
iPhone 15 Pro 128GB (Black)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
iPhone 15 Pro 128GB (Black) more score per dollar ($999 vs $1,299).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPhone 15 Pro 128GB (Black) | iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan) |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A17 Pro | A18 Pro |
| Storage | 128GB | ▲ 256GB |
| OS | iOS 17 | iOS 18 |
| Release year | 2023 | 2024 |
iPhone 15 Pro 128GB (Black)
- +iOS ecosystem
- +Long update support
- +Polished hardware
- −Premium pricing
- −Limited customization
- −Lightning/USB-C split across generations
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan)
- +iOS ecosystem
- +Long update support
- +Polished hardware
- −Premium pricing
- −Limited customization
- −Lightning/USB-C split across generations
FAQ: iPhone 15 Pro 128GB (Black) vs iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan)
Which is better, iPhone 15 Pro 128GB (Black) or iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan)? +
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan) scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is iPhone 15 Pro 128GB (Black) worth the price? +
At $999, iPhone 15 Pro 128GB (Black) delivers a Specdex score of 91 — strongest in cpu.
Is iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan) worth the price? +
At $1,299, iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan) delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in cpu.
Does iPhone 15 Pro 128GB (Black) or iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan) 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 Pro 128GB (Black) or iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan)? +
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan) — leads on camera (95 vs 90). Stills and video quality across lenses.
Which is better for battery life, iPhone 15 Pro 128GB (Black) or iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan)? +
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB (Japan) — leads on battery (90 vs 85). Screen-on time and charging.