iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked
A17 Pro · iOS · 256GB · Gold · Unlocked
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked
A18 Pro · iOS · 256GB · Gold · Unlocked
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked lands at 92 and iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked at 96. That puts iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked ahead by 4 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked if…
- ✓iOS ecosystem
- ✓Long update support
- ✓Polished hardware
Pick iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked 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 · Gold · UnlockedStills and video quality across lenses
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked leads on camera (95 vs 91).
Battery life
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · UnlockedScreen-on time and charging
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked leads on battery (90 vs 86).
Performance
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · UnlockedChipset speed for gaming and heavy apps
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked leads on cpu (96 vs 92).
Display
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · UnlockedPanel quality, brightness, refresh rate
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked leads on display (93 vs 89).
Value for money
TieSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked | iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A17 Pro | A18 Pro |
| Storage | 256GB | 256GB |
| OS | iOS 17 | iOS 18 |
| Release year | 2023 | 2024 |
iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked
- +iOS ecosystem
- +Long update support
- +Polished hardware
- −Premium pricing
- −Limited customization
- −Lightning/USB-C split across generations
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked
- +iOS ecosystem
- +Long update support
- +Polished hardware
- −Premium pricing
- −Limited customization
- −Lightning/USB-C split across generations
FAQ: iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked vs iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked
Which is better, iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked or iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked? +
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked worth the price? +
At $1,299, iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in cpu.
Is iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked worth the price? +
At $1,299, iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in cpu.
Does iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked or iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · 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 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked or iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked? +
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked — leads on camera (95 vs 91). Stills and video quality across lenses.
Which is better for battery life, iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked or iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked? +
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB · Gold · Unlocked — leads on battery (90 vs 86). Screen-on time and charging.