Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Our Verdict: If you've got the iPhone 11 Pro Max, the iPhone 16 Plus is five years of updates on from it. The 16 Plus has the better camera on paper, 48MP versus 12MP, and only the 16 Plus is a 5G phone; the 11 Pro Max maxes out at 4G. The 16 Plus packs the bigger battery, 4674mAh against 3969mAh, which should mean longer between charges in day-to-day use, and the 16 Plus has the bigger screen, 6.7" against 6.5". If you're on the 11 Pro Max, the 16 Plus is a real step up, but only worth it if the changes above matter to you.

If you'd rather pay up front, the 11 Pro Max is the cheaper buy at £180 SIM-free.

Expert Rating
4.6
17 reviews
4.2
12 reviews
Screen
6.5" 6.7"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution
1242 x 2688 2796 x 1290
Pixels Per Inch
456 460
Rear Camera
12 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) Apple A18 (3 nm)
Battery
3,969 mAh 4,674 mAh
Storage
64GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
OS
Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type
Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 4G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
158 x 77.8 x 8.1 mm 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.80 mm
Weight
226 grams 199 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts
- £32.79/mo (£9.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£179.99 £510.00

Prices updated 17 July 2026

Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Apple iPhone 16 Plus Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Expert Rating 4.6
17 reviews
4.2
12 reviews
Screen 6.5" 6.7"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 1242 x 2688 2796 x 1290
Pixels Per Inch 456 460
Rear Camera 12 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) Apple A18 (3 nm)
Battery 3,969 mAh 4,674 mAh
Storage 64GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
OS Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 4G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 158 x 77.8 x 8.1 mm 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.80 mm
Weight 226 grams 199 grams
Water Resistance IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts - £32.79/mo
£9.00 upfront
SIM-free £179.99 £510.00
Prices updated 17 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

64GB

Space Grey

Refurbished

From £179.99

Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Apple iPhone 16 Plus

24 Months

128GB

Ultramarine

Refurbished

10GB

Data

£32.79 per month, £9 upfront.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max or Apple iPhone 16 Plus?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max's 6.5", both screens are similarly sharp at around 456 pixels per inch, and both use Super Retina XDR OLED panels.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max or Apple iPhone 16 Plus?

The Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Apple iPhone 16 Plus has a 48 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max or Apple iPhone 16 Plus?

The Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £179.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 16 Plus?

The Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max is available in 64GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Apple iPhone 16 Plus comes in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 16 Plus use?

The Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max is powered by the Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+), while the Apple iPhone 16 Plus uses the Apple A18 (3 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max or Apple iPhone 16 Plus?

It's a trade-off: the Apple iPhone 16 Plus is lighter but the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max is more compact. It's 27g lighter at 199 grams, though the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max is actually the more compact phone at 158 x 77.8 x 8.1 mm.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max or Apple iPhone 16 Plus?

The Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes, while the Apple iPhone 16 Plus is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 16 Plus run?

Both phones run Apple iOS.