Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 16e

Our Verdict: If you've got the iPhone 11 Pro Max, the iPhone 16e is five years of updates on from it. The 16e has a massively higher-resolution main camera, 48MP against the 11 Pro Max's 12MP, and the 16e supports 5G while the 11 Pro Max tops out at 4G. The 11 Pro Max has the bigger screen, 6.5" against 6.1", and the 16e is the lighter phone at 167g against 226g. The 16e is the better phone; upgrade from the 11 Pro Max if you want the newer hardware, or hold on if yours still does the job.

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
3.7
12 reviews
Screen
6.5" 6.1"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution
1242 x 2688 1170 x 2532
Pixels Per Inch
456 457
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 4,005 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/6
Bluetooth
5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
158 x 77.8 x 8.1 mm 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm
Weight
226 grams 167 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
- £22.79/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£179.99 £359.00

Prices updated 17 July 2026

Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Apple iPhone 16e Apple iPhone 16e
Expert Rating 4.6
17 reviews
3.7
12 reviews
Screen 6.5" 6.1"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 1242 x 2688 1170 x 2532
Pixels Per Inch 456 457
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 4,005 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/6
Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 158 x 77.8 x 8.1 mm 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm
Weight 226 grams 167 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 - £22.79/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £179.99 £359.00
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 16e
Apple iPhone 16e

24 Months

128GB

Black

Refurbished

10GB

Data

£22.79 per month, £29 upfront.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max has the bigger screen at 6.5" compared to the Apple iPhone 16e's 6.1", 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 16e?

The Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Apple iPhone 16e 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 16e?

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 16e?

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

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

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

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

The Apple iPhone 16e is the more portable of the two: it's 59g lighter at 167 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm.

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

The Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes, while the Apple iPhone 16e 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 16e run?

Both phones run Apple iOS.