Apple iPhone 15 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Our Verdict: Price is a major separator between Apple iPhone 15 Pro and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. SIM-free listings show £399.95 for Apple iPhone 15 Pro and £680.00 for Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. The screens are not a one-way result: Apple iPhone 15 Pro lists a 6.1" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display, while Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max uses a 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel. Camera and storage differences are modest from the listed specs, so they should not outweigh price, screen preference, or operating system for most buyers. Buy Apple iPhone 15 Pro if cost is the deciding factor, and move to Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max only if the specific hardware gains above are worth the extra outlay to you.

Over a full contract, the 15 Pro 5G works out around £634 all-in, about £338 less than the 16 Pro Max.

Expert Rating
4.3
12 reviews
4.4
11 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.9"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution
1179 x 2556 1320 x 2868
Pixels Per Inch
461 458
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A17 Pro Apple A18 Pro
Battery
3,274 mAh 4,685 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS
Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type
Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.3 with A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3 mm 163 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm
Weight
187 grams 227 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts
£23.50/mo (£20.00 upfront) £39.29/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£389.00 £679.00

Prices updated 12 August 2026

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Apple iPhone 15 Pro Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Expert Rating 4.3
12 reviews
4.4
11 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.9"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 1179 x 2556 1320 x 2868
Pixels Per Inch 461 458
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A17 Pro Apple A18 Pro
Battery 3,274 mAh 4,685 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.3 with A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3 mm 163 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm
Weight 187 grams 227 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts £23.50/mo
£20.00 upfront
£39.29/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £389.00 £679.00
Prices updated 12 August 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 15 Pro
Apple iPhone 15 Pro

24 Months

128GB

White Titanium

Refurbished

1GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£23.50 per month, £20 upfront.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

24 Months

256GB

Black Titanium

Refurbished

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£39.29 per month, £29 upfront.

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 15 Pro or Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro is cheaper on contract at £634.00 over the life of the deal from £23.50 per month with £20.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro or Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Apple iPhone 15 Pro's 6.1", both screens are similarly sharp at around 461 pixels per inch, and both use LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panels.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro or Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max 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 15 Pro or Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £389.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 15 Pro and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, while the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 15 Pro and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max use?

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro is powered by the Apple A17 Pro , while the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max uses the Apple A18 Pro.

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro or Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro is the more portable of the two: it's 40g lighter at 187 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3 mm.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro or Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes.

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 15 Pro and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max run?

Both phones run Apple iOS.