Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Our Verdict: Price is a major separator between Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 16 Pro. SIM-free listings show £509.99 for Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and £567.00 for Apple iPhone 16 Pro. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max answers with the stronger display case, using a 6.7" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel at 460 PPI versus Apple iPhone 16 Pro's 6.3" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED screen at 458 PPI. 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 Max if cost is the deciding factor, and move to Apple iPhone 16 Pro only if the specific hardware gains above are worth the extra outlay to you.

The 16 Pro is the cheaper one to own: around £876 over a typical contract, £67 less than the 15 Pro Max 5G.

Expert Rating
4.5
12 reviews
4.2
11 reviews
Screen
6.7" 6.3"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution
1290 x 2796 1206 x 2622
Pixels Per Inch
460 458
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A17 Pro Apple A18 Pro
Battery
4,422 mAh 3,582 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 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 5.2, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.3 mm
Weight
221 grams 199 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
£36.00/mo (£29.00 upfront) £35.29/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£504.99 £594.00

Prices updated 13 August 2026

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Apple iPhone 16 Pro Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Expert Rating 4.5
12 reviews
4.2
11 reviews
Screen 6.7" 6.3"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 1290 x 2796 1206 x 2622
Pixels Per Inch 460 458
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A17 Pro Apple A18 Pro
Battery 4,422 mAh 3,582 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 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 5.2, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.3 mm
Weight 221 grams 199 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 £36.00/mo
£29.00 upfront
£35.29/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £504.99 £594.00
Prices updated 13 August 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

24 Months

256GB

Black Titanium

100GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£36 per month, £29 upfront.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Apple iPhone 16 Pro

24 Months

128GB

Desert Titanium

Refurbished

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£35.29 per month, £29 upfront.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro is cheaper on contract at £875.96 over the life of the deal from £35.29 per month with £29.00 upfront.

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

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone 16 Pro's 6.3", both screens are similarly sharp at around 460 pixels per inch, and both use LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panels.

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

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

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £504.99.

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

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

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

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

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

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro is the more portable of the two: it's 22g lighter at 199 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.3 mm.

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

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

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

Both phones run Apple iOS.