Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 16e

Our Verdict: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 16e suit different priorities. The Pro Max is stronger for display quality, helped by a larger 6.7-inch screen, its LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel, and a larger 4,422 mAh battery, while the 16e is better suited to its Super Retina XDR OLED panel and a lighter 167g body. A bigger mAh figure is useful context, but real battery life still depends on software and chipset efficiency. Choose the Pro Max for display quality; choose the 16e if portability matters more.

The 16e is the cheaper one to own: around £595 over a typical contract, £129 less than the 15 Pro Max 5G.

Expert Rating
4.5
12 reviews
3.7
12 reviews
Screen
6.7" 6.1"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution
1290 x 2796 1170 x 2532
Pixels Per Inch
460 457
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A17 Pro Apple A18 (3 nm)
Battery
4,422 mAh 4,005 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
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/6
Bluetooth
5.3 with A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm
Weight
221 grams 167 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts
£27.25/mo (£20.00 upfront) £22.99/mo (£9.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£488.00 £361.00
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Apple iPhone 16e Apple iPhone 16e
Expert Rating 4.5
12 reviews
3.7
12 reviews
Screen 6.7" 6.1"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 1290 x 2796 1170 x 2532
Pixels Per Inch 460 457
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A17 Pro Apple A18 (3 nm)
Battery 4,422 mAh 4,005 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
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/6
Bluetooth 5.3 with A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm
Weight 221 grams 167 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts £27.25/mo
£20.00 upfront
£22.99/mo
£9.00 upfront
SIM-free £488.00 £361.00
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

24 Months

256GB

Black Titanium

Refurbished

1GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£27.25 per month, £20 upfront.

Apple iPhone 16e
Apple iPhone 16e

24 Months

128GB

White

200GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£22.99 per month, £9 upfront.

Use code: CASH2 (£2 off)

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 16e is cheaper on contract at £594.76 over the life of the deal from £22.99 per month with £9.00 upfront.

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

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone 16e's 6.1", both screens are similarly sharp at around 460 pixels per inch, and the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Apple iPhone 16e has a Super Retina XDR OLED.

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

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max features a 48 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 15 Pro Max or Apple iPhone 16e?

The Apple iPhone 16e is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £361.00.

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

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

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

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is powered by the Apple A17 Pro , while the Apple iPhone 16e uses the Apple A18 (3 nm).

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

The Apple iPhone 16e is the more portable of the two: it's 54g lighter at 167 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm, and is slimmer at 7.8mm thick.

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

Both phones share the same water resistance rating of IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins).

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

Both phones run Apple iOS.