Apple iPhone 16e vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

Our Verdict: Apple iPhone 16e keeps things smaller with a 6.1-inch OLED screen and a 167g body, against the 6.9-inch display and 249g weight of Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max. The Max also has adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz and storage options reaching 2TB rather than 512GB. The smaller phone suits daily communication with less bulk, while the Max is more purposeful for long viewing sessions and a large media library.

The 16e is the cheaper one to own: around £619 over a typical contract, £693 less than the 18 Pro Max.

Release Date
28 February 2025 18 September 2026
Expert Rating
3.7
15 reviews
4.5
11 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.9"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution
1170 x 2532 1320 x 2868
Pixels Per Inch
457 458
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 18 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 (3 nm) Apple A20 Pro (2 nm)
Battery
4,005 mAh 5,391 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
OS
Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.3, A2DP, LE 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 mm
Weight
167 grams 249 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts
£24.79/mo (£29.00 upfront) £11.95/mo (£1055.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£367.00 £1297.00
Apple iPhone 16e Apple iPhone 16e Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Release Date 28 February 2025 18 September 2026
Expert Rating 3.7
15 reviews
4.5
11 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.9"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1320 x 2868
Pixels Per Inch 457 458
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 18 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 (3 nm) Apple A20 Pro (2 nm)
Battery 4,005 mAh 5,391 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
OS Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 mm
Weight 167 grams 249 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts £24.79/mo
£29.00 upfront
£11.95/mo
£1055.00 upfront
SIM-free £367.00 £1297.00
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 16e
Apple iPhone 16e

24 Months

128GB

White

Refurbished

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£24.79 a month, £29 upfront.

No mid-contract price increases.

Use code: TREAT5 (£5 off)

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

24 Months

256GB

Burgundy

15GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£11.95 a month, £1055 upfront.

No mid-contract price increases.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£30 off)

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 16e or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 16e is cheaper on contract at £618.96 over the life of the deal from £24.79 per month with £29.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 16e or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Apple iPhone 16e's 6.1", both screens are similarly sharp at around 457 pixels per inch, and both use Super Retina XDR OLED panels.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 16e or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 16e features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Apple iPhone 18 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 16e or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 16e is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £367.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 16e and Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 16e is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 16e and Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max use?

The Apple iPhone 16e is powered by the Apple A18 (3 nm), while the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max uses the Apple A20 Pro (2 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 16e or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 16e is the more portable of the two: it's 82g 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 16e or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

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 16e and Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max run?

Both phones run Apple iOS.