iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
Which one is best for you?
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Max are part of Apple's 2024 release. This generation of iPhone models has Apple Intelligence built into the devices (coming December 2024). This is Apple's version of artificial intelligence. You can learn more about AI on our AI phones comparison page.
The most obvious difference between the two phones is iPhone 16 Pro Max's larger 6.9-inch display, as opposed to iPhone 16's smaller 6.1-inch display. As well as being larger, iPhone 16 Pro Max's display has ProMotion technology (a 120Hz refresh rate) for a smoother scrolling experience and Always-On display so you can always see the time and your notifications. Both phones have a Super Retina XDR display for a great visual experience. If you're a big gamer or enjoy watching videos, you may prefer a larger screen and appreciate the 120Hz refresh rate.
Another key difference is the material used. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is housed in titanium, whilst iPhone 16 is aluminium. As expected, due to the screen size, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is heavier at 227 grams, with iPhone 16 being 170 grams. Weight may be a factor to consider if you prefer a device that is lighter to hold. Some similarities in the hardware include: the A18 chip, Action buttons, Camera Control features, and USB-C support. Although the A18 chip in iPhone 16 Pro Max is a slightly more premium 'Pro' version and the USB-C is USB 3 for 20x faster transfer speeds. In terms of battery, iPhone 16 Pro Max has 33 hours of video playback, in comparison to iPhone 16’s 22 hours.
While both models share a 48MP Fusion main camera, the iPhone 16 Pro Max goes a step further, offering a 48MP Ultra Wide camera and a Telephoto lens - as opposed to iPhone 16's additional 12MP Ultra Wide camera. If you're into photography, iPhone 16 Pro Max offers more features like night mode portraits and Apple ProRAW. The iPhone 16 Pro Max also offers an additional 5x optical zoom, so you can capture more detail in pictures from further away. For the creation of videos, both offer 4K Dolby Vision, Cinematic mode, as well as spatial video recording.
To conclude, both iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Max are great devices. Choose iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want a larger screen, more camera features, and better battery life. However, iPhone 16 is at a lower price point, and it may be preferable if you want a smaller screen size - the camera is also excellent and will be sufficient for the general phone photographer.