by Hartley Charlton
Apple recently unveiled the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max as the successors to the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, featuring a new titanium design, an Action button, a USB-C port, the A17 Pro chip, and more. As Apple's premium flagship offerings, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are the most fully-featured iPhones available.
The iPhone 15 Pro starts at $999 and the iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at $1,199. For the Pro Max model, this is a $100 price increase over last year's model, but there is also no longer a 128GB storage configuration available for this device, meaning that it is effectively only a price hike if you normally buy this model.
Both phones have the same OLED Super Retina XDR always-on display with ProMotion and the Dynamic Island, the A17 Pro chip, 5G connectivity, a "Pro" rear camera setup, and are available in the same color options. Although the two phones share the vast majority of features, there are ten important differences between the devices. Our guide highlights the crucial differences between the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, and helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two iPhone models is best for you.
| iPhone 15 Pro | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|
| 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display with 2532-by-1170-pixel resolution | 6.7-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display with 2778-by-1284-pixel resolution |
| 12-megapixel Telephoto camera with ƒ/2.8 aperture | 12-megapixel Telephoto camera with ƒ/2.8 aperture and larger sensor |
| Telephoto camera with second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization | Telephoto camera with folded tetraprism design and autofocus 3D sensor-shift module |
| 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 3x optical zoom | 0.5x, 1x, 2x, and 5x optical zoom |
| 23-hour battery life (during video playback) | 29-hour battery life (during video playback) |
| 5.77-inch (146.6mm) height | 6.29-inch (159.9mm) height |
| 2.78-inch (70.6mm) width | 3.02-inch (76.7mm) width |
| 6.60-ounce (187 grams) weight | 7.81-ounce (221 grams) weight |
| 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage | 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage |
| $999 (128GB), $1,099 (256GB), $1,299 (512GB), or $1,499 (1TB) | $1,199 (256GB), $1,399 (512GB), or $1,599 (1TB) |
Just like some previous iPhone models offered in two sizes, such as the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max, there is a major additional camera feature to be gained with the larger model. This year, that's 5x telephoto optical zoom, which is ideal for sports or wildlife photography since it can get even closer to a subject.
iPhone 15 Pro Max provides the longest optical zoom ever on iPhone: 5x at 120mm. Great for close-ups, wildlife photos, and catching the action from further distances, the new Telephoto camera on iPhone 15 Pro Max has an innovative tetraprism design with a combined optical image stabilization and autofocus 3D sensor-shift module, Apple's most advanced stabilization system yet.
The iPhone 15 Pro has a maximum optical zoom of 3x and lacks the hardware enhancements of the iPhone 15 Pro Max's telephoto camera. The Main and Ultra Wide cameras, are, however, identical between the two devices.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max represents the most you can get out of an iPhone with the best possible battery life, but that does not necessarily translate into a worthwhile purchase for all users. Some users may prefer a 3x optical zoom over a 5x optical zoom, in which case the iPhone 15 Pro is a better choice. Ultimately, the alternative photography capabilities of the devices come down to this single difference. If you are more likely to use your new iPhone to take portrait photos, the 3x telephoto of the iPhone 15 Pro is a better choice, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max is unrivalled for sports and wildlife photography where you are looking to shoot subjects that are much farther away.
Combined with longer battery life and a larger display, the iPhone 15 Pro Max differs from the iPhone 15 Pro relatively significantly. The added $200 in price for the iPhone 15 Pro Max seems fair for its additional display area, battery life, storage, and camera technology but it is important to weigh up these factors in your personal use case. This shrinks to a $100 price difference if you normally buy a 256GB model.
If you normally purchase a 128GB iPhone "Pro Max" model, it may be time to look at the smaller model this year, since getting the larger model will necessitate spending $100 more than usual and getting 256GB of storage, which you may not use up. On the other hand, if you always purchase an iPhone with 256GB of storage, you may be more inclined to buy the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Likewise, a larger, heavier 6.7-inch iPhone is not for everyone. Some may find the iPhone 15 Pro Max's size excessive or uncomfortably large to hold, while others will love the larger display for consuming media. Screen size is ultimately a matter of personal preference, and since the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max share most of their other features, it comes down to individual taste.
The most important decision point when choosing between the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max is undoubtedly screen size, but comfort, pocketability, weight, battery life, and camera technology are also important considerations that will depend based on your personal needs and preferences. If you are hesitant about the size and weight of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, it may be better to stick with the iPhone 15 Pro, but it otherwise unlikely to disappoint, especially if price is not an issue.
Related Roundup: iPhone 15 Pro
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 15 Pro (Neutral)
44 comments
Top Rated Comments
BradWI
22 weeks ago
Being able to access the entire screen one-handed on the Pro outweighs any of the Max advantages for me.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jonnysods
22 weeks ago
The value of the 256gb Pro is challenging when compared to the base Max specs. I’m coming from a 13 mini and don’t want a phone that big, but I didn’t really think through the value proposition. Now I’m a little indecisive!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zeddi92
22 weeks ago
We all know that the zoom range up to 2x uses the main camera lens, shot at 48 MP then "binned" to 24 MP to create the image.What happens in higher focal lengths between 2x and 5x? Is it shooting with telephoto lens at 48 MP then "binned" to lower megapixel to create the image? Or is the telephoto lens capable of optically zooming to those focal length? Or is it a combination digital interpolation with the main lens and telephoto lens?
Since the iPhones have no moving part you can guess the answer. But you dont have to guess, there are already reviews online. The iPhone 15 Pro Max shoots everything between 1x an 5x fl with the main camera and digital zoom. That makes images with eg 3x fl way better with a Pro than with a Pro Max. On the other hand the Pro Max starts to shine onwards the 5x fl, as even the digital zoom is way crisper for a 10x fl. In the end it matters what you personally prefer.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Coreymac84
22 weeks ago
There should be a guide to compare iPhone 14 pro to iPhone 15 pro. People wouldn’t buy the iPhone 15 pro after they see that they’re really isn’t any difference between the two models other than the chip and better zoom on camera ?
If they’re due for an upgrade why wouldn’t they? The only people that should question 14 pro vs 15 pro are people who own a 14 pro, where upgrading is purely to have the latest luxury device.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mitsjke
22 weeks ago
Don’t forget that you have to choose between 3x or 5x optical zoom.
There is no 3x optical zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
So if you find yourself needing 3x more often than 5x you better take the normal 15 Pro.
Because then you get native optical zoom. With the Pro Max you get the same digital zoom as the digital 15x in the current pro’s.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Love-hate ? relationship
22 weeks ago
Being able to access the entire screen one-handed on the Pro outweighs any of the Max advantages for me.
Honestly even with the pro it's quite hard. 5.9" would be neat ;)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments
Popular Stories
Apple Announces 'Groundbreaking' New Security Protocol for iMessage
Wednesday February 21, 2024 6:00 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today announced a new post-quantum cryptographic protocol for iMessage called PQ3. Apple says this "groundbreaking" and "state-of-the-art" protocol provides "extensive defenses against even highly sophisticated quantum attacks." Apple believes the PQ3 protocol's protections "surpass those in all other widely deployed messaging apps," according to its blog post:Today we are announcing...
Read Full Article • 178 comments
iOS 17.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone
Monday February 19, 2024 6:52 am PST by MacRumors Staff 2
Apple last month confirmed that iOS 17.4 will be released in March, and the update includes several new features and changes for the iPhone. Key new features in iOS 17.4 include major App Store changes in the EU and Apple Podcasts transcripts. The update also adds new emoji and includes preparations for the launch of next-generation CarPlay later this year. More details about the new...
Read Full Article
Six Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 17
Thursday February 22, 2024 4:20 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models concurrently, which is why we sometimes get rumored feature leaks so far ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and already we have some idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you plan to skip...
Read Full Article • 96 comments
'Apple Ring' Allegedly in Development to Rival Samsung Galaxy Ring
Tuesday February 20, 2024 2:27 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple is speeding up development of a smart ring that can be worn on the finger to track users' health biometrics, claims a new report coming out of Korea. Teaser image of Samsung Galaxy Ring shown at Galaxy Unpacked in January Apple has toyed with the idea of a ring wearable for several years, as indicated by several patents, but with Samsung preparing to bring its own product to market, the ...
Read Full Article • 227 comments
iOS 17.4 Beta Adds CarPlay Option to Show Upcoming Maneuvers in Instrument Cluster
Tuesday February 20, 2024 10:47 am PST by Juli Clover
The fourth beta of iOS 17.4 that Apple released today adds a new CarPlay feature, according to the notes that Apple provided to developers. In supported CarPlay vehicles, there's now an Apple Maps option to show information about upcoming maneuvers in the instrument cluster. CarPlay users will be able to swap the display type between the main and instrument cluster by tapping on the map...
Read Full Article • 66 comments
Apple's OLED Roadmap: New iPad Mini, Foldable iPad Pro, and More
Wednesday February 21, 2024 5:29 am PST by Hartley Charlton
Apple is planning to launch at least nine new devices with OLED displays across the iPad and MacBook product lines, according to an updated forecast from research firm Omdia that sets out the company's plans in detail. As widely rumored, Apple's push to transition to OLED will apparently be jump-started by the release of new 11- and 13-inch iPad Pro models this year. The displays will...
Read Full Article • 48 comments
Apple's Upcoming OLED iPad Pro Models Rumored to Be Much Thinner
Tuesday February 20, 2024 1:39 pm PST by Juli Clover
Apple is planning to update the iPad Air and iPad Pro lineups as soon as March, and the new iPad Pro models will be significantly thinner according to dimensions shared by 9to5Mac. Citing sources with knowledge of Apple's plans, the site claims that the larger version will be more than 1mm thinner. The current 12.9-inch iPad Pro measures in at 6.4mm thick, but the new model is said to be 5mm ...
Read Full Article • 171 comments
Apple Now Selling Refurbished M3 Pro and M3 Max MacBook Pro Models
Monday February 19, 2024 5:04 pm PST by Eric Slivka
Apple today began offering refurbished versions of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M3 Pro and M3 Max chip options, offering the machines at a discount for the first time since their October 2023 release. The release of M3 Pro and M3 Max models on Apple's refurbished store comes almost two weeks after the entry-level 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro first appeared on the store....
Read Full Article • 53 comments
