Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Review: Is It The Right Time To Switch Up?
Apple has just unveiled its latest iPhone lineup, featuring the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. However, when comparing these new models to last year’s releases, the upgrades may seem underwhelming—offering only minor improvements and a few new promises.
As someone who has owned every iPhone model since the original release in 2007, I’ve always been an early adopter, preordering the latest model as soon as Apple opens up sales. This year was no exception. I preordered the iPhone 16 Pro Max with 512GB of storage in the new desert titanium color, replacing my iPhone 15 Pro Max, also with 512GB.
Read on to find out more about this phone and whether it’s worth upgrading, or if you’re better off sticking with your current iPhone.
Pro Tip: Considering a switch from Android to the iPhone 16? Check out our guide on five compelling reasons to make the jump!
iPhone 16 Pro Max First Impressions
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is Apple’s flagship smartphone, featuring the largest display in the lineup. It’s tailored for users who demand top-tier performance and can fully utilize its expansive screen. Whether you’re focused on productivity, entertainment, fitness, or simply want a powerful communication device, the iPhone 16 Pro Max delivers on all fronts. It’s also a standout option for those who value high-quality photography and videography, offering the ability to shoot pro-level images and 4K video at up to 120 frames per second.
Equipped with the Apple A18 Pro processor, this model excels in tasks that require immense processing power, including high-end gaming and intensive productivity work.
However, unless you specifically need the extra processing capabilities of the A18 Pro chip (featured in both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max) or prefer the larger screen size, one of Apple’s more affordable models might be a better fit for you.
Display size: 6.9 inches | Display type: Super Retina XDR touchscreen | Display resolution: 2,868 x 1,320 pixels (460 pixels-per-inch) | Refresh rate: Up to 120Hz | Max. display brightness: 2,000 nits | Processor: Apple A18 Pro | Available colors: Black titanium, white titanium, natural titanium, desert titanium | Dimensions: 6.42 x 3.06 x 0.32 inches | Weight: 7.99 ounces | Storage options: 256GB, 512GB or 1TB | Port: USB Type-C 3.2 | Wireless connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 | Battery life: Up to 33 hours (video playback) | Operating system: iOS 18 | SIMs: Dual eSIM | Waterproof rating: IP68 | Front camera: 12MP TrueDepth | Rear cameras: 48MP Fusion (main), 48MP (ultra-wide), 12MP (telephoto) | MagSafe compatible: Yes
Pricing: $1,199 (256GB), $1,399 (512GB), $1,599 (1TB) – Before trade-in, promotions or financing offers.
Compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the iPhone 16 Pro Max brings a faster, more powerful processor and a slightly larger display. The CPU is up to 15% faster, and the GPU offers a performance boost of up to 20%. However, as a self-identified “power user,” I never found the iPhone 15 Pro Max lacking in speed or performance. Even when playing high-end, graphics-intensive games, I never experienced frustrating lag or thought the phone was underpowered. This raises the question of whether the extra processing power of the iPhone 16 Pro Max truly justifies the upgrade for most users.
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Additionally, the iPhone 16 Pro Max supports Wi-Fi 7, an upgrade from the Wi-Fi 6E found in last year’s model, offering faster and more stable connections. Battery efficiency has also improved, providing up to four additional hours of runtime per charge compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Two of the most notable new features of the iPhone 16 Pro Max are the Camera Control button on the side of the phone and the upcoming integration of Apple Intelligence (AI) with a future iOS 18 update, expected later this fall. The Camera Control button is designed for users who frequently take photos or shoot videos, but its use is entirely optional, and only those who rely heavily on their iPhone’s camera functionality will truly benefit from it.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max also features a new housing made from Grade 5 titanium, which is both lightweight and extremely durable. In addition, Apple has slightly increased the display size by reducing the bezel around the screen, resulting in a 6.9-inch display compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 6.6-inch display. While this change gives the phone a marginally larger screen, the difference in display size is minimal and unlikely to be a deciding factor for most users.
Will Apple Intelligence Make the iPhone Smarter?
At this point, it’s challenging to definitively answer whether Apple Intelligence will make the iPhone significantly smarter, as the feature won’t be available until later this fall. However, what we do know is that it will aim to transform Siri into a more personalized digital assistant, capable of not only understanding voice commands but also grasping the context in which those commands are made. This contextual understanding could lead to a much more intuitive user experience.
Apple Intelligence promises to allow apps to work together more seamlessly, sharing relevant information to help streamline common tasks while maintaining user privacy and security. For instance, the AI system will assist in composing text, transcribing, and summarizing audio recordings, and improving AI-driven language translation. Additionally, it will offer better tools for managing schedules and to-do lists.
For photography and videography enthusiasts, Apple Intelligence is expected to enhance image editing and improvement tools. One example is the “Clean Up” feature in the Photos app, which allows users to remove unwanted objects from their photos. While this tool works reasonably well in certain situations, Apple Intelligence aims to refine this and other features, potentially improving the photo-taking and video-shooting experience. That said, until Apple fully unveils these AI features, it’s difficult to predict just how transformative they will be in real-world use.
Will Apple Intelligence Make the iPhone Smarter?
At this point, it’s challenging to definitively answer whether Apple Intelligence will make the iPhone significantly smarter, as the feature won’t be available until later this fall. However, what we do know is that it will aim to transform Siri into a more personalized digital assistant, capable of not only understanding voice commands but also grasping the context in which those commands are made. This contextual understanding could lead to a much more intuitive user experience.
Apple Intelligence promises to allow apps to work together more seamlessly, sharing relevant information to help streamline common tasks while maintaining user privacy and security. For instance, the AI system will assist in composing text, transcribing, and summarizing audio recordings, and improving AI-driven language translation. Additionally, it will offer better tools for managing schedules and to-do lists.
For photography and videography enthusiasts, Apple Intelligence is expected to enhance image editing and improvement tools. One example is the “Clean Up” feature in the Photos app, which allows users to remove unwanted objects from their photos. While this tool works reasonably well in certain situations, Apple Intelligence aims to refine this and other features, potentially improving the photo-taking and video-shooting experience. That said, until Apple fully unveils these AI features, it’s difficult to predict just how transformative they will be in real-world use.
