Category: iPhone

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are now available in three new, strictly Limited Editions with designs inspired by Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Steve Jobs. The collection is intended to celebrate Donald Trump’s recent victory in the US presidential election.

Caviar is now offering the Apple iPhone 16 Pro in three new and very expensive limited editions. (Image source: Caviar)

Russian luxury smartphone manufacturer Caviar has announced a new “Visionaries” collection that recreates theApple iPhone 16 Proand the iPhone 16 Pro Max in three new designs inspired by Steve Jobs, Elon Musk and Donald Trump. However, these designs are not entirely new, as the “Musk be on Mars” Limited Editionwas offered for the iPhone 12 Pro, while the “Steve Jobs’ variant was offered for theiPhone 13 Pro .

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The Steve Jobs Limited Edition features a PVD-coated titanium casing and a three-dimensional Apple logo coated with 24-carat gold. The back also features references to a total of twelve milestones that Steve Jobs achieved during his time at Apple, from the founding of the company to the launch of the first Macintosh in 1984 and the launch of the iPad in 2010.

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The “Musk be on Mars” Limited Edition is distinguished above all by a fragment of a SpaceX rocket, which is incorporated into the case. The “Trump Great Again” Limited Edition has a geometric pattern based on the Trump Tower and bears an engraving of Donald Trump’s shortened election slogan and the stars of the US flag.

Prices and availability

The Caviar “Visionaries” collection of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max is now availableon the Caviar website. Depending on the variant, the Limited Edition costs anywhere between $9200 and $10,990. Each of the three models is limited to 99 units and the serial number is engraved on the frame.

Donald Trump “Great Again” Edition

Elon Musk “Musk be on Mars” Edition

Although the latest iPhone is always likely to slot neatly into our list of the best smartphones for photographers, the competition at the moment is fiercer than ever.

One of the best models on the market right now is the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, which comes packed with a host of photographic features that are very tempting to those who crave the very best camera on their smartphone. But can it beat the iPhone 15 Pro Max?

All signs point to yes during our individual reviews of the two models, but what happens when we put them head to head – let’s find out…

>>>>>BP51 Battery for Xiaomi 14 Ultra

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Camera specs
Both of these flagship models have excellent camera specifications for photographers, but it’s fair to say that – on paper at least – the Xiaomi has a superlative set up thanks to its quadruple 50MP sensors fronted by Leica-branded lenses.

Not only that, but the main 1x camera (23mm equivalent) has a variable aperture of f/1.6-4 (not something we usually see in smartphones) and also has a large 1-inch type sensor – something we also don’t usually see in smartphones. It is joined by an ultrawide (12mm, f/1.8), and two telephoto lenses (75mm, f/1.8 and 120mm f/2.5). All of the other sensors have a 1/2.5” sensor, while all of the lenses have Leica Summilux branding.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s cameras look a little more pedestrian by comparison. There are just three cameras, with only one offering high resolution (48MP). This is the 1x – 24mm equivalent – f/1.8 lens. It is joined by two 12MP sensors, one with a 13mm f/2.2 ultrawide lens and one with a 120mm f/2.8 telephoto lens.

Both smartphones have selfie cameras – of course – with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra having a 32MP f/2.0 selfie camera, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max having a 12MP selfie camera. While the Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s is higher resolution, it doesn’t have AF (the iPhone’s does).

So it’s safe to say that here the Xiaomi is the overall winner, but what results will they deliver in real-world shooting…?

>>>>BP4R Battery for Xiaomi 14 Pro

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Camera apps and shooting modes
As with many other Android models, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a much more comprehensive native camera app than the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Along with a standard shooting mode, there’s an array of special modes. Some are fairly commonly found on most phones, such as “Night” mode for shooting in low light, but there are others which are a bit more unusual. The Portrait mode for example includes the ability to recreate the look of Leica lenses, rather than being a straightforward Portrait mode. It should be noted however that Leica recently introduced an app which allows the same for iPhone, so this is no longer strictly a unique selling point in the comparison.

Enthusiast photographers may wish to take advantage of the “Pro” mode which gives you a range of different shooting parameters which you can change, such as white balance, ISO, focus mode, shutter speed and if you’re shooting with the 1x lens, aperture. This is also where you can shoot in raw format if you wish.

(Left: iPhone 15 Pro Max  Right: Xiaomi 14 Ultra)

By contrast, the iPhone’s native camera app has a little less going on. You still have a Portrait mode and various video options, but other things are missing. There is a Night mode, but it comes on automatically when low light is detected, it’s not something you can select yourself. There is no Pro mode, but there is the option to switch on raw format shooting from the main Photo mode.

An interesting thing to note here is that as well as the dedicated Photo mode, when the phone detects that you’re photographing a portrait subject (human, dog or cat), then it will automatically save the data needed to convert it into a portrait later on. This has been incredibly useful when quickly photographing such subjects.

(Left: iPhone 15 Pro Max  Right: Xiaomi 14 Ultra)

So do we have a clear-cut winner here? That largely depends on what you’re priorities are. If you really want a Pro mode in your native app, then it’s the Xiaomi that wins, but if you’re happy enough to have a fairly simple app and download a more comprehensive one separately, then the iPhone is still a good shout.

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iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: General image quality

In this scene, both look great, but I’d say that the Xiaomi has more pleasing colours, while the iPhone shot has a slightly green cast. The same colour issue can be seen in the ultrawide shot too, although on the plus side at least the colours are matched between lenses.

Detail is good from both models, though it’s worth pointing out that the standard output from the iPhone is 24MP when using the standard lens, compared to 12MP from the Xiaomi, so there’s a little more potentially for cropping with the iPhone. Exposures are well balanced with both models, with both demonstrating a good blend of highlights and shadows.

When there’s artificial lighting present in a scene, both do a pretty good job. Here, the Xiaomi has corrected what the scene actually looked like to produce a pleasing result. The iPhone has kept things more accurate – the light looked yellowish in real life, but it could be argued that therefore the result is slightly less pleasing to look at.

We’ve got a bit of a tie-break situation here, with both producing excellent images in everyday conditions. It might be easier to pick things apart when looking a bit more closely at specific shooting scenarios.

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Macro

If you’re into taking close-ups, both phones here have suitable modes to allow for that, and both put in great performance. It’s only the Xiaomi however which has a floating telephoto which has been specifically designed to create good macro images.

There are two ways to create macros using either phone. You can simply move your phone closer to the subject and the phone will automatically switch to the ultrawide lens. Or, if you want to fill the frame a bit more, you can also switch to the 5x lens.

In my test, the iPhone puts in a reasonably good performance when shooting with the ultrawide after automatically switching to it, but the Xiaomi’s is noticeably better, being cleaner and brighter. However, I have been extremely impressed by what the Xiaomi is capable of from the telephoto – here it blows the iPhone out of the water, producing an image which I think would be easy to pretend came from a “real” camera. It’s crisp where it needs to be, has plenty of detail, but also has a beautifully blurred background.

Here I have to give top marks to the Xiaomi, if you regularly shoot close-ups, I’d probably say it’s worth buying the Xiaomi for that purpose alone.

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Screen and Design
Both of these smartphones are pretty large, with both having a 6.7” screen. The overall sizes of the phones are both reasonably close in size to each other, with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra measuring up at 161.4 x 75.3 x 9.2mm and 219.8g, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max coming in at 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25mm and 221g. If you’re after a small phone, neither of these devices are going to be for you – but it’s hard to deny these large screens are great for viewing your photos on.

(Left: iPhone 15 Pro Max  Right: Xiaomi 14 Ultra)

If you do want a smaller iPhone, you can opt for the iPhone 15 Pro (6.1” screen), which has most of the same specifications as the Max version, but the telephoto lens is only 3x, rather than 5x. Similarly, you can also get a smaller Xiaomi, in the shape of the Xiaomi 14 (6.3” screen), but here – among other things – you lose the fourth (telephoto) lens.

Size aside, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a 3200 x 1440 pixel screen with 3000 nits maximum brightness and a 120Hz refresh rate. This makes it higher resolution and brighter than the iPhone 15 Pro Max which has a 2796 x 1290 pixel screen with 2000 nits maximum brightness (it has the same 120Hz refresh rate). The difference isn’t hugely noticeable in real-world usage though.

Both are IP68 rated, meaning that they can withstand water and dust exposure. The Xiaomi has “Xiaomi Shield” for the screen, while the iPhone uses a “Ceramic Shield” – it’s hard to say exactly how these two compare, but either way, neither phone has succumbed to scratches while I have been using them.

(Left: iPhone 15 Pro Max  Right: Xiaomi 14 Ultra)

In terms of design, the Xiaomi make some slightly odd aesthetic choices – but it does look a bit more like a “real” camera, with its large ring around the four lenses. The iPhone looks like, well, an iPhone. Some people feel these are aesthetically pleasing – but they’ve been a bit boring for a while now. Look at the pictures and decide for yourself which you prefer the look of.

Here I’d say it’s a bit of a tie when it comes to design. Both are large, both are high resolution, both have waterproofing. So, it might come down to which you personally feel is the more attractive of the two.

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Battery life, charging and storage
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a 5000mAh battery and boasts both wireless charging and super quick charging (separate chargers will need to be bought, they don’t come in the box). It uses a USB-C connection, as is standard now. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro Max also fast charging and wireless capabilities – again you will need to buy a charger for that capability. Apple doesn’t disclose the size of its batteries but says that it is rated for 29 hours of video play back, which gives an indication that it’s probably reasonably close in size to the Xiaomi’s.

Either way, in real-world usage, both phones usually easily last a full day, even with reasonably heavy usage and spending a lot of time using the camera.

In terms of storage, the Xiaomi only has a 512GB option, which should be plenty for the average user. For the iPhone, you can go for a lower amount (256GB), or a higher amount (1TB), with price variations accordingly. For most photographers, the 256GB version is likely to be adequate – especially if you make use of cloud storage, but for content creators shooting video, the higher storage might be a better option.

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Verdict

So after all that testing, what’s the conclusion?

It’s safe to say that both these flagship models are excellent for photographers, and despite high prices for both of them, represent good value for money considering the quality you get.

However, it has to be said that the overall trophy quite probably belongs to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. It does extremely well in all areas, beating the iPhone in most of them quite easily. There are some caveats depending on what you like to shoot and how you like your images to look. Some might prefer the warmer tones of the iPhone for example, but it’s hard to deny that the Xiaomi keeps very close to accurate.

If you’re into macro photography, the Xiaomi is nigh-on perfection, while in some low light conditions, the iPhone’s inbuilt night mode seems to perform just a touch better than the Xiaomi’s – so if either one of those things is your bag, then it might sway you in either direction.

Of course, there will be many who simply prefer the look of one or the other, and many more who prefer using iOS compared to Android (or vice versa). If that’s you, then it’s likely to be hard to push you one way or the other, but if you’re OS agnostic, then certainly don’t dismiss changing sides.

As for cost – as mentioned, they are both expensive. However, like for like prices for both models when you consider storage makes the Xiaomi better value. That said, when it comes to resale, it’s probably fair to say that an iPhone will almost certainly hold its value better than the Xiaomi, so that’s something to consider too.

In the end, the answer is – as is so often the case – a solid “it depends”, but, if pushed to make a final decision on which is the best smartphone for photographers, I’d give it to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Choosing between flagship smartphones often comes down to subtle differences in features, performance, and design that significantly influence the user experience.

In this comparison, we’ll explore two of the latest high-end smartphones: Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro and Xiaomi’s 14 Pro. We’ll break down their design, display, media, software, performance, battery, and cameras, and see which phone provides a better overall experience.

>>>>BP4R Battery for Xiaomi 14 Pro

SPECS OVERVIEW

Category	iPhone 16 Pro	Xiaomi 14 Pro	Best Specs
Design	– Glass front and back (Corning-made glass)- Titanium frame- IP68 water/dust resistance (6m)	– Glass front and back- Aluminum / titanium frame- IP68 water/dust resistance (1.5m)	iPhone 16 Pro
Display	– 6.3-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED- 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision- 2000 nits (HBM)	– 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED- 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+- 3000 nits (peak)	Xiaomi 14 Pro(larger, brighter screen)
Performance	– Apple A18 Pro (3nm)- Hexa-core CPU (2×4.04 GHz + 4×2.X GHz)	– Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm)- Octa-core CPU (1×3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3×3.2 GHz)	iPhone 16 Pro(superior chipset)
Battery	– 3582 mAh- 25W wireless charging (MagSafe)- 15W wireless (Qi2)- 4.5W reverse wired	– 4880 mAh- 120W wired, 100% in 18 min- 50W wireless, 100% in 40 min- 10W reverse wireless	Xiaomi 14 Pro(larger battery, faster charging)
Camera (Main)	– Triple:48 MP (wide)12 MP (periscope telephoto, 5x optical zoom)48 MP (ultrawide)TOF 3D LiDAR scanner	– Triple:50 MP (wide)50 MP (telephoto, 3.2x optical zoom)50 MP (ultrawide)Leica lens	iPhone 16 Pro(better telephoto zoom)
Camera (Selfie)	– 12 MP (wide) with SL 3D depth sensor	– 32 MP (wide)	Xiaomi 14 Pro(higher resolution)
Charging Speed	– 25W MagSafe, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wired	– 120W wired, 50W wireless, 10W reverse wireless	Xiaomi 14 Pro(faster charging)

>>>>>BP51 Battery for Xiaomi 14 Ultra

Design
Features:

The iPhone 16 Pro features a premium build with a glass front and back protected by Corning-made glass, encased in a Grade 5 titanium frame. It’s also IP68-rated for water and dust resistance, allowing it to survive submersion in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes. The device is available in multiple SIM configurations, including a dual eSIM setup in the U.S. and a dual Nano-SIM model in China.

On the other hand, the Xiaomi 14 Pro offers a similarly premium design with a glass front and back, surrounded by either an aluminum or titanium frame. It also holds an IP68 rating, though it’s only water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, making it slightly less durable in extreme conditions compared to the iPhone.

Similarities:
Both phones feature premium materials like glass and titanium, ensuring a sturdy yet elegant build. They are IP68-rated, meaning both devices offer solid protection against water and dust. Neither phone includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature that has become rare in modern flagship phones.

Differences:
The most significant difference lies in the water-resistance depth, with the iPhone 16 Pro able to survive greater submersion. Additionally, the iPhone uses Apple’s proprietary Ceramic Shield glass, which is known for its durability. Meanwhile, Xiaomi employs its custom Longjing Glass, which may offer similar protection but lacks the same brand recognition.

Advantages:
The iPhone 16 Pro has a clear advantage in terms of water resistance and the use of Corning-made glass for its build. Xiaomi’s 14 Pro, with its more affordable titanium variant, offers flexibility in materials, which might appeal to different user preferences.

Which is Better?
For those who prioritize durability, the iPhone 16 Pro takes the lead with its stronger water resistance and more established protective glass. However, Xiaomi’s flexible design options might be appealing to those who want choices in their premium experience.

>>>>BP4Q Battery for Xiaomi 14

Display, Media, and Software
Features:

The iPhone 16 Pro comes with a 6.3-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display. It supports HDR10, Dolby Vision, and a 120Hz refresh rate, with brightness levels reaching 2000 nits for outdoor visibility. The screen is protected by the new Ceramic Shield Glass (2024 gen) and offers an always-on display feature. Apple’s iOS 18 powers the phone, offering a refined, secure, and exclusive software ecosystem.

The Xiaomi 14 Pro features a larger 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED display, also supporting Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and a 120Hz refresh rate. Xiaomi edges out Apple in brightness, with peak levels reaching an impressive 3000 nits. The display is protected by Xiaomi’s Longjing Glass. The phone runs on Android 14 with Xiaomi’s new HyperOS, blending customization with performance and offering users an open-source software experience.

Similarities:
Both devices deliver top-tier AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates, Dolby Vision, and high brightness levels. They also come with always-on displays and support a wide color gamut for enhanced media consumption.

Differences:
Xiaomi’s 14 Pro has a slightly larger display, higher resolution (1440 x 3200 pixels compared to the iPhone’s 1206 x 2622 pixels), and a significantly brighter screen with a peak brightness of 3000 nits. The iPhone’s display, while smaller, provides a more compact and refined viewing experience. In terms of software, the difference lies in the ecosystems: Apple’s iOS 18 offers more security and optimization, while Xiaomi’s HyperOS provides more freedom in customization.

Advantages:
For media consumption and outdoor visibility, the Xiaomi 14 Pro holds a slight edge due to its larger, brighter display. However, if software smoothness, security, and app optimization are priorities, the iPhone 16 Pro remains the better option with its seamless iOS experience.

Which is Better?
For media lovers and those who value a bright, immersive display, the Xiaomi 14 Pro wins this round. However, for users deeply invested in Apple’s ecosystem and who prefer a more optimized software experience, the iPhone 16 Pro may be the better choice.

Performance and Battery
Features:

The iPhone 16 Pro is powered by the Apple A18 Pro chip (3 nm), with a Hexa-core CPU and Apple’s custom 6-core GPU. Paired with 8GB of RAM, it ensures top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. The battery capacity stands at 3582 mAh, with wired PD2.0 fast charging and up to 25W wireless MagSafe charging.

The Xiaomi 14 Pro utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm), featuring an octa-core CPU and Adreno 750 GPU. It is available with up to 16GB of RAM, making it a powerhouse for multitasking and gaming. Its 4880 mAh battery supports ultra-fast 120W wired charging, which promises a full charge in just 18 minutes, and 50W wireless charging.

Similarities:
Both devices offer cutting-edge processors, ensuring smooth performance in daily tasks and high-demand scenarios. Neither phone supports expandable storage, although they offer substantial internal storage options.

Differences:
The Xiaomi 14 Pro comes with a significantly larger battery and much faster charging capabilities. The 120W wired charging speed is one of the fastest in the industry, while the iPhone 16 Pro, though offering solid charging options, lags behind in terms of raw charging speed and battery size.

Advantages:
If you’re seeking a phone with outstanding battery life and the ability to quickly recharge, the Xiaomi 14 Pro is the better option. However, Apple’s A18 Pro chip remains one of the most efficient and powerful processors on the market, which could mean better long-term performance for iPhone users.

Which is Better?
For sheer power and battery management, the Xiaomi 14 Pro stands out. However, the iPhone 16 Pro may still appeal to those who value efficiency and the long-term reliability of Apple’s chips.

Cameras
Features:

Photo is from：iPhone 16 Pro

The iPhone 16 Pro is equipped with a triple-camera setup, featuring a 48 MP main wide sensor, a 12 MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom, and a 48 MP ultrawide lens. It also has a TOF 3D LiDAR scanner for depth sensing. Video capabilities are exceptional, with 4K recording at up to 120fps, Dolby Vision, and 3D spatial video.

TheXiaomi 14 Proalso boasts a triple-camera system, including a 50 MP wide-angle lens with variable aperture, a 50 MP telephoto lens with 3.2x optical zoom, and a 50 MP ultrawide sensor. It features Leica optics and advanced video recording options, including 8K at 24fps, 4K at up to 60fps, and gyro-EIS.

Similarities:
Both phones offer triple-camera systems with wide, telephoto, and ultrawide lenses. They also support advanced video recording technologies like Dolby Vision and high frame rates.

Differences:
TheiPhone 16 Profeatures a more advanced LiDAR sensor for depth and spatial video recording, while Xiaomi’s14 Prooffers a unique variable aperture on the main lens for greater control over exposure. Xiaomi also supports 8K video recording, which Apple currently lacks.

Advantages:
For photography, theXiaomi 14 Prooffers more control with its variable aperture and advanced Leica optics, while theiPhone 16 Proexcels in depth sensing and video recording, particularly with its 3D spatial video feature.

Which is Better?If photography is your priority, theXiaomi 14 Prooffers more flexibility and customization. For videographers and those invested in Apple’s ecosystem, theiPhone 16 Prois a better fit.

Which is the Better Buy?
Both the iPhone 16 Pro and Xiaomi 14 Pro are exceptional flagship devices that cater to different audiences. The Xiaomi 14 Pro shines in terms of display quality, battery life, charging speeds, and flexibility in photography. Its aggressive pricing compared to the iPhone makes it a strong contender for users seeking value without sacrificing premium features.

The iPhone 16 Pro, however, offers unmatched software optimization, stronger water resistance, and long-term performance, making it a better choice for users already integrated into the Apple ecosystem. Its camera features, particularly for video and depth sensing, are also more advanced.

Our Opinion: If you’re an Android enthusiast who doesn’t want to break the bank and need good battery and charging speed, then Xiaomi 14 Pro is the best option. However, if you’re invested in Apple’s ecosystem and value software reliability, then go for the iPhone 16 Pro.

Apple Intelligence isn’t available at launch, but the features that are available make the iPhone 16 Pro Max a formidable phone.

（iPhone 16 Pro  and iPhone 16 Pro Max）

Verdict
After four years of relatively unchanged designs, Apple increased the screen size on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, delivering a larger 6.9-inch OLED panel that makes a sizeable difference in daily use. Combine that with a bigger battery that lasts longer, an even more powerful chipset, and terrific cameras with a host of new features, and you get one of the best overall packages available today. While there are a few shortcomings — the Camera Control button isn’t all that it’s made out to be, and Apple Intelligence is yet to go live — the iPhone 16 Pro Max is an instant recommendation if you’re coming from an older device.

>>>A2830 Battery for Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Pros
+Bigger OLED panel with ultra-thin bezels
+Better cameras than last year
+Class-leading hardware
+Outstanding battery life
+Good software with long-term updates
Cons
-No Apple Intelligence features at launch
-Slow charging tech
-Camera Control is fiddly to use

The iPhone 16 Pro Max comes with the usual set of upgrades that we expect from Apple: it is faster in daily use, has better cameras, and the battery life is better than its predecessor. But there are other changes this year, notably around the screen. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a larger 6.9-inch panel, but it isn’t that much bigger than its predecessor.

The increased screen size means you get an additional line of text, and the bezels are even thinner this generation. There’s also a new Camera Control button that unlocks additional controls and makes it easy to shoot photos and videos. While I was initially excited about the hardware button, it was unwieldy to use in the two weeks I tested the iPhone 16 Pro Max — it should have been integrated into the power button, similar to what ASUS did on the Zenfone 10 last year.

While there’s plenty of new stuff on the phone, there’s a glaring omission: Apple Intelligence. Apple’s much-touted AI features won’t be available until early 2025, and that puts the iPhone 16 Pro Max in an awkward position; the hardware itself is an iterative upgrade over last year, and you’ll need to wait at least three months to unlock what is arguably its best feature.
So should you wait until next year to buy the iPhone 16 Pro Max? Let’s take a look.

>>>A2866 Battery for Apple iPhone 14 Pro

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: Design

Apple didn’t change the design of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and the phone looks identical to its predecessor. The only way to tell both phones apart is that the latest device is taller and wider than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but other than that, they share the same design.

That means you get a titanium mid-frame with a glass front and back, and the glass protection is touted to be even better this year. While I tend to test the effectiveness of these claims with Android phones (inadvertently, most of the time), I wasn’t willing to risk that with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and I put it in a case shortly after setting it up.

The phone has the same flat sides with rounded edges, and the beveled sides make it easier to use than previous years. The build quality is predictably great, and while this isn’t a brand-new design, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is immediately recognizable. The phone retains IP68 dust and water resistance, and like last year, it can be submerged in up to 6 meters of water — most Android phones are only rated at up to 1.5 meters.

While the design itself hasn’t changed, the iPhone 16 Pro Max comes in an interesting Desert Titanium color option, and this is the variant I’m using. Apple switched out the Blue Titanium model of the iPhone 15 Pro Max with the new color option, and it looks terrific. The subtle gold hue looks great on the frosted glass back, and the color-matched camera rings and mid-frame give the phone a distinct character.

If you don’t like the color, you can pick up the device in White Titanium, Black Titanium, and Natural Titanium options instead. The camera housing has the same distinctive design as previous years, and is slightly raised; thankfully, there are no issues with usability.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is 4.1mm taller and 0.9mm wider than its predecessor, and the increased dimensions make it a bit unwieldy to use one-handed. It is taller than the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Pixel 9 Pro XL, and only the Nubia Z60 Ultra dwarfs the iPhone 16 Pro Max in this regard.

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A major highlight this year is the introduction of Camera Control, a button that sits to the right. It is an intriguing addition in that not many brands provide hardware controls for the camera, and it is versatile: you can use it to take photos with a short press, and a long press switches to video. The best feature is the ability to adjust zoom level by sliding your finger across the capacitive button, and a double tap allows you to unlock additional controls.

While the idea is undoubtedly novel, the button is in a non-optimal location. It’s awkward to access, and while adjusting the zoom level isn’t that much of a hassle, it was always a bother to switch to other controls. Then there’s the fact that video recording is only enabled as long as you press down on the button. After a week of use, I realized it was easier to just use the settings on the viewfinder to change controls than rely on the button. I also inadvertently pressed the button whenever picking up the phone off a table, and that was irksome.

The left side of the frame contains the usual options: volume up and down, and the Action Button that debuted last year. The SIM card tray sits to the left as well, and you get the ability to slot in a physical SIM alongside an eSIM — if you’re outside the U.S. USB-C charging is intact, and it makes using the iPhone 16 Pro Max that much easier. I wrote about how the switch to USB-C last year allowed me to use the iPhone 15 Pro Max a lot longer than I usually would, and that’s true this year as well.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: Pricing and availability

The iPhone 16 Pro Max made its official debut on September 9, and the phone went on sale globally on September 20. Similar to last year, the base model has 256GB of storage, and it is available in 512GB and 1TB variants as well — I’m using the 512GB model.

In a positive move, Apple is offering the iPhone 16 Pro Max at the same price as last year’s models, and this is true not just in the U.S., but also key global markets like the U.K. and Germany. This is what the iPhone 16 Pro Max costs in various regions:

iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB): $1,199 / £1,199 / €1,449 / NZ$2,399
iPhone 16 Pro Max (512GB): $1,399 / £1,399 / €1,699 / NZ$2,799
iPhone 16 Pro Max (1TB): $1,599 / £1,599 / €1,949 / NZ$3,199

Category	Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
OS	iOS 18.0.1 pre-installed, five OS updates
Display	6.9-inch LTPO OLED, 120Hz ProMotion, 2868 x 1320, Dolby Vision, 2000 nits max (HBM)
Chipset	Apple A18 Pro, 6-core GPU, second-gen 3nm node
RAM	8GB RAM
Storage	256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Rear camera 1	48MP f/1.8 24mm, 1/1.28-inch sensor, 1.22um, sensor-shift OIS
Rear camera 2	48MP f/2.2 13mm wide-angle lens, 0.7um pixels
Rear camera 3	12MP f/2.8 120mm telephoto, 1/3.06-inch sensor, 1.12um pixels, 5x optical zoom, OIS
Video	ProRes, Dolby Vision (60fps), 4K at 120fps, Audio Mix
Front camera	12MP f/1.9 23mm, OIS, auto-focus
Ingress protection	IP68 dust and water resistance
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Emergency SOS via Satellite, UWB, dual-band GPS
Security	Face ID
Audio	USB-C, stereo sound
Battery	4685mAh battery, 30W charging, 25W MagSafe, 15W Qi2
Dimensions	163 x 77.6 x 8.3mm, 227g
Colors	Desert Titanium, Natural Titanium, Black Titanium, White Titanium

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: Display

After four years of using 6.7-inch panels, Apple is increasing the screen size in the Pro Max series to 6.9 inches. The size difference is immediately evident when using the iPhone 16 Pro Max next to its predecessor, and what I like the most about is that the phone itself isn’t noticeably bigger; Apple achieved this by trimming the bezels, and the overall effect is quite striking.

In real-world use, that means you get an additional line of text when browsing. The OLED panel itself is one of the best on any phone today; it has ProMotion tech — dynamic 120Hz refresh — along with HDR10 and Dolby Vision. The resolution is slightly higher at 2868 x 1320, but the pixel density is the same as last year, and the Ceramic Shield protection delivers 50% increased resilience against tumbles.

Overall, this is one of the best screens available today, and that’s evident when streaming HDR content or playing games. You get vibrant colors with excellent contrast, and while there isn’t as much customizability when it comes to color tonality, True Tone automatically tweaks color balance based on ambient light, and it does a good job in this regard.

I didn’t see any issues with brightness levels either, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max is among the best in this area as well. That said, the Pixel 9 Pro XL got noticeably brighter in outdoor use, and Google somehow managed to outdo every other brand this year.

Dynamic Island is unchanged from last year, and while the pill-sized cutout is bigger than what you get with Android devices, it isn’t as unsightly as the previous notch. The ability to use this area for actionable things like music control and navigation alerts is still great, and while Android brands have tried to emulate it, no one came close.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: Battery life

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a bigger 4685mAh battery, and you get noticeable gains in daily use. I got an hour and a half of additional screen-time versus the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and that’s a sizeable achievement in and of itself. The phone lasts a day even with heavy use, and most of the time, I averaged a day and a half between charges.

The charging situation is where things aren’t any better. The iPhone 16 Pro Max takes an agonizing amount of time to charge, and while it gets to 45% in 30 minutes, it takes an additional 80 minutes to charge the battery entirely. While the Pixel 9 Pro XL and Galaxy S24 Ultra don’t have fast charging either, these devices don’t take anywhere as long to charge, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max continues to lag behind its rivals.

Chinese brands are in a league of their own in this area, with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Vivo X100 Ultra taking under 45 minutes to charge their batteries. That said, the iPhone 16 Pro Max has an advantage with wireless charging, with MagSafe now going up to 25W. The phone also works with the Qi2 standard — something Android phones haven’t gotten around to yet — and you can get 15W charging via a Qi2 stand.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: Cameras
The iPhone 16 Pro Max doesn’t have drastically different camera hardware, with the phone using a similar 48MP main camera with sensor-shift OIS as last year. The 12MP telephoto lens is unchanged as well, and it delivers 5x optical zoom and OIS. There’s now a 48MP wide-angle lens, and up front is a 12MP lens with OIS.

Camera Control is a key hardware addition this time, and while it is good to quickly pull up the camera and take a photo, the button isn’t in the best location, and it isn’t intuitive to use. After trying out the button for a week, I went back to adjusting viewfinder controls the usual way.

What you’ll like better is the overhauled Photographic Styles, which now allows you to drastically change the look and feel of a photo. There are 15 preset tones you can use out of the box, but where the feature truly comes into its own is the ability to tweak these presets to your liking by changing the undertones and contrast selection. The result is that you get wildly different photos by switching up the tones, and there is extensive customizability in this regard.

I’ve always enjoyed shooting macros with iPhones, and the 16 Pro Max lets you take high-res macro shots. Video is an area where the phone continues to dominate, and this year, you can shoot 4K in 120fps with HDR, and that’s just incredible. The new ISP encoder able to handle the increased bandwidth, and what I like the most about this feature is that you can slow down footage to 60fps or 30fps after the fact via the built-in editor.

You can also record spatial audio, and it is enabled by default. What’s cool about this feature is that you can then reduce background noise, or create a cinematic effect with ambient noises pushed to the background. You can do this by selecting Audio Mix in the editor, and it works incredibly well.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max doesn’t deviate too much from its predecessor when it comes to color rendition, with resultant daylight shots having good white balance and color accuracy. You don’t get saturated photos like Samsung’s phones or the contrast-rich images that are a characteristic of Pixels. The phone does just as good a job in low-light conditions, but it is a bit aggressive with smoothening details. That said, the new Styles give you incredible customizability with tonal balance, and you can easily change the look of your photos.

The wide-angle lens is similarly great, and it doubles as a macro shooter, giving you the ability to take close-up shots. There is some noise in low-light shots taken with the wide-angle lens, and while it has good color rendition, it doesn’t measure up to the Vivo X100 Pro in this regard.

The zoom lens is relatively unchanged, and it manages to deliver clean shots at up to 5x. You get usable photos at 10x as well, but there’s visible noise — more so than the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Portraits are similarly great, and you get good background segmentation. That said, they’re nowhere as detailed as the Vivo X100 Ultra or the Find X7 Ultra; these two devices still have a distinct edge when it comes to portrait shots.

Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro Max does a better job than its predecessor, and it holds up incredibly well against the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Pixel 9 Pro XL. Vivo’s X100 Pro and X100 Ultra and the Find X7 Ultra are much better in low-light situations and portrait shots, but as an all-round package, the iPhone 16 Pro Max does more than enough to stand out against its rivals.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: The competition

The Pixel 9 Pro XL is the obvious alternative to the iPhone 16 Pro Max. It feels like Google went out of its way to make the 9 Pro XL look like an iPhone, and it does a good job in that regard. You still get a distinctive camera housing at the back, but the flat sides and chunkier design makes it feel like an iPhone in everyday use. The 9 Pro XL doesn’t have the same caliber of hardware, but it has an OLED panel that gets brighter, outstanding cameras, and the best AI features of any phone available today.

If you need a phone with plenty of power, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is a good choice to consider as well. The software isn’t as good as what you get on the Pixel — or the iPhone 16 Pro Max — but you get seven years of updates, and Samsung bundles a decent set of AI tools with Galaxy AI.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if:

• You need an iPhone with a sizeable OLED panel
• You want the best hardware on a phone
• You need standout cameras
• You want better battery life

You shouldn’t buy this if:

• You want the latest AI features
• You need the best charging tech
• You have an iPhone 15 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a great phone that promises to get even better when Apple Intelligence becomes available. You don’t need to wait until the AI features roll out if you’re looking to upgrade from an older iPhone; there are enough new features to distinguish it from its predecessors. The most noticeable difference is the bigger OLED panel, and while it makes the phone even taller, it is a welcome upgrade.

But what you’ll actually end up liking is the battery longevity; the iPhone 16 Pro Max lasts significantly longer than its predecessor, and that in itself is enough of an upgrade to entice older iPhone users to make the switch. Other battery-related tweaks should curb battery degradation — something that was a major issue on the iPhone 14 series — and while the charging situation is in need of an overhaul, 25W MagSafe is a decent workaround in the meantime.

There’s little incentive to move if you’re already using the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but if you’re on an older device and are mulling an upgrade, you should get the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Ahoy, camera button! The iPhone 16 Pro Max is Apple’s largest smartphone. Its display has once again grown and this year, a dedicated camera button has found its way onto the iPhone. However, it has more to offer than just that, even if Apple Intelligence isn’t yet available in the EU.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max follows last year’s iPhone 15 Pro Max. Amongst other things, the smartphone has been given a more modern SoC, which forms an important basis for the new Apple Intelligence. Unfortunately, the AI functions from Apple won’t be coming to the EU for the time being and even in the US, they will follow at a later date.

Aside from a new chipset, its camera has been given a new ultra-wide-angle sensor, Wi-Fi 7 is finally on board, it features an improved Ceramic Shield and has a dedicated camera button. In addition, the iPhone is said to be even more sustainable, as it is now easier to repair and is manufactured using more recycled materials.

Also:A2830 Battery for Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (iPhone 16 Series)
Processor:Apple A18 Pro 6 x – 4 GHz
Graphics adapter:Apple A18 Pro GPU      Memory:8 GB, LPDDR5
Display:6.90 inch 19.55:9, 2868 x 1320 pixel 458 PPI, Capacitive, Super Retina XDR OLED, Ceramic Shield, LTPO 1 – 120 Hz, Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating, glossy: yes, HDR, 120 Hz
Storage:256 GB NVMe, 256 GB
, 238 GB free
Weight：227 g ( = 8.01 oz / 0.5 pounds) ( = 0 oz / 0 pounds)   Price：NZ$2,399
Note: The manufacturer may use components from different suppliers including display panels, drives or memory sticks with similar specifications.

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Case – A new color for the 16 Pro Max

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max continues to rely on a frame made of a titanium alloy and weighing in at 227 grams, it is a little heavier. According to the manufacturer, it has a thickness of 8.25 millimeters, while we measured 8.3 millimeters. The camera hump has grown a little, now adding an additional 4.3 millimeters (15 Pro Max: 4.1 mm), resulting in a build height of 12.6 millimeters at the thickest point.

Even so, the iPhone 16 Pro Max isn’t top-heavy and feels comfortable to hold despite its size. Its build quality is great and the feel of the materials is excellent. All the gaps are tight and even. Only a slight creaking noise could be heard when trying to twist it. The SIM slot cover sits flush with the frame and even the tray for the nano-SIM is made of metal.

The Apple smartphone is IP68-certified, so it is dust and waterproof. It also complies with the IEC standard 60529, meaning it can be submerged to a depth of up to six meters for at least 30 minutes without any problems. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is available in Natural Titanium, white, black and Desert Titanium. The latter is the color of our test device.

>>>>>A2850 Battery for Apple iPhone 14 Plus

Connectivity – The iPhone 16 series with a camera button

(Image credit: Apple)
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a fast USB 3.2 port (Gen 2), which achieved high transfer rates of 498.85 MB/s in our copying test with a connected Samsung 980 Pro (Asus ROG Strix Arion Case, USB 3.2 Gen. 2). External data carriers can be formatted with all file systems commonly used by Apple, and FAT32 and exFAT are also supported. The interface also supports wired image output in Ultra HD at up to 60 frames per second and HDR.

The action button is also on board once more and adding to this on the opposite long side of the phone is a dedicated camera button. In itself, this isn’t really anything new, as you can also find this feature in other phones, such as the Xperia 1 VI. However, Apple has come up with some new ideas, as the button is also a sensor surface that can recognize pressure and swipe gestures and is protected by sapphire glass. The camera can be launched directly using this button—a long press starts a video recording, and you can use swipe gestures to change the depth of field, for example. An upcoming update will also allow different pressure levels to be recognized in order to control the autofocus and exposure even more effectively. Whether the button represents added value probably depends on personal preference. In any case, it already works very well.

Moreover, the phone comes with a 2nd-gen ultra-wideband chip (UWB), Bluetooth 5.3 as well as NFC.

Software – The iPhone 16 Pro Max comes with iOS 18
The iPhone 16 Pro Max comes delivered with iOS 18 and in our test, it ran using version 18.0.1. It will likely receive updates for at least five years. iOS 18 sees Apple having added lots of customization options and laying the foundation for Apple Intelligence.

These are AI functions that are intended to enable intelligent image and video editing, for example to remove unwanted objects or people from images. Apple’s AI can also summarize, write or correct texts. Siri should also benefit by filtering out slips of the tongue or answering follow-up questions. The first version will be rolled out in the US with iOS 18.1, with other English-speaking regions to follow by the end of the year. Only the EU has been left out in the cold so far, which Apple justifies with uncertainties in connection with the European Digital Markets Act (DMA). It will therefore probably not be available before the first quarter of 2025, but Apple wants to create the linguistic basis by then. Why Samsung and Google, among others, are already able to offer very similar and even more AI functions in Europe will probably remain the Californians’ secret.

Cameras – New ultra-wide angle and Ultra HD at 120fps

The iPhone 16 Pro Max’s front-facing camera has remained unchanged, and it comes with an autofocus once more. The photos look great and there are lots of settings options. You can record video in Ultra HD at best (60fps, Dolby Vision).

The main camera has a 48-MP sensor which uses optical image stabilization with a sensor-shift (Gen 2). A 3D sensor shift also stabilizes the zoom, which again allows 5x optical magnification and 25x digital magnification. New, however, is the 48-MP ultra-wide-angle sensor which also serves as a macro lens.

The primary camera uses pixel binning and usually takes pictures at 24 MP (12 and 48 MP are also possible). The resulting shots look good overall and can be customized individually or using predefined settings via the photography styles if required. Compared to the competition, however, its slightly lower dynamic range is noticeable in the lake scene. The iPhone also delivers a strong performance in low light.
The main lens nominally shoots with a focal length of 24 mm. However, 28 and 35 mm can also be used without loss via a sensor crop. 5x optical zoom is available for longer focal lengths and can also be used digitally up to a tenfold magnification. A maximum of 25x zoom is possible, the results of which can be seen during post-processing, but they are basically still okay as long as their use doesn’t go beyond social media. The image stabilization works very well and keeps things looking stable even at longer focal lengths. However, the camera button can hardly be used in this case, as its pressure point is very firm, which can quickly lead to the camera shaking when zooming.

Videos can be recorded in Ultra HD at best, with frame rates ranging from 24 to 120fps, including PAL formats at 25, 50 and 100fps. Dolby Vision is also on board again. If required, videos can be recorded in ProRes, provided an external data carrier is connected to the iPhone 16 Pro Max. You can even do so at a high frame rate. These 10-bit HDR recordings are possible in Ultra HD at up to 120fps, but require more storage space due to their lower compression and are limited to 8 minutes. The new 120fps recordings make impressive slow-motion videos possible, including Dolby Vision. Spatial videos for Vision Pro (1,080p @ 30fps) can also be recorded.

Apple promises nothing less than studio quality for its microphones, and they actually proved to be very low-noise during our test. With the new Audio Mix tool, the sound post-processing of videos is very extensive and you can even suppress unwanted noises outside the image, which can also be graded and works wonderfully in everyday life.

Sustainability
The packaging of the iPhone 16 Pro Max is completely plastic-free and, according to Apple, the smartphone is made from over 25 % recycled materials and features a high recycling rate. You can find all the details on Apple’s website, including detailed sustainability reports on most of its products.

Apple has additionally improved the iPhone’s repairability, as confirmed by our colleagues at iFixit. Many components are now easier to access and can be replaced without damaging the device. However, Apple still doesn’t sell spare parts to private individuals.

Compared to the 15 Pro Max, our 256-GB version’s CO2 footprint over its entire life cycle has only been slightly reduced from 75 to 74 kg CO2e. The 1-TB version uses 3 kg less.

Communication and GNSS – Wi-Fi 7 without 320 MHz

The iPhone comes without 320 MHz support, halving its potential data rates.
At first, there was great joy: Wi-Fi 7 at last! But then a little disillusionment set in, as the iPhone 16 Pro Max only supports up to 160 MHz and is therefore just as fast as when using the Wi-Fi 6E network.

While its transmission rates to our reference router, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 (Wi-Fi 6E, 6 GHz), reached a peak of 1,435 MBit/s when transmitting, we noted 1,427 MBit/s with Wi-Fi 7 to an AVM Fritz!Box 5690 Pro (Wi-Fi 7, MLO, 6 GHz). For comparison: the Xiaomi 14 achieves 2,382 MBit/s on the same AVM router, whereby the 2.5 GBit port of the router is the bottleneck, as the Xiaomi even manages up to 3,957 MBit/s on the TP-Link Archer BE800. However, the iPhone’s transmission performance is still stable and MLO is also supported.

When it comes to mobile communications, the Apple smartphone is exemplary, as it supports a large number of frequency bands for all standards, so it should be able to establish the best possible connection worldwide.

Telephone functions and call quality
When held up to your ear, the iPhone 16 Pro Max delivers natural voice sound and also does a good job of suppressing annoying ambient noise—provided it isn’t too loud. In loudspeaker mode, the iPhone also performs well, but the user then sounds somewhat muffled.

The Apple smartphone still supports a physical nano SIM card in Germany, where this test was carried out, and can also be expanded with an eSIM. Dual SIM operation is also only possible with eSIMs. In the USA, the phone no longer comes with a physical SIM card slot.

The dual SIM function can be configured extensively during setup: A primary call line must be defined, which can be individually adjusted later for each contact. Both phone numbers can be used for FaceTime if required. Mobile data can be set to one SIM, but the cell phone can optionally switch to the other line if the primary line is too weak. One small drawback is the lack of dual app support. Although this can be compensated for via apps from the App Store, there is always a charge.

Accessories and warranty – Now without a sticker
Apple has further slimmed down the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s scope of delivery, but it still comes with a SIM tool and a USB-C cable. The latter is again covered in fabric. However, there is no longer an Apple sticker included.

The range of optional accessories continues to grow, not least thanks to protective covers from Beats , which are also MagSafe-compatible. If you still need a suitable power supply unit (30 watts), you will have to invest US$39 for the rather bulky original model.

Its warranty only lasts for 12 months. You can also take out an optional insurance package called Care+. This costs a one-off fee of US$199 and includes unlimited repairs in the event of accidental damage, express replacement service and priority support. Depending on the damage, additional charges may apply. Theft and loss can also be insured for US$269, which covers up to two cases per year. If you prefer, you can also pay for the service on a monthly basis (US$9.99 or US$13.49), which has a minimum term of two years, but can also run for longer.

Battery life – The iPhone 16 Pro Max with over 18 Wh
Power consumption
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has quite a low power consumption which has been greatly improved compared to the 15 Pro Max, especially when switched off. Compared to the competition, its consumption is higher with maximum manual display brightness, but this is due to its higher luminosity.

The iPhone can be charged at 4.5 to 30 watts but it actually doesn’t work as effectively. Using a 30-watt power supply from Apple, the 4,685 mAh battery can be charged to 54 % within 30 minutes—the 80 % mark is reached after one hour and the iPhone needs a further 64 minutes for the remaining 20 %. All in all, this is a very long time, but it also saves battery power.

7.5 watts can be used wirelessly via Qi and 15 watts using Qi2. Up to 25 watts are possible with a MagSafe charger. The iPhone can charge other devices via USB-C at up to 4.5 watts.

Verdict – The bar has been raised again

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max offers a good total package. Although it only comes with some minor improvements compared to last year’s model, the leap is still big if you’re coming from an iPhone 13 Pro or an older model. The smartphone boasts a brilliant display, great performance and a versatile camera setup.

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is clearly no bargain, but it is a true powerhouse.

From a hardware standpoint, Apple has done lots right—only its lack of the 320-MHz band for Wi-Fi 7 is a little confusing. We would also like to have seen at least one high-res codec for Bluetooth.

Its charging speeds aren’t particularly fast, but this is because Apple has placed its focus on the longevity of its energy storage units. Even so, a little more could definitely have been possible.

Why the new Apple Intelligence functions aren’t being released directly in Europe remains questionable. By the time this happens, Samsung’s Galaxy AI will have been on the market for more than a year.

Within the Apple universe, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the measure of all things; if you prefer smaller smartphones, then the iPhone 16 Pro could be a viable alternative. If you’d like to make use of AI functions immediately, then you should take a look at the Galaxy S24 Ultra or the Magic6 Pro, which also has a lot going for itself.

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Price and availability
You can purchase the new Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max directly from Apple, as well as from most major online retailers, including Amazon.

The best iPhone just got even better

At a glance
Pros

• Stunning 6.9-inch display with ultra-thin bezels
• Premium design and build
• Powerful A18 Pro chipset
• Excellent battery life
• Useful Camera Control button

Cons

• Incomplete AI features at launch
• Only 8GB of RAM at launch
• Expensive

also:A2866 Battery for Apple iPhone 14 Pro

Our Verdict
The iPhone 16 Pro Max looks almost identical to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, aside from slimmer bezels and one new button. But for real change, you must look within, with excellent performance, great battery life and a slew of AI features on the way, even if most aren’t available at launch. There’s no doubt that this is one of the very best phones you can buy, though it has a price tag to match

From the outside, the iPhone 16 Pro Max only looks like a minor refinement of its predecessor – especially with the design largely unchanged.

But, with its 6.9-inch display and titanium body, it’s bigger, heavier, and ever-so-slightly more robust than the iPhone 15 Pro Max. And, of course, there’s the new Camera Control button, which yes is a physical button.

Spend some time with Apple’s latest flagship, and you’ll notice several changes (mostly on the inside) that significantly impact how you’ll use the device, especially if you’re into photography or the latest AI features.

While the A18 Pro chip makes this phone a raw performance beast, Apple has put a lot of its future into Apple Intelligence – its answer to AI. The addition of the Camera Control button and upcoming Visual Intelligence capabilities also speaks to Apple’s ambition to redefine how we interact with the world through our phones.

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Design & Build

• Noticeably thinner bezels
• Titanium build is premium, durable, and aids in heat dissipation
• Camera Control button is innovative but questionable

The iPhone 16 Pro Max maintains Apple’s recent design ethos, making only slight adjustments. It’s a premium-looking device, and its rounder corners and Natural Titanium colour option were clear influences on the Pixel 9 lineup.

This year’s new colour option is Desert Titanium, the goldish hue that has divided the internet. While the phone looks almost identical to the iPhone 15 Pro Max at first glance, there are some differences.

Thinner bezels around the screen make the already huge display feel even more expansive. Despite the display growing to a massive 6.9 inches, Apple has managed to keep the device almost the same size as last year’s model, making it feel like you’re holding more screen than phone.

The Super Retina XDR OLED panel now stretches further into the corners, creating a more immersive visual experience for both gaming and media consumption.

The titanium body, a grade 5 titanium frame over a graphite-clad aluminium substructure, has been further refined this time around. It gives the device a premium feel while also improving heat dissipation. The edges of the iPhone 16 Pro Max have been softened, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods despite its larger size.

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At 6g heavier than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, I didn’t notice much difference in handling. However, if you’re used to regular phones, this 227g handset might come as a shock.

The larger display size is also immediately evident. For me, it strikes the perfect balance between weight and build quality – this is a phone that feels robust but not bulky.

One new addition I appreciate is the Camera Control button, which Apple insists isn’t quite a button – but it is. It sits recessed, offering gesture control and a quick launch to the camera, much like the Action button introduced last year.

For me, the iPhone 16 Pro Max strikes the perfect balance between weight and build quality
I’ll talk more about the Camera Control later, but will share some early thoughts now. While I found the Camera Control useful for photography, it sometimes competes with the Action button for relevance. Apple may need to rethink the function of the older Action button in future iterations, as it feels underused compared to this newer control.

See how Apple and third-party case makers have dealt with the Camera Control in our roundup of the best cases for iPhone 16.

Screen & Speakers

• 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED with 120Hz
• Great outdoor visibility with 2000 nits of peak brightness
• Stereo speakers provide clear, loud sound with decent bass

This 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display is Apple’s largest yet, and it’s a beauty. The thinner bezels allow for more screen real estate without significantly increasing the device’s physical size.

At 460ppi, the display isn’t as pixel-dense as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (505ppi), but Apple’s colour accuracy and HDR performance make it hard to notice any shortcomings. Apple has maintained its wide-color gamut, meaning colors are incredibly vibrant, yet remain natural and true to life.

With 2000 nits peak brightness outdoors and a new 1 nit low setting for nighttime use, it’s easy to see why this is one of the best displays on the market. Whether I’m streaming Netflix or playing a game, the visuals are vibrant and smooth, thanks to ProMotion’s 120Hz refresh rate. And the new support for 1 nit of brightness comes in particularly handy when using my phone in bed at night.

This 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display is Apple’s largest yet, and it’s a beauty
The 1 nit support still extends to the Always-On Display, letting you check notifications, time, or other widgets without fully unlocking the phone. It also dims intelligently to save power when not in use. While I personally don’t use the Always-On Display, it is a hit feature after being introduced a few years ago.

Then we get to the stereo speakers. While not dramatically improved from the previous model, the iPhone 16 Pro Max still offer loud, crisp sound with decent bass. For a phone this size, it’s a surprisingly capable audio device.

Specs & Performance

• Powered by the A18 Pro chipset – up to 20% faster than last year
• Great for gaming and multitasking
• 8GB RAM is low compared to competitors, but performs well due to optimisation

Powering the iPhone 16 Pro Max is Apple’s latest and greatest A18 Pro chipset, which is a significant step up from the A17 Pro, particularly when it comes to AI performance and graphical power.

According to Apple, it has a 15% faster CPU and 20% faster GPU than last year’s model. I can’t verify those figures but can say that it offers blisteringly fast performance across the board. That applies whether you’re editing 4K video, running the latest AAA mobile games, or simply multitasking between apps.

It also comes equipped with a 16-core Neural Engine, enabling more advanced machine learning and AI capabilities. It’s a big factor in making these devices capable of the full range of Apple Intelligence features, which I’ll explore in more detail later.

Gaming enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the iPhone 16 Pro Max supports ray tracing at double the speed of the A17 Pro, which makes for more realistic lighting and reflections in games available on iOS. During my tests, the device handled everything I threw at it, from graphically intensive games like Death Stranding to video editing on Adobe Premiere Rush.

The A18 Pro breezed through it all without a hiccup, though the device did get a bit warm after extended gaming sessions. However, it was noticeably less warm than the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
For an extra test, I set both phones to record 4K videos for around 30 minutes. Then, using a laser thermometer, I recorded how warm both devices got over the area where the processor sits. The iPhone 16 Pro Max was between 3-4c cooler than the 15 Pro Max.

While competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL offer up to 12GB of RAM, Apple sticks with 8GB in the iPhone 16 Pro Max. However, Apple’s custom optimization ensures the device runs incredibly smoothly, even when handling demanding tasks or multitasking. Storage options start at 256GB and go all the way up to 1TB, providing plenty of space for apps, games, photos, and videos.

Cameras

• 48Mp main camera, 48Mp ultrawide, 12Mp 5x telephoto
• Camera Control button offers gesture-based camera controls
• 4K 120fps slow-motion video, and new AI audio features

Apple has always placed a strong emphasis on photography, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max is no different. While the camera specs may seem familiar, Apple has introduced some major hardware and software upgrades that make this one of the most powerful camera systems available.

The 48Mp Fusion camera and 48Mp ultrawide camera are the stars of the show here. Apple has upgraded the sensor behind the main camera, enabling faster autofocus and improved low-light performance. Even in challenging lighting conditions, the iPhone 16 Pro Max captures impressive detail without oversaturating colours or introducing noise.

The ultrawide lens, which has been upgraded to 48Mp for the first time, offers sharper, clearer photos at wide angles. This is particularly useful for landscapes, architecture shots, or group photos. The improved macro capabilities also stand out, making it easier to capture tiny details without sacrificing quality.

The 12MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom also features so-called tetraprism technology, which helps to ensure minimal distortion, even at higher zoom levels. While this was exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max last year, this time around it is also available on the smaller iPhone 16 Pro.

I found the zoom performance to be excellent, especially when taking photos of distant subjects, where the image stabilisation helped keep everything crisp and steady. Compared to competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, which offers a higher zoom range, the iPhone still holds its own with superior colour accuracy and dynamic range.

Battery Life & Charging

• Long-lasting battery life of 14-16 hours with typical use
• Apple has stayed quiet on the mAh number
• Faster MagSafe charging and Qi2 support

Apple has significantly improved the battery life in the iPhone 16 Pro Max, thanks to both hardware and software advancements. Even with the larger 6.9-inch display, the battery life is excellent, and I consistently got 14 to 16 hours of regular use on a single charge.

In fact, when trying to deplete the battery in order to test the charging speeds (see below), I actually found it difficult to run the battery down to 0. A combination of gaming, filming, and gaming managed to do the trick – but it was no easy feat.

Of course, Apple won’t tell us the exact mAh figure of the battery, though GSMArena estimates it to be 4685mAh. However, the brand does claim that this is the biggest battery ever seen in an iPhone. So far, that seems true, and my results line up with Apple’s estimates.

This all-day battery performance is primarily due to the power efficiency of the A18 Pro chip, which optimises power consumption during less demanding tasks. Whether I was streaming video, using GPS for navigation, or taking photos throughout the day, the phone easily made it to the evening with battery to spare.

Apple has also enhanced MagSafe charging, which is now faster than ever before. Apple claims the phone can charge up to 50% in 30 minutes using a 30W charger, which is impressive for a battery of this size. In my testing, it beat that, getting from 0-50% in 28 minutes. Also, this year the USB-C port has been bumped up to Thunderbolt 4, enabling faster data transfer.

It also supports Qi2 wireless charging, making it future-proof as more third-party charging pads adopt this new standard. Though USB-C is now standard for charging, the iPhone 16 Pro Max can also be used to charge other devices, like AirPods or an Apple Watch, through reverse wireless charging.

Should you buy the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
The iPhone 16 Pro Max builds on what Apple does best – elegant design, powerful performance, and excellent cameras.

The introduction of Apple Intelligence and the Camera Control button makes this phone especially appealing to photographers and those interested in AI-enhanced functionality. The 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen is the best Apple has ever produced, while the A18 Pro chip ensures that the phone is future-proof for years to come.

However, the full potential of Apple’s AI features is not yet available, and with many features not launching until later in the year, some users may want to wait.