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Apple launched four iPhone 15 models quite recently. We’ve already compared the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, two smaller handsets. Well, it’s time to pay some attention to the big boys now. In this article, we’ll compare the Apple iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 15 Pro Max. Do note that the comparison is based on the information Apple provided, and initial hands-ons. We did not get a chance to review either device, nobody has at the time of writing this article.
That being said, we’ll first list the specs of both phones, and will then compare their designs, displays, and much more. Both of these phones are truly large, and both have been noticeably upgraded compared to their predecessors. In fact, many would say that the ‘Plus’ got a more significant upgrade. We’ll let you be the judge of that, and do hope this comparison will help you make a purchasing decision.
Specs
Apple iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 15 Pro Max, respectively
– Screen size:
6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display (60Hz, HDR, 2,000 nits)
6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion (120Hz, HDR, 2,000 nits)
– Display resolution:
2796 x 1290
– SoC:
Apple A16 Bionic
Apple A17 Pro
– RAM:
6GB
8GB
– Storage:
128GB/256GB/512GB
256GB/512GB/1TB
– Rear cameras:
48MP (f/1.6 aperture, sensor-shift OIS), 12MP (ultrawide, f/2.4 aperture)
48MP (f/1.78 aperture, second-gen sensor-shift OIS), 12MP (ultrawide, f/2.2 aperture, macro photography), 12MP (telephoto, f/2.8 aperture, 5x optical zoom)
– Front cameras:
12MP (f/1.9 aperture) + TrueDepth
12MP (f/1.9 aperture) + TrueDepth
– Battery:
N/A
– Charging:
20W wired, 15W wireless (charger not included)
– Dimensions (unfolded):
160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8mm
159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25mm
– Weight:
201 grams
221 grams
– Connectivity:
5G, LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.3
– Security:
Advanced facial scanning
– OS:
iOS 17
– Price:
$899
$1,199
– Buy:
N/A (coming September 15)
Apple iPhone 15 Plus vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max: Design
Both of these phones do look quite similar to their predecessors, but there are some differences. The iPhone 15 Plus has slightly thinner bezels, while it also received a Dynamic Island. The iPhone 15 Pro Max has noticeably thinner bezels, even thinner than the ‘Plus’, while it also has a Titanium frame now. Both smartphones include a Type-C port at the bottom now, and both have a changed frame which now feels better in the hand. The edges are not as sharp as they used to be. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is also considerably lighter than its predecessor, but noticeably heavier than the iPhone 15 Plus. Both phones cross the 200-gram level, however.
The two phones are quite similar in terms of dimensions. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is slightly narrower and shorter, while it’s also a bit thicker. From the front, they look almost identical, but the Pro Max has thinner bezels. On the back, you’ll notice an extra camera on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. That model also has an Action Button on the left, while the iPhone 15 Plus includes a mute switch.
Both smartphones fit a lot better in the hand than their predecessors. They’re more comfortable to hold and use. What’s especially noticeable is the lighter body of the ‘Pro Max’ model. You’ll also be glad to hear that both smartphones come with IP68 certification for water and dust resistance. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the only one that supports USB 3.0 transfer speeds, but you’ll need to get a new cable for that. The included one supports 2.0 only.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max: Display
Both of these devices include 6.7-inch panels, but they’re not the same. Truth be said, both are flat, and both are Super Retina XDR OLED displays with a 2796 x 1290 pixels resolution. The thing is, the iPhone 15 Pro Max comes with a ProMotion display. In other words, it supports a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, while the iPhone 15 Plus is limited to a 60Hz display, unfortunately.
Both displays go all the way up to 2,000 nits when it comes to peak brightness. Both offer great contrast ratio, and very good touch response. The viewing angles are also really good on both, at least based on initial hands-ons. A Dynamic Island is present on both displays, as you can see, and it seems to be the same on both of them. 3D facial scanning tech is hidden in it, as is the phone’s front-facing camera.
So, what are the advantages of the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s display? Well, the refresh rate we’ve mentioned, and it also offers the Always-On Display (AOD) functionality. That is something the iPhone 15 Plus does not support. Other than that, these two panels are basically on the same level.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max: Performance
The iPhone 15 Plus is fueled by the Apple A16 Bionic processor. That is the same processor that sits inside the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. The phone also comes with 6GB of RAM. The iPhone 15 Pro Max, on the other hand, includes the brand new Apple A17 Pro chip. Apple also placed 8GB of RAM inside of this phone. So, on paper, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the more powerful phone, of course.
That is a 6-core CPU, which includes a 6-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine. The Apple A16 Bonic has a similar setup, but it has a 5-core GPU. The day-to-day performance difference won’t exactly be noticeable, but the new chip can run more powerful games, which Apple announced during its keynote. That part actually managed to surprise quite a few people. We’ll have to wait until the review, but this chip does look quite promising, and we’re expecting big things from it.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max: Battery
What about their batteries? Well, we don’t have any battery info at this point. Apple also didn’t really boast about the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s battery life during the keynote. What it did mention is that the iPhone 15 series offers all-day battery life, referring to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. We do hope that Apple made some improvements in that regard, though, as the iPhone 14 Pro models weren’t exactly great in the battery life department.
Charging is a different story, though, that info we do have. Both smartphones support 20W wired, and 15W wireless charging. MagSafe and Qi wireless charging are supported, and Qi2 will be as well. Apple says that you can charge up both phones to 50% in about 35 minutes. Reaching a full charge will take a lot more than that. Also, a charger is not included in the box with either of the two phones. You do get a Type-C to Type-C cable, though.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max: Cameras
The iPhone 15 Plus got a considerable camera upgrade this year. It jumped from a 12-megapixel main camera to a 48-megapixel camera, as it basically got the iPhone 14 Pro’s setup. That main camera has an f/1.6 aperture, and sensor-shift OIS is also a part of the package. There is also a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera (f/2.4 aperture) included on the back.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max also has a 48-megapixel main camera, but with a larger sensor and a second-gen sensor-shift OIS. That camera has an f/1.78 aperture. The second camera on the back is a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera (f/2.2 aperture). The ‘Pro Max’ also has a third camera back there, a 12-megapixel telephoto unit (f/2.8 aperture), with an optical zoom of up to 5x, which is a first for an iPhone.
We can’t really judge the performance of these cameras just yet, but we do know they also come with some interesting improvements. You’ll be able to change the focus of an image after you take it, without manually going to ‘Portrait Mode’. Apple also has a new coating for light reflections on the Pro Max, which should result in better low-light images and video. All in all, both setups do look promising, but especially the one on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Audio
Apple didn’t really focus on audio at all during its keynote. What we do know, however, is that both smartphones have stereo speakers. They both support Dolby Atmos, and Spatial Audio playback. The audio output will likely be similar to what their predecessors offer.
Neither phone has a 3.5mm headphone jack. You’ll have to use their Type-C ports for wired audio connections. If you prefer wireless, however, do note that both smartphones support Bluetooth 5.3.