The iPhone 15 Pro Max has captured the attention of techies since its September 2023 release, promising ground-breaking innovations. A telephoto zoom that equaled professional cameras(as described), a game-changing Action Button, and a USB-C connection for seamless connectivity were just a few of the features that raised expectations. But now that it’s been used extensively for five months, it’s time to go over the initial excitement and provide an objective evaluation.
This review examines my hands-on experience with the Pro Max and critically evaluates its advantages and disadvantages. I’ve put the phone through its paces, testing its processing prowess on demanding video edits and using the improved camera to get amazing landscape shots. Did the Pro Max meet or surpass early expectations in terms of borrowed features and design choices?
Come along as we take a comprehensive look at the iPhone 15 Pro Max, highlighting not only its striking features but also the finer points that truly characterize its user experience.
Also Read Our Detailed Review of iPhone 15 & iPhone 15+!
iPhone 15 Pro Max Specfications
First of all, let me give you an overview of iphone 15 pro max. In the below mentioned table, all the specifications are listed. Go thru them and after that we will discuss some standout features that I felt truly stands out.
| CATEGORY | SPECIFICATION |
|---|---|
| NETWORK | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| LAUNCH | Announced: 2023, September 12 Released: 2023, September 22 |
| BODY | Dimensions: 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) Weight: 221 g (7.80 oz) Build: Glass front (Corning-made glass), glass back (Corning-made glass), titanium frame (grade 5) SIM: Nano-SIM and eSIM – International Dual eSIM with multiple numbers – USA Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) – China IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) |
| DISPLAY | Type: LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM) Size: 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) Resolution: 1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) Protection: Ceramic Shield glass Always-On display |
| PLATFORM | OS: iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 17.3 Chipset: Apple A17 Pro (3 nm) CPU: Hexa-core (2×3.78 GHz + 4×2.11 GHz) GPU: Apple GPU (6-core graphics) |
| MEMORY | Card slot: No Internal: 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM NVMe |
| MAIN CAMERA | Triple *48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28″, 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS *12 MP, f/2.8, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.06″, 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 5x optical zoom *12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF *TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) Features: Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) Video: 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, Cinematic mode (4K@24/30fps), 3D (spatial) video, stereo sound rec. |
| SELFIE CAMERA | Single 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6″, PDAF, OIS SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) Features: HDR, Cinematic mode (4K@24/30fps) Video: 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| SOUND | Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers 3.5mm jack: No |
| COMMS | WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, hotspot Bluetooth: 5.3, A2DP, LE Positioning: GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC NFC: Yes Radio: No USB: USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort |
| FEATURES | Sensors: Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer Ultra Wideband 2 (UWB) support Emergency SOS via satellite (SMS sending/receiving) |
| BATTERY | Type: Li-Ion 4441 mAh, non-removable Charging: Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min (advertised) *15W wireless (MagSafe) *15W wireless (Qi2) – requires iOS 17.2 update *4.5W reverse wired |
| MISC | Colors: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium Models: A2849, A3105, A3106, A3108, iPhone16,2 SAR: 1.07 W/kg (head), 1.11 W/kg (body) SAR EU: 0.98 W/kg (head), 0.98 W/kg (body) Price: ₹ 156,900 / $ 1,129.00 / £ 1,078.16 / € 1,299.00 |
| TESTS | Performance: AnTuTu: 1487203 (v10) GeekBench: 7237 (v6.0) Display: Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Loudspeaker: -24.5 LUFS (Very good) Battery (new): Active use score 16:01h Battery (old): Endurance rating 118h |
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Let Us Find Where Does iPhone 15 Pro Max Stand?
Now that you are known to the specifications of iPhone 15 pro max, let us start the comprehensive review of its key specifications.
iPhone 15 Pro Max Design & Display
With a few minor adjustments, the overall design idea of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is still present. In comparison to its weighty predecessor, a titanium frame with narrower bezels and subtly rounded corners adds a touch of elegance and saves valuable grams. Although I think the new brushed titanium tones are a little too subtle, the phone has a high-end feel to it, which is further emphasized by its pleasant grip. Fortunately, the key IP68 classification for water and dust resistance is still present.
But one significant modification is the absence of the cherished mute slider. A customizable Action button has taken the place of this recognizable tactile toggle—a minor design change with big usage ramifications. The Action button is customizable and allows you to launch shortcuts and perform smart home functions, but I miss the fast visual indication and ease of use that the mute slider provided. Although Apple offers haptic feedback and a quiet symbol, I think an AoD indicator would make a big difference in the user experience.
Positively, the Action button functions as a handy shutter key in the camera app. By facilitating rapid execution and providing a preview of future possibilities, it appeals to power users. Even though I long for a dedicated mute switch, I can accept the compromise in exchange for such cutting-edge functionality. Still, I wish there was even more functionality, such as the ability to designate distinct functions for the double- and triple-presses, the ability to keep the long press for silent mode, and the addition of a quick double press for the camera.
Super Retina XDR OLED Display
The magnificent 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display is still a gem, offering remarkable graphics with its 120Hz refresh rate, high resolution, and immersive features like True Tone, AoD, and HDR. The front camera is perfectly integrated into the Dynamic Island, which makes for a great overall viewing experience. Essentially, the iPhone 15 Pro Max embraces innovation while refining a well-known design, providing an appealing package for both functionality and aesthetics.
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iPhone 15 Pro Max: Performance & Software
This year’s Pro models include the all-new Apple A17 Pro, which drops the “Bionic” moniker and boasts a first-in-industry 3nm production technology. This corresponds to 10% higher raw performance and a 20% increase in GPU power, thanks to its six high-performance cores clocked at 3.78 GHz and a new Apple-designed GPU. Gamers rejoice! Hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading enable immersive AAA titles, as described in our performance section. RAM is increased to 8GB, allowing for smoother multitasking.
Attention content creators
USB 3.2 Gen 2 and DisplayPort! The A17 Pro supports USB 3.2 Gen 2, allowing for blazing-fast 10Gbps transfer speeds, excellent for transferring large ProRes video files directly to an external SSD. This outperforms iPhone 15 models and even Android flagships. DisplayPort compatibility allows you to mirror 4K HDR content onto compatible screens. However, the provided braided cable is limited to USB 2.0 speeds, requiring a separate purchase to achieve full capability.
Battery and iOS 17
Fortunately, the Pro Max keeps its 4,441mAh battery despite the faster processor. The charging choices are 20W cable, 15W MagSafe, and 7.5W Qi wireless charging.
iOS 17 provides a familiar experience, with Dynamic Island still awaiting additional app integration outside native iOS apps. New backgrounds like Weather and Astronomy add individuality, and StandBy glows on the Always-On display (unique to Pro models).
Action Button
The Action Button replaces the famous mute switch and provides a pleasing click and haptic feedback. While Shortcuts allow for customization, it presently only supports one function at a time. I generally used the typical ringer/silent mode, although shortcuts like taking notes were beneficial. I hope that Apple will enable short and long-press actions in the future to preserve core functionality while unlocking shortcut possibilities.
This look at the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max’s major features indicates a compelling upgrade path for power users and multimedia makers. Stay tuned for in-depth looks at specific topics such as camera performance and gaming in our next parts!
The Effects Of 3nm Processor In Heavy Tasking
The iPhone 15 Pro Max dominated its tests! It received good scores on AnTuTu and Geekbench(refer to the table), demonstrating its ability to do any task quickly. It even passed graphics testing, running demanding games seamlessly.
AAA Gaming on the Go (with a Catch)
Do you remember those fantastic, realistic games you played on consoles? Some of them now work with the iPhone 15 Pro Max! But here’s the thing: a controller is nearly essential because the phone screen is smaller and there are so many buttons to remember. Due to the smaller screen size, the graphics will not be as impressive as they would be on consoles. But it’s still very great! If you have the necessary equipment, this phone can also connect to a large screen for a more console-like experience. Time will tell if AAA gaming on iPhones takes off, but the Pro Max certainly has the power.
Everyday Games and Applications? No Sweat!
Regular games, such as Call of Duty: Mobile and Asphalt 9: Legends, operate seamlessly on the Pro Max, with no lag or overheating. Even basic phone tasks such as browsing the web or using apps are quick and simple, though it did feel a little warm at times. Taking a lot of shots or films in the sun can make it hot, but it has never slowed down or crashed on me.
Sharp Screen, Long Battery (But Not for AAA Gaming)
The Pro Max’s display is excellent, displaying colors exactly as they appear in real life. It’s ideal for watching videos and playing games, especially with its incredibly smooth refresh rate. The battery lasts around a day and a half with normal use, however playing AAA games drains it faster. On a regular workday, I had about 40-50% battery left at the end. Charging is similar to last year’s model: it reaches 50% in 30 minutes and takes 2 hours to fully charge, which is slower than some other phones.
Overall, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is a powerful phone capable of handling most tasks, including some incredible new AAA games (with a controller). However, the battery life isn’t ideal for heavy gaming, and charging is somewhat slow.
Finally The Camera – For What It Is Known For
The primary attraction is the new 48MP sensor, which takes excellent 24MP photos as standard. Bonus points for pros: it can convert to broader focal lengths, however their utility may be speculative. The ultra-wide lens remains outstanding, but the big news is the Pro Max’s 5x optical zoom (finally!), which allows you to capture distant details with stunning clarity.
Another game changer: you can now shoot portrait photographs right from the main camera mode, eliminating the need to switch! This means you can collect depth information when taking any photo, giving you the option of adding bokeh later. Apple also claims improvements across the board, including improved low-light performance and a new anti-reflective coating for the ultra-wide lens. The selfie camera also receives an upgrade, with auto portrait mode and improved dynamic range.
Furthermore, The Cinematic mode now enables 3x zoom, and the iPhone 15 Pro models are the first to include ACES color encoding, which is a professional standard. But the most significant advantage is the ability to record ProRes 4K60 footage directly to an external SSD, due to the new USB-C interface. This opens up tremendous storage potential for pros.
So, how do the photographs look? Simply fantastic. In practically every case, the iPhone 15 Pro Max outperforms its competitors, producing crisp, colorful photographs with minimum distortion. Whether it’s low-light images, portraits, telephoto zooms, or wide-angle landscapes, this phone is an excellent pocket camera.
However, perfection is usually accompanied by a disclaimer. While the iPhone 15 Pro Max outperforms in most situations, the Pixel 8 Pro edges it out somewhat in daytime photography.
The Verdict
Let’s face it: iPhones aren’t getting cheaper. With rising prices and a new “Pro Max” category this year, Apple’s top-of-the-line product may appear out of reach for many. But is all this just a price increase, or does the iPhone 15 Pro Max genuinely justify its high price?
Sure, the value proposition could be questionable, especially if you already own last year’s Pro. However, the improvements are undeniable: a lighter design, a stunning camera (particularly with its amazing telephoto zoom), and sheer power unleashed by a brand-new processor. Despite the extra price, these benefits are difficult to pass up.
But agian here’s the catch: Apple isn’t simply targeting pros with the Pro Max this year. The emphasis has changed to AAA games, a lighter design, and even a customizable Action Button, making it appealing to non-professionals who would generally avoid the more expensive versions.
So, what’s the verdict? The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a powerhouse with significant enhancements. Your finances and priorities will determine if it is worthwhile to splurge. If you want the best Apple experience and these innovations really thrill you, go for it! However, if you’re satisfied with your current iPhone or prefer value over cutting-edge capabilities, you could be better off waiting. Remember that there’s always a wonderful iPhone waiting for you, regardless of price.