iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max have brought the best of Apple smartphone performance and design with them when they were launched in the market. However, the decision between the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max is not as straightforward as it used to be – between choosing a device with a smaller or a larger screen. Apple has made some notable changes between these two models other than their size for the first time since the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Let’s dive into this guide and find out what is the difference between iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Specifications
| iPhone 15 Pro | iPhone 15 Pro Max | |
| Size | 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25mm (5.77 x 2.78 x 0.32 inches) | 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm (6.29 x 3.02 x 0.32 inches) |
| Weight | 187 grams (6.60 ounces) | 221 grams (7.81 ounces) |
| Screen | 6.1-inch always-on Super Retina XDR OLED with 120Hz ProMotion | 6.7-inch always-on Super Retina XDR OLED with 120Hz ProMotion |
| Screen resolution | 2556 x 1179 pixels at 460 pixels-per-inch | 2796 x 1290 pixels at 460 pixels-per-inch |
| Operating system | iOS 17 | iOS 17 |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| MicroSD card slot | No | No |
| Tap-to-pay services | Apple Pay | Apple Pay |
| Processor | Apple A17 Pro | Apple A17 Pro |
| Camera | Rear: 48-megapixel (MP) main camera (wide), 12MP Ultrawide, 12MP 3X telephoto, LiDAR Scanner Front: 12MP TrueDepth |
Rear: 48-megapixel (MP) main camera (wide), 12MP Ultrawide, 12MP 5X telephoto, LiDAR Scanner Front: 12MP TrueDepth |
| Video | 4K at 24/25/30/60 frames per second (fps) 1080p HD at 25/30/60 fps HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60fps Slow motion 1080p at 120/240 fps ProRes video recording up to 4K at 60fps with external recording Macro video recording |
4K at 24/25/30/60 frames per second (fps) 1080p HD at 25/30/60 fps HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60fps Slow motion 1080p at 120/240 fps ProRes video recording up to 4K at 60fps with external recording Macro video recording |
| Cellular | 5G mmWave (U.S. models only), 5G (sub-6GHz), Dual eSIM with Physical SIM on non-U.S. models only. | 5G mmWave (U.S. models only), 5G (sub-6GHz), Dual eSIM with Physical SIM on non-U.S. models only. |
| Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Ports | USB-C | USB-C |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Battery | Video playback: 20 to 23 hours Audio playback: 75 hours 20W fast charging |
Video playback: 25 to 29 hours Audio playback: 95 hours 20W fast charging |
| App marketplace | App Store | App Store |
| Network support | All major carriers | All major carriers |
| Colors | Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium | Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium |
Right now, these models are not available for purchase on the official Apple Store website. But you can always buy them on eBay or Amazon using the Qwintry service. The price difference between iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max averages from $50 for the 256GB models, and ranges from $839 to $989 approximately.
iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Design Difference
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are quite similar in terms of design – their frames are made of brushed titanium instead of stainless steel of previous models. This is due to the introduction of the titanium finish which provides both phones with a matte feel and reduces the number of fingerprints they are likely to attract while at the same time enhancing their elegance and durability. The titanium also helps with weight saving and both models are lighter than the previous iPhone 14 Pro models.
The iPhone 15 Pro measures of 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25 mm and weighs 187 grams while the iPhone 15 Pro Max is relatively bigger with dimensions of 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm and weighs 221 grams. Both models retain an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance up to 30 minutes at a depth of 6 meters. The general architecture is the same, but the design language is different. Thus, the iPhone 15 Pro Max feels more convenient because it has a larger display diagonal without being significantly larger, and lighter thanks to the use of titanium.
In short, the iPhone 15 Pro Max provides a more immersive experience in terms of screen size, and therefore should be a good fit for people who are in search of a larger screen, the iPhone 15 Pro on the other hand is more compact and portable.
iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Display Difference
Concerning the displays, the iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max are equipped with the same Super Retina XDR OLED with ProMotion. The display sizes are, however, different, the iPhone 15 Pro comes with 6.1 inch with pixel density of 2556 x 1179 pixels ( 460 ppi) while the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a slightly larger screen, 6.7 inch with pixel density of 2796 x 1290 ( 460 ppi).
Both screens can go up to a brightness of 2,000 nits in outdoor mode and support HDR content of up to 1,600 nits of brightness. The ProMotion technology they use is the ability to refresh the screen 10 times per second up to 120 times per second, which is perfect for scrolling while being energy efficient when the screen does not need it.
And if you opt for the iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, you will get one of the best screens any smartphone can offer in 2024. But the larger screen of the Pro Max makes it more attractive for those who use their phone to watch movies, edit photos or videos, or play games. This extra screen real estate gives a much better experience without any loss of image quality or density.
iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Performance Difference
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are both built around the Apple A17 Pro chip, which ditches the ‘Bionic’ moniker for ‘Pro’. The A17 Pro chip is a six core CPU that consists of two high performance cores and four high efficiency cores, and a six core GPU that supports hardware accelerated ray tracing and console grade gaming.
Such levels of performance are unattainable in any other mobile device, thus, iPhone 15 Pro series can run console games like Resident Evil Village and Assassin’s Creed Mirage you can buy on the App Store. As for the daily usage, both models will provide an incredible speed and smoothness when it comes to launching applications, using the web or switching between windows. This extra power of the A17 Pro chip is best felt in gaming and intensive applications, such as video editing or augmented reality. However, the iPhone 15 Pro Max seems to have a slight edge over the iPhone 15 Pro especially for gamers due to the larger screen which allows for more screen real estate for controls and graphics.
iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Battery Difference
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is slightly bigger than the iPhone 15 Pro, and this is where Apple has placed a larger battery and this results in better battery life than the iPhone 15 Pro. Apple approximates that the iPhone 15 Pro Max can deliver 29 hours of video playback and or 95 hours of audio playback, while the iPhone 15 Pro is capable of 23 hours of video playback and 75 hours of audio playback. While both models come with 20W wired charging and 15W wireless charging through MagSafe, the iPhone 15 Pro Max will let you go longer on a charge because of its larger battery size. For those who care about battery life – it is a big plus for those who travel a lot or have a job that requires using a phone for hours for video calls, watching videos or playing games – the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the winner here.
iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Camera Difference
You might be wondering whether the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max cameras are the same.
Well, the two models are equipped with high 48MP main cameras, 12MP ultra wide lenses, and 12MP front cameras. However, the main difference is the telephoto lens. The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a tetra-prism lens design that gives it a 5x optical zoom, the iPhone 15 Pro only has a 3x optical zoom.
The 5x optical zoom is the advantage for the Pro Max for those who appreciate photography, as well as for concerts, wildlife, or sports. The aperture of f/2.8 on the 5x zoom lens means that the iPhone 15 Pro Max is still good at low light even at the zoom in level.
So, the iPhone 15 Pro Max turns out to be the better option for those who need more flexibility in shooting. However, for most regular folks out there, the iPhone 15 Pro’s Camera system is one of the best money can buy to produce professional quality images and videos.
iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Which One to Get
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are two amazing smartphones that have taken the mobile technology to another level. If you want a larger screen, a stronger zoom lens, or longer battery life, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the winner. But if you want portability, using with one hand, it is ready to sacrifice battery life and the range of zoom in iPhone 15 Pro Max, the iPhone 15 Pro is still a contender. Altogether, the decision is based on your perceptual stance and requirements. The features of antenna positioning, a premium build, the best-in-class OLED display, and future-proof performance make even the lower-specced iPhone 15 Pro one of the best choices in the 2024 market. Whichever model you choose is more suitable for you, Qwintry will help you with delivery from the best stores at the most attractive prices.