Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max MU6R3VC/A Natural Titanium 256GB

The iPhone 15 Pro Max offers strong A17 Pro performance and a premium titanium design, but our database shows its display, camera, and battery lag far behind modern competition. With only 4G connectivity, it's a tough sell at $830 unless you're deeply tied to iOS and can overlook its shortcomings.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max might be a couple of years old, but the A17 Pro chip still packs a punch. At $830 for a 256GB model, it's not the newest kid on the block, but it's a tempting entry point into Apple's big-screened Pro tier. The titanium frame and matte-glass back feel premium in hand, and the customizable Action button is a nice touch. But before you jump, you should know that our database paints a surprising picture for a phone that once sat at the top of the market. When you're shopping for an unlocked iPhone 15 Pro Max, you're probably wondering if it's still good for photography, gaming, or daily use. The short answer: it depends on what you're willing to give up. Our testing shows the performance is well above average, ranking in the 76th percentile of all phones we've tracked. That means it handles apps and games without breaking a sweat. However, nearly every other aspect falls short when stacked against modern competitors, including the display, camera, and battery. This model also lacks 5G, which is a pretty glaring omission if you plan to keep the phone for a few years. If you're coming from an older iPhone and just want a big screen with solid speed, it might still fit the bill. But the numbers don't lie—this is a flagship that's been lapped in several key areas.

The A17 Pro chip is this phone's saving grace. In our database, it sits in the 76th percentile for raw speed, which translates to snappy app launches, smooth multitasking, and gaming that rarely stutters. You won't find a game it can't run, and video editing or 4K playback is no problem. While we don't have exact CPU benchmarks for this unit, the percentile ranking tells us it outpaced three-quarters of the phones we've tested, including many newer midrangers. That said, performance doesn't exist in a vacuum. The phone's 4G-only connectivity means you'll be waiting on network speeds that can bottleneck online gaming or hefty downloads. For offline stuff, though, this thing is quick. The heat management is decent under load, but don't expect marathon gaming sessions without the battery dipping fast.

At $830, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is cheaper than its original launch price, but you're still paying a lot for an aging flagship with some serious compromises. If you absolutely need a big iPhone and can live with 4G, this is the cheapest way into the Pro Max lineup. But alternatives like the OnePlus 15 or even a new Pixel 10 Pro XL offer modern connectivity, sharper cameras, and better displays for not much more. The refurbished market sweetens the deal a bit—buyers often report getting a nearly flawless device at a discount—but you're still investing in a phone that feels dated in more ways than one.

The elephant in the room is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. It matches the A17 Pro in grunt and adds a stunning display, versatile camera array, and full 5G, all while often being available at competitive prices. Google's Pixel 10 Pro XL takes a different route with cleaner software and some of the best computational photography we've seen, leaving the iPhone 15 Pro Max in the dust when it comes to low-light shots. The ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro runs circles around it for gaming with a high-refresh display and beefy cooling, though that's a niche pick. Even the budget-leaning Motorola G Stylus gives you 5G and a stylus for a fraction of the cost, highlighting how much you sacrifice by sticking with this iPhone. The OnePlus 15 is another strong contender that just feels more modern overall. If you're set on iOS, the 15 Pro Max is your only big-screen option at this price tier, but the competition has moved on.

Skip the iPhone 15 Pro Max if you rely on 5G for work or travel, need a camera that reliably nails low-light and zoom shots, or want a battery that easily lasts a full day. It's also a poor fit for gamers who play online heavily, given the connectivity bottleneck. Anyone who values a great display should look at the Pixel 10 Pro XL or Galaxy S26 Ultra instead. If you just want a big-screen iPhone and don't care about the latest bells and whistles, a used or refurbished 14 Pro Max will save you even more cash with similar real-world tradeoffs.

Should you buy the iPhone 15 Pro Max? Only if you're locked into Apple's world and find a killer deal. The A17 Pro keeps things fluid, and 256GB is plenty of room, but the missing 5G, weak battery, and disappointing camera scores make it hard to recommend for most people. It's a solid phone in a vacuum, but the value just isn't there when you look at what else you can get. If you need a big iPhone and don't care about 5G or cutting-edge photography, you might be happy. For everyone else, there are better ways to spend $800.