Apple iPhone 16 PRO MAX iPhone 16 Pro Max Review
Apple's latest flagship phone delivers incredible performance and camera quality, but its poor battery life makes it a tough sell for the price.
The 30-Second Version
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a killer camera and the fastest chip you can get. But its battery life is shockingly bad for the price. Only consider it if you're glued to Apple and don't mind carrying a charger.
Overview
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is Apple's biggest, most powerful phone, and it's built for people who want the absolute best camera and performance. It's got a massive 6.9-inch screen, a 1TB storage option, and the new A18 Pro chip that sits in the 99th percentile for raw speed. But you're paying flagship prices for a phone that, in our database, has a glaring weakness.
Performance
The A18 Pro chip is a monster. It's in the 99th percentile for performance, so everything from gaming to video editing feels instant. The triple 48MP camera system is also top-tier, landing in the 91st percentile. The lowlight? That battery score. At 39th percentile, it's a serious weak spot for a phone this expensive and powerful. You'll likely be hunting for a charger by late afternoon.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The A18 Pro chip is blisteringly fast for any task. 99th
- The 48MP triple-camera system takes stunning, detailed photos. 97th
- The 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display is huge and vibrant. 92th
- Build quality is exceptional, with an IP68 rating and premium feel. 91th
Cons
- Battery life is surprisingly poor for a phone this size and price. 6th
- It's extremely expensive, especially at the 1TB configuration.
- The large size and 227g weight make it a handful to use.
- It runs iPadOS 18, which seems to be a spec sheet error for iOS.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Screen Size | 6.9 |
| Resolution | 2868-by-1320-pixel |
Performance
| Processor | A18 Pro chip |
| Processor Model | Apple A18 Pro |
| CPU Cores | 6 |
| Storage | 1 TB |
Camera
| Main Camera | 48 |
| Video | 8K |
| OIS | Yes |
Connectivity
| 5G | Yes |
| SIM | eSIM |
| eSIM | Yes |
Design & Build
| Water Resistance | IP68 |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.5 lbs |
| Face Recognition | Yes |
| OS | iPadOS 18 |
Value & Pricing
At $1299, the value proposition is tough. You're paying for peak Apple performance and camera tech, which is undeniable. But when the battery life scores in the bottom half of all phones we track, it's hard to call this a good value. You're making a serious compromise on a core daily function for the privilege of having the latest specs.
Price History
vs Competition
Compared to the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE or Google Pixel 10, the iPhone 16 Pro Max wins on pure processor power and maybe camera consistency. But both of those competitors will almost certainly smoke it in battery life. The OnePlus 15 offers similar flagship performance for hundreds less, though you lose the iOS ecosystem. This iPhone is for the Apple loyalist who prioritizes camera and speed over everything else, including battery.
| Spec | Apple iPhone 16 PRO MAX iPhone 16 Pro Max | Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26 SM-S948UZKAXAA | Google Google Pixel 10 GA09899-US | OnePlus OnePlus 15 5011116281 | Motorola Moto G PB6V0014US | Apple Unlocked iPhone 15/15 Plus MTLY3LL/A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.9 | 6.9 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 6.7 | 6.1 |
| Display Type | — | OLED | OLED | OLED | AMOLED | OLED |
| Refresh Rate | — | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 | 60 |
| Processor | Apple A18 Pro | Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | 3.78 GHz | 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon® 6 Gen 3 Mobile Platform | A16 |
| RAM (GB) | — | 12 | 16 | — | 8 | — |
| Storage (GB) | 1024 | 256 | 256 | 512 | 1024 | 128 |
| Rear Camera Mp | 48 | 200 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 48 |
| Front Camera Mp | — | 12 | 42 | 32 | 32 | — |
| Battery Capacity Mah | — | 5000 | 4870 | 7300 | 5000 | — |
| Charging Wattage | — | 60 | — | — | 68 | — |
| Wireless Charging | — | true | false | — | true | — |
| Five (g) | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP69 | IP68 | — |
| Operating System | iPadOS 18 | Android 16 | Android 16 | Android 16 | Android 15 | iPadOS 17 |
Common Questions
Q: How bad is the battery life really?
Our data puts it in the 39th percentile, which means most phones last longer. With a powerful chip and big screen, expect to need a charge during a heavy use day.
Q: Is the 1TB of storage worth it?
Only if you shoot tons of 8K video or have an enormous media library. For most people, a lower storage tier saves significant money.
Q: Does it support physical SIM cards?
The spec sheet lists eSIM only for connectivity, so you'll need to check with your carrier to switch to an eSIM plan.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if battery life is a priority. If you need a phone that lasts all day and then some, look at a Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel. Also, if you're on a budget, the price tag here is brutal for the battery performance you get.
Verdict
Buy this if you're an Apple power user who needs the absolute best camera and processor, you're always near an outlet or a battery pack, and money is no object. For everyone else, the battery life is a deal-breaker that makes it hard to recommend.