By Holly, Mozillion Team
The latest iPhone 15 Pro Max brings some upgrades but is it enough versus last year’s model?
The Pro Max model of the iPhone series is always the Michael Jordan of Apple’s lineup so how have they given it allstar power this time? Main changes from the iPhone 14 Pro Max are the overall build (more on that Titanium body shortly), the Action button, upgraded processor, new 5x zoom lens, USB Type C instead of Lightning and no more 128GB entry option.
Build & Design | iPhone 15 Pro Max vs 14 Pro Max
The 15 Pro Max is made out of titanium and aluminium. Titanium is a rare and premium metal that is highly resistant to chemical attacks. It also has the highest strength to weight ratio of any metal. This is the reason it is so sought after and the reason that the iPhone 15 Pro Max is now made from it.
The titanium frame not only looks good but also gives the phone a lighter feel while still being tough. Compare this to the stainless steel frame of the iPhone 14 Pro Max and you’ll certainly notice the weight difference. Additionally, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is ever-so-slightly smaller since it has thinner bezels around the display, thus a slightly higher screen-to-body ratio.
However, it’s worth noting that the 14 Pro Max is slightly thinner than the new model, by 0.4mm – could be important to those of you that like their skinny jeans.
Action Button or Mute Switch?
The iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max have essentially the same power and volume buttons in the same place doing the same thing, but the iPhone 15 Po Max has a new Action button that replaces the mute switch found on the 14 Pro Max and it is customisable which is rather exciting. It can carry out actions such as open apps, Siri shortcuts, flashlight, camera and focus modes to name a few – oh and of course, mute.
Display | iPhone 15 Pro Max vs 14 Pro Max
The OLED screens on both models are pretty similar (and actually made by Samsung, shhhh).
The revelation of Dynamic Island, which was launched with the iPhone 14 Pro models last year, was a big talking point. Both Pro Max models feature Dyanamic Island and it works the same way on both phones, albeit with some new features thanks to iOS 17.
A 120Hz refresh rate on both models ensures silky smooth scrolling and both have 2000 nit max brightness – good for when you’re outside using your phone.
Night Shift and True Tone is still present, adjusting the display dynamically to make it easier on your eyes.
Both Pro Max models have a 6.7 inch screen size, with the same 1290×2796 resolution. You’re unlikely to be disappointed with either model when it comes to display as they’re nearly identical in every way.
Processor | iPhone 15 Pro Max vs 14 Pro Max
An impressive smartphone chipset or processor isn’t just about power but also about efficiency. Rather excitingly, not only is the A17 Pro chipset under the hood of the iPhone 15 Pro Max the best processor you can now get for an iPhone but it is also a bit of a record breaker. It fits 19 billion transistors in it and performs 18% more operations per second than the A16 Bionic found inside the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
However, it should be noted that the iPhone 14 Pro Max is also ridiculously fast compared with similar smartphones in this price range, powerful and efficient and unless you want to run NASA from your smartphone you should be more than ok for anything and everything that you want to do on your phone for a good few years.
For the gamers out there though, the A17 Pro chip is important. It means the iPhone can run more powerful and graphically intensive games than ever before, including ray tracing support – you’ll start to see more console games make their way over to the 15 Pro Max as Apple looks to take a bigger chunk of the gaming market. Resident Evil: Village and Assain’s Creed: Mirage are both coming to the iPhone 15 Pro series.
Camera | iPhone 15 Pro Max vs 14 Pro Max
While the main camera remains the same for the iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max at 48MP, there are changes in the image processing power. With upgraded Photonic Engine and HDR pipelines, Apple is promising better detail, better low light performance, and more accurate skintones. Plus, the iPhone 15 Pro Max now has pixel binning technology and shoots 24 MP photos by default whereas the iPhone 14 Pro Max defaults at 12 MP.
The standout feature of the 15 Pro Max versus the 14 Pro Max though (and indeed the 15 Pro) is the new 5x optical zoom which lets you zoom in closer on subjects than ever before. Apple uses software magic to make sure the 1x to 4.9x zoom range doesn’t lose any quality and the new lens also allows for a digital zoom of up to 25x. In comparison, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has a 3x telephoto lens and caps out at 15x total digital zoom.
Is this worth the upgrade – well that depends on how much zooming you like to do. Without using the new 5x zoom, the photo quality of both models is very similar – and by that we mean they’re both excellent.
Battery & Charging | iPhone 15 Pro Max vs 14 Pro Max
USB-C charging. That’s the headline change here, with Apple binning the Lightning cable and port for the same type of charging port as most other phones nowadays.
In reality, once you have the new cable (and USB-C plug you’ll need), day-to-day it won’t change your life, although it’s no doubt more convenient being able to use the same cable as non-Apple devices.
Battery-life is similar on both models, you’ll get a good day at least out of them on a single charge depending on how much you use them of course.
Fast-charging is supported on both models – 20W for wired and 15W with MagSafe chargers.
Summary | iPhone 15 Pro Max vs 14 Pro Max
So the main differences between the two flagship devices are subtle but poignant depending on who’s asking. If you are someone that wants the latest and the greatest in terms of processor, and that new 5x zoom is important to you, then the iPhone 15 Pro Max is for you.
Whether you’re happy with stainless steel, or now want a titanium build will also be a factor, but personally I don’t think that’s a reason to pick one over the other – in day to day use it’s such a minor difference.
If you are already the very content owner of an iPhone 14 Pro Max, you are already experiencing most of what the Pro Max has to offer currently. If you are new to the iPhone or Pro party, or you’re coming from an older iPhone, then the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max are very similar, although one notably costs a lot less – especially if you buy it refurbished.