In our comprehensive iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Plus specs comparison, we’re diving deep into what makes these two large-screen iPhones tick. You’re probably wondering if the pro model is truly worth the extra cash or if you should get the iPhone 16 Plus and save a few bucks.
We’ll look at everything from the screen size and refresh rate to the raw power of the A18 Pro chip, the incredible new camera control button, and, of course, the all-important battery life.
By the end of this, you’ll know exactly which of these iPhone 16 models belongs in your pocket. This is the only vs iPhone 16 guide you’ll need.
- STUNNING TITANIUM DESIGNiPhone 16 Pro Max has a strong and light titanium design with a larger 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display. Its remarkably durable with the latest-generation Ceramic Shield material thats 2x tougher than any smartphone glass.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCEApple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data.
- TAKE TOTAL CAMERA CONTROLCamera Control gives you an easier way to quickly access camera tools, like zoom or depth of field, so you can take the perfect shot in record time.
Display and Design: A Tale of Two Screens
When you put these two phones side-by-side, the first thing you’ll notice is the subtle but significant difference in size and feel.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max now boasts a massive 6.9-inch screen, making it the largest iPhone ever created. It’s framed in a stunning Grade 5 titanium that feels both premium and surprisingly light for its size, though it is heavier than the 16 Plus.
The bezels are slimmer than ever, making that gorgeous OLED screen feel truly immersive.
In contrast, the iPhone 16 Plus sticks with the familiar and beloved 6.7-inch display size, wrapped in a sleek aluminum frame.
While both phones can hit a dazzling 2000 nits of peak brightness outdoors, the real story is in the motion. The Pro Max sports ProMotion technology, delivering a silky-smooth variable refresh rate up to 120Hz, while the Plus remains at a standard 60Hz.
If you’ve ever used a 120Hz screen, you know that going back is tough; animations, scrolling, and gaming just feel more fluid.
The New Buttons
This year, Apple has blessed all iPhone 16 models with the Action button, replacing the old mute switch.
But the real game-changer is the new capacitive Camera Control button. This new addition is designed to mimic the feel of a real camera, allowing you to adjust zoom with a swipe and lock focus with a soft press.
It’s a small change that makes a huge impact on how you take photos and videos.
Performance: Is the A18 Pro a Must-Have?
Let’s talk about what’s under the hood.
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are powered by the beastly new A18 Pro chip, a piece of Apple Silicon built on a second-generation 3nm process. This isn’t just an incremental upgrade; Apple is touting a new 6-core CPU that’s 15% faster and a 6-core GPU that’s 20% faster than the chip in the iPhone 15 Pro.
This is the engine that will power the most demanding apps, high-end games with hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and of course, the new suite of Apple Intelligence features.
The iPhone 16 Plus, on the other hand, gets the standard A18 chip. Now, don’t get it twisted—this is still an incredibly fast processor that will handle almost anything you throw at it with ease.
For everyday use, you might not notice a massive difference. But for power users, content creators, and those who want their flagship phone to be future-proof for years to come, the A18 Pro in the pro and pro max models provides that extra headroom and efficiency.
The benchmark tests show a clear lead for the Pro Max, especially in graphics and AI tasks.
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arms length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arms length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 80% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
Camera System: The Pro Max Pulls Away
Here is where your decision might get a lot easier.
If photography and video recording are at the top of your list, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is in a league of its own. It features a revolutionary new camera system headlined by an upgraded 48MP main camera and a new 48MP ultrawide camera—a massive leap from the previous 12MP sensor.
This means sharper, more detailed wide-angle shots with much better low-light performance.
But the killer feature is the telephoto camera. The Pro Max boasts an incredible 5x optical zoom thanks to its advanced tetraprism lens design, letting you get incredibly close to your subjects without losing quality.
The iPhone 16 Plus has a very capable dual-camera setup with a new 48MP main camera that allows for a high-quality 2x digital zoom, but it completely lacks a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom.
For video, the Pro Max can shoot in stunning 4K at 120 frames per second, perfect for epic slow-motion, while the Plus maxes out at 4K 60fps. Both are great, but one is clearly built for the pros.
Apple ProRAW and ProRes Video
For those who want maximum camera control, the iPhone 16 Pro models offer ProRAW for photos and ProRes for video.
This gives you unparalleled flexibility in post-production, something you won’t find on the non-pro models. This is a critical distinction if you’re serious about content creation.
You can truly go pro with the editing capabilities this unlocks.
Battery Life and Charging: The All-Day Champion
For years, the Plus models have been known for their stellar battery life, but this year, the tables have turned.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the undisputed battery king. According to Apple’s own battery test data, the Pro Max can achieve up to 33 hours of offline video playback, compared to 27 hours for the iPhone 16 Plus.
That’s a significant difference.
In real-world use, that translates to the Pro Max lasting several hours longer, easily getting even the heaviest users through a full day and then some.
Both phones feature a USB-C port and support faster MagSafe wireless charging, but if you want the absolute best iPhone for endurance, the max model with its larger battery is the clear winner.
You can finally leave your battery pack at home, even on long days.
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arms length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arms length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 80% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence
Every model in the new lineup runs on iOS 18, which is packed with new customization options and quality-of-life improvements.
However, the star of the show is Apple Intelligence. This new suite of on-device AI features is set to revolutionize how you interact with your iPhone.
While the core features will be available on both the Plus and Pro Max, the advanced on-device processing will undoubtedly perform better on the more powerful A18 Pro chip.
The A18 Pro’s upgraded 16-core Neural Engine is specifically designed for these kinds of tasks, running them up to 2x faster than the A16 Bionic from the iPhone 14 generation.
This means that while both phones get the features, the experience on the Pro Max will likely be faster and more seamless. This is a key part of the Apple ecosystem moving forward, especially as we look toward the iPhone 17.
What About Durability and Storage?
Beyond the flashy specs, practical considerations like durability and storage capacity are vital.
Both the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro Max are built to last, featuring the super-tough Ceramic Shield front glass, which is more durable than the glass on any other smartphone.
The Pro Max, with its titanium frame, offers an edge in rigidity and scratch resistance compared to the aluminum on the Plus. This is a phone that feels solid and dependable in your hand from the moment you pick it up.
When it comes to storage, Apple has finally made a much-needed change. The base model for the iPhone 16 Pro Max is rumored to start at 256GB, finally ditching the often-criticized 128GB of storage for a device meant for pro users who shoot large video files.
The iPhone 16 Plus will likely continue to offer 128GB as a starting point, which is plenty for most users but something to keep in mind if you plan to download a lot of media or games.
Both models offer upgrades, of course, but that higher starting point on the pro model is a significant quality-of-life improvement.
The Upgraded Selfie Camera
And let’s not forget the front of the phone!
The selfie camera on both models receives a welcome upgrade to a new 12MP sensor with autofocus. This is a bigger deal than it sounds.
Your FaceTime calls will look sharper, and your selfies will have a more natural depth of field and better focus, even in tricky lighting. It’s a subtle but important spec bump that enhances daily use.
- 6.7inch Super Retina XDR display. ProMotion technology. Always-On display. Titanium with textured matte glass back. Action button
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A17 Pro chip with 6-core GPU
- Pro camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide| Telephoto. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. Up to 10x optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 29 hours video playback. USB-C, Supports USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers. Face ID
Connectivity and Future-Proofing
In a world that demands constant, high-speed connection, the iPhone 16 Pro Max takes a definitive lead.
It is one of the first iPhones to support the new Wi-Fi 7 standard. This means faster speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connections on compatible networks—a huge plus for gaming, streaming high-resolution content, and quickly downloading large files.
The iPhone 16 Plus sticks with the still-excellent Wi-Fi 6E.
Both phones feature the now-standard USB-C port, but again, there’s a difference. The Pro Max supports USB 3 speeds (up to 10Gbps), making it dramatically faster for transferring photos and videos to a computer.
The Plus is limited to USB 2.0 speeds, the same as on the iPhone 15. If you’re a content creator who needs to offload 4K video, this difference is a massive time-saver and another reason to go pro.
Is It Time to Upgrade Your Old iPhone?
This is the big question for millions of users.
If you’re still holding onto an iPhone 14 or even a 14 Pro, the leap to either iPhone 16 model will feel monumental. The performance jump, the addition of the Action button and Camera Control button, and the vastly superior main camera make it a compelling upgrade.
The new design language and improved battery life alone are worth it.
For those with an iPhone 15 Pro, the decision is a bit tougher. The A17 Pro chip in your pocket is still a powerhouse.
However, the larger 6.9-inch screen, the upgraded 48MP ultrawide and telephoto cameras, and the new AI features powered by the A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro Max present a strong case.
Early benchmark numbers seen on sites like PhoneArena show the new CPU and GPU offering a noticeable performance gain. If you want the absolute cutting edge of Apple Silicon, the upgrade is justified.
Ultimately, whether you’re coming from an old iPhone or even considering switching back to the iPhone from another brand, the 2025 lineup is Apple’s most compelling in years.
The Pro Max is for the user who accepts no compromises, while the Plus offers a fantastic large-screen experience that brings flagship features to a more accessible price point.
The choice is yours, and frankly, there’s no wrong answer—only the one that’s perfect for you.
The Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
So, after this exhaustive 16 pro vs 16 plus breakdown, who wins the iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Plus battle? It truly comes down to what you value most.
You should get the iPhone 16 Plus if: You want a huge, beautiful screen, fantastic all-around performance, and a great camera without paying the premium “pro” price.
It’s a phenomenal phone that offers most of what people love about the iPhone experience in a large format. For many, this is more than enough phone and the smart choice for value.
You should choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max if: You are a power user, a creative professional, or simply someone who wants the absolute best of everything.
The smoother 120Hz refresh rate, the unparalleled power of the A18 Pro, the vastly superior and more versatile camera system with its 5x optical zoom, and the longer battery life make it the ultimate flagship device.
It’s not just a phone; it’s a statement.
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arms length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arms length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 80% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 1 year of receipt if you are not satisfied.
