iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Which is the right Pro for you?

The new iPhone 15 Pro models have arrived, with some cool new video features and a brand new chipset. So, which one should you buy? The smaller but nearly identically equipped iPhone 15 Pro or the big beast itself, the iPhone 15 Pro Max. We compare the two to make it easier to choose the one that’s right for you. 

iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Tech specs

	iPhone 15 Pro (review)	iPhone 15 Pro Max (review)
Display	6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel, 2,556×1,179, 460ppi; 1,600/2,000 nits peak brightness (HDR/outdoor); Dynamic Island, ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate, Always On display	6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel, 2,796×1,290 resolution, 460ppi, ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate, 1,600/2,000 nits peak brightness (HDR/outdoor); Dynamic Island, Always On display
Processor	A17 Pro	A17 Pro
Storage	128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB	256GB/512GB/1TB
Rear Camera	48MP f/1.78 Main, 12MP f/2.2 Ultra Wide, 12MP f/2.8 Telephoto, 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 3x optical zoom, Smart HDR 5	48MP f/1.78 Main, 12MP f/2.2 Ultra Wide, 12MP f/2.8 Telephoto, 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 3x, x5 optical zoom, Smart HDR 5
Front Camera	12MP TrueDepth, f/1.9	12MP TrueDepth, f/1.9
Video Recording	4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, ProRes video recording up to 4K at 60 fps with external recording, HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps, Cinematic mode, Action Mode, Macro, Log video, Academy Color Encoding System	4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, ProRes video recording up to 4K at 60 fps with external recording, HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps, Cinematic mode, Action Mode, Macro, Log video, Academy Color Encoding System
Biometric Security	Face ID	Face ID
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 6E	Wi-Fi 6E
LTE	5G	5G
Charging	USB-C, Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes	USB-C, Up to 50% charge in 35 minutes
Wireless Charging	Yes, with MagSafe	Yes, with MagSafe
Battery life	23 hours (video playback)	29 hours (video playback)
Bluetooth	5.3	5.3
Apple Pay	Yes	Yes
Waterproofing	IP68	IP68
SIM	Dual (nano and eSIM except in the US where there is no support for physical SIM cards)	Dual (nano and eSIM except in the US where there is no support for physical SIM cards)
Dimensions	5.77 x 2.78 x 0.32 inches 146.6mm x 70.6mm x 8.25mm	6.29 x 3.02 x 0.32 inches 159.9mm x 76.7mm x 8.25mm
Weight	6.60oz / 187g	7.81oz / 221g

It’s not uncommon for the Pro models to be pretty much the same, as it allows Apple fans to pick the size they prefer, while still getting all the features that make these Pro devices. For the most part this remains true with the class of ‘23, as you’ll find the new A17 Pro chipset in both, which Apple claims has a 20% faster GPU, 10% faster CPU and 4x faster ray tracing than the previous generation. All of this adds up to improvements for gaming and some enhanced video capabilities. 

Another new addition is the switch to USB-C, leaving the old Lightning port behind (mainly at the behest of new EU laws). This means you’ll be able to carry a few less cables with you when you have multiple devices in your bag. 

Battery life is one area where the two models diverge. Apple states that the iPhone 15 Pro will deliver up to 23 hours of video playback, while the larger Pro Max will endure for 29 hours, which is quite a feat. You can fast charge the Pro back to 50% in 30 minutes when using a 20W charger (not included), and the Pro Max achieves the same feat but requires an additional 5 minutes. Both support Qi or MagSafe wireless charging, although the speeds will be slower than when plugged in via a cable. 

Other than that, there’s Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4×4 MIMO, NFC, and Face ID on either handset. The iPhone 15 Pro is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacities, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max follows suit but omits the 128GB variant. 

For more advice read our iPhone Buying Guide and Best iPhone comparison chart.

iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Design & build

Again, there’s not much to split the two devices when it comes to the construction. Of course there is a size difference to accommodate the different screen dimensions, but other than that the two feature a new Titanium band attached to the aluminum chassis, replacing the heavier Stainless Steel variety used on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. They also have textured matte glass on the rear. 

Here’s how they measure up:

• iPhone 15 Pro: 5.77 x 2.78 x 0.32 inches (146.6mm x 70.6mm x 8.25mm); 6.60oz / 187g
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: 6.29 x 3.02 x 0.32 inches / 159.9mm x 76.7mm x 8.25mm; 7.81oz / 221g

You can get either phone in the same variety of color schemes. These are Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, White Titanium, and Black Titanium.

Display

The main element that helps you tell these devices apart, and gives you a real reason to choose between them, is the display. They offer the same experience in terms of features and performance, but the 6.7in Super Retina XDR OLED panel (running at 2,796 x 1,290 resolution and 460 ppi) on the Pro Max does deliver a more grand experience than the 6.1in display (2,556 x 1,179 resolution at 460 ppi) of its little brother. Aside from this though, you’ll get ProMotion 120Hz refresh rates, True Tone, Wide Color display, Haptic Touch, Always-On, and 1,000/1,600/2,000 (typical, HDR, outdoor) maximum brightness on either panel. 

Action button

This time around Apple has replaced the old mute switch on the side of the devices with a programmable ‘Action’ button. This allows you to assign a specific task (from a list included in iOS 17) that the iPhone will then instantly complete. Some of our favorite options are turning on the torch, enabling Focus mode, launching the camera, or triggering a shortcut that you’ve set up. It’s a small change, but one that could be very useful. 

Both iPhones also come with an IP68 waterproof rating, so they won’t be destroyed by a sudden downpour or being dropped in the bath. Good job when you see the prices later. 

iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Cameras

At first glance, the two iPhones have identical setups in the camera department. But, this is one area where the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a slight advantage. The camera modules are indeed the same, with a 48MP f/1.78 main, 12MP f/2.2 Ultra Wide, and 12MP f/2.8 Telephoto sensor, but where the iPhone 15 Pro can take advantage of 0.5x, 1x, 2x and 3x optical zooms, the Pro Max gets all these plus a 5x option. So you can get even closer to subjects that are far away if you opt for the larger phone. 

That’s the only difference though, so either device will deliver Smart HDR 5, Night mode, Macro, sensor-shift stabilization, Action mode, Cinematic mode, and can record 4K at 60fps, plus ProRes at 4K/60fps. Apple also introduced the Academy Color Encoding System and video Logging to the iPhone 15 Pro series, which should come as a delight to serious videographers who want to get the most from color-grading their footage. 

iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Price

Here’s the official Apple pricing for the new phones, plus a selection of the best deals from third-party retailers. If you want to see more deals on the iPhone 15 series take a look at our Best U.K. iPhone 15 deals and Best U.S. iPhone 15 deals round ups.

iPhone 15 Pro

• 128GB: $999 / £999 
• 256GB: $1,099 / £1,099 
• 512GB: $1,299 / £1,299 
• 1TB: $1,499 / £1,499 

iPhone 15 Pro Max 

• 256GB: $1,199 / £1,199
• 512GB: $1,399 / £1,399
• 1TB: $1,699 / £1,599

iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Verdict

Apple has made things quite simple this time around. Aside from the 5x zoom and longer battery life on the iPhone 15 Pro Max–which may well be the most important factors to you–these devices are practically identical. So, you just need to choose the size that you prefer. One thing to consider, the Pro Max is quite a lot heavier than its smaller counterpart, which isn’t exactly light to begin with. That can make a difference if you intend to be holding the device a lot or stashing it in the front pocket of your jeans. Other than that, it just comes down to which one you prefer in the hand, as they can do almost everything that the other one can. 

Wondering what other features come with the new iPhone 15 series? Read: The best iPhone 15 features.