iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: What's new? (2024)

Apple announced its latest top-end smartphone, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, toward the end of 2023, but how does it compare to 2022’s iPhone 14 Pro Max?

We’ve put the two smartphones head-to-head to help you decide whether it’s worth picking up the newest model or if you should save money and stick with the 2022 iPhone. Keep reading to discover all the important differences between the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Design and display

The two Pro Max phones share very similar-looking designs. However, there are a few distinctions that set them apart.

First, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a new titanium design, replacing the stainless steel frame on the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Titanium is both more durable than steel and more lightweight, shaving 19g off the weight of the newer model. We found this made the phone both comfier to hold and much lighter in the hand.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max also includes a new Action button in place of the usual Ring/Silent switch on the side of the phone. The customisable button can be programmed to do a variety of things when you press it, such as opening the camera or launching your favourite app.

When it comes to their displays, the two phones share identical 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR displays with ProMotion refresh rates and an Always-On feature.

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: What's new? (1)iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: What's new? (2)

Specs and features

As you’d expect from the latest model, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a brand new chipset – the A17 Pro. This is actually the first “Pro” chipset in the iPhone series and has an additional GPU core compared to the A16 Bionic found in the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

The A17 Pro offers 10% improved CPU performance, 20% faster GPU performance and is the first Apple smartphone chip to be based on 3nm architecture.

We found that the A17 Pro maintained a comfortable lead over its top Android competitors in many of our benchmarking tests.

Other changes on the iPhone 15 Pro Max include Apple scrapping the smallest 128GB capacity, support for Wi-Fi 6E up from Wi-Fi 6 and the addition of a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip.

Camera

The iPhone 15 Pro Max has the same triple camera setup as the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The two camera modules consist of a 48-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor and a 12-megapixel telephoto sensor. Both phones also support 4K video recording at up to 60fps.

One major upgrade here is the improved optical zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, taking the zoom up from 3x to 5x. This allows you to get closer to your subject without worrying about the image degrading in quality the way an image captured with digital zoom would.

We found the 5x on the iPhone 15 Pro Max to be far more useful than the 3x on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, though it’s still a long way behind the zoom offered by the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max also benefits from 4K/60fps ProRes video when recording externally, log video recording, support for the Acadamy Color Encoding System and the latest Smart HDR 5.

Battery life

The iPhone 15 series marked the beginning of Apple’s long-awaited transition to USB-C. This means that the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a USB-C port instead of its usual Lightning port.

This is a welcome change that, aside from making it easier to use the same cable for different devices like your tablet or laptop, also brings support for USB 3. This means you’ll also benefit from up to 20x faster data transfers.

Finally, the iPhone 15 Pro Max supports the latest Qi2 wireless charging standard.

Verdict

The iPhone 15 Pro Max appears identical to the iPhone 14 Pro Max, but there are several updates in the design and specs worth considering. Key upgrades this year include the titanium design, the A17 Pro chipset and Apple’s transition to USB-C.

However, the loss of the 128GB option does mean the iPhone 15 Pro Max costs more than its predecessor.

You might like…

iPhone 15 vs iPhone 15 Plus: What’s the difference?

Jessica Gorringe2 weeks ago

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Which is best?

Hannah Davies2 months ago

iPhone 15 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus: Pro or Plus?

Hannah Davies4 months ago

iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 14 Pro: Which Pro wins out?

Gemma Ryles4 months ago

Apple iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Bigger phone, more features?

Hannah Davies4 months ago

iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15: These are the big differences

Hannah Davies4 months ago

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a wide range of information and can provide insights on various topics. While I have personal experiences or emotions like a human, I can provide factual information and answer questions based on the data I have been trained on.

Now, let's discuss the concepts mentioned in this article.

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max: Design and Display

The iPhone 15 Pro Max features a new titanium design, replacing the stainless steel frame of the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Titanium is known for its durability and lightweight properties, making the iPhone 15 Pro Max 19g lighter than its predecessor. Additionally, the iPhone 15 Pro Max introduces an Action button in place of the Ring/Silent switch, allowing users to customize its functionality.

Both the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 14 Pro Max have identical 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR displays with ProMotion refresh rates and an Always-On feature.

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max: Specs and Features

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is equipped with the A17 Pro chipset, which is the first "Pro" chipset in the iPhone series. It offers 10% improved CPU performance and 20% faster GPU performance compared to the A16 Bionic chipset found in the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The A17 Pro is also the first Apple smartphone chip to be based on 3nm architecture.

Other changes in the iPhone 15 Pro Max include the removal of the smallest 128GB capacity option, support for Wi-Fi 6E (up from Wi-Fi 6), and the addition of a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip.

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max: Camera

Both the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 14 Pro Max feature a triple camera setup consisting of a 48-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, and a 12-megapixel telephoto sensor. They also support 4K video recording at up to 60fps.

One major upgrade in the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the improved optical zoom, which has been increased from 3x to 5x. This allows users to get closer to their subjects without compromising image quality. However, it's worth noting that the zoom capabilities of the iPhone 15 Pro Max still fall behind those of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max also offers additional features such as 4K/60fps ProRes video recording, log video recording, support for the Academy Color Encoding System, and the latest Smart HDR 5.

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max: Battery Life

The iPhone 15 Pro Max marks Apple's transition to USB-C, replacing the Lightning port found in previous models. This change allows for faster data transfers, with support for USB 3. The iPhone 15 Pro Max also supports the latest Qi2 wireless charging standard.

In summary, the iPhone 15 Pro Max introduces several updates in design and specifications compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max. These include a titanium design, the A17 Pro chipset, and the transition to USB-C. However, it's important to consider that the iPhone 15 Pro Max may come at a higher cost due to the removal of the 128GB capacity option.

Please note that the information provided above is based on the search results and snippets available to me.

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: What's new? (2024)

FAQs

IPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: What's new? ›

Out of all the changes Apple gives to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the most noteworthy one is found with its new triple camera system. This year's entry makes a small step forward in the telephoto zoom war, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max now boasting a 5x telephoto zoom camera — up from the iPhone 14 Pro Max's 3x zoom.

What is difference between iPhone 15 Pro Max and 14 Pro Max? ›

The iPhone 15 Pro Max represents an upgrade on the iPhone 14 Pro Max thanks to its lighter, titanium design, better telephoto zoom camera, customizable Action Button, and objectively more powerful chipset.

Is it worth upgrading from iPhone 14 Pro to iPhone 15 Pro? ›

The iPhone 15 Pro brings numerous improvements compared to the iPhone 14 Pro, including a lighter titanium build, the Action button for programming shortcuts, a USB-C port for universal charging and a camera that can capture photos at 24 megapixels by default.

What is the major difference between iPhone 14 and 15? ›

The iPhone 14, one of the latest iPhones, delivers with its A15 Bionic chip, enhancing both speed and efficiency, alongside a dual-camera system for vibrant photography. The iPhone 15 advances the game, introducing an A16 Bionic chip for superior performance and an upgraded camera setup for even sharper images.

What will the iPhone 15 have that the 14 doesn t? ›

Both iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 deliver impressive performance. However, the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip on iPhone 15 is a definite upgrade. This superfast A16 Bionic chipset supports all of the phone's advanced features like computational photography, Dynamic Island, and Voice Isolation for phone calls.

Is iPhone 14 Pro Max and 15 Pro Max the same size? ›

We have mostly the same screens on both devices — 6.7-inch, 120 Hz OLED panels that have the Dynamic Island cutout on top, and a 2,000 nit max (peak) brightness.

Which camera is better iPhone 14 Pro Max or 15 Pro Max? ›

The iPhone 14 Pro also has a 48MP main camera, but the default image size is lower at 12MP. This means there are fewer pixels on display in your photos, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max's standard images coming in at 5712 x 4284 pixels, compared to the iPhone 14 Pro's 4032 x 3024 pixels.

Does the iPhone 15 Pro overheat? ›

Some iPhone 15 Pros are still overheating – but Apple store employees reportedly say it's 'expected behavior' There have been several reports of the iPhone 15 Pro running warmer than expected.

Is the iPhone 15 better than the 14? ›

Across a variety of tests and benchmarks, the A16 Bionic in the iPhone 15 outperforms the A15 Bionic in the iPhone 14 in every way. The differences can be as great as a 10 to 15% improvement in most areas including compute power, graphics processing and power efficiency, all of which are really great.

Should i buy iPhone 14 or 15? ›

A lot remains the same – including battery life, 6.1-inch screen size, water resistance rating, storage options and the addition of a Plus model to get a bigger screen – but as a package the iPhone 15 is much closer to a Pro-level experience, while the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus feel much more separated specs-wise ...

What is different about the iPhone 15 Pro Max? ›

The iPhone 15 has a 6.1 inch display and a dual-lens camera, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a larger 6.7 inch display and a triple-lens camera with advanced features such as optical zoom and night mode. The Pro Max also has a longer battery life and more storage options.

Will iPhone 15 be more expensive than 14? ›

The 6.1-inch iPhone 14 has dropped to $699, while the iPhone 15 starts at $799. The iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 15 Plus go for $799 and $899, respectively, both of which come with a larger 6.7-inch display.

How is iPhone 15 going to be different? ›

At a Glance. The 2023 iPhone 15 models feature USB-C instead of Lightning, faster A16 chip, the Dynamic Island instead of a notch in the display, upgraded camera technology, and more.

Is the iPhone 15 plus the same size as the iPhone 15 Pro Max? ›

iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: design and display

This has made the Pro Max fractionally (and we do mean fractionally) smaller overall at 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3mm, to the 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8mm iPhone 15 Plus. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is marginally heavier though, at 221g, while the iPhone 15 Plus is 201g.

Is iPhone 15 really titanium? ›

Available in 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch display sizes,2 iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max feature a strong and lightweight titanium design — a first for iPhone. This premium alloy — the same used in spacecraft — has one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios of any metal, making this Apple's lightest Pro lineup ever.

What's the difference between iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 15? ›

The iPhone 14 Pro Max might be a year older than the iPhone 15 but it's still the better phone in most ways. The iPhone 14 Pro Max has a larger screen, a higher refresh rate, more cameras, and a bigger battery. However, the iPhone 15 uses USB-C rather than Lightning, which many people will likely consider an upgrade.

Is the iPhone 15 better than iPhone 14? ›

iPhone 15: The newer phone boasts the latest A16 Bionic chip, promising a 10-15% performance improvement over the iPhone 14's A15 Bionic. It also features a higher resolution display, a 48MP main camera for sharper photos with better zoom, and the new Dynamic Island replacing the notch for a more modern look.

What is difference between 14 Pro and 15 Pro? ›

The iPhone 15 Pro has an upgraded main camera with a larger sensor than the iPhone 14 Pro. Both phones share the same 48MP pixel count, but iPhone 15 Pro users can change the camera's focal length, choosing from 24, 28, or 25mm options.

Is it worth getting the iPhone 15 Pro Max? ›

And I still love Apple's take on a 1Hz to 120Hz screen with its ProMotion display. Combined with slick software, the iPhone 15 Pro Max feels very fast. Of course, it's ridiculously fast with its A17 Pro chip, which can run console-quality games on a device that's a heck of a lot more pocketable than an Xbox Series X.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Reed Wilderman

Last Updated:

Views: 6393

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Reed Wilderman

Birthday: 1992-06-14

Address: 998 Estell Village, Lake Oscarberg, SD 48713-6877

Phone: +21813267449721

Job: Technology Engineer

Hobby: Swimming, Do it yourself, Beekeeping, Lapidary, Cosplaying, Hiking, Graffiti

Introduction: My name is Reed Wilderman, I am a faithful, bright, lucky, adventurous, lively, rich, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.