Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max review

GSMArena Team, 28 September 2023.

Conclusion

Oh, so iPhone. This phrase describes the new iPhone best. It is, without a doubt, the best iPhone Apple has ever built. The latest model brings a new chip, a new connectivity port and features, a brand-new zoom camera, and a different titanium build for a lighter and tougher body.

It also keeps a lot of the same - same display, same speakers, same battery, same selfie camera, same iOS. Most of these features have already peaked, and it's only natural to see smaller, incremental improvements instead of large generational jumps.

New Max and old Max New Max and old Max

The launch of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is a great opportunity to buy the now cheaper iPhone 14 Pro Max. It may not have a 5x camera, and the raytracing may not be hardware-level, but that won't matter for most people. And we'll give you another reason to consider it - it looks more premium.

Of course, if the Max is too large for you, then there is the regular Pro, a virtually identical smartphone with the Max but smaller, and its zoom camera maxes out at 3x magnification.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Apple iPhone 15 Pro
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max • Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Outside Apple's walled garden is a world of capable and innovative smartphones. The Galaxy Z Fold5 and Z Flip5 are superb foldables - the former is suitable for power users, the latter - for those wanting superb pocketability. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is the ultimate cameraphone, while the Sony Xperia 1 V offers the most customizable video capturing on a smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 Xiaomi 13 Ultra Sony Xperia 1 V
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 • Xiaomi 13 Ultra • Sony Xperia 1 V

Our verdict

You wouldn't get the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max for its Titanium frame. Its 5x telephoto camera and USB-C port are not features that will sell millions either. As for the console-level GPU, it will take time for that to be fully utilized by mobile game graphics.

Then why get the iPhone 15 Pro Max?

White and Natural Titanium White and Natural Titanium

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is worth getting for its well-rounded user experience, luxurious design, its premium services and warranty, for its clockwork iOS, and for its versatile camera experience with great photos and exceptional videos. And a thousand other little things we cannot fit into this verdict.

We doubt many iPhone 14 Pro/Max users will upgrade right away as the hardware improvements are mostly incremental. But it is a notable update over the 13 Pro Max and a major overhaul over the 12 Pro Max.

One of the biggest improvements targets videographers and will go under the radar for the masses. We are talking about capturing 4K60 ProRes videos straight onto an external SSD drive or memory card, which might open use cases and workflows that have never been possible before.

The new model delivers on most of its promises, even the carefully worded ones like performance improvements. The only potential issue that is unpredictable so far is thermal management. There are reports of overheating and/or severe throttling, though we couldn't replicate the chipset and charging overheating. Which does not mean they don't exist, of course.

Apple has never targeted the tech-savvy smartphones users with the iPhone and instead won their large base with consistent quality, a high level of service and convenience and (some) pro features. And the formula is still working, better than ever if you ask us.

So, should you get the new iPhone? It is the best iPhone ever made, you know. It has a stunning design, an outstanding display, great performance, impressive speakers, pro-grade cameras with a consistently good photo and class-leading video quality, long battery life and likable if weird iOS.

And even if there is a potential issue with performance and some image processing imperfections, it remains among the best smartphones on the market right now.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max review

Yes, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is worth having in your pocket - it combines the best Apple has to offer in 2023, and it all works really well. And if it doesn't, Apple will fix it one way or another. Is it the best phone out there? No. Maybe? Yes! It depends on who you are and what you are looking for. If you are after the ultimate Apple experience, then it's a 100% Yes.

Pros

  • Exquisite and now lighter design, water-resistant up to 6m deep.
  • Outstanding OLED, super bright, color-accurate, Dolby Vision.
  • Excellent battery life.
  • Superb speaker loudness, balance, sound quality.
  • Top-notch performance.
  • Upgraded connectivity across the board, UWB2, too.
  • Class-leading video capturing and stabilization, impressive Pro modes.
  • Superb daylight and nighttime photos from all cameras.
  • USB-C is here, and we love it.
  • Every iPhone comes with at least five years of iOS updates.
  • The best iPhone ever made, duh!

Cons

  • A lot more expensive than corresponding Android alternatives.
  • No charger in the box, and charging isn't particularly fast.
  • Apple's iOS restrictions can be off-putting to newcomers to the ecosystem.
  • The GPU throttles down to 50% of its max performance under load.
  • The photo processing could benefit from less sharpening at times.
  • Rear glass is reportedly much more shatter-prone than before.
Current prices

Reader comments

  • Anonymous
  • 19 Sep 2024
  • IbL

Then the phone would be too expensive and the charging would take to long and they w8uld need to redesign the entire case to fit the battery

  • Anonymous
  • 05 Sep 2024
  • nsL

Great phone, not great battery life, I wish it had another 1000 ma

  • Anonymous
  • 24 Aug 2024
  • 6p}

This is a very good product