Head to head

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max

Specs, full price and monthly payments for both phones, side by side.

The short version

  • On a carrier plan, the lowest tracked monthly payment is $10.99 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max (AT&T) and $19.44 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max (Verizon). Plan and bill-credit requirements apply.
  • The iPhone 16 Pro Max uses the A18 Pro chip, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max uses the A17 Pro.
  • The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display; the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 6.7-inch display.
  • Cameras: iPhone 16 Pro Max has 48MP Main, 48MP Ultra Wide, 12MP 5x Telephoto; iPhone 15 Pro Max has 48MP Main, 12MP Ultra Wide, 12MP 5x Telephoto.
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max has the longer battery rating: up to 33 hours of video versus 29.
iPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone 15 Pro Max
ChipA18 ProA17 Pro
Display6.9-inch6.7-inch
Cameras48MP Main, 48MP Ultra Wide, 12MP 5x Telephoto48MP Main, 12MP Ultra Wide, 12MP 5x Telephoto
Battery (video)Up to 33 hoursUp to 29 hours
Base storage256GB256GB
Lowest full price——
Lowest monthly$10.99/mo (AT&T)$19.44/mo (Verizon)

Specs come from our tracking sheet; check Apple's official specifications before relying on them.

Deals for both phones

Pay monthly with a carrier

Little or nothing down, then monthly payments over the term.

ModelRetailer / CarrierUpfrontMonthlyTerms & conditionsEst. totalSource
iPhone 16 Pro MaxAT&T$0$10.99per month36 MonthsPlan: Qualifying Unlimited PlanUp to $885 trade-in+ $35 activation fee$430.64View terms
iPhone 15 Pro MaxVerizon$199$19.44per month36 MonthsPlan: Unlimited WelcomeUp to $600 trade-in+ $35 activation fee$933.84View terms
iPhone 16 Pro MaxVerizon$0$27.77per month36 MonthsPlan: Unlimited PlusUp to $885 trade-in+ $35 activation fee$1034.72View terms

Prices shown were saved on November 4, 2026 and may have changed. See the live deals page and confirm terms with the retailer before you buy. Estimated total = upfront + monthly × term + activation fee; it excludes plan price, taxes and trade-in credits. Some “View terms” links are affiliate links; see our disclosure.

Frequently asked questions

Which has better battery life?

Our sheet rates the iPhone 16 Pro Max for up to 33 hours of video versus 29 hours for the other.

What chip does each phone use?

The iPhone 16 Pro Max uses the A18 Pro; the iPhone 15 Pro Max uses the A17 Pro.

Should I pay in full or monthly?

Paying in full gives you the phone with no contract and no bill credits. Monthly plans spread the cost over a term, often with credits tied to a plan, so the real cost depends on how long you stay. Compare both tables on this page, and see how we treat $0 offers on our deals page.

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