Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max review: More than meets the eye

From the skin, the iPhone 16 Professional Max solely seems like a minor refinement of its predecessor – particularly with the design largely unchanged.

However, with its 6.9-inch show and titanium physique, it’s larger, heavier, and ever-so-slightly extra strong than the iPhone 15 Professional Max. And, after all, there’s the brand new Digicam Management button, which sure is a bodily button.

Spend a while with Apple’s newest flagship, and also you’ll discover a number of modifications (totally on the within) that considerably impression the way you’ll use the machine, particularly should you’re into pictures or the most recent AI options.

Whereas the A18 Professional chip makes this telephone a uncooked efficiency beast, Apple has put quite a lot of its future into Apple Intelligence – its reply to AI. The addition of the Digicam Management button and upcoming Visible Intelligence capabilities additionally speaks to Apple’s ambition to redefine how we work together with the world by way of our telephones.

Design & Construct

• Noticeably thinner bezels
• Titanium construct is premium, sturdy, and aids in warmth dissipation
• Digicam Management button is revolutionary however questionable

The iPhone 16 Professional Max maintains Apple’s latest design ethos, making solely slight changes. It’s a premium-looking machine, and its rounder corners and Pure Titanium color possibility have been clear influences on the Pixel 9 lineup.

This 12 months’s new color possibility is Desert Titanium, the goldish hue that has divided the web. Whereas the telephone seems virtually similar to the iPhone 15 Professional Max at first look, there are some variations.

Thinner bezels across the display make the already large show really feel much more expansive. Regardless of the show rising to an enormous 6.9 inches, Apple has managed to maintain the machine virtually the identical measurement as final 12 months’s mannequin, making it really feel such as you’re holding extra display than telephone.

The Tremendous Retina XDR OLED panel now stretches additional into the corners, making a extra immersive visible expertise for each gaming and media consumption.

The titanium physique, a grade 5 titanium body over a graphite-clad aluminium substructure, has been additional refined this time round. It provides the machine a premium really feel whereas additionally bettering warmth dissipation. The sides of the iPhone 16 Professional Max have been softened, making it extra snug to carry for prolonged durations regardless of its bigger measurement.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

At 6g heavier than the iPhone 15 Professional Max, I didn’t discover a lot distinction in dealing with. Nonetheless, should you’re used to common telephones, this 227g handset may come as a shock.

The bigger show measurement can also be instantly evident. For me, it strikes the right stability between weight and construct high quality – it is a telephone that feels strong however not cumbersome.

One new addition I recognize is the Digicam Management button, which Apple insists isn’t fairly a button – however it’s. It sits recessed, providing gesture management and a fast launch to the digital camera, very similar to the Motion button launched final 12 months.

I’ll discuss extra in regards to the Digicam Management later, however will share some early ideas now. Whereas I discovered the Digicam Management helpful for pictures, it typically competes with the Motion button for relevance. Apple might have to rethink the perform of the older Motion button in future iterations, because it feels underused in comparison with this newer management.

Display screen & Audio system

• 6.9-inch Tremendous Retina XDR OLED with 120Hz
• Nice out of doors visibility with 2000 nits of peak brightness
• Stereo audio system present clear, loud sound with first rate bass

This 6.9-inch Tremendous Retina XDR OLED show is Apple’s largest but, and it’s a magnificence. The thinner bezels enable for extra display actual property with out considerably growing the machine’s bodily measurement.

At 460ppi, the show isn’t as pixel-dense because the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely (505ppi), however Apple’s color accuracy and HDR efficiency make it arduous to note any shortcomings. Apple has maintained its wide-color gamut, which means colours are extremely vibrant, but stay pure and true to life.

With 2000 nits peak brightness outdoor and a brand new 1 nit low setting for nighttime use, it’s straightforward to see why this is without doubt one of the greatest shows available on the market. Whether or not I’m streaming Netflix or enjoying a recreation, the visuals are vibrant and clean, due to ProMotion’s 120Hz refresh fee. And the brand new assist for 1 nit of brightness is available in notably helpful when utilizing my telephone in mattress at night time.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

The 1 nit assist nonetheless extends to the All the time-On Show, letting you verify notifications, time, or different widgets with out absolutely unlocking the telephone. It additionally dims intelligently to save lots of energy when not in use. Whereas I personally don’t use the All the time-On Show, it’s a hit characteristic after being launched just a few years in the past.

Then we get to the stereo audio system. Whereas not dramatically improved from the earlier mannequin, the iPhone 16 Professional Max nonetheless supply loud, crisp sound with first rate bass. For a telephone this measurement, it’s a surprisingly succesful audio machine.

Specs & Efficiency

• Powered by the A18 Professional chipset – as much as 20% quicker than final 12 months
• Nice for gaming and multitasking
• 8GB RAM is low in comparison with rivals, however performs properly because of optimisation

Powering the iPhone 16 Professional Max is Apple’s newest and biggest A18 Professional chipset, which is a major step up from the A17 Professional, notably in the case of AI efficiency and graphical energy.

In keeping with Apple, it has a 15% quicker CPU and 20% quicker GPU than final 12 months’s mannequin. I can’t confirm these figures however can say that it presents blisteringly quick efficiency throughout the board. That applies whether or not you’re enhancing 4K video, working the most recent AAA cellular video games, or just multitasking between apps.

It additionally comes outfitted with a 16-core Neural Engine, enabling extra superior machine studying and AI capabilities. It’s a giant consider making these gadgets able to the complete vary of Apple Intelligence options, which I’ll discover in additional element later.

Gaming lovers will probably be happy to know that the iPhone 16 Professional Max helps ray tracing at double the pace of the A17 Professional, which makes for extra sensible lighting and reflections in video games out there on iOS. Throughout my assessments, the machine dealt with every thing I threw at it, from graphically intensive video games like Loss of life Stranding to video enhancing on Adobe Premiere Rush.

The A18 Professional breezed by way of all of it with no hiccup, although the machine did get a bit heat after prolonged gaming periods. Nonetheless, it was noticeably colder than the iPhone 15 Professional Max.

For an additional take a look at, I set each telephones to file 4K movies for round half-hour. Then, utilizing a laser thermometer, I recorded how heat each gadgets received over the world the place the processor sits. The iPhone 16 Professional Max was between 3-4c cooler than the 15 Professional Max.

Whereas rivals just like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely and Google Pixel 9 Professional XL supply as much as 12GB of RAM, Apple sticks with 8GB within the iPhone 16 Professional Max. Nonetheless, Apple’s customized optimization ensures the machine runs extremely easily, even when dealing with demanding duties or multitasking. Storage choices begin at 256GB and go all the best way as much as 1TB, offering loads of house for apps, video games, pictures, and movies.

Apple iPhone 16 Professional Max benchmarks

There’s no denying that the iPhone 16 Professional Max is an absolute powerhouse. It delivers all of the efficiency you could possibly need and extra. In actual fact, it truly clocks up larger Geekbench 6 scores than the M1 MacBook Air from late 2020 – with 3518 for single-core and 8378 for multi-core.

I used to be impressed with how snappy and responsive every thing felt, from multitasking to gaming and watching content material. There’s completely nothing I might do that might trigger this machine to freeze up, decelerate, or start to drop frames.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

The iPhone 16 Professional Max outperforms each the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) with 2,273 single-core and seven,056 multi-core, and the Google Pixel 9 Professional (Tensor G4), which scores 1,950 single-core and 5,950 multi-core. The uncooked energy contained in the iPhone 16 Professional Max is just unmatched.

Cameras

• 48Mp primary digital camera, 48Mp ultrawide, 12Mp 5x telephoto
• Digicam Management button presents gesture-based digital camera controls
• 4K 120fps slow-motion video, and new AI audio options

Apple has at all times positioned a robust emphasis on pictures, and the iPhone 16 Professional Max is not any totally different. Whereas the digital camera specs could appear acquainted, Apple has launched some main {hardware} and software program upgrades that make this one of the highly effective digital camera methods out there.

The 48Mp Fusion digital camera and 48Mp ultrawide digital camera are the celebs of the present right here. Apple has upgraded the sensor behind the primary digital camera, enabling quicker autofocus and improved low-light efficiency. Even in difficult lighting circumstances, the iPhone 16 Professional Max captures spectacular element with out oversaturating colors or introducing noise.

The ultrawide lens, which has been upgraded to 48Mp for the primary time, presents sharper, clearer pictures at large angles. That is notably helpful for landscapes, structure pictures, or group pictures. The improved macro capabilities additionally stand out, making it simpler to seize tiny particulars with out sacrificing high quality.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

The 12MP telephoto digital camera with 5x optical zoom additionally options so-called tetraprism know-how, which helps to make sure minimal distortion, even at larger zoom ranges. Whereas this was unique to the iPhone 15 Professional Max final 12 months, this time round it is usually out there on the smaller iPhone 16 Professional.

I discovered the zoom efficiency to be wonderful, particularly when taking pictures of distant topics, the place the picture stabilisation helped preserve every thing crisp and regular. In comparison with rivals just like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely, which presents the next zoom vary, the iPhone nonetheless holds its personal with superior color accuracy and dynamic vary.

Nonetheless, I do want the telephoto lens received the higher-resolution improve as properly. Xiaomi’s latest Combine Flip foldable ditched the ultrawide lens that the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and others use in favour of a telephoto – just because extra folks use the zoom lens. I feel the identical is true of iPhones. Maybe we’ll see a extra vital improve on iPhone 17 Professional Max?

You’ve received loads of different modes to choose from as properly. Portrait pictures come out wanting exceptionally pure and sharp, with element and sharpness being retained whenever you zoom in. That is true for each the rear digital camera and selfie snapper. The night time mode is downright distinctive, with the picture processing normally choosing extra sensible color in substitution for further sharpness.

When you’re hoping to simply level and shoot your pictures, the iPhone’s digital camera app is arguably the perfect for this. And with quicker apertures on all the cameras, taking pictures is faster than ever – one thing you’ll be able to actually discover should you’re attempting to seize one thing that’s transferring or wish to take a number of back-to-back snaps.

One of the crucial thrilling additions is the Digicam Management button. This touch-sensitive management enables you to entry varied digital camera modes with gestures. Whereas it took some getting used to, I discovered it extremely helpful when taking pictures on the go – particularly once I was doing actions or solely had one hand free. You may alter zoom and depth of discipline and even change lenses with out ever tapping the display.

In fact, you’ll be able to nonetheless do all this from the display. And whenever you’re taking pictures ordinarily, it would truly be simpler to not use Digicam Management. My different massive gripe with that is that when your iPhone is switched off, you’ll must press the button twice to launch the digital camera. Urgent it as soon as will change your machine on first.

Visible Intelligence seems compelling as a Google Lens various, however this isn’t out there on the time of writing (even on the beta software program I used to be working).

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

The iPhone’s video capabilities have additionally been supercharged with 4K 120fps recording and Dolby Imaginative and prescient. I shot some slow-motion footage at 120fps, and the outcomes have been breathtakingly clean.

Apple has even launched AI-powered Audio Combine instruments, that are particularly helpful when enhancing on the fly. Whether or not I used to be enhancing clips for social media or extra skilled use, the combination of cinematic video and studio-quality audio instruments made the iPhone 16 Professional Max a real media powerhouse. The noise discount doesn’t work fairly in addition to I’d have hoped, however is certainly higher than not being there in any respect.

Battery Life & Charging

• Lengthy-lasting battery lifetime of 14-16 hours with typical use
• Apple has stayed quiet on the mAh quantity
• Sooner MagSafe charging and Qi2 assist

Apple has considerably improved the battery life within the iPhone 16 Professional Max, due to each {hardware} and software program developments. Even with the bigger 6.9-inch show, the battery life is great, and I persistently received 14 to 16 hours of normal use on a single cost.

In actual fact, when attempting to deplete the battery in an effort to take a look at the charging speeds (see beneath), I truly discovered it tough to run the battery right down to 0. A mix of gaming, filming, and gaming managed to do the trick – but it surely was no straightforward feat.

In fact, Apple received’t inform us the precise mAh determine of the battery, although GSMArena estimates it to be 4685mAh. Nonetheless, the model does declare that that is the largest battery ever seen in an iPhone. To date, that appears true, and my outcomes line up with Apple’s estimates.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

This all-day battery efficiency is primarily as a result of energy effectivity of the A18 Professional chip, which optimises energy consumption throughout much less demanding duties. Whether or not I used to be streaming video, utilizing GPS for navigation, or taking pictures all through the day, the telephone simply made it to the night with battery to spare.

Apple has additionally enhanced MagSafe charging, which is now quicker than ever earlier than. Apple claims the telephone can cost as much as 50% in half-hour utilizing a 30W charger, which is spectacular for a battery of this measurement. In my testing, it beat that, getting from 0-50% in 28 minutes. Additionally, this 12 months the USB-C port has been bumped as much as Thunderbolt 4, enabling quicker knowledge switch.

It additionally helps Qi2 wi-fi charging, making it future-proof as extra third-party charging pads undertake this new customary. Although USB-C is now customary for charging, the iPhone 16 Professional Max can be used to cost different gadgets, like AirPods or an Apple Watch, by way of reverse wi-fi charging.

Software program & Apps

• Apple Intelligence exhibits large potential, however isn’t out there at launch
• New iOS 18 options like Math Notes and AI Writing Instruments are helpful
• Spectacular seven years of software program assist

The iPhone 16 Professional Max ships with iOS 18 out of the field. And whereas Apple is leaning closely into AI with its Apple Intelligence options, you don’t get these out of the field.

The primary of those be coming in iOS 18.1 – software program that’s at the moment out there for the general public to obtain in beta forward of an October launch. Nonetheless, most of the most anticipated AI options received’t be absolutely out there till future updates even additional down the road, making the software program expertise really feel prefer it’s in transition.

For this overview, I did set up the iOS 18.1 beta to check Apple Intelligence, as anybody can do the identical. Ordinarily, I’d say you’ll be able to’t overview what’s not on the machine. However, since anyone can technically get Apple Intelligence, I’ll embody it within the overview.

Simply be aware that you simply received’t get any Apple Intelligence options out of the field, whereas solely the options I discussed beneath are confirmed for an October launch. Rumours recommend the remainder of the options ought to have completed rolling out by February/March subsequent 12 months, however Apple has not confirmed this.

The commercial of Apple Intelligence however exclusion of the options out of the field is disappointing to see from Apple. The model is understood for releasing options a bit later than the competitors, however usually does issues even higher than rivals. Apple Intelligence is hailed because the iPhone 16 line-up’s core characteristic, but it surely’s not right here but, which makes the advertising and marketing really feel disjointed.

For instance, within the Apple retailer, demo iPhone 16 fashions present the brand new Siri UI in promotional reels. However should you truly use Siri, the previous interface seems. Issues really feel rushed, and that’s not like Apple.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Siri has acquired a major overhaul, changing into extra responsive and conversational. In beta, the brand new design takes over the complete display when activated, offering a extra immersive expertise.

Siri is now higher at dealing with multi-step requests and retaining context between interactions, which makes it really feel extra like a real assistant somewhat than only a voice command system. This context will get even deeper in later updates, which may also embody ChatGPT integration.

Writing Instruments inside apps like Mail and Messages use AI to assist enhance the tone and readability of your writing, providing solutions on making your textual content extra skilled or concise.

You additionally get notification summaries, which choose the important thing factors out of notifications from any app so that you don’t must learn the complete factor. These work surprisingly properly, and may be the perfect implementation of AI on a telephone. There’s a ‘Diminished Interruptions’ focus mode, which restricts notifications to solely those Apple thinks are most essential.

Options like Genmoji, the Picture Playground, ChatGPT integration, and the complete Siri improve are unavailable. However there’s a lot new in iOS 18 past Apple Intelligence.

iOS 18 introduces helpful options like Math Notes, which helps you to clear up equations instantly within the Notes app by writing them out. There’s additionally the flexibility to additional customise your app icons, together with the choice to depart clean areas in your house display’s app grid for extra customized layouts, one thing iPhone customers have been asking for.

Apple doesn’t explicitly say how lengthy the iPhone 16 Professional Max will probably be supported for, but when earlier fashions are something to go by, it’ll in all probability proceed receiving updates for at the very least seven full years. That matches the easiest on any Android telephone, and may even be prolonged after we get nearer to the time.

Value & Availability

As anticipated with a flagship iPhone, the iPhone 16 Professional Max comes with a premium price ticket. Beginning at £1,099/$1,099 for the bottom mannequin with 256GB of storage, it’s the identical worth as final 12 months’s mannequin, however with added options.

The 512GB model prices £1,399/$1,399, whilst you’ll pay £1,599/$1,599 for 1TB of storage.

The telephones can be found outright from Apple UK and Apple US, but in addition through a spread of third-party retailers. See the complete vary of choices in our information on the place to purchase the iPhone 16 collection.

That article contains contract choices, however most of the most inexpensive choices are included within the widgets beneath.

Do you have to purchase the iPhone 16 Professional Max?

The iPhone 16 Professional Max builds on what Apple does greatest – elegant design, highly effective efficiency, and wonderful cameras.

The introduction of Apple Intelligence and the Digicam Management button makes this telephone particularly interesting to photographers and people occupied with AI-enhanced performance. The 6.9-inch Tremendous Retina XDR OLED display is the perfect Apple has ever produced, whereas the A18 Professional chip ensures that the telephone is future-proof for years to come back.

Nonetheless, the complete potential of Apple’s AI options just isn’t but out there, and with many options not launching till later within the 12 months, some customers might wish to wait.

Finally, should you want an iPhone that pushes the boundaries of pictures and efficiency, the iPhone 16 Professional Max is a superb alternative. But it surely’s additionally a really costly one.

Specs

• iOS 18
• 6.9-inch 2868×1320 460ppi Tremendous Retina XDR show
• A18 Professional chipset
• 8GB RAM
• 256GB/512GB/1TB storage
• 48Mp f/1.8 primary digital camera
• 48Mp f/2.2 ultrawide digital camera
• 12Mp f/2.8 5x telephoto digital camera
• 12Mp f/1.9 entrance digital camera
• 4685mAh battery (reported)
• USB-C quick PD 2.0 charging
• 25W wi-fi MagSafe charging
• 15W wi-fi Qi 2 charging
• 4.5W reverse wi-fi charging
• Wi-Fi 7
• Bluetooth 5.3
• 5G
• IP68 water and mud resistance
• 163 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm
• 227g