Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Review
In September 2024, the launch of the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max set a new standard for users, but it was preceded by something of a watershed year for Apple. 2023 marked the first time that an iPhone, specifically the iPhone 15 range, came equipped with USB-C instead of the brand’s proprietary Lightning connector, which opened the door for many people to utilise their existing USB cables. We mention this, because the iPhone 16 series represents another milestone moment for the series in several ways.
In this review, we’ll take you through the high-end member of the family, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and detail just what these key changes are.
Pick up the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max in a range of colours and with ample storage space, starting at 256GB.
Specs
• Dimensions – 163 x 77.6 x 8.25mm
• Weight – 227g
• OS – iOS 18
• Display – 6.9” Super Retina XDR OLED
• Resolution – 2868 x 1320
• Processor – A18 Pro
• RAM – 8GB
• Storage – 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
• Rear cameras – 48MP Fusion; 48MP ultra-wide; 12MP telephoto
• Battery – up to 33 hours video playback
• Water and dust resistance – IP68
• Connectivity – 5G; 4G; Bluetooth 5.3
Design
The first element we need to talk about on the 16 Pro Max is its design changes which, whilst not being visually eye-catching by any means, are hugely transformative to the overall experience. The inclusion of physical buttons might not sound exciting, but considering that Apple gradually phased out several of the iPhone’s button options starting with the iPhone X, this reintroduction on the 16 Pro Max is pretty significant.
For one, there’s something to be said for the tactile feel of physical buttons over haptic. There’s a more immediate sense that you’ve pressed the button, and the phone has registered your action, when using the buttons on the 16 Pro Max. Haptic buttons absolutely have a place on smartphones in how they create a sleeker overall look, but it’s nice to see that Apple has gone for a blend of the two here. The blend is literal in this case, as these buttons are both physical and haptic, giving you the best of both worlds.
Let’s talk specifically about what these buttons do. The Action button, which also featured on the iPhone 15 Pro, enables you to map various functions and trigger them with a single or double press. This might include putting your phone in Silent mode, or to turn on the Torch feature; the options available are vast. Case in point, the Action button significantly enhances the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s versatility.
A button that did not appear on previous handsets, however, is Camera Control. Whilst you could use the Action button to open the Camera app, this sapphire-covered button gives you a dedicated way to control the camera without needing to swipe through menus. With a single press you can take the shot for easy functionality, but you can also double tap to change various settings such as the zoom and shooting mode. If you’ve ever found it annoying to have to hold a phone up and adjust the finer details simultaneously, the Camera Control button brilliantly solves that problem.
Having these buttons on the iPhone 16 Pro Max feels like a nod to handsets of yesteryear, yet none of the modern innovations like the Dynamic Island are lost in the process. This handset also retains much of what we loved about previous Pro Max models, such as the lightweight-but-durable titanium frame and Ceramic Shield front screen.
Display
Speaking of the screen, the iPhone 16 Pro Max possesses the largest display of any iPhone as of its release. Measuring in at 6.9”, this Super Retina XDR OLED is absolutely exquisite to look at, whether you’re watching a 4K film or playing a game with the graphic settings maxed out. The 120Hz adaptive refresh rate also plays an essential role in smoothing out each frame, enhancing what is already a fantastic viewing experience.
Something that makes the 16 Pro Max’s screen look larger might not be immediately noticeable, but it’s a factor nonetheless: a reduced bezel. By shrinking the bezel between the screen and the frame, Apple are able to present more of the display without actually stretching it out; it’s a neat adjustment.
Many of the display features you’d expect are also present on the 16 Pro Max, including HDR support, True Tone and a 2000 nits peak brightness when using your phone outdoors. Like on most iPhones we’ve reviewed previously, we particularly like what HDR and True Tone are able to accomplish together; images are considerably more detail-rich and closer to real-life visuals.
There’s ultimately nothing groundbreaking about the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s display, but that is no bad thing. With Apple laying the foundations for a stunning cinematic experience on handsets like the 15 Pro Max, they don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
Performance & software
Moving on to performance, the 16 Pro Max is undoubtedly up there as one of the fastest phones we’ve ever reviewed. This is largely due to the massive processing speeds delivered by the A18 Pro chipset, which in turn are generated by a more efficient array of transistors and cores.
This is truly an exceptional CPU, easily handling every workload or task thrown at it. From unlocking the phone to jumping into a performance-heavy task like photography or gaming, the A18 Pro very much lives up to its name.
There’s one element of the iPhone 16 Pro Max that, prior to this handset, Apple had only dabbled in: AI. The debut of Apple Intelligence is hugely impactful, imbuing the 16 Pro Max with a wealth of powerful smart features that prior iPhones wouldn’t be capable of running.
The first of these features is Writing Tools. If there’s a group chat or a long list of notes that you’d like a summary of, Writing Tools can provide this with the tap of a button. Once you’ve summarised things, you can choose from a myriad of granular options, such as whether you want the AI to proofread it or perform a full rewrite. Ease-of-use is a key reason this tool works so well, and it can be combined with Siri to make organising your day incredibly simple.
Image generation on the 16 Pro Max also impressed us, and is a superb example of why AI exists on smartphones in the first place: to streamline manual tasks and offer new ways of achieving great results. Apple Intelligence can be used with the Genmoji feature to create a wider variety of creative images, similar to the image generator function built into ChatGPT. Even more impressive is Image Wand; draw a sketch and watch as Apple Intelligence produces a detailed image to accompany your notes. This feature is ideal for students and professionals alike, offering a quick and easy way to support your work.
Simply put, Apple Intelligence transforms the iPhone experience by blowing the functionality door wide open. The proverbial door is opened further, however, by the inclusion of iOS 18 and its rich suite of updates, such as swappable lock screen controls and a redesigned photo gallery.
Cameras
Apple have a lauded history when it comes to camera phones, and the 16 Pro Max rightfully joins that pantheon. Hardware-wise, this handset is very similar to the 15 Pro Max with its 48MP Fusion, 48MP Ultra-Wide and 12MP telephoto cameras, which are capable of producing fantastic-looking photos brimming with detail.
The most exciting innovations come in the filmmaking department, with support for 4K 120fps video in Dolby Vision. This alternative to HDR carries its own advantages, and the end result is video footage that looks significantly more true-to-life.
Also making their debut on the iPhone 16 Pro Max are spatial 3D photos; a technology strongly associated with Apple’s Vision Pro headset. Whilst the 15 Pro Max had support for spatial video capture, the iPhone 16 series represents the first time that spatial photos can also be taken. As another tick for the 16 Pro Max, this phone can do both.
Battery
Powering all of these features requires a potent battery, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max doesn’t disappoint in this regard. Up to 33 hours of video playback is possible on this handset, representing a 4 hour increase over its predecessor. Up to 29 hours of video can also be streamed before it needs to be charged, so you can quite easily get through your commute with battery life left to spare.
Recharge speeds on the 16 Pro Max aren’t quite up to par with some of the industry’s other handsets, but they’re very respectable, nonetheless. It’s possible to charge the 16 Pro Max back up to 100% in just over an hour, but this will naturally depend on your charger’s wattage.
Summary
Simply put, whether or not you’re already a fan of Apple smartphones, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is one of the best handsets you can own. It carries the hallmarks of the finest iPhones from year’s past, yet still finds time to innovate in areas like AI. If you’re wanting the best of the best, here it is.
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