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Phone Comparison

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Comparison

A detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right phone.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Apple
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
9.0 / 10
Compass Score
From 74 critic reviews
Full review →
Apple iPhone 18 Pro
Apple
Apple iPhone 18 Pro
8.9 / 10
Compass Score
From 55 critic reviews
Full review →
Verdict

Pros & cons

iPhone 15 Pro Max

A feature-packed phone with a sleek design but still needs extra care due to its delicate exterior.

+
Good
+ Lighter titanium design
+ Advanced gaming performance
+ Impressive 5x optical zoom
+ Long battery life
+ Clear audio quality
−
Not
− Screen easily scratches
− Slow charging
− Action Button limitations
− Heats up during heavy use
− High price

iPhone 18 Pro

Spec data

How they compare

Choosing the cheaper iPhone 15 Pro Max means giving up most on: Camera zoom, Battery life, Weight

iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 18 Pro
Price (MSRP)
$1,199
Price (MSRP)
$1,199
OS
iOS
OS
iOS
Processor
Apple A17 Pro Hexa-core
Processor
Apple A20 Pro Hexa-core
Camera zoom
β€”
Camera zoom
4Γ—
Battery life
12h 58m
GSMArena Active Use
Battery life
16h 43m
GSMArena Active Use
Wired charging
β€”
Wired charging
60W
Wireless charging
15W
Wireless charging
25W
Display
Color, 120Hz
2000 nits peak
Display
Color, 120Hz
3000 nits peak
Software support
β€”
Software support
β€”
Repairability
7/10
iFixit
Repairability
7/10
iFixit
Weight
221g (7.8 oz)
Weight
211g (7.4 oz)
Fingerprint
No
Fingerprint
No
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
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Third-party data

Testing & benchmarks

iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 18 Pro
DxOMark
154
photo 153 Β· video 158
DxOMark
172
photo 171 Β· video 176
AnTuTu v10
1.42M
AnTuTu v10
3.40M
GSMArena endurance
12h 58m
Active Use
GSMArena endurance
16h 43m
Active Use
iFixit repairability
7/10
iFixit repairability
7/10
Physical comparison

Size & weight

Footprint · to scale
iPhone 15 Pro Max
6.3" × 3"
iPhone 18 Pro
5.9" × 2.8"
Thickness · to scale
iPhone 15 Pro Max
0.3"
iPhone 18 Pro
0.3"
Height
6.3" (159.9 mm)
Height
5.9" (150 mm)
Width
3" (76.7 mm)
Width
2.8" (71.9 mm)
Depth
0.3" (8.3 mm)
Depth
0.3" (8.8 mm)
Weight
221g (7.8 oz)
Weight
211g (7.4 oz)
Screen
6.7"
Screen
6.3"

Dimensions shown in inches (mm). Silhouettes are proportionally scaled for visual comparison.

Common questions

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 18 Pro: FAQ

Which is better, the iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPhone 18 Pro?
Based on aggregated critic reviews, the iPhone 15 Pro Max earns a Compass Score of 9.0 compared to 8.9 for the iPhone 18 Pro. That 0.1-point gap reflects stronger reviews across the board, though individual priorities like camera quality, battery life, or price could tip the scales the other way. Scores aggregate dozens of expert opinions, so they are a useful starting point, not the final word.
Which phone has a better display, the iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPhone 18 Pro?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max runs at 120Hz and the iPhone 18 Pro at 120Hz. Since both panels match, day-to-day scrolling and animation fluidity will feel identical. Screen sizes are 6.7" and 6.3" respectively. Peak brightness hits 2,000 nits on the iPhone 15 Pro Max and 3,000 nits on the iPhone 18 Pro, which affects outdoor readability.
Which takes better photos, the iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPhone 18 Pro?
DxOMark rates the iPhone 18 Pro at 171 and the iPhone 15 Pro Max at 153 for still photography. A 18-point gap on DxOMark's scale typically translates to visible differences in dynamic range, noise control, or colour accuracy. Real-world results also depend on computational processing and your shooting habits, so consider browsing sample shots for scenes you care about most.
Which lasts longer on a charge, the iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPhone 18 Pro?
In GSMArena's standardised endurance test, the iPhone 18 Pro scored 16h 43m of active use compared to 12h 58m for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. That gives the iPhone 18 Pro a measurable edge in screen-on time between charges. Keep in mind that real-world battery life varies with signal strength, screen brightness, and app usage patterns.
Which is faster, the iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPhone 18 Pro?
The iPhone 18 Pro scores 3,402,829 in AnTuTu benchmarks compared to 1,421,780 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, roughly 139% higher in raw throughput. That gap is most noticeable in heavy gaming, video rendering, and large multitasking sessions. For everyday tasks like messaging and web browsing, both phones will feel responsive.
Which is easier to repair, the iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPhone 18 Pro?
Both the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 18 Pro score 7/10 on iFixit's repairability scale. Neither has a meaningful advantage in repair accessibility. Parts availability and repair cost should be similar for both devices.

Specifications sourced from manufacturers and third-party databases. Last updated November 2026. Suggest a correction →