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Phone Comparison

Apple iPhone 16e vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Comparison

A detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right phone.
Apple iPhone 16e
Apple
Apple iPhone 16e
7.7 / 10
Compass Score
From 57 critic reviews
Full review →
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Apple
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
8.9 / 10
Compass Score
From 43 critic reviews
Full review →
Verdict

Pros & cons

iPhone 16e

An affordable, reliable phone with strong performance and solid battery life, designed for everyday needs.

+
Good
+ Affordable price point
+ 6.1-inch OLED screen
+ Long battery life
+ Includes new C1 modem
+ Latest A18 processor
−
Not
− No MagSafe support
− Single rear camera
− No Dynamic Island
− Lower brightness display
− Limited color options

iPhone 18 Pro Max

Spec data

How they compare

Choosing the cheaper iPhone 16e means giving up most on: Camera zoom, Battery life, Wired charging

iPhone 16e
iPhone 18 Pro Max
Price (MSRP)
$599
Price (MSRP)
$1,299
OS
iOS
OS
iOS
Processor
Apple A18 Hexa-core
Processor
Apple A20 Pro Hexa-core
Camera zoom
β€”
Camera zoom
4Γ—
Battery life
11h 53m
GSMArena Active Use
Battery life
19h 20m
GSMArena Active Use
Wired charging
20W
Wired charging
60W
Wireless charging
7.5W
Wireless charging
25W
Display
Color, 60Hz
1200 nits peak
Display
Color, 120Hz
3000 nits peak
Software support
β€”
Software support
β€”
Repairability
7/10
iFixit
Repairability
7/10
iFixit
Weight
167g (5.9 oz)
Weight
249g (8.8 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 16e
iPhone 18 Pro Max
DxOMark
β€”
DxOMark
β€”
AnTuTu v10
1.61M
AnTuTu v10
3.46M
GSMArena endurance
11h 53m
Active Use
GSMArena endurance
19h 20m
Active Use
iFixit repairability
7/10
iFixit repairability
7/10
Physical comparison

Size & weight

Footprint · to scale
iPhone 16e
5.8" × 2.8"
iPhone 18 Pro Max
6.4" × 3.1"
Thickness · to scale
iPhone 16e
0.3"
iPhone 18 Pro Max
0.3"
Height
5.8" (146.7 mm)
Height
6.4" (163.4 mm)
Width
2.8" (71.5 mm)
Width
3.1" (78 mm)
Depth
0.3" (7.8 mm)
Depth
0.3" (8.8 mm)
Weight
167g (5.9 oz)
Weight
249g (8.8 oz)
Screen
6.1"
Screen
6.9"

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

Common questions

iPhone 16e vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: FAQ

Which is better, the iPhone 16e or iPhone 18 Pro Max?
Based on aggregated critic reviews, the iPhone 18 Pro Max earns a Compass Score of 8.9 compared to 7.7 for the iPhone 16e. That 1.2-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 16e or iPhone 18 Pro Max?
The iPhone 16e runs at 60Hz and the iPhone 18 Pro Max at 120Hz. A higher refresh rate makes scrolling, animations, and gaming feel noticeably smoother on the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Screen sizes are 6.1" and 6.9" respectively. Peak brightness hits 1,200 nits on the iPhone 16e and 3,000 nits on the iPhone 18 Pro Max, which affects outdoor readability.
Which lasts longer on a charge, the iPhone 16e or iPhone 18 Pro Max?
In GSMArena's standardised endurance test, the iPhone 18 Pro Max scored 19h 20m of active use compared to 11h 53m for the iPhone 16e. That gives the iPhone 18 Pro Max 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 16e or iPhone 18 Pro Max?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max scores 3,463,072 in AnTuTu benchmarks compared to 1,612,788 for the iPhone 16e, roughly 115% 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 phone is more affordable, the iPhone 16e or iPhone 18 Pro Max?
The iPhone 16e launches at $599, which is $700 less than the iPhone 18 Pro Max at $1,299. Street prices shift after launch, so check current deals for both phones before deciding.
Which is easier to repair, the iPhone 16e or iPhone 18 Pro Max?
Both the iPhone 16e and iPhone 18 Pro Max 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 →