Apple iPhone 15 Pro vs. Pro Max

Screen size is the biggest distinction

By
Molly McLaughlin
Molly McLaughlin
Molly McLaughlin
Senior Editor & Content Strategist
    Molly K. McLaughlin has been a technology editor and writer for over a dozen years. She runs product reviews for Lifewire, overseeing the process from hands-on testing to publishing.
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    Updated on March 15, 2024

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    The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max share most of their features, with a few exceptions:

    • Size
    • Display
    • Telephoto camera
    • Battery
    • Storage options
    • Price

    So, which iPhone should you buy? Here's what you need to know.

    Features

    iPhone 15 Pro

    • 6.1-inch always-on display

    • 5.77 x 2.78 x 0.32 in, 6.6 oz

    • A17 Pro chip

    • iOS 17 (shipped)

    • Up to 5 years of OS updates

    • 8GB RAM

    • 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB storage options

    • $1000 starting price at release

    • Released September 2023

    iPhone 15 Pro Max

    • 6.7-inch always-on display

    • 6.29 x 3.02 x 0.32 in, 7.81 oz

    • A17 Pro chip

    • iOS 17 (shipped)

    • Up to 5 years of OS updates

    • 8GB RAM

    • 256GB, 512GB, 1TB storage options

    • $1200 starting price at release

    • Released September 2023

    What are the Main Differences?

    The iPhone 15 Pro Max is bigger in most ways: overall size, screen, telephoto camera sensor, battery, and price. It also eschews the 128GB storage option offered by the Pro.

    iPhone 15 Pro

    • 6.1-inch always-on display

    • 5.77 x 2.78 x 0.32 in, 6.6 oz

    • 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB storage options

    • .5x, 1x, 2x, 3x optical zoom options

    • Up to 23 hours battery life (video playback)

    • $1000 starting price

    iPhone 15 Pro Max

    • 6.7-inch always-on display

    • 6.29 x 3.02 x 0.32 in, 7.81 oz

    • 256GB, 512GB, 1TB storage options

    • .5x, 1x, 2x, 5x optical zoom options

    • Up to 29 hours battery life (video playback)

    • $1200 starting price

    Cameras are Nearly Identical

    The cameras are almost identical, except the 15 Pro Max has 5x optical zoom while the 15 Pro has 3x. However, these cameras are more advanced than the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus.

    iPhone 15 Pro

    • 48MP Main

    • 48MP Ultra Wide

    • 48MP Telephoto

    • .5x, 1x, 2x, 3x optical zoom options

    • 12MP Front

    iPhone 15 Pro Max

    • 48MP Main

    • 48MP Ultra Wide

    • 48MP Telephoto

    • .5x, 1x, 2x, 5x optical zoom options

    • 12MP Front

    Final Thoughts: Size Matters

    The biggest (so to speak) difference between the two iPhones is their sizes. If you want a big screen, go with the Pro Max; get the Pro if you want a smaller screen (and overall device).

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