15 Pro Max vs 14 Pro Max: all differences
The iPhone 15 Pro Max vs the iPhone 14 Pro Max will show you if Apple’s latest model has enough upgrades to be the top iPhone, or if it’s better to wait for the iPhone 16.
Key Takeaways:
- The 15 Pro Max outperforms the 14 Pro Max in several aspects, including display, processor, RAM, storage, rear camera, battery, and iOS.
- The 14 Pro Max remains a powerful device, with a gorgeous screen, a solid processor, enough memory and storage, an excellent camera system, a good battery, and a dependable iOS.
- The 15 Pro Max costs $100 more than the 14 Pro Max, but it’s worth it due to its upgraded features and performance.
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15 Pro Max vs 14 Pro Max: Spec
| Feature | 15 Pro Max | 14 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 160.7 x 77.6 x 7.9 mm (6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight | 221 g | 240 g |
| Build | Titanium frame, Ceramic Glass Shield | Stainless steel frame, Ceramic Glass Shield |
| SIM | Dual SIM (nano-SIM, eSIM) | Dual SIM (nano-SIM, eSIM) |
| Display | OLED, 6.7″, 120Hz, 1290×2796 pixels | OLED, 6.7″, 120Hz, 1290×2796 pixels |
| Platform | iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 17.2 | iOS 16, upgradable to iOS 17.2 |
| CPU | Hexa-core (2×3.78 GHz + 4×2.11 GHz) | Hexa-core (2×3.46 GHz Everest + 4×2.02 GHz Sawtooth) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (6-core graphics) | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) |
| Memory | RAM8GB (256GB, 512GB, 1TB) | RAM6GB (128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB) |
| Main Camera | 48MP main/12MP ultrawide/12MP telephoto w/ 5x zoom | 48MP main/12MP ultrawide/12MP telephoto w/ 3x zoom |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Sound | Stereo speakers | Stereo speakers |
| Battery (Type, charging) | Li-Ion, 4441 mAh | Li-Ion, 4323 mAh |
The 15 Pro Max outperforms the 14 Pro Max in several aspects, such as display, processor, RAM, storage, rear camera, battery, and iOS. It has a smoother screen, a faster and stronger chip, more memory, more storage choices, better wide and zoom lenses, a bigger battery, and a newer iOS. These features make it more agile, smooth, powerful, flexible, and ready for the future. However, the 14 Pro Max is still a great phone, with a gorgeous screen, a solid processor, enough memory and storage, an excellent camera system, a good battery, and a dependable iOS. They have the same size, weight, colors, front camera, video quality, and LiDAR scanner.
15 Pro Max vs 14 Pro Max: Pros and cons
| 15 Pro Max | 14 Pro Max |
| Pros + Upgraded A17 chip (faster performance) + USB-C charging and data transfer + Lighter titanium design Cons – More expensive at launch – Battery life improvements uncertain – Potential early adopter software quirks | Pros + Powerful A16 chip (still excellent) + Proven camera quality + May be discounted as the older model Cons – Limited to Lightning port – Heavier due to stainless steel – No longer the cutting-edge Apple device |
15 Pro Max vs 14 Pro Max: Pricing
Apple unveiled the 14 Pro Max on September 7, 2022, and it hit the shelves on September 16 with prices starting from $1,099 / £1,199 / AU$1,899 for the 128GB model. Fast forward to a year later, the 15 Pro Max made its debut on September 12, 2023, and went on sale on September 15. The base model, now with 256GB, was priced at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,199.
Interestingly, the entry-level 15 Pro Max costs more than its predecessor, but offers double the storage. When comparing identical storage models, the 15 Pro Max prices in the US match the 14 Pro Max launch prices, while in the UK, they’re slightly cheaper. However, in Australia, the new model is a bit pricier.
15 Pro Max vs 14 Pro Max: Design and size
At a glance, the 15 Pro Max and 14 Pro Max seem alike. Both have a glass back, three-lens camera block, and a Dynamic Island cut-out. However, the 15 Pro Max stands out with its titanium frame, making it stronger and lighter (221g) than its predecessor’s stainless steel frame (240g). It’s also slightly smaller, with dimensions of 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3mm and smaller display bezels.
A key difference is the charging port. The 14 Pro Max uses Apple’s Lightning port, while the 15 Pro Max introduces a USB-C port. Although slightly larger, it offers potential for 10Gbps high-speed data transfer with the right cable.
15 Pro Max vs 14 Pro Max: Display
At first glance, you might swear the 15 Pro Max and its predecessor share the exact same screen. After all, both boast breathtaking 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR displays with that silky-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The colors are vibrant, the blacks are inky, and the viewing angles are impeccable – just what you’d expect from Apple’s top-tier OLED magic.
But let’s dig deeper. Our meticulous testing uncovered some fascinating subtleties. The 14 Pro Max has a slight edge in peak brightness, reaching an impressive 1,565 nits compared to the 15 Pro Max’s 1,550 nits. Although we generally lean towards upgrades shining brightest (pun intended!), both phones come incredibly close to Apple’s 1,600 nit claim.
So, what’s the verdict? In everyday use, you’d be hard-pressed to declare one display the clear winner. They’re both spectacular and showcase Apple’s dedication to visual excellence. This match feels like less of a “versus” and more of a testament to the incredible displays powering both iPhone generations.
15 Pro Max vs 14 Pro Max: Performance and Software
While both the 14 Pro Max and 15 Pro Max are speedy, the newer 15 Pro Max outperforms its predecessor. It runs on the advanced A17 Pro chipset with 8GB RAM, compared to the 14 Pro Max’s A16 Bionic chipset and 6GB RAM.
The A17 Pro, built on a smaller 3nm process, boosts efficiency and battery life. It also features a 10% faster CPU and a 20% faster six-core GPU that supports on-hardware Ray Tracing. Consequently, the 15 Pro Max can run console-quality games natively, unlike the 14 Pro Max. However, the 14 Pro Max remains a powerful device, capable of handling most tasks with ease.
15 Pro Max vs 14 Pro Max: Camera
The cameras on these two phones differ mainly in their 12MP telephoto lenses. The 15 Pro Max has a 5x optical zoom, thanks to Apple’s new ‘tetraprism’ periscope design, while the 14 Pro Max has a 3x optical zoom.
The 15 Pro Max also has a better 3D sensor shift optical image stabilization, which keeps shots stable, especially on digitally zoomed videos. However, both phones have the same 48MP main camera, 12MP ultra-wide camera, and 12MP front-facing camera. These make them two of the best camera phones on the market, but the 15 Pro Max has an edge with its 5x optical zoom.
15 Pro Max vs 14 Pro Max: Battery life
Apple doesn’t reveal the battery sizes of its phones, but the 15 Pro Max likely has a similar or bigger battery than the 14 Pro Max. In our testing, the 15 Pro Max lasted 29 hours of mixed-use, while the 14 Pro Max lasted 24 hours of more limited use. Therefore, the 15 Pro Max has a slight edge, but both phones have comparable battery life.
Both iPhones can charge to 50% in 30 minutes with an optional 20W USB-C adapter, according to Apple. We tested this and both the 14 Pro Max and 15 Pro Max reached 45% charge in 30-35 minutes. Neither phone supports faster wired charging, but both support Qi and MagSafe charging and accessories.
15 Pro Max vs 14 Pro Max: Verdict
The 15 Pro Max costs $100 more than the 14 Pro Max, but we think it’s worth it. Here’s why:
- Apple doubles the starting storage to 256GB, which is great for content lovers. You won’t run out of space easily.
- The 15 Pro Max has USB-C, an Action button, and a titanium alloy frame. These are valuable features that enhance the phone’s performance and durability.
- The 15 Pro Max also has a 5x telephoto camera, which is much better than the 3x one in the 14 Pro Max. You can capture more details from afar.
These improvements make the 15 Pro Max the better phone in this comparison and justify the extra cost.
