The latest model, iPhone 15 Pro Max, has just arrived. But the big question is, is it better than the earlier iPhone 14 Pro Max? We’ve got you covered with a detailed comparison of the iPhone 15 Pro Max vs the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Apple’s premium smartphones have always been in the spotlight, but this time, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has introduced some remarkable changes that set it apart from its predecessor, the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Both offer all the modern features we expect, so you can always get in a quick game of solitaire or Angry Birds on the commute! Let’s explore the differences that make the iPhone 15 Pro Max a noteworthy upgrade from the already impressive iPhone 14 Pro Max.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: comparison
Exploring Specs, Features, and Upgrades
Apple’s new iPhone 15 Pro Max offers unique features not found in other models. One standout feature is the enhanced zoom capability, a dream come true for photography enthusiasts and videographers. Usually, Apple makes small upgrades to its Pro phones every year. But this year, they’ve made some big changes. It’s like the iPhone 15 Pro Max is in a whole new category when you compare it to the 2022 model, the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Physical changes
In 2022, the iPhone 14 Pro Max was the largest iPhone available, measuring 6.33 inches long, 3.05 inches wide, and a slim 0.31 inches thick. Now, the new iPhone 15 Pro is slightly smaller at 6.29 inches long, and 3.02 inches wide, but a tad thicker at 0.32 inches. It’s also lighter, weighing 7.81 ounces compared to the 8.47 ounces of the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Both phones maintain the classic iPhone design with flat edges and rounded corners. They feature a stainless steel frame and protective glass on the front and back, including the tough Ceramic Shield layer.
Apple says that the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have the slimmest borders ever seen on an iPhone. T bezels are smaller as compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max. This means you get a more immersive viewing experience with the new model. But there’s another advantage to reducing the bezels on the iPhone 15 Pro – it also makes the phones themselves more compact in size.
The iPhone 15 Pro series has upgraded to Grade 5 titanium for its frame instead of using stainless steel like the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. This change makes the phone’s design not only more durable but also surprisingly lightweight when you hold it or put it in your pocket.
Faster Processor
The A16 Bionic chip in the iPhone 14 Pro Max is already super fast, but the new A17 Pro chip in the iPhone 15 Pro is set to take performance to the next level.
Built using a 3nm process, the A17 Pro is expected to be faster and more power-efficient. While benchmarks and battery tests will give us the full picture, Apple claims that the CPU on this chip will be 10% faster due to design improvements. Additionally, the neural engine, which handles AI tasks, is now twice as fast.
The most significant upgrades are in the A17 Pro’s GPU, which has a 6-core design and supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Apple boasts a 20% improvement in GPU speed, making the iPhone 15 Pro models a top choice for mobile gamers.
Upgraded zoom lens and other camera upgrades
The all-new iPhone 15 Pro Max camera has some amazing changes. It used to lag behind in telephoto zoom, but not anymore. The iPhone 15 Pro Max introduces a tetraprism design, allowing it to mimic a 120mm focal length and achieve a 5x optical zoom, a notable upgrade from the 3x zoom in the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The main sensor is also larger, capturing more light in challenging conditions. By default, photos are taken at 24MP, and you can choose different focal lengths (24mm, 28mm, and 35mm).
The iPhone 15 Pro comes with some great camera upgrades, especially when it comes to making your photos look better. You don’t have to manually pick “Portrait Mode” before taking a picture anymore. The phone is smart enough to figure out when to use it on its own, even with pets in the frame!
But what’s really amazing is that even after you’ve taken a picture, you can still change what the main focus is. So, if there are two things in the photo, you get to choose which one should be the main thing you see in the front, and which one should be in the background. It’s like magic for your photos!
At night, this phone’s Night mode works its magic to make your photos sharper and clearer, even in low light. And when you’re taking daytime shots, Smart HDR steps in to make sure your skin tones look just right and the bright parts of your photos really shine. No need to fiddle with different settings – it’s all automatic, so your photos look fantastic without any hassle.
A new action button
The Action Button, which was initially introduced on the Apple Watch Ultra, is a button that does a particular thing when you press it. On the iPhone 15 Pro, it takes the place of the mute switch but can still function as a mute switch if you prefer it that way.
You have the flexibility to switch between different actions that can work with Dynamic Island, such as Voice Memos and Camera, or you can run shortcuts that you’ve set up in the Shortcuts app. Instead of a traditional switch, the Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro resembles the volume up and down buttons.
Battery life comparison of iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max
The iPhone 14 Pro Max already impresses with its long-lasting battery, going for 13 hours and 39 minutes in a web surfing test. Now, the iPhone 15 Pro Max could potentially do even better thanks to its more power-efficient 3nm A17 Pro chip, rumored to offer a 35% improvement in efficiency. While there’s speculation that the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a larger battery (4,852 mAh) compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max (4,323 mAh), we’ll need teardowns to confirm. As for video and audio playback times, no changes are listed in the iPhone 15 Pro Max specs, so we’ll have to test it to know for sure.
End of an era for Lightning cable
The newest iPhones have replaced their Lightning ports with USB-C ports. This change is especially significant for iPhone users outside of the United States. This is because the European Parliament has passed a law that requires all electronic devices to be compatible with USB-C by the end of 2024.
USB-C is a widely used charging port for most non-Apple tech products, which means if you own a non-Apple tablet, headphones, or smartwatch, you probably have a bunch of USB-C cables lying around. What’s even cooler is that the USB-C cables for the iPhone 15 come in colors that match the iPhone itself. So, not only do you get universal charging compatibility, but you also get a cable that matches your iPhone’s color. It’s a cute touch!
Price and storage comparison of iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max
The iPhone 15 Pro Max does cost $100 more than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, starting at $1,199. However, Apple sweetens the deal by giving you more storage right from the start. The base model of the iPhone 15 Pro Max comes with 256GB. As for the iPhone 14 Pro Max, it had 128GB as its base model.
You can pre-order the iPhone 15 Pro Max starting on September 15. And it will be available in stores on September 22. As for the iPhone 14 Pro Max, it’s no longer in Apple’s lineup. But you can still find it with wireless carriers and retailers.
