The upcoming iPhone 16 Pro Max, set to land on September 9, is literally going to be the biggest iPhone ever if the rumored 6.9-inch size turns out to be true.
Apple’s most anticipated device of 2024 is expected to pack a host of new upgrades, from the A18 Pro chip and a shutter button on the body, to AI capabilities and an improved camera.
But will the iPhone 16 Pro Max be a jaw-dropping release for the market, or just a minor upgrade from the iPhone 15 Pro Max? Let’s recap everything we know about the iPhone 16 Pro Max one more time.
The official pricing of the iPhone 16 Pro Max is yet to be revealed. But considering the iPhone 15 Pro Max saw a $100 price hike last year, there are hopes that Apple will maintain that price for at least one more year.
This would mean the iPhone 16 Pro Max could still be priced at $1,199 for the 256GB variant (roughly $35 million in the Vietnamese market). With its launch on September 9, pre-orders starting on September 13, and the device possibly reaching consumers’ hands from September 20.
As Apple has delayed the release of Apple Intelligence until October, even early buyers of the iPhone 16 Pro Max will have to wait for the iOS 18.1 upgrade to use this feature.
iPhone 16 Pro Max: The Biggest Yet
According to initial rumors, the iPhone 16 Pro Max sees a significant size increase — up from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches. This makes the 16 Pro Max the biggest iPhone to date and slightly larger than the 6.8-inch Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
To get an idea of what the 6.9-inch iPhone Pro Max might look like, check out the leaked images of the iPhone 16 Pro Max alongside the iPhone 15 Pro Max below.
iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Early renders suggest that the new phone is 0.19 inches taller than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but only 0.019 inches wider. Despite the increase in size, the 16 Pro Max still offers a familiar grip.
When comparing the iPhone 16 Pro Max to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, the Samsung phone is a little wider, while the Apple device will be taller. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is also heavier at 233 grams compared to 225 grams for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max and its siblings are expected to be more power-efficient thanks to OLED material, which is predicted to switch from blue fluorescent technology to blue phosphorescent technology.
Another upgrade to the OLED panel is the reduction of the bezel size, making the already large screen of the iPhone 16 Pro Max appear even larger due to its ultra-narrow 1.15mm bezel. In comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 1.71mm bezel, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra sports a 1.5mm bezel.
Comparison between iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 Ultra.
iPhone 16 Pro Max: What’s New
There are rumors that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will feature a new capacitive button, in addition to the Action button introduced on the Pro models last fall. This button enables quick photo capture and video recording, and even allows zooming with gesture controls.
In terms of color options, one source suggests the iPhone 16 Pro Max will be available in Space Black, Silver, Gray, or Rose. Rose is an entirely new option and is the signature color for this year. However, a recent report indicates that this color might be closer to Bronze.
Given Apple’s tendency to offer better chipsets in the Pro models compared to the standard and Plus variants, they are likely to do the same with the iPhone 16 series. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will feature the A18 Pro chip. The other iPhone 16 models will have different variants of the A18.
The A18 Pro is said to outperform Apple’s M-series laptop/tablet chips in single-core tests and is the best Apple device for AI features thanks to its super-powerful NPU, paired with 8GB of RAM.
Apple is working to reduce thermal dispersion for the iPhone 16’s battery, including the use of a metal casing and a new connector on the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s battery. The new casing, along with a higher battery density, allows for longer battery life without compromising heat management.
A leak suggests that the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max will all have increased battery capacities, with the Pro Max reaching 4,676 mAh. (The iPhone 15 Pro Max uses a 4,422 mAh battery.) However, the battery capacity of the iPhone 16 Plus may be reduced.
Apple promises over 30 hours of battery life for the new Pro Max, which would be a fantastic minor upgrade from the current 29 hours of video playback that Apple promises with the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The new shutter button located on the side.
iPhone 16 Pro Max: Enhanced Camera Quality
While there aren’t many rumors about the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s camera, there are still some notable upgrades to mention.
The telephoto lens on the iPhone 16 Pro Max is said to have a 300mm focal length — double the 120mm lens on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. It’s also claimed that the 16 Pro Max will feature a 1/1.4-inch sensor, slightly larger than the 1/1.28-inch sensor on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This allows the camera to capture more light and improve overall performance.
Like the rest of the iPhone 16 lineup, the iPhone 16 Pro Max will run iOS 18, which Apple previously introduced with several notable changes. But the more important addition is Apple Intelligence, an AI-based feature provided by Apple.
Beyond a smarter Siri, Apple Intelligence introduces writing tools that suggest changes in phrasing and tone, photo editing tools, image creation, and context-based organization. The system requirements for Apple Intelligence are quite high, but it will still be supported on older generations like the iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max.
iPhone 16 Pro Max or iPhone 16 Ultra?
There has been much speculation about whether the iPhone 16 Pro Max will be released or if it will be replaced by the long-awaited iPhone Ultra. Some suggest that the Ultra might not be an entirely new iPhone but a rebranded Pro Max.
If it’s just an Ultra in name, the iPhone 16 Ultra might not be that exciting for users. According to Phones editor John Velasco, Apple would generate more enthusiasm by creating a foldable iPhone rather than increasing the Pro Max’s screen size and rebranding it as the Ultra.
As always, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is expected to be a minor upgrade rather than a revolutionary redesign. It offers a larger screen, a more powerful camera system, an additional shutter button, increased battery capacity, and AI improvements. For a completely new experience, users may have to wait for the iPhone 17 generation.
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