iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max: How to choose the best smartphone? – Frandroid

The iPhone Pro Max is not only the largest model in the Apple catalog. They are also the ones who often benefit from the most advanced features. Let’s see how to disconnect iPhone 14 Pro Max from iPhone 15 Pro Max.

On the left the iPhone 14 Pro Max, on the right the iPhone 15 Pro Max. // Source: Frandroid

In this case, this year Apple decided to “make us an iPhone 12 Pro Max,” as they say in the industry (that’s wrong, no one says that). Understand that the iPhone 15 Pro Max is technically superior to the iPhone 15 Pro, at least when it comes to the photography part. Of course, we’ll explain all of this in more detail below, but you should know that only the iPhone 15 Pro Max has periscope zoom. A detail that might make all the difference for those who are hesitant.

One more detail might be interesting before breaking the bank: if the iPhone 15 Pro Max hasn’t technically dropped in price, it has twice as much storage as its predecessor. The new model costs 1,479 euros with 256 GB of storage. When it launched, the iPhone 14 Pro Max was priced the same but with just 128GB of storage. The 256 GB variant climbed to 1,609 euros. Please note, however, that the iPhone 14 Pro Max can now be found at a cheaper price in all cases due to its relative age.

The technical data sheets of the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max

Same in appearance

Nothing resembles an iPhone more than an iPhone. However, this year the entire iPhone 15 series has undergone major developments. The classic models finally inherit the Dynamic Island and a matte back, and the Pro/Pro Max are now decorated with titanium to make them lighter.

This is the main difference between the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 14 Pro Max. By replacing the stainless steel of the previous models with grade 5 titanium, Apple has given its gigantic smartphone a little slimming treatment and made it lose 19 grams. So we’re at 221 grams for the newcomer, compared to 240 grams for the 14 Pro Max. And believe us: the difference is clearly noticeable every day.

Let’s not talk too much about the design. You can see it for yourself: Our two competitors of the day look very similar except for the colors. However, there are two more details that we should pay attention to: the ringtone switch disappears on the iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max, making room for the action button, which we will discuss in more detail below. Oh, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max switches to USB-C. Just that!

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max // Source: Frandroid – Chloé Pertuis

The photo module of the iPhone 14 Pro Max for illustration // Source: Anthony Wonner – Frandroid

There is no reason to worry about the durability of the two cell phones. They benefit from a protective coating on their screen and an IP68 certification that allows them to withstand submersion in fresh water up to 6 meters deep for 30 minutes.

A balanced showdown

Apple hasn’t made any major changes to the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s display. Measuring 6.7 inches like its predecessor, it’s ever-so-slightly cropped (tiny, actually) around the edges to further maximize display real estate. Technically speaking, however, we remain with a completely similar proposal.

Both smartphones offer a resolution of 2796 x 1290 pixels and an adaptive frequency of 120 Hz. Both support HDR and Dolby Vision. However, according to our research, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is capable of offering much better brightness, with more than 2200 nits measured, compared to almost 1900 nits on the iPhone 14 Pro Max. It may also depend on the sensitivity of the iPhone sensors – technically speaking, both phones promise a peak light output of 2000 nits.

When it comes to colorimetry and color accuracy, it must be said again that iPhones come standard with TrueTone functionality, which corrects the white point depending on the lighting conditions of the room in which you are. TrueTone is turned off when we run our tests, but inevitably the results won’t exactly match those you see when using smartphones.

Source: Frandroid – Chloé Pertuis

Source: Frandroid – Chloé Pertuis

However, the iPhone 15 Pro Max appears to perform significantly better than its predecessor as it manages the DCI-P3 color space better (96% vs. 76%). However, its Delta E, which measures the difference between a displayed color and its Pantone reference, is slightly higher (3.8) than last year (3.02).

We’ll say it again: details. In everyday life, we can assure you that you probably won’t notice much difference, except for the increased brightness of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which could be of great use to you outdoors.

Slight advantage of the iPhone 15 Pro Max on the software side

Apple is one of the very good students when it comes to software monitoring of its devices. iPhones are updated for about six years. Therefore, based on this information, we can deduce that the newer iPhone 15 Pro Max offers tracking and updates for longer than the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

However, the real differences between the user experience on this year’s model and the previous model can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Most of the new features of the iPhone 15 Pro Max focus on the famous action button that we talked about above.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro // Source: Frandroid

Apple iPhone 15 Pro // Source: Frandroid

It replaces the ringer switch and allows you to configure various shortcuts that are activated with one click. Open the camera, start an audio recording, turn on the flashlight… or practically anything you want with the powerful Shortcuts app. In my case, I configured the appearance of a menu that allows me to control the various light bulbs in my home and access the remote control of my Apple TV.

Apart from that, both smartphones benefit from all the new features of iOS 17, which we describe in detail in this article. Keep in mind that the latest iPhone should theoretically benefit from an additional year of updates.

We also remind you that our two opponents have the Dynamic Island: this new smart notch that displays contextual information (timer, route, music currently playing) without hindering facial unlocking.

Source: Chloé Pertuis – Frandroid

The obvious superiority of the iPhone 15 Pro Max

It’s not hard to guess: the iPhone 15 Pro Max is newer and therefore has the most powerful chip Apple has ever developed, the A17 Pro. If the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s A16 Bionic continues to be one of the most impressive SoCs on the market, it logically takes a back seat to the new model. The first is engraved in 3 nm.

The benchmarks prove it: The A17 Pro offers 20 to 30% higher performance compared to the previous generation. Not that the iPhone 14 Pro Max needs it, mind you. However, this additional power reserve allows the latest addition to do more and faster (particularly batch file processing, image editing actions, etc.). The additional core of its GPU also offers greater comfort in very demanding 3D games.

But this boost in performance also comes at a price: long gaming sessions lead to significant heating. Not so much that you could cook an egg in it, we assure you, but enough to note it in our test. A point that did not require attention with the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Ever further, ever stronger

Most spec sheets for the iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max cameras are identical. We find the same 48 megapixel main sensor, the same ultra wide angle, the same front sensor for selfies… but not the same telephoto lens. Not at all.

Source: Frandroid – Chloé Pertuis

Apple iPhone 14 Pro

iPhone 15 Pro Max:

• 48 Mpx main lens: 24 mm, aperture ƒ/1.78, optical image stabilization system via sensor shift;
• 12MP ultra wide angle: 13mm, ƒ/2.2 aperture and 120° field of view;
• 5x 12 MP telephoto lens: 120 mm, ƒ/2.8 aperture, optical image stabilization system via 3D sensor shift;
• 12 Mpx Selfie: 23 mm, ƒ/1.9 aperture, optical stabilization system through sensor movement.

iPhone 14 Pro Max:

• 48 Mpx main lens: 24 mm, aperture ƒ/1.78, optical image stabilization system via sensor shift;
• 12MP ultra wide angle: 13mm, ƒ/2.2 aperture and 120° field of view;
• 3x 12 MP telephoto lens: 77 mm, ƒ/2.8 aperture, sensor-shift optical image stabilization system;
• 12 Mpx Selfie: 23 mm, aperture ƒ/1.9, optical stabilization system through sensor movement.

All this, of course, without mentioning the various software improvements and the contribution of the A17 Pro chip to image processing. In short, let’s not beat around the bush: the iPhone 15 Pro Max offers the most satisfying photography experience on an iPhone to date.

Ultra wide angle iPhone 15 Pro Max (6)

Ultra wide angle iPhone 15 Pro Max (6)

Wide angle shot iPhone 15 Pro Max

Wide angle shot iPhone 15 Pro Max

iPhone 15 Pro Max

iPhone 14 Pro Max

However, it should be noted that in the middle of the day or generally in good lighting conditions it will be very difficult to tell the difference between the two smartphones. Especially in the absence of a detailed comparison of a series of photos taken simultaneously with the two cameras.

The iPhone 14 Pro Max received an 8/10 photo rating last year, so it remains completely relevant for all uses. Most importantly, the addition of a 5x periscopic telephoto lens will be a game-changer for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. For both architectural photos and portraits. It’s simple: we don’t often have the opportunity to play with this type of focal length on a smartphone. And even less so on an iPhone, which also gives that spectacular look to photos taken at 5x magnification.

iPhone 14 Pro Max

Photo taken with the x5 telephoto lens of the iPhone 15 Pro Max // Source:

iPhone 15 Pro Max Night // Source: Frandroid

X5 iPhone 15 Pro Max

X5 iPhone 15 Pro Max

iPhone 15 Pro Max

Finally, let’s look at the few software special features of the iPhone 15 compared to the previous generation. For the first time, Apple is allowing everyone to choose the focal length they prefer for wide angle. By default, the iPhone 15 Pro Max takes photos at 24mm. But you can now choose a focal length of 28mm or even 35mm in the settings, closer to what the human eye really sees. A very good idea, especially since the sharpness of the images is not affected thanks to a digital zoom that is as economical as it is well attenuated by the algorithms.

iPhone 15 Pro Max // Source: Frandroid

iPhone 15 Pro Max // Source: Frandroid

iPhone 15 Pro Max // Source: Frandroid

iPhone 15 Pro Max

To prefer the new model

According to unofficial reports (Apple never discloses the capacity of its batteries), the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a slightly larger battery than its predecessor. And tests show the latest model has better battery life than the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

It doesn’t matter much, mind you. But it appears that the iPhone 15 Pro Max offers an average of an hour of additional screen time in videographer MrWhoseTheBoss’s fairly busy protocol. In both cases you will get through the day more than well.

Remember: If you want the iPhone with the best battery life on the market, go with the iPhone 15 Plus.

There is no difference to report in terms of charging. With a power adapter that exceeds the maximum allowable power of 27W, you should allow a little over 1 hour and 30 minutes to go from a turned off iPhone to a full battery. The only difference, we repeat, is that the iPhone 15 Pro Max now charges via USB-C rather than Lightning.

iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPhone 14 Pro Max, which one should you choose?

This is a difficult choice. Long story short: There is no world where the iPhone 14 Pro Max is better than the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The new model is more efficient, lighter, more durable and offers a more versatile photography experience. It is undeniable.

So everything will come down to a price criterion. The iPhone 15 Pro Max has just been released and will therefore not fall below 1,479 euros for a while. The iPhone 14 Pro Max is now being widely sold out by retailers and can be found below the 1,200 euro mark.

If the arguments put forward here for the iPhone 15 Pro Max don’t make you want to invest almost 300 euros more in this new model, then the iPhone 14 Pro Max is still an excellent option to consider… if You can of course endure a 240 gram device all day long and if you don’t have a problem with the lack of a USB-C port.