iPhone 16 Pro Max Review: Apple’s Biggest and Boldest iPhone Yet

Alright, it is that point of the yr! Apple lastly took the plunge and went all out on AI with its new iPhone 16 collection. Calling the most recent iPhones as constructed for Apple Intelligence. After all, the corporate coined its model of AI, quick for synthetic intelligence, which the remainder of the world makes use of for its merchandise, however that is Apple, so you understand it. Nevertheless, one huge miss is these telephones don’t include any Apple Intelligence options out-of-the-box.

We have got the brand new iPhone 16 collection and the Watch 10 mannequin. I am beginning the proceedings with the all-new iPhone 16 Professional Max, the most important iPhone when it comes to show and dimension ever constructed by Apple. I’ll soar to the iPhone 16 Plus and Watch Collection 10 fashions subsequent, however these are for another day, so keep tuned to Devices 360 for these.

The iPhone 16 collection is the primary set of iPhones constructed or designed for Apple Intelligence. Nevertheless, that is in all probability occurring for the primary time that Apple stored an AI-related theme for its launch occasion in September – Glowtime – to spotlight how the brand new options change how everybody will use iPhones going ahead however missed providing these out of the field.

As a heads-up for readers, this evaluate talks about how huge of an improve the iPhone 16 Pro Max is over its predecessor in each method doable. After all, I’ll do an in-depth piece when the most recent iOS 18 replace (learn, secure) hits the brand new gadgets with Apple Intelligence options. However for now, let’s dive into the brand new Max, we could?

iPhone 16 Professional Max Design: Accustomed to Titan Contact

• Colors: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Pure Titanium, and Desert Titanium
• Weighs: 227 grams
• Dimensions: 163×77.6×8.25mm

Virtually, the iPhone 16 Professional Max is 15 Pro Max on steroids. Why? Let me clarify. If the 16 Professional Max is positioned on a desk with the show going through downward alongside the 15 Professional Max, not many individuals can work out that that is the new-gen mannequin – albeit in the event that they discover carefully. Design-wise, the iPhone 16 Professional Max packs a bunch of latest issues. After all, the Digicam Management is the most important addition. Subsequent, the bezels on the 16 Professional Max are slimmer than the 15 Professional Max. Final however not least, the 16 Professional Max packs the most important show ever seen on an iPhone but. I’ll deep dive one after the other now.

Apple launched the Motion Button final yr with the iPhone 15 Professional collection 

After introducing the Motion button on the iPhone 15 Professional Max, Apple has added Digicam Management to its whole vary of iPhone 16 fashions this yr.

 

Simply after we thought smartphone producers have been shifting in the direction of gesture-based controls for interactions, Apple took a special route by including one other bodily button. The iPhone 16 Professional Max packs the ability and quantity rockers alongside the Digicam Management and Motion buttons – 4 bodily buttons total. Whereas establishing the 16 Professional Max, I deliberately eliminated the digital camera app icon from the house display screen in order that I might use the all-new Digicam Management. Nevertheless, my muscle reminiscence led me to the house display screen for the primary few days till I realised the 16 Professional Max had a devoted digital camera button.

When you get used to the Digicam Management, there is no going again. It is handy and straightforward to search out, and the most effective feeling is that it typically provides a nostalgic point-and-shoot digital camera reminiscence. The one drawback is that vertical pictures or movies are the brand new norm for social media, akin to Instagram, Fb, X, and different platforms like YouTube with Shorts. For a tool just like the iPhone 16 Professional Max, holding the cellphone with one hand and utilizing the Digicam Management to border your shot is difficult. You want the second hand for higher framing your photographs. Digicam Management on the smaller iPhone 16 Professional needs to be simply manageable. The Digicam Management addition is a neat contact, and it is like a shoutout to all pictures lovers to go all out with this one.

iPhone 16 Professional Max (proper facet) encompasses a 6.9-inch show, whereas the 15 Professional Max (left facet) packs a 6.7-inch show

In case you are completely satisfied utilizing the app on the house display screen to launch the digital camera and need to utilise the digital camera management for one thing else, Apple has you lined. You’ll be able to select between launching the Digicam app, code scanner, Instagram, Magnifier or none. With future updates, Apple is predicted so as to add extra third-party apps to the checklist.

The burden improve is minimal regardless of the display screen dimension bump from 6.7 inches on the 15 Professional Max to six.9 inches on the iPhone 16 Professional Max. It is 227 grams on the 16 Professional Max versus 221 grams on the 15 Professional Max. The very best half is the burden distribution. It is even and aesthetically designed and might be managed by one hand. Nevertheless, folks with small arms will discover working the 16 Professional Max with one hand barely inconvenient. I took a while to get used to the 16 Professional Max regardless of utilizing the 15 Professional Max for nearly a yr. It is humorous that just about a decade again, we used to get tablets with 7-inch display screen sizes that had a correct heft and thick bezels.

The iPhone 16 Professional Max weighs 227 grams, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely weighs 232 grams

The foremost adjustments it’s good to adapt to throughout each day use are in width and top. In comparison with the 15 Professional Max (top 159.9mm and width 76.7mm), the 16 Professional Max measures 163mm in top and 77.6mm in width. As you possibly can see, the 16 Professional Max is taller and wider than its predecessor.

Leaping to colors, the Professional fashions once more are available in titanium shades this yr. Desert Titanium, which we obtained for the evaluate, is the most effective among the many 4 selections this yr – Pure Titanium, White Titanium, and Black Titanium, among the many others. All the colors look placing. Alternatively, the iPhone 16 fashions get some actually good colors this yr.

iPhone 16 Professional Max (left) vs iPhone 15 Professional Max (proper) side-by-side comparability

The iPhone 16 Professional Max has Apple’s largest show ever and packs the thinnest borders on any of its merchandise. One thing that was immediately noticeable once I began utilizing the 16 Professional Max for this evaluate. Skinny bezels imply extra display screen actual property and a extra immersed expertise. Extra on that in our show part.

The iPhone 16 Professional Max, constructed with Grade 5 titanium, feels stable in arms and provides reassurance in on a regular basis use. On the entrance, Apple has used the latest-gen Ceramic Protect, and the textured matt glass again jogs my memory of 15 Professional Max.

iPhone 16 Professional Max Show: Stellar

• Display: Greatest show on an iPhone, but
• Show: 6.9-inch OLED, 1320×2868 pixels and 460ppi
• Peak brightness: 2000nits

Coming to the show, Apple has match its greatest show within the 16 Professional Max, measuring 6.9 inches. To place some context, 16 Professional Max packs an even bigger show than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (6.8-inch), launched earlier this yr.

The cellphone helps a peak brightness of 2000nits

The Tremendous Retina XDR show comes with Dynamic Island and options ProMotion expertise with a refresh price of as much as 120Hz. The utmost brightness is 1000 nits (typical), and peak brightness is 2000nits (open air) – which we additionally noticed on the iPhone 15 Professional Max. This yr’s solely change is that the minimal brightness can now go right down to 1 nit, which wasn’t the case earlier. This implies you possibly can maintain scrolling or shopping in your cellphone with out bothering others in the identical room whereas in mattress.

The iPhone 16 Professional Max show has rounded corners that comply with a curved design, which appears good. Speaking in regards to the show high quality, the 16 Professional Max packs top-of-the-line shows you will discover in 2024’s iPhone fashions. In on a regular basis utilization, the 16 Professional Max show feels apt for all wants, be it multimedia, gaming or scrolling on social media. The larger display screen dimension with thinner bezels means you get a extra immersed viewing expertise, and that is about it. The daylight legibility is great, and 2000nits peak brightness is sweet sufficient for utilizing the cellphone beneath harsh daylight.

The cellphone provides 1320×2868 pixels display screen decision at 460ppi pixel density

iPhone 16 Professional Max Efficiency: Excessive-Octane Machine

• Chipset: A18 Professional chip
• Breakdown: Six-core CPU with six-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine, 8GB of RAM
• Storage: 256GB, 512GB and 1TB

iPhone 16 Professional Max now packs the all-new A18 Professional chip, a successor to the A17 Professional chip that powers the 15 Professional fashions. Throughout my evaluate, I attempted all the pieces from AAA gaming to streaming, video modifying, picture modifying, and AI apps to see how highly effective the brand new chip is. To not my shock, the 16 Professional Max would not even stutter mildly anyplace – an identical case was with the 15 Professional Max (14 Professional Max and older Professional fashions). Nevertheless, one of many huge areas of improve is warmth optimisation. In comparison with the 15 Professional Max, the 16 Professional Max cools down rapidly, because of Apple’s improved warmth dissipation setup.

The cellphone comes with an IP68 ranking for splash, water and mud resistance

Enjoying titles like Name of Obligation: Cellular, Asphalt 9: Legends, Alto’s Odyssey and Fieldrunners 2 felt butter-smooth. I additionally tried out Ubisoft’s well-known title, Murderer’s Creed Mirage, and the gaming expertise was incredible.

Within the efficiency division, the A18 Professional on the iPhone 16 Professional Max would not simply appear incremental, and it makes the cellphone a greater system for heavy graphics gaming and video modifying on the go. Speaking about artificial benchmarks, beneath is a desk to higher replicate the efficiency bump.

Speaking about connectivity, the iPhone 16 Professional Max can latch onto networks swiftly, be it a basement with low mobile networks. Very similar to the 15 collection, the 16 Professional Max additionally has a USB-C charger and helps the USB 3.2 customary.

In my earlier iPhone opinions, I’ve stated that haptic motors fitted within the iPhones are a few of the greatest ones seen on modern-day smartphones. The identical applies to the iPhone 16 Professional Max. Even the loudspeakers are amazingly loud (however in a great way). If you happen to’re in a medium-sized room, you possibly can attempt the highly effective speaker setup on the 16 Professional Max, and you will not be disillusioned.

It’s powered by Apple’s A18 Professional chip constructed with second-generation 3nm structure

iOS 18 will stay an replace from Apple that can proceed to make headlines till Apple Intelligence arrives on all new gadgets. One of many the reason why the 16 collection is within the information is as a result of they launch with a tagline that claims “Constructed for Apple Intelligence” however don’t supply it out of the field. As I discussed at the beginning of this evaluate, I’ll write one other piece to speak about all new AI options in-depth when it hits 16 Professional Max. The newest iOS 18 replace brings a bunch of upgrades – some that have been a lot wanted and a few that I am nonetheless making an attempt to get used to. The Photographs app was one among my go-to apps for footage throughout gadgets, however ever for the reason that iOS 18 replace, the brand new refresh has been complicated. What I like about iOS 18 is the brand new personalisation choices. Apple retains including to the checklist, and that is good. Extra choices to customize means extra new residence display screen designs to play with.

The iPhone 16 collection has been designed preserving Apple Intelligence on the core

I briefly tried the iOS 18 beta, which ships with a bunch of AI options and provides what Samsung has been providing for months. Some AI instruments I attempted on the beta launch briefly have been a writing instrument for bettering writing and the Notes app, which will get a summarise characteristic for recorded conferences. Apple is bringing what it calls Genmoji because of the corporate’s Picture Playground app that lets your creativity go all out. Then, the favorite camera-related AI characteristic on Android known as Erase, however Apple has rebadged it to Clear Up, which may take away distractions or objects out of your picture. After all, Siri is getting a complete greater paint job and is nearly refreshed. I’ll attempt them out within the ultimate launch earlier than giving the decision on who’s executed it higher.

iPhone 16 Professional Max Digicam: Spectacular

• Cameras: 48MP major, 48MP ultra-wide and 12MP telephoto
• Movies – Audio Combine is a brand new characteristic whereas recording movies
• Assist – 4K 120 fps Dolby Imaginative and prescient
• Selfie – 12MP digital camera

Apart from an even bigger show and battery, the 16 Professional Max lastly upgrades the ultrawide digital camera. From a 12-megapixel sensor, Apple has jumped to a 48-megapixel sensor. The telephoto, nonetheless, stays 12-megapixel solely in the mean time. Subsequent yr, we could get a triple 48-megapixel digital camera setup on the Professional fashions. Fingers crossed.

In case you have been following Apple, then you definately already know that they’ve been steadily ramping up their digital camera recreation to match the wants of professional customers – content material creators, artists, photographers, administrators, and extra. The 16 Professional Max is one other chapter in that journey and brings some thrilling additions.

The cellphone will get an all-new 48-megapixel ultra-wide digital camera

Digicam Management needs to be a type of additions which have helped push the digital camera for use increasingly, a minimum of for me. It’s intuitive and straightforward to leap from zooming to modes and extra. Nevertheless, there is a quick studying curve hooked up, so be prepared.

Throughout Apple’s September launch, one of many executives talked about how the brand new 48-megapixel Fusion Digicam can learn knowledge two occasions sooner, enabling zero shutter lag. And I might check it throughout my evaluate interval; clicking pictures of vehicles on the highway whereas shifting comes method higher than earlier than.

Your entire iPhone 16 vary will get the Digicam Management button

Daylight pictures on the 16 Professional Max come out beautiful, which was the case with the 15 Professional Max. You’ve sufficient particulars in every shot, beautiful dynamic vary, glorious saturation, and, most significantly, pure and lovely colors. Some samples beneath to indicate you ways good the cameras are on the 16 Professional Max. The first 48-megapixel sensor is stable for daylight photographs.

Daylight pictures from the first digital camera of the 16 Professional Max

This yr, you possibly can mess around together with your photographs with all-new Photographic Types that regulate tones, colors, and extra in actual time. The brand new management pad within the Pictures Types places you on prime of your photographs and makes it handy. One other small replace is that you may now change the type after clicking a picture, which wasn’t doable earlier.

Color accuracy and ample particulars are highlights of the first digital camera

Videography lovers are getting one other huge replace this yr with 4K at 120fps assist – what Apple calls its highest decision and body price with slo-mo. The very best half is that Apple this yr isn’t forcing you to make real-time choices on the body price. You’ll be able to regulate the playback velocity after seize within the Photographs app. The addition of those options makes on-the-go modifying wonders.
 

Macro shot

Portrait picture

Bokehs come out wonderful, too, with pure pores and skin tones and no color blowout. One thing that iPhones are vouched for. Macro photographs additionally come good. Nevertheless, you have to to do some work to be sure to nail the shot, or else chances are you’ll find yourself with a couple of close-ups with the topic blurred.

Telephoto (5x) digital camera samples

The telephoto digital camera has additionally acquired an honest replace, and I obtained some incredible zoom outcomes. At 10x and 15x, the 16 Professional Max manages wonderful outcomes with ample particulars. That is the primary time I’ve observed that the iPhone 16 Professional Max did higher than the S24 Extremely in some zoom photographs.

Pictures have been taken utilizing an Ultrawide digital camera

The ultrawide digital camera can be succesful and does a wonderful job in daylight. There is a noticeable improve over the 15 Professional Max photographs when it comes to picture particulars captured.

Leaping to low-light pictures, there may be appreciable enchancment on this division. Particularly contemplating the 15 Professional Max these days was disappointing in difficult low-light circumstances. Beneath are some night time samples the place 16 Professional Max flexes its muscle in low-light circumstances.

Low-light pictures from the iPhone 16 Professional Max

Portrait at night time, shot on iPhone 16 Professional Max

Why not check 16 Professional Max with the present flagship from the Android area – Samsung Galaxu S24 Extremely? Beneath are some pictures on your comparability. Although word, to merge each the photographs, the standard has taken a slight hit, however that is representational to indicate you ways nicely Apple has improved its low-light cameras on the brand new Professional fashions.

iPhone 16 Professional Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely: Low-light photographs in contrast

iPhone 16 Professional Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely in low-light circumstances

One other iPhone 16 Professional Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely night time pattern

On this picture, the 16 Professional Max retains colors and tone pure whereas the S24 Extremely blows it away with an excessive amount of unnatural mild

The selfie digital camera is identical because the 15 Professional Max, and we do not see any variation in that both. Selfies come out glorious with pure pores and skin tones and colors throughout completely different mild circumstances. The low-light pictures, nonetheless, have a scope for enchancment. General, the iPhone 16 Professional Max packs a stellar digital camera trio, and you can not put it down in comparison with any cellphone available in the market.

iPhone 16 Professional Max Battery: Powerhouse

• Battery: Claimed greater battery capability
• Video playback: As much as 33 hours (marketed)
• Charging: As much as 50% cost in 35 minutes

By now, chances are you’ll already know that Apple is the one firm that does not promote spec sheets. So, when it got here to battery bump on the brand new iPhone 16 Professional Max, the one knowledge Apple shared is that it provides as much as 33 hours of video playback in comparison with the 15 Professional Max (and 14 Professional Max), which supplied as much as 29 hours of video playback. We did our HD video loop check, and 16 Professional Max impressed with a decent 28 hours and 33 minutes of playback time.

The iPhone 16 Professional Max is a succesful smartphone on the subject of battery prowess

Speaking purely about battery efficiency, the iPhone 16 Professional Max is a stellar system that may supply over 8 hours of screen-on time. With heavy utilization that included a few hours of gaming and streaming and an excellent 30-40 minutes of digital camera use for pictures and movies, the cellphone simply lasted over a day with virtually 25 % of battery nonetheless left.

In a number of exams we did on the evaluate unit, the 16 Professional Max simply did over 8 hours of lively display screen on time, and the max we obtained was 8 hours and half-hour with 13 % juice left. After all, you possibly can derive extra battery backup in the event you flip off the always-on show and cut back digital camera use. On days with average use, the iPhone 16 Professional Max gave us almost two full days of battery life.

A MagSafe case by beats, a Silicone Case from Apple, and a case from DailyObjects for the iPhone 16 Professional Max

Apple has actually pushed the envelope on the subject of battery efficiency, which is one thing that will probably be robust for competitors to match.

Nevertheless, wired charging velocity stays the Achilles heel of the iPhone 16 Professional Max. In an period the place telephones supply full charging inside half-hour, the 16 Professional Max reached 55% cost in 35 minutes. A full cost with a 20W adapter takes about 100 minutes and, at occasions, can take as much as 120 minutes, relying on a number of components.

The iPhone 16 Professional Max is not a small cellphone by any means

iPhone 16 Professional Max Verdict

Who should purchase the iPhone 16 Professional Max? The reply is easy – for iPhone customers who aren’t already utilizing the iPhone 15 Professional Max. Get it, in fact, in case your funds permits. For individuals who nonetheless want an beneath Rs. 1 lakh cellphone and are okay with compromising on some elements, there’s the bottom iPhone 16 with principally all of the goodies this yr minus a 120Hz refresh price show and a 3rd telephoto digital camera. The very best factor is that this can be a sale season, and you may seize some nice offers in the event you prioritise switching to an iPhone, as discounts are available across models in both online and offline stores.

Digicam Management is likely one of the highlights of the brand new 16-series

In comparison with the 14 Pro and 13 Pro collection, the iPhone 16 Professional Max packs a few of the greatest upgrades, whereas the 15 Professional Max now appears underrated. It has the most important show on an iPhone but. In my testing, the 16 Professional Max delivered unprecedented battery efficiency, and naturally, this can be a Professional system, so even heavy-duty customers can go for this. The show is unbelievable, and the one draw back is the gradual wired charging, which appears to be taking endlessly to be upgraded.

One huge bummer is that there aren’t any Apple Intelligence (learn, secure) options on the 16 Professional Max, which actually makes it appear to be not an ideal deal in the mean time. However bear in mind, these telephones are constructed from scratch to work with Apple Intelligence, so an iOS replace with all of the goodies could drop in a couple of weeks.

The 2 greatest alternate options to the iPhone 16 Professional Max are the iPhone 15 Professional Max (Review), retailing at all-time low costs in the course of the festive gross sales in India. And, the second is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely (Review), the closest flagship that may tackle the 16 Professional Max.