Apple iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max have a lot of similarities. They’re Apple’s latest Flagship devices released in September 2023, which means these are the baddest boys till their successors are released in September 2024. However, there are some things to think about when you’re trying to decide which one would be best for you so this article addresses the differences that you need to consider when deciding whether to buy the iPhone 15 Pro or the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Most features of these two phones are the same. The differences exist in only a few areas, but those differences are significant enough to make a..well..difference. These differences include size and weight, cameras, battery capacity, and prices (of course!). Everything else on the two phones are the same.
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Prices
The first thing is price. The price varies by just $100 between both devices, depending on which storage option you go for so if we take. Prices start at $999 for the 128GB storage variant of the Pro model. Unfortunately, there is no 128GB variant for the Pro Max model.
The iPhone 15 Pro’s 256GB variant costs $1100, while the same storage for the Pro Max costs $1200.
Exploring the 512GB storage options, the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max cost $1300 and $1400, respectively.
Should you want 1TB storage, the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max cost $1500 and $1600, respectively.
As mentioned earlier, the difference in price between the two phones, at each storage option, is a mere $100. The question now is, what are those extra features and are they worth that extra $100 that you have to pay if you choose the Pro Max model? Let’s find out.
Sizes and Weights
Personally, I am partial to compact smartphones, which means that I will be more comfortable with the iPhone 15 Pro. The 6.1-inch display and compact dimensions make it perfect for me, and one-handed use is more feasible in most situations. But then, there are many others who prefer their smartphone as big as possible. If you are one of those, you will prefer the 15 Pro Max which gives you a large 6.7-inch display. Of course, such a big display means that you have to use the phone with both hands, most times.
But it isn’t just about their respective sizes. The 15 Pro Max is also heavier, weighing 34 g more than the Pro model. That is a significant difference. The Pro weighs just 187 g, while its bigger sibling weighs 221g. I prefer my phones lightweight, too, so once again, the Pro model is my preference as far as weight is concerned.
Display Resolutions and Density
Because of the differences in the sizes of their display, these phones screens also have different resolutions – 1179 x 2556 pixels, and 1290 x 2796 pixels, respectively. However, due to the different sizes, there is only 1 ppi difference in resolution density. This puts the screens of the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max at par in terms of ability to present details.
Cameras
The iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max both share the same selfie camera, so they are on par there. But flip them over and you will find one key difference between the rear cameras. The Pro Max model has a periscope telephoto camera. The Pro model does not. That is the only difference, and it is significant. This camera allows you to shoot with up to 5x optical zoom.
If you have no need for zooming into the object you want to capture, then a periscope telephoto camera is useless to you. In which case, you should be good with the iPhone 15 Pro, all other things being equal.
Batteries
The 15 Pro has a 3274 mAh battery which Apple says is good for 23 hours of video playback. The 15 Pro Max has a 4,441 mAh battery that Apple says is good for 29 hours of playback. Of course, real-life battery life results will differ from Apple’s controlled testing results and estimates, but those figures should give you a general guide of what to expect.
Deciding between iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max
I don’t know about you, but this is a difficult one for me. I want the compact and lightweight Pro, but also want the periscope telephoto camera of the Pro Max. Why do these choices have to be this difficult? Why d I have t give up that feature just because I want a smaller phone? For other people, the decision might be much simpler, though. If you want a bigger phone, you will be getting everything, because the iPhone 15 Pro Max has the extra features that the Pro does not have. That will be a simple and easy choice.
That is, if you can afford to splurge the extra $100 that it costs compared to the Pro. Ultimately, for most people, price is the biggest decider of what phone they buy. Looking at your budget, which of the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max will you be buying? Or perhaps you are skipping this year’s models altogether. Let me know below. In the meantime, have a look at my iPhone 15 Pro hands-on video on YouTube.
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