Apple has unveiled the largest and most powerful smartphone in its lineup. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch screen, a new A18 Pro processor, and improved cameras. We share a detailed review of the flagship.
Design
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has even thinner bezels, so the focus shifts to the large display. The 6.9-inch screen is the largest ever on an iPhone, but the optimized width makes it easy to use with one hand.
The case is made of titanium and is available in black, white, “natural” and sand shades.
Display
iPhone 16 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 1320 x 2868 pixels and a density of about 460 ppi. This provides a clear and rich image, ideal for multimedia and everyday tasks.
LTPO technology adapts the refresh rate to 120 Hz, providing smooth transitions and comfort when scrolling. The brightness reaches 2000 nits in HBM mode, which allows you to comfortably use the phone even in bright sunlight. Support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision improves the quality of video and photo playback.
Always-On Display displays important information on the lock screen using energy-efficient OLED and LTPO technologies to minimize battery drain.
Cameras
iPhone 16 Pro Max has a triple camera setup: 48MP main camera, 48MP ultra-wide camera, and 12MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom.
The main camera with Fusion technology provides fast image processing and minimal shutter lag, allowing you to capture clear shots even on the move. The ultra-wide camera is enhanced for macro photography, allowing you to capture fine details at close range.
The periscope zoom telephoto lens supports 5x optical zoom, allowing you to capture distant subjects without losing quality. This is especially useful for portraits with background blur and long-distance shooting.
The video capabilities are also impressive: 4K recording at 120 frames per second allows you to capture detailed slow-motion scenes, while improved studio microphones record audio with high clarity and spatial effect.
Spatial video support expands your shooting capabilities for later viewing through Apple Vision Pro.
Camera Controller
iPhone 16 Pro Max has a new physical Camera Control button on the side panel, which makes camera control much easier. It allows you to quickly activate the camera for photo or video shooting with one press.
Swipes on the button allow you to smoothly adjust the zoom, change the depth of field and select image styles. All changes are displayed on the screen in real time, making the shooting process intuitive and convenient.
The camera controller allows you to instantly switch between modes and adjust camera settings while shooting, which will be useful for those who want to get professional results without any extra steps.
CPU
iPhone 16 Pro Max features the new A18 Pro chip, built on a 3nm process for significantly improved performance and power efficiency.
The chip includes a 6-core CPU that is 15% faster than its predecessor, and a 6-core GPU that accelerates graphics by 20%. This makes the device an excellent choice for console-quality gaming and working with resource-intensive applications.
The 16-core neural engine accelerates machine learning and AI workloads, improving Apple Intelligence and photo and video processing.
The processor not only increased performance, but also improved energy efficiency, which extended the battery life of the device.
Battery life and charging
iPhone 16 Pro Max gets longer battery life thanks to a larger battery and the power-efficient A18 Pro processor.
In video playback mode, the device can work up to 33 hours, which is significantly longer than previous models. Optimization of energy consumption combined with an enlarged battery plays a key role in increasing the operating time.
It supports wired charging up to 20W and wireless charging up to 25W via MagSafe. However, the charging speeds are unchanged from last year’s models, which may be a disadvantage compared to Android flagships. Fast MagSafe charging requires a 30W or higher adapter.
Apple Intelligence
iPhone 16 Pro Max has the Apple Intelligence system integrated, which uses artificial intelligence to improve the device and automate various tasks. The technology simplifies interaction with text, photos, and videos, making their processing faster and more convenient.
One of the key improvements is a more advanced Siri, capable of natural conversations and complex queries. Apple Intelligence has also improved photo and video search, allowing you to instantly find the images you need through contextual analysis.
A new photo cleaning tool automatically removes unwanted objects, making photos cleaner and more professional. Video recording now supports spatial video with 1080p recording at 30 fps, viewable through Apple Vision Pro.
Price at the start of sales
The iPhone 16 Pro Max comes in several storage options, from 256GB to 1TB. The base 256GB model costs $1,199, similar to Apple’s previous premium models. The 512GB model costs $1,399, and the 1TB model costs $1,599.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 16 Pro Max will begin on September 13, 2024, with official sales starting on September 20, 2024.
