iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 16 Pro Max

Direct side-by-side battle analyzing hardware specifications, benchmark percentiles, battery endurance, and category performance advantages.

Smartphone Battle

Comparing 2 devicesSwipe across ⇄

Apple · 2024

iPhone 16 Plus

76/ 100

Launch MSRP$899 USD

Apple · 2024

iPhone 16 Pro Max

80/ 100

Launch MSRP$1,199 USD

WHO WINS WHERE

WHY IS iPhone 16 Pro Max BETTER THAN iPhone 16 Plus?

Tap an area on the radar to inspect category hardware facts

iPhone 16 Plus

iPhone 16 Pro MaxWinner 🏆

BIGGEST HARDWARE DIFFERENCES

Margin Delta

SPEC FACTOR	iPhone 16	iPhone 16	LEADER
Refresh Rate	60Hz	120Hz	120Hz
Battery Capacity	4,674 mAh	4,685 mAh	+4,685 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	27W	27W	27W
Main Camera Sensor	48 MP	48 MP	48 MP
Screen Display Size	6.7"	6.9"	6.9"
Chassis Weight	199g	227g	199g Lightest

Compare All 177+ Specifications Below↓

Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

Swipe across ⇄

Reasons to buy iPhone 16 Plus:

✓28g lighter chassis (199g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
✓$300 lower launch MSRP ($899 vs $1199)
✓48MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording

Reasons to buy iPhone 16 Pro Max:

✓Larger 4,685 mAh battery capacity (+11 mAh more capacity)
✓48MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
✓6.9" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

How Do the Specifications Compare Side-by-Side?

Swipe across ⇄

Specification	iPhone 16 Plus	iPhone 16 Pro Max
1. Display & Screen🏆 iPhone 16 Pro Max Wins Display
Screen Type & Tech	OLED Super Retina XDR	LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Screen Size	6.7"	6.9"
Resolution & Density	2796x1290 (460 ppi)	2868x1320 (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate	60 Hz ProMotion	120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness	2,000 nits peak	2,000 nits peak
Screen Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass
2. Platform & Performance🏆 iPhone 16 Plus Wins Performance
Chipset / Processor	High performance SoC	High performance SoC
CPU Cores	Multi-core high performance	Multi-core high performance
GPU Graphics	Integrated Graphics	Integrated Graphics
Operating System	iOS 18	iOS 18
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory	8 GB LPDDR	8 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage	128GB / 256GB / 512GB	256GB / 512GB / 1024GB
Storage Speed	High-speed flash	High-speed flash
Card Slot	No	No
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 iPhone 16 Pro Max Wins Camera
Primary Camera	48 MP, f/1.6, OIS, Fusion 48MP	48 MP, f/1.78, OIS, Sony IMX903
Telephoto Zoom	None (Digital zoom only)	12 MP (5x optical zoom), f/2.8, OIS
Ultrawide Camera	12 MP, f/2.2	48 MP, f/2.2
LiDAR / Depth	None	None
5. Video Recording Capabilities
Main Camera Video	4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR	4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR
Front Video	4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS	4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens	12 MP, f/1.9	12 MP, f/1.9
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 iPhone 16 Plus Lightest Chassis
Dimensions	160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm	163 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm
Weight	199 g	227 g
Build Materials	Glass front, metal/glass frame	Glass front, metal/glass frame
SIM Type	Nano-SIM / eSIM support	Nano-SIM / eSIM support
Water Resistance	IP68	IP68
8. Battery & Charging🏆 iPhone 16 Plus Wins Battery
Battery Capacity	4,674 mAh	4,685 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	27W wired fast charging	27W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging	25W wireless charging	25W wireless charging
Reverse Charging	Reverse wireless charging	Reverse wireless charging
9. Sound & Audio
Loudspeaker	Stereo speakers	Stereo speakers
3.5mm Headphone Jack	No	No
10. Connectivity & Comms
Wi-Fi Standard	Wi-Fi 7	Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth	5.3	5.3
USB Port & Speed	USB-C 2.0	USB-C 3.0
NFC	Yes (contactless payment)	Yes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
Sensors	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass
Satellite Features	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)
12. Colors & Overview
Colors	Standard finishes	Standard finishes
Launch Price	$899	$1199

Editorial Lab Verdict

iPhone 16 Pro Max edges ahead with a BeastScore of 80.0/100

After comprehensive hardware benchmark comparisons, iPhone 16 Pro Max ranks as the overall top pick in this matchup. Key differentiators include its superior specifications and verified build advantages.

When to choose iPhone 16 Plus:

Lighter body: 199g (28g lighter in hand) · Lower launch price: $899 (save $300)

When to choose iPhone 16 Pro Max:

Higher overall BeastScore: 80.0 vs top rival 75.7 · Dedicated optical telephoto zoom (1 lens system)

Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 16 Pro Max

Which is better: iPhone 16 Plus or iPhone 16 Pro Max?

iPhone 16 Pro Max leads with an overall BeastScore of 80.0/100 compared to iPhone 16 Plus (75.7/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 80.0 vs top rival 75.7 and Dedicated optical telephoto zoom (1 lens system).