BeastCompare

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: Which One Should You Buy?

iPhone 18 Pro Max edges ahead with a BeastScore of 92.8/100 — but the right choice depends on what matters to you.

Head-to-head
Comparing 2 devicesSwipe ⇄
Apple · 2024

iPhone 16 Pro Max

iPhone 16 Pro Max
80/ 100
Launch price$1,199
Apple · 2026

iPhone 18 Pro Max

iPhone 18 Pro Max
93/ 100
Launch price$1,499
Head-to-head

iPhone 18 Pro Max wins 7 of 8 categories

Here's exactly where each phone is stronger.

iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 16 Pro Max
0 wins
iPhone 18 Pro Max
iPhone 18 Pro Max
7 wins
At a glance

Bigger shape = better phone.

SpeedCameraSelfieBatteryDisplayConnectivitySecurityValue
iPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone 18 Pro Max
Category winners

Scores out of 100. How we score

  • SpeediPhone 18 Pro Max
    80
    96
  • CameraiPhone 18 Pro Max
    85
    94
  • VideoNot enough data
  • SelfieiPhone 18 Pro Max
    60
    76
  • BatteryiPhone 18 Pro Max
    78
    94
  • DisplayiPhone 18 Pro Max
    88
    95
  • ConnectivityiPhone 18 Pro Max
    95
    100
  • SecurityTie
    100
    100
  • ValueiPhone 18 Pro Max
    55
    58
Key differences
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery5,567 mAh vs 4,685 mAh
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max charges faster45W vs 27W
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max is lighter227 g vs 249 g
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max launched cheaper$1,199 vs $1,499
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max has a sharper selfie camera18 MP vs 12 MP
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max has newer Bluetooth6 vs 5.3
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max has more RAM12 GB vs 8 GB
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max has the faster chipApple A20 Pro (2 nm) vs Apple A18 Pro
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max can text for help by satelliteYes vs No
See all specs ↓

Why buy each phone

Swipe ⇄
Reasons to buy iPhone 16 Pro Max
  • ✓22 g lighter (227 g vs 249 g), easier to hold
  • ✓$300 cheaper at launch ($1,199 vs $1,499)
  • ✓48 MP main camera
Reasons to buy iPhone 18 Pro Max
  • ✓Bigger 5,567 mAh battery (+882 mAh)
  • ✓48 MP main camera
  • ✓6.9" display at 120 Hz

Full specifications

Swipe ⇄
SpecificationiPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone 18 Pro Max
1. Display & Screen🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Display
Screen typeLTPO Super Retina XDR OLEDLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision
Screen Size6.9"6.9"
Resolution & Density2868x1320 (460 ppi)1320 x 2868 pixels (19.5:9 ratio) (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate120 Hz ProMotion120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness2,000 nits peak1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
Screen ProtectionNot listedCeramic Shield 2, Anti-reflective coating, Always-On display
2. Platform & Performance🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Performance
Chipset / ProcessorApple A18 Pro (3nm)Apple A20 Pro (2 nm) (2nm)
CPU CoresNot listedHexa-core (2x High Performance + 4x Efficiency)
GPU GraphicsApple GPU (6-core)Apple GPU (7-core graphics)
Operating SystemiOS 18iOS 27
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory8 GB LPDDR12GB LPDDR5X
Internal Storage256GB / 512GB / 1024GB256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB
Storage SpeedNot listedNVMe fast flash
Card SlotNoNo
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Camera
Primary Camera48 MP, f/1.78, OIS, Sony IMX90348 MP, f/1.5, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, OIS, Dual pixel PDAF, Sensor-shift OIS (gen 2)
Telephoto Zoom12 MP (5x optical zoom), f/2.8, OIS48 MP (4x optical zoom), f/2.8, 100mm (periscope telephoto), OIS
Ultrawide Camera48 MP, f/2.248 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)
LiDAR / DepthNoneTOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth sensing & night portrait)
5. Video
Main Camera Video
Not listed
4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps1080p@240fps10-bit HDRDolby Vision HDR (up to 120fps)ProRes RAWApple Log 2Spatial 3D video & stereo sound
Front Video
Not listed
4K@24/25/30/60fps1080p@120fpsgyro-EISDolby Vision HDR
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens12 MP, f/1.918 MP, f/1.9, 20mm (ultrawide multi-aspect)
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 iPhone 16 Pro Max Lightest Chassis
Dimensions163 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
Weight227 g249 g (8.78 oz)
Build MaterialsNot listedGlass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum frame, aluminum/glass back
SIM TypeNot listedNano-SIM + eSIM + dual eSIM support
Water ResistanceIP68IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min)
8. Battery & Charging🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Battery
Battery Capacity4,685 mAh5,567 mAh
Wired Fast Charging27W wired fast charging45W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging25W wireless charging25W wireless charging
Reverse ChargingNot listedNot listed
9. Sound & Audio
LoudspeakerNot listedYes, with stereo speakers (Spatial Audio)
3.5mm Headphone JackNoNo
10. Connectivity
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band, hotspot)
Bluetooth5.3Bluetooth 6.0, A2DP, LE
USB Port & SpeedUSB-C 3.0USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (up to 10Gbps), DisplayPort video out
NFCYes (contactless payment)Yes (Apple Pay Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
11. Sensors & Security
SensorsNot listedFace ID, LiDAR scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Satellite FeaturesNot listedEmergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite
12. Colors & Overview
ColorsNot listedBlack, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy
Launch Price$1,199$1,499
Our verdict

iPhone 18 Pro Max wins — BeastScore 92.8/100

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is the better pick for most people thanks to its bigger battery (5,567 mAh vs 4,685 mAh) and faster charging (45W vs 27W). The iPhone 16 Pro Max is worth a look if you prefer its lighter body (227 g vs 249 g).

Buy iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want

Lighter: 227 g vs 249 g (22 g less) · Lower launch price: $1,199 vs $1,499

Buy iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want

Larger battery: 5,567 mAh vs 4,685 mAh · Faster wired charging: 45W vs 27W

Upgrade guideOwn the iPhone 16 Pro Max? Is upgrading to the iPhone 18 Pro Max worth it?
Read the verdict →

Common questions

Which is better: iPhone 16 Pro Max or iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is the better pick for most people thanks to its bigger battery (5,567 mAh vs 4,685 mAh) and faster charging (45W vs 27W). The iPhone 16 Pro Max is worth a look if you prefer its lighter body (227 g vs 249 g). BeastScore: iPhone 16 Pro Max 80.0/100, iPhone 18 Pro Max 92.8/100.

What are the main battery and display differences between iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 18 Pro Max?

iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display and 4685 mAh battery. iPhone 18 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display and 5567 mAh battery.

How do iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 18 Pro Max compare for speed?

iPhone 16 Pro Max scores 80/100 for performance; iPhone 18 Pro Max scores 96/100.

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