After several weeks of using the iPhone 16 Pro Max, it’s proven to be quite an interesting flagship smartphone, especially as far as Apple handsets are concerned. While Apple reuses a lot of the same hardware elements from last year, there are of course some new tricks this time around (as we’ve frequently seen with Apple’s various marketing campaigns). So how has the iPhone 16 Pro Max performed so far? Let’s take a look.
CHECK OUT: Should you Upgrade to the iPhone 16?
Design and Display
While the design is similar to the iPhone 15 Pro from last year, there are some key considerations. For example, the new camera control button (while useful for some) wasn’t essential for me, and I mostly used it initially to test its capabilities. As for the overall design, the rounded edges make the phone incredibly comfortable to hold, especially during extended gaming or movie-watching sessions. The device has also held up well to daily use, with the titanium chassis showing no signs of scratches. The Desert Titanium colour looks particularly stunning in bright light.
As for its screen, the 6.9-inch Super XDR display is bright, vibrant, and offers accurate colours. The 120Hz adaptive refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and responsive interactions, and makes for a rather impressive viewing experience, especially for media consumption and day-to-day usage.
Software and Performance
As for software, iOS 18 runs smoothly in general, and you’re of course getting all the usual Apple essentials such as iMessage, FaceTime, and AirDrop, to name a few. It should be noted though that the real standout feature with the 16 Pro Max is the enhanced Apple intelligence. Features like improved Siri capabilities, text summarization, and image generation make the user experience more efficient and creative. Whether or not these AI features are a major reason for purchase is up to individual buyers however, but it’s nice to finally see Apple start to catch up to the competition.
In terms of performance, the A18 Pro chip delivers impressive performance, handling multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps with ease, and there’s little doubt about the 16 Pro Max’s capabilities as far as raw power is concerned. Battery life has been excellent, easily lasting through a full day of heavy usage. The larger battery capacity of the Pro Max model contributes significantly to its endurance, and it’s no doubt one of the biggest reasons to get the Max model over the regular smaller 16 Pro.
Cameras and Conclusion
As with past iPhone flagships, the 16 Pro Max’s camera system is a major highlight of the device – in case you’re not too familiar with its specs, it consists of a 48MP main sensor, 48MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto, and 12MP front-facing camera. The camera excels in low-light conditions and offers impressive video recording capabilities, including 4K 120fps. Competitors like the Pixel phones from Google offer impressive (and user-friendly) point-and-shoot performance, the 16 Pro Max offers a versatile shooting experience with software features such as Apple’s revamped photographic styles, and more in-depth controls and adjustments for photo and video. (camera samples here)
Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a powerful and versatile device. Its impressive performance, great-looking display, long battery life, and advanced camera system make it a top choice for many users. While the design may not be revolutionary, it should be noted that the refinements and new features make it a significant upgrade over its predecessor.
