Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Sony Xperia 1 III
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (2023) runs on the Apple A17 Pro, while the Sony Xperia 1 III (2021) runs on the Snapdragon 888; launch prices were $1199 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max leads — 72/100 vs 60/100 (a 12-point difference). Key differences: the Sony Xperia 1 III has the bigger battery (4500 mAh vs 4441); the main camera is 48 MP vs 12 MP; the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (1,467,470 vs 1,232,200); per DXOMark lab testing, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has the stronger camera (154 vs 105); the Sony Xperia 1 III is noticeably lighter (186g vs 221g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Sony Xperia 1 III
What makes Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 1467470 vs 1232200
- Better Geekbench Single: 2900 vs 1500
- Better Geekbench Multi: 7200 vs 3537
- Better main camera: 48MP vs 12MP
- Faster wireless charging: 15W vs 11W
- Cheaper at launch: $1199 vs $1299
- Higher performance (79/100 vs 65/100)
- Better camera (83/100 vs 46/100)
What makes Sony Xperia 1 III better?
- Bigger battery: 4500 vs 4441 mAh
- Faster charging: 30W vs 27W
- Lighter: 186g vs 221g
- Longer battery life (42/100 vs 41/100)
- Better display (90/100 vs 85/100)
- Better portability (65/100 vs 43/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs the Sony Xperia 1 III, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max scores 12 points higher (72/100 vs 60/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max leads (79/100 vs 65/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max leads (83/100 vs 46/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max — 54/100, Sony Xperia 1 III — 30/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is a bit better (79/100 vs 65/100). In the "display" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III is a bit better (90/100 vs 85/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (83/100 vs 46/100). In the "battery" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III and the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max are nearly equal (42/100 vs 41/100). In the "portability" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (65/100 vs 43/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max | Sony Xperia 1 III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A17 Pro | Snapdragon 888 | |
| AnTuTu | 1467470 | 1232200 | |
| Geekbench Single | 2900 | 1500 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 7200 | 3537 | |
| Display | 6.7" Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.5" OLED | |
| Resolution | 2796x1290 | 1644x3840 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4441 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
| Charging | 27W | 30W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 11W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 154 | 105 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 12 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| Telephoto | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 8 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB | |
| OS | iOS 17 | Android 11 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2000 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP65/IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 159.9×76.7×8.3 mm | 165.0×71.0×8.2 mm | |
| Weight | 221 g | 186 g | |
| Launch price | $1199 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
- Main: 48MP f/1.78
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 12MP
- Front: 12MP
Sony Xperia 1 III
- Main: 12MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 12MP
- Front: 8MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
- 6.7" Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2796x1290
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Sony Xperia 1 III
- 6.5" OLED
- Resolution: 1644x3840
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
- 4441 mAh
- Wired: 27W
- Wireless: 15W
Sony Xperia 1 III
- 4500 mAh
- Wired: 30W
- Wireless: 11W
Overall performance score
We compared Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and Sony Xperia 1 III, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max leads Sony Xperia 1 III by 19.1% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $100. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max was $100 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is a bit better (79/100 vs 65/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III is a bit better (90/100 vs 85/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (83/100 vs 46/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III and the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max are nearly equal (42/100 vs 41/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (65/100 vs 43/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max or the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is noticeably better than the Sony Xperia 1 III — the overall rating gap is 12 points.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 72/100, the Sony Xperia 1 III — 60/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max or the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max leads on camera score (83/100 vs 46/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max or the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max leads on performance (79/100 vs 65/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max over the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is a better fit for active users, mobile photography enthusiasts. The Sony Xperia 1 III is a better fit for active users.