Apple iPhone 15 vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
The Apple iPhone 15 (2023) runs on the Apple A16 Bionic, while the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (2025) runs on the Apple A19 Pro; launch prices were $799 and $1199. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads — 75/100 vs 65/100 (a 10-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has the bigger battery (4823 mAh vs 3349); the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (2,538,751 vs 1,626,008); the Apple iPhone 15 is noticeably lighter (171g vs 233g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 15
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
What makes Apple iPhone 15 better?
- Lighter: 171g vs 233g
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $1199
- Better camera (76/100 vs 71/100)
- Better portability (78/100 vs 30/100)
What makes Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 2538751 vs 1626008
- Better Geekbench Single: 3933 vs 2631
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10223 vs 6602
- Bigger battery: 4823 vs 3349 mAh
- Faster charging: 40W vs 20W
- Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 60Hz
- Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 15W
- Higher performance (92/100 vs 79/100)
- Longer battery life (53/100 vs 20/100)
- Better display (85/100 vs 61/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 15 vs the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max scores 10 points higher (75/100 vs 65/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads (92/100 vs 79/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads (53/100 vs 20/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 15 — 44/100, Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max — 60/100; 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 17 Pro Max is a bit better (92/100 vs 79/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 15 (85/100 vs 61/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 15 is a bit better (76/100 vs 71/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 15 (53/100 vs 20/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone 15 significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (78/100 vs 30/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 15 | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A16 Bionic | Apple A19 Pro | |
| AnTuTu | 1626008 | 2538751 | |
| Geekbench Single | 2631 | 3933 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 6602 | 10223 | |
| Display | 6.1" OLED | 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | |
| Resolution | 2556x1179 | 2868x1320 | |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 3349 mAh | 4823 mAh | |
| Charging | 20W | 40W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 145 | — | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 48 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 48 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 18 MP | |
| RAM | 6GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB | |
| OS | iOS 17 | iOS 26 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2000 nits | 3000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 147.6×71.6×7.8 mm | 163.4×78.0×8.8 mm | |
| Weight | 171 g | 233 g | |
| Launch price | $799 | $1199 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 15
- Main: 48MP f/1.6
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Front: 12MP
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Main: 48MP f/1.78
- Ultrawide: 48MP
- Telephoto: 48MP
- Front: 18MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 15
- 6.1" OLED
- Resolution: 2556x1179
- Refresh rate: 60 Hz
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2868x1320
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 15
- 3349 mAh
- Wired: 20W
- Wireless: 15W
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
- 4823 mAh
- Wired: 40W
- Wireless: 25W
Overall performance score
We compared Apple iPhone 15 and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads Apple iPhone 15 by 36.0% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $400. Apple iPhone 15 was $400 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is a bit better (92/100 vs 79/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 15 (85/100 vs 61/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 15 is a bit better (76/100 vs 71/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 15 (53/100 vs 20/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone 15 significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (78/100 vs 30/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 15 or the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is noticeably better than the Apple iPhone 15 — the overall rating gap is 10 points.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 15 and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone 15 has a MobileRank rating of 65/100, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max — 75/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 15 or the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone 15 leads on camera score (76/100 vs 71/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 15 or the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on performance (92/100 vs 79/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 15 over the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone 15 is a better fit for active users. The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users.