Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (2024) runs on the Apple A18 Pro, while the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (2026) runs on the Apple A20 Pro; launch prices were $1199 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads — 80/100 vs 77/100 (a 3-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery (5567 mAh vs 4685); the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (3,551,073 vs 1,782,199); the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is noticeably lighter (227g vs 249g).

The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max edges out the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max by just 3 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.

Profile comparison

Category scores

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Performance 85
Display 85
Camera 89
Battery 47
Portability 40
Value for money 64

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

Performance 97
Display 85
Camera 71
Battery 67
Portability 27
Value for money 70

What makes Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max better?

  • Lighter: 227g vs 249g
  • Cheaper at launch: $1199 vs $1299

  • Better camera (89/100 vs 71/100)
  • Better portability (40/100 vs 27/100)

What makes Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max better?

  • Higher AnTuTu: 3551073 vs 1782199
  • Better Geekbench Single: 4612 vs 3400
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 11819 vs 8400
  • Bigger battery: 5567 vs 4685 mAh
  • Faster charging: 60W vs 27W

  • Higher performance (97/100 vs 85/100)
  • Longer battery life (67/100 vs 47/100)

Comparison verdict

Comparing the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max scores 3 points higher (80/100 vs 77/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads (97/100 vs 85/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max leads (89/100 vs 71/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads (67/100 vs 47/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max — 64/100, Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max — 70/100; 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 18 Pro Max is a bit better (97/100 vs 85/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 85/100. In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (89/100 vs 71/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (67/100 vs 47/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is a bit better (40/100 vs 27/100).

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max: The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users.

Specs comparison

Specification Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Processor Apple A18 Pro Apple A20 Pro
AnTuTu 1782199 3551073
Geekbench Single 3400 4612
Geekbench Multi 8400 11819
Display 6.9" Super Retina XDR OLED 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 2868x1320 1320x2868
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 4685 mAh 5567 mAh
Charging 27W 60W
Wireless charging 25W 25W
DXOMark (camera) 161 —
Main camera 48 MP 48 MP
Ultrawide 48 MP 48 MP
Telephoto 12 MP 48 MP
Front camera 12 MP 18 MP
RAM 8GB 12GB
Storage 256GB / 512GB / 1TB 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB
OS iOS 18 iOS 27
Brightness (peak) 2000 nits 3000 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68 IP68
Dimensions 163.0×77.6×8.3 mm 163.4×78.0×8.8 mm
Weight 227 g 249 g
Launch price $1199 $1299

Camera comparison

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

  • Main: 48MP f/1.78
  • Ultrawide: 48MP
  • Telephoto: 12MP
  • Front: 12MP
89
camera

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

  • Main: 48MP f/1.48
  • Ultrawide: 48MP
  • Telephoto: 48MP
  • Front: 18MP
71
camera

Display comparison

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

  • 6.9" Super Retina XDR OLED
  • Resolution: 2868x1320
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
85
display

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

  • 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
  • Resolution: 1320x2868
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
85
display

Battery and charging

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

  • 4685 mAh
  • Wired: 27W
  • Wireless: 25W
47
battery

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

  • 5567 mAh
  • Wired: 60W
  • Wireless: 25W
67
battery

Overall performance score

We compared Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple A18 Pro
77/100
1782199 AnTuTu
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Apple A20 Pro
80/100 +49.8%
3551073 AnTuTu

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max by 49.8% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks

Launch prices and where to check today's

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

$1199

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

$1299

Launch price difference: $100. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max was $100 cheaper at launch.

Detailed category analysis

performance

In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a bit better (97/100 vs 85/100).

display

In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 85/100.

camera

In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (89/100 vs 71/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (67/100 vs 47/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is a bit better (40/100 vs 27/100).

Frequently asked questions

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

The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max edges out the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max by just 3 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.

What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 77/100, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max — 80/100.

Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max leads on camera score (89/100 vs 71/100).

Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on performance (97/100 vs 85/100).

Should you choose the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max over the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts. The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users.