Apple iPhone 16 vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
The Apple iPhone 16 (2024) runs on the Apple A18, while the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (2026) runs on the Apple A20 Pro; launch prices were $799 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads — 80/100 vs 68/100 (a 12-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery (5567 mAh vs 3561); the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (3,551,073 vs 1,972,476); the Apple iPhone 16 is noticeably lighter (170g vs 249g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 16
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
What makes Apple iPhone 16 better?
- Lighter: 170g vs 249g
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $1299
- Better camera (78/100 vs 71/100)
- Better portability (79/100 vs 27/100)
What makes Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3551073 vs 1972476
- Better Geekbench Single: 4612 vs 3100
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11819 vs 7700
- Bigger battery: 5567 vs 3561 mAh
- Faster charging: 60W vs 27W
- Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 60Hz
- Higher performance (97/100 vs 84/100)
- Longer battery life (67/100 vs 24/100)
- Better display (85/100 vs 61/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 16 vs the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max scores 12 points higher (80/100 vs 68/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads (97/100 vs 84/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads (67/100 vs 24/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 16 — 50/100, 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 84/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 (85/100 vs 61/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 is a bit better (78/100 vs 71/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 (67/100 vs 24/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone 16 significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (79/100 vs 27/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 16 | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A18 | Apple A20 Pro | |
| AnTuTu | 1972476 | 3551073 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3100 | 4612 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 7700 | 11819 | |
| Display | 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | |
| Resolution | 2556x1179 | 1320x2868 | |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 3561 mAh | 5567 mAh | |
| Charging | 27W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 147 | — | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 48 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 48 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 18 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB | |
| OS | iOS 18 | iOS 27 | |
| 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 | 170 g | 249 g | |
| Launch price | $799 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 16
- Main: 48MP f/1.6
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Front: 12MP
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
- Main: 48MP f/1.48
- Ultrawide: 48MP
- Telephoto: 48MP
- Front: 18MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 16
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2556x1179
- Refresh rate: 60 Hz
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 1320x2868
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 16
- 3561 mAh
- Wired: 27W
- Wireless: 25W
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
- 5567 mAh
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
Overall performance score
We compared Apple iPhone 16 and Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads Apple iPhone 16 by 44.5% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $500. Apple iPhone 16 was $500 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a bit better (97/100 vs 84/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 (85/100 vs 61/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 is a bit better (78/100 vs 71/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 (67/100 vs 24/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone 16 significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (79/100 vs 27/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 16 or the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is noticeably better than the Apple iPhone 16 — the overall rating gap is 12 points.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 16 and the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone 16 has a MobileRank rating of 68/100, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max — 80/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 16 or the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone 16 leads on camera score (78/100 vs 71/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 16 or the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on performance (97/100 vs 84/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 16 over the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone 16 is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users.