The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
A sturdy, larger phone with impressive cameras and extensive video features, appealing to creative users.What's good
- Big, vivid display
- Long battery life
- Great camera features
- New Camera Control
- Quality build materials
What's bad
- Large, heavy design
- Limited AI features now
- High price tag
- Slow wireless charging
Design
The iPhone 16 Pro Max presents a refined titanium finish that not only enhances its premium look but also improves heat dissipation. With its larger build and thinner bezels, the 6.9-inch screen provides an immersive viewing experience. The phone maintains its sturdy design ethos with rounded corners and a matte glass back.
The innovative Camera Control button introduces a tactile approach to photography. Positioned flush within the right frame, it allows quick camera access and settings adjustments with gestures, contributing to its appeal for creative use. Though the phone is slightly heavier, reviewers appreciate its robust feel in hand, ensuring it remains comfortable during long usage despite its overall size.
Display(s)
The 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display with OLED technology offers vibrant, true-to-life colors. It keeps visuals clear and bright—even in sunlight. The high refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling for more enjoyable web surfing and app navigation.
“Apple’s color accuracy and HDR performance make it hard to notice any shortcomings,” according to reviewers, even though the pixel density doesn't match all competitors.
The display also adjusts to 1 nit brightness at night, reducing eye strain in dark settings, and the thin bezels maximize the display area without increasing the phone's physical size.
Performance
The iPhone 16 Pro Max's performance excels thanks to the A18 Pro chip, boasting a 15% faster CPU and a 20% faster GPU over its predecessor. You'll experience seamless multitasking and fluid app transitions, even with demanding applications like 4K video editing and graphic-intensive games.
Reviewers highlight the phone's ability to perform "blisteringly fast performance across the board," ensuring that from gaming to everyday tasks, the device feels responsive and snappy at all times.
This level of power also ensures more efficient battery use, meaning the iPhone 16 Pro Max can handle whatever you throw its way without compromising on all-day longevity.
Software & Storage
The iPhone 16 Pro Max comes with iOS 18, offering enhanced customization and a user-friendly design. You can arrange app icons and widgets anywhere, including blank spaces for a personalized look.
While Apple Intelligence is the highlight, it isn't available yet. It promises more context-aware responses and expanded Siri capabilities in future updates.
Even without all Apple Intelligence features at launch, the improved interaction and customization already benefit daily use.
Cameras
The iPhone 16 Pro Max delivers major camera improvements with a 48MP ultrawide lens and a 5x telephoto, enhancing shot versatility with minimal noise and rich color, even in challenging light. The updated ultrawide lens captures impressive macro shots, revealing fine details in everyday subjects.
The innovative Camera Control button offers intuitive access to various camera modes, enhancing your photo-taking experience. "This iPhone's camera is more than a phone—it's an extension of creative storytelling," writes an expert. Quicker shutter speeds and advanced settings like Photographic Styles and Audio Mix set this camera system apart, ensuring every photo is captured beautifully.
Battery
The iPhone 16 Pro Max impresses with its extended battery life, lasting between 14 and 17 hours depending on how intensively you use it. "I experienced between 14 and 17 hours of battery life," praised a review from experts, highlighting the significant endurance offered by Apple's latest model.
The phone's battery longevity comes in part from the efficient A18 Pro chip, which optimizes power use across various tasks. This means less worry about running out of juice during a busy day filled with streaming, gaming, or regular browsing.
Apple has streamlined MagSafe charging to be faster than in previous iterations. The phone charges up to 50% in about half an hour with a 30-watt charger, making quick power-ups a breeze. For a device of this size, the charging conveniences ensure that staying connected without lag is part of the daily experience.
Audio
Experts highlight the stereo speakers on the iPhone 16 Pro Max for providing loud, clear audio with decent bass. This makes watching movies or gaming more immersive. The audio is compelling, allowing you to enjoy entertainment without lacking quality, even at high volumes.
The microphones ensure clear voice pickup for calls. This is especially useful in noisy environments, helping your voice be heard clearly. Reviewers agree that these features contribute to a top-notch audio experience. So, whether you're on a call or enjoying your favorite series, this device has you covered with impressive audio quality.
The Bottom Line
This phone provides a big and beautiful display that's excellent for media lovers and content creators. The advanced camera system, especially the 48MP ultrawide lens, allows you to capture stunning photos and videos. A new Camera Control button offers added convenience for photography enthusiasts, making shooting seamless and intuitive. While Apple Intelligence isn't fully available, features like a powerful chip and long battery life make it a great choice for anyone who prioritizes performance and longevity over cutting-edge AI integration.
Experts note that "it’s more of a stretch now to do simple things like scrolling through webpages" due to its larger size, highlighting the need for a comfortable grip.
This model is costly, and users from the previous year may not find enough incentive to upgrade immediately.
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Karandeep Singh, Pocket TacticsThe iPhone 16 Pro Max is undoubtedly the most polished phone Apple has ever made. With all-day battery life and new camera controls (both physical and virtual), it’s a step forward. Even the new AI tools are starting to make their way across the OS. But does all that make it a compelling upgrade fro...
- Will Sattelberg, Android PoliceApple's iPhone 16 Pro Max is an impressive piece of smartphone hardware. With a massive 6.9-inch display, a beefy battery capable of lasting two days on a charge, and a flexible camera system, it gives the best of Android a run for its money. It's just too bad iOS is on a downhill trajectory, and no...
- Adam Doud, ForbesThis is the best iPhone you can buy right now, and it’s in the top five smartphones you can buy overall. Between the power, the cameras and the neat new features, like Camera Control and the upcoming Apple Intelligence which, as of this writing, hasn’t shipped outside of beta, this is the best Apple...
- Lewis Painter, TrustedReviewsThe iPhone 16 Pro Max is undoubtedly the most capable iPhone to date, not only boosting the power with the A18 Pro but bringing small, yet meaningful, upgrades including impossibly thin bezels, an upgraded camera setup and most importantly of all, impressive battery life that’ll see the majority of...
- William Gallagher, Apple InsiderUntil I wrote that about it being seven weeks, I hadn't realized. It still feels like a new toy. I'm definitely now used to the larger size and once that happened, I appreciated the benefits of it more. The longer battery life is nothing short of sweet, I relish reading books on this screen, and wat...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max prices will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front. Apple's suggested retail price is $1199.00. You can compare iPhone 16 Pro Max prices from around the web here on The Informr.
Apple backs up the iPhone 16 Pro Max with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your iPhone 16 Pro Max has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Apple support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Apple's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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