iPhone 16 Pro Max Review: Apple’s Crown Jewel?

Alright, it is that point of the yr! Apple lastly took the plunge and went all out on AI with its new iPhone 16 collection. Calling the most recent iPhones as constructed for Apple Intelligence. In fact, the corporate coined its model of AI, quick for synthetic intelligence, which the remainder of the world makes use of for its merchandise, however that is Apple, so you understand it. Nevertheless, one huge miss is these telephones don’t include any Apple Intelligence options out-of-the-box.

We have the brand new iPhone 16 collection and the Watch 10 mannequin. I am beginning the proceedings with the all-new iPhone 16 Professional Max, the most important iPhone when it comes to show and measurement ever constructed by Apple. I’ll soar to the iPhone 16 Plus and Watch Sequence 10 fashions subsequent, however these are for another day, so keep tuned to Devices 360 for these.

The iPhone 16 collection is the primary set of iPhones constructed or designed for Apple Intelligence. Nevertheless, that is most likely taking place for the primary time that Apple saved an AI-related theme for its launch occasion in September – Glowtime – to spotlight how the brand new options change how everybody will use iPhones going ahead however missed providing these out of the field.

As a heads-up for readers, this overview talks about how huge of an improve the iPhone 16 Professional Max is over its predecessor in each means potential. In fact, I’ll do an in-depth piece when the most recent iOS 18 replace (learn, steady) hits the brand new gadgets with Apple Intelligence options. However for now, let’s dive into the brand new Max, we could?

iPhone 16 Professional Max Design: Aware of Titan Contact

• Colors: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Pure Titanium, and Desert Titanium
• Weighs: 227 grams
• Dimensions: 163×77.6×8.25mm

Virtually, the iPhone 16 Professional Max is 15 Professional Max on steroids. Why? Let me clarify. If the 16 Professional Max is positioned on a desk with the show going through downward alongside the 15 Professional Max, not many individuals can determine that that is the new-gen mannequin – albeit in the event that they discover intently. Design-wise, the iPhone 16 Professional Max packs a bunch of latest issues. In fact, the Digicam Management is the most important addition. Subsequent, the bezels on the 16 Professional Max are slimmer than the 15 Professional Max. Final however not least, the 16 Professional Max packs the most important show ever seen on an iPhone but. I’ll deep dive one after the other now.

Apple launched the Motion Button final yr with the iPhone 15 Professional collection 

After introducing the Motion button on the iPhone 15 Professional Max, Apple has added Digicam Management to its whole vary of iPhone 16 fashions this yr.

 

Simply after we thought smartphone producers have been shifting in the direction of gesture-based controls for interactions, Apple took a unique route by including one other bodily button. The iPhone 16 Professional Max packs the facility and quantity rockers alongside the Digicam Management and Motion buttons – 4 bodily buttons general. Whereas organising the 16 Professional Max, I deliberately eliminated the digicam app icon from the house display in order that I may use the all-new Digicam Management. Nevertheless, my muscle reminiscence led me to the house display for the primary few days till I realised the 16 Professional Max had a devoted digicam button.

When you get used to the Digicam Management, there is not any going again. It is handy and simple to search out, and one of the best feeling is that it typically provides a nostalgic point-and-shoot digicam reminiscence. The one downside is that vertical images or movies are the brand new norm for social media, corresponding to Instagram, Fb, X, and different platforms like YouTube with Shorts. For a tool just like the iPhone 16 Professional Max, holding the cellphone with one hand and utilizing the Digicam Management to border your shot is hard. You want the second hand for higher framing your pictures. Digicam Management on the smaller iPhone 16 Professional ought to be simply manageable. The Digicam Management addition is a neat contact, and it is like a shoutout to all pictures lovers to go all out with this one.

iPhone 16 Professional Max (proper facet) incorporates a 6.9-inch show, whereas the 15 Professional Max (left facet) packs a 6.7-inch show

In case you are joyful utilizing the app on the house display to launch the digicam and need to utilise the digicam management for one thing else, Apple has you lined. You possibly can select between launching the Digicam app, code scanner, Instagram, Magnifier or none. With future updates, Apple is anticipated so as to add extra third-party apps to the listing.

The load improve is minimal regardless of the display measurement bump from 6.7 inches on the 15 Professional Max to six.9 inches on the iPhone 16 Professional Max. It is 227 grams on the 16 Professional Max versus 221 grams on the 15 Professional Max. One of the best half is the load distribution. It is even and aesthetically designed and might be managed by one hand. Nevertheless, folks with small palms will discover working the 16 Professional Max with one hand barely inconvenient. I took a while to get used to the 16 Professional Max regardless of utilizing the 15 Professional Max for nearly a yr. It is humorous that just about a decade again, we used to get tablets with 7-inch display sizes that had a correct heft and thick bezels.

The iPhone 16 Professional Max weighs 227 grams, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely weighs 232 grams

The main modifications you should adapt to throughout every day use are in width and top. In comparison with the 15 Professional Max (top 159.9mm and width 76.7mm), the 16 Professional Max measures 163mm in top and 77.6mm in width. As you possibly can see, the 16 Professional Max is taller and wider than its predecessor.

Leaping to colors, the Professional fashions once more are available in titanium shades this yr. Desert Titanium, which we received for the overview, is one of the best among the many 4 selections this yr – Pure Titanium, White Titanium, and Black Titanium, among the many others. All the colors look hanging. Alternatively, the iPhone 16 fashions get some actually good colors this yr.

iPhone 16 Professional Max (left) vs iPhone 15 Professional Max (proper) side-by-side comparability

The iPhone 16 Professional Max has Apple’s largest show ever and packs the thinnest borders on any of its merchandise. One thing that was immediately noticeable once I began utilizing the 16 Professional Max for this overview. Skinny bezels imply extra display actual property and a extra immersed expertise. Extra on that in our show part.

The iPhone 16 Professional Max, constructed with Grade 5 titanium, feels strong in palms and offers reassurance in on a regular basis use. On the entrance, Apple has used the latest-gen Ceramic Defend, and the textured matt glass again jogs my memory of 15 Professional Max.

iPhone 16 Professional Max Show: Stellar

• Display screen: Greatest show on an iPhone, but
• Show: 6.9-inch OLED, 1320×2868 pixels and 460ppi
• Peak brightness: 2000nits

Coming to the show, Apple has match its greatest show within the 16 Professional Max, measuring 6.9 inches. To place some context, 16 Professional Max packs a much bigger show than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely (6.8-inch), launched earlier this yr.

The cellphone helps a peak brightness of 2000nits

The Tremendous Retina XDR show comes with Dynamic Island and options ProMotion know-how with a refresh fee of as much as 120Hz. The utmost brightness is 1000 nits (typical), and peak brightness is 2000nits (outside) – which we additionally noticed on the iPhone 15 Professional Max. This yr’s solely change is that the minimal brightness can now go all the way down to 1 nit, which wasn’t the case earlier. This implies you possibly can hold scrolling or shopping in your cellphone with out bothering others in the identical room whereas in mattress.

The iPhone 16 Professional Max show has rounded corners that comply with a curved design, which seems good. Speaking in regards to the show high quality, the 16 Professional Max packs probably the greatest shows you’ll find in 2024’s iPhone fashions. In on a regular basis utilization, the 16 Professional Max show feels apt for all wants, be it multimedia, gaming or scrolling on social media. The larger display measurement with thinner bezels means you get a extra immersed viewing expertise, and that is about it. The daylight legibility is superb, and 2000nits peak brightness is nice sufficient for utilizing the cellphone underneath harsh daylight.

The cellphone affords 1320×2868 pixels display decision at 460ppi pixel density

iPhone 16 Professional Max Efficiency: Excessive-Octane Gadget

• Chipset: A18 Professional chip
• Breakdown: Six-core CPU with six-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine, 8GB of RAM
• Storage: 256GB, 512GB and 1TB

iPhone 16 Professional Max now packs the all-new A18 Professional chip, a successor to the A17 Professional chip that powers the 15 Professional fashions. Throughout my overview, I attempted the whole lot from AAA gaming to streaming, video enhancing, picture enhancing, and AI apps to see how highly effective the brand new chip is. To not my shock, the 16 Professional Max does not even stutter mildly anyplace – an analogous case was with the 15 Professional Max (14 Professional Max and older Professional fashions). Nevertheless, one of many huge areas of improve is warmth optimisation. In comparison with the 15 Professional Max, the 16 Professional Max cools down shortly, because of Apple’s improved warmth dissipation setup.

The cellphone comes with an IP68 ranking for splash, water and mud resistance

Taking part in titles like Name of Responsibility: Cell, Asphalt 9: Legends, Alto’s Odyssey and Fieldrunners 2 felt butter-smooth. I additionally tried out Ubisoft’s well-known title, Murderer’s Creed Mirage, and the gaming expertise was incredible.

Within the efficiency division, the A18 Professional on the iPhone 16 Professional Max does not simply appear incremental, and it makes the cellphone a greater machine for heavy graphics gaming and video enhancing on the go. Speaking about artificial benchmarks, under is a desk to raised mirror the efficiency bump.

Speaking about connectivity, the iPhone 16 Professional Max can latch onto networks swiftly, be it a basement with low mobile networks. Very similar to the 15 collection, the 16 Professional Max additionally has a USB-C charger and helps the USB 3.2 customary.

In my earlier iPhone critiques, I’ve mentioned that haptic motors fitted within the iPhones are among the finest ones seen on modern-day smartphones. The identical applies to the iPhone 16 Professional Max. Even the loudspeakers are amazingly loud (however in a great way). If you happen to’re in a medium-sized room, you possibly can strive the highly effective speaker setup on the 16 Professional Max, and you will not be disillusioned.

It’s powered by Apple’s A18 Professional chip constructed with second-generation 3nm structure

iOS 18 will stay an replace from Apple that can proceed to make headlines till Apple Intelligence arrives on all new gadgets. One of many explanation why the 16 collection is within the information is as a result of they launch with a tagline that claims “Constructed for Apple Intelligence” however don’t provide it out of the field. As I discussed in the beginning of this overview, I’ll write one other piece to speak about all new AI options in-depth when it hits 16 Professional Max. The most recent iOS 18 replace brings a bunch of upgrades – some that have been a lot wanted and a few that I am nonetheless making an attempt to get used to. The Photographs app was certainly one of my go-to apps for footage throughout gadgets, however ever for the reason that iOS 18 replace, the brand new refresh has been complicated. What I like about iOS 18 is the brand new personalisation choices. Apple retains including to the listing, and that is good. Extra choices to customize means extra new residence display designs to play with.

The iPhone 16 collection has been designed retaining Apple Intelligence on the core

I briefly tried the iOS 18 beta, which ships with a bunch of AI options and affords what Samsung has been providing for months. Some AI instruments I attempted on the beta launch briefly have been a writing device for bettering writing and the Notes app, which will get a summarise characteristic for recorded conferences. Apple is bringing what it calls Genmoji because of the corporate’s Picture Playground app that lets your creativity go all out. Then, the favorite camera-related AI characteristic on Android is named Erase, however Apple has rebadged it to Clear Up, which may take away distractions or objects out of your picture. In fact, Siri is getting a complete larger paint job and is sort of refreshed. I’ll strive them out within the remaining launch earlier than giving the decision on who’s achieved it higher.

iPhone 16 Professional Max Digicam: Spectacular

• Cameras: 48MP major, 48MP ultra-wide and 12MP telephoto
• Movies – Audio Combine is a brand new characteristic whereas recording movies
• Assist – 4K 120 fps Dolby Imaginative and prescient
• Selfie – 12MP digicam

Moreover a much bigger show and battery, the 16 Professional Max lastly upgrades the ultrawide digicam. From a 12-megapixel sensor, Apple has jumped to a 48-megapixel sensor. The telephoto, nonetheless, stays 12-megapixel solely in the intervening time. Subsequent yr, we might get a triple 48-megapixel digicam setup on the Professional fashions. Fingers crossed.

When you’ve got been following Apple, you then already know that they’ve been steadily ramping up their digicam sport to match the wants of professional customers – content material creators, artists, photographers, administrators, and extra. The 16 Professional Max is one other chapter in that journey and brings some thrilling additions.

The cellphone will get an all-new 48-megapixel ultra-wide digicam

Digicam Management needs to be a kind of additions which have helped push the digicam for use increasingly more, no less than for me. It’s intuitive and simple to leap from zooming to modes and extra. Nevertheless, there is a quick studying curve hooked up, so be prepared.

Throughout Apple’s September launch, one of many executives talked about how the brand new 48-megapixel Fusion Digicam can learn information two instances sooner, enabling zero shutter lag. And I may check it throughout my overview interval; clicking images of automobiles on the highway whereas shifting comes means higher than earlier than.

Your entire iPhone 16 vary will get the Digicam Management button

Daylight images on the 16 Professional Max come out beautiful, which was the case with the 15 Professional Max. You’ve gotten sufficient particulars in every shot, beautiful dynamic vary, glorious saturation, and, most significantly, pure and beautiful colors. Some samples under to indicate you ways good the cameras are on the 16 Professional Max. The first 48-megapixel sensor is strong for daylight pictures.

Daylight images from the first digicam of the 16 Professional Max

This yr, you possibly can mess around together with your photos with all-new Photographic Kinds that alter tones, colors, and extra in actual time. The brand new management pad within the Images Kinds places you on high of your photos and makes it handy. One other small replace is which you could now change the type after clicking a picture, which wasn’t potential earlier.

Color accuracy and ample particulars are highlights of the first digicam

Videography lovers are getting one other huge replace this yr with 4K at 120fps assist – what Apple calls its highest decision and body fee with slo-mo. One of the best half is that Apple this yr isn’t forcing you to make real-time selections on the body fee. You possibly can alter the playback velocity after seize within the Photographs app. The addition of those options makes on-the-go enhancing wonders.
 

Macro shot

Portrait picture

Bokehs come out wonderful, too, with pure pores and skin tones and no color blowout. One thing that iPhones are vouched for. Macro pictures additionally come good. Nevertheless, you will want to do some work to ensure you nail the shot, or else it’s possible you’ll find yourself with a number of close-ups with the topic blurred.

Telephoto (5x) digicam samples

The telephoto digicam has additionally acquired an honest replace, and I received some incredible zoom outcomes. At 10x and 15x, the 16 Professional Max manages wonderful outcomes with ample particulars. That is the primary time I’ve observed that the iPhone 16 Professional Max did higher than the S24 Extremely in some zoom pictures.

Pictures have been taken utilizing an Ultrawide digicam

The ultrawide digicam can also be succesful and does a superb job in daylight. There is a noticeable improve over the 15 Professional Max pictures when it comes to picture particulars captured.

Leaping to low-light images, there may be appreciable enchancment on this division. Particularly contemplating the 15 Professional Max currently was disappointing in difficult low-light circumstances. Under are some night time samples the place 16 Professional Max flexes its muscle in low-light circumstances.

Low-light images from the iPhone 16 Professional Max

Portrait at night time, shot on iPhone 16 Professional Max

Why not check 16 Professional Max with the present flagship from the Android area – Samsung Galaxu S24 Extremely? Under are some images on your comparability. Although be aware, to merge each the pictures, the standard has taken a slight hit, however that is representational to indicate you ways effectively Apple has improved its low-light cameras on the brand new Professional fashions.

iPhone 16 Professional Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely: Low-light pictures in contrast

iPhone 16 Professional Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely in low-light circumstances

One other iPhone 16 Professional Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely night time pattern

On this picture, the 16 Professional Max retains colors and tone pure whereas the S24 Extremely blows it away with an excessive amount of unnatural gentle

The selfie digicam is similar because the 15 Professional Max, and we do not see any variation in that both. Selfies come out glorious with pure pores and skin tones and colors throughout completely different gentle circumstances. The low-light images, nonetheless, have a scope for enchancment. General, the iPhone 16 Professional Max packs a stellar digicam trio, and you can not put it down in comparison with any cellphone available in the market.

iPhone 16 Professional Max Battery: Powerhouse

• Battery: Claimed larger battery capability
• Video playback: As much as 33 hours (marketed)
• Charging: As much as 50% cost in 35 minutes

By now, it’s possible you’ll already know that Apple is the one firm that does not promote spec sheets. So, when it got here to battery bump on the brand new iPhone 16 Professional Max, the one information Apple shared is that it affords as much as 33 hours of video playback in comparison with the 15 Professional Max (and 14 Professional Max), which provided as much as 29 hours of video playback. We did our HD video loop check, and 16 Professional Max impressed with a decent 28 hours and 33 minutes of playback time.

The iPhone 16 Professional Max is a succesful smartphone with regards to battery prowess

Speaking purely about battery efficiency, the iPhone 16 Professional Max is a stellar machine that may provide over 8 hours of screen-on time. With heavy utilization that included a few hours of gaming and streaming and a great 30-40 minutes of digicam use for images and movies, the cellphone simply lasted over a day with nearly 25 p.c of battery nonetheless left.

In a number of exams we did on the overview unit, the 16 Professional Max simply did over 8 hours of energetic display on time, and the max we received was 8 hours and half-hour with 13 p.c juice left. In fact, you possibly can derive extra battery backup in the event you flip off the always-on show and cut back digicam use. On days with average use, the iPhone 16 Professional Max gave us almost two full days of battery life.

A MagSafe case by beats, a Silicone Case from Apple, and a case from Each day Objects for the iPhone 16 Professional Max

Apple has actually pushed the envelope with regards to battery efficiency, which is one thing that will likely be powerful for competitors to match.

Nevertheless, wired charging velocity stays the Achilles heel of the iPhone 16 Professional Max. In an period the place telephones provide full charging inside half-hour, the 16 Professional Max reached 55% cost in 35 minutes. A full cost with a 20W adapter takes about 100 minutes and, at instances, can take as much as 120 minutes, relying on a number of elements.

The iPhone 16 Professional Max is not a small cellphone by any means

iPhone 16 Professional Max Verdict

Who can buy the iPhone 16 Professional Max? The reply is easy – for iPhone customers who aren’t already utilizing the iPhone 15 Professional Max. Get it, in fact, in case your funds permits. For individuals who nonetheless choose an underneath Rs. 1 lakh cellphone and are okay with compromising on some facets, there’s the bottom iPhone 16 with largely all of the goodies this yr minus a 120Hz refresh fee show and a 3rd telephoto digicam. One of the best factor is that this can be a sale season, and you may seize some nice offers in the event you prioritise switching to an iPhone, as reductions can be found throughout fashions in each on-line and offline shops.

Digicam Management is without doubt one of the highlights of the brand new 16-series

In comparison with the 14 Professional and 13 Professional collection, the iPhone 16 Professional Max packs among the greatest upgrades, whereas the 15 Professional Max now seems underrated. It has the most important show on an iPhone but. In my testing, the 16 Professional Max delivered unprecedented battery efficiency, and naturally, this can be a Professional machine, so even heavy-duty customers can go for this. The show is unbelievable, and the one draw back is the sluggish wired charging, which appears to be taking ceaselessly to be upgraded.

One huge bummer is that there aren’t any Apple Intelligence (learn, steady) options on the 16 Professional Max, which actually makes it appear like not a fantastic deal in the intervening time. However bear in mind, these telephones are constructed from scratch to work with Apple Intelligence, so an iOS replace with all of the goodies might drop in a number of weeks.

The 2 greatest alternate options to the iPhone 16 Professional Max are the iPhone 15 Professional Max (Evaluation), retailing at all-time low costs throughout the festive gross sales in India. And, the second is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely (Evaluation), the closest flagship that may tackle the 16 Professional Max.