Apple iPhone 15 Plus vs. Pro Max

Same size, different cameras

By
Molly McLaughlin
Molly McLaughlin
Molly McLaughlin
Senior Editor & Content Strategist
    Molly K. McLaughlin has been a technology editor and writer for over a dozen years. She runs product reviews for Lifewire, overseeing the process from hands-on testing to publishing.
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    Updated on March 15, 2024

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    The iPhone 15 Plus and Pro Max share many features. The exceptions are:

    • Always-On display
    • The telephoto lens and max optical zoom
    • Battery
    • Storage options
    • Price

    So, which iPhone should you buy? Here's what you need to know.

    Features

    iPhone 15 Plus

    • 6.7-inch display

    • 6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 in, 7.09oz

    • A16 chip

    • iOS 17 (shipped)

    • Up to 5 years of OS updates

    • 6GB RAM

    • 128GB, 256GB, 512GB storage options

    • $900 starting price at release

    • Up to 26 hours battery life (video playback)

    • Released September 2023

    iPhone 15 Pro Max

    • 6.7-inch always on display

    • 6.29 x 3.02 x 0.32 in, 7.81 oz

    • A17 Pro chip

    • iOS 17 (shipped)

    • Up to 5 years of OS updates

    • 8GB RAM

    • 256GB, 512GB, 1TB storage options

    • $1200 starting price at release

    • Up to 29 hours battery life (video playback)

    • Released September 2023

    How Are They Different?

    The iPhone 15 Pro Max has the same size screen and is about the same size overall. It adds a telephoto lens and 1 TB storage options and is priced higher.

    iPhone 15 Plus

    • 6.7-inch display

    • 6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 in, 7.09oz

    • A16 chip

    • 6GB RAM

    • 128GB, 256GB, 512GB storage options

    • Up to 26 hours battery life (video playback)

    • $900 starting price at release

    iPhone 15 Pro Max

    • 6.7-inch always on display

    • 6.29 x 3.02 x 0.32 in, 7.81 oz

    • A17 Pro chip

    • 8GB RAM

    • 256GB, 512GB, 1TB storage options

    • Up to 29 hours battery life (video playback)

    • $1200 starting price at release

    Cameras: Some Differences

    The cameras set these two iPhones apart. The Pro Max has a higher-resolution ultra-wide camera and a separate telephoto lens. The 15 Plus does not have a telephoto lens, though it has optical zoom.

    iPhone 15 Plus

    • 48MP Main

    • 12MP Ultra Wide

    • No Telephoto

    • .5x, 1x, 2x optical zoom options

    • 12MP Front

    iPhone 15 Pro Max

    • 48MP Main

    • 48MP Ultra Wide

    • 48MP Telephoto

    • .5x, 1x, 2x, 5x optical zoom options

    • 12MP Front

    Final Thoughts: Photo Finish

    It comes down to a photo finish - if you want the best camera, get the 15 Pro Max; otherwise, buy the 15 Plus.

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