Is iPhone 15 Pro Max’s price hike justified?

Boosting the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s excellence, Apple impressively upgrades the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Let’s assess its improvements compared to its predecessor and determine if the price increase is warranted.

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: Design

The iPhone 14 Pro Max is notably hefty, almost matching the weight of a solid rock and earning the reputation as one of the heaviest non-foldable smartphones. Its square edges make it uncomfortable to hold.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max addresses this to some extent by reducing weight from 240 grams to 221 grams, thanks to its titanium chassis. The edges have been reshaped for a more ergonomic grip. If you were deterred by the weight of previous iPhone Pro Max models, this update might make reconsidering worthwhile.

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: Charging Comparison

Apple, despite its adherence to the aging Lightning cable, may have acquiesced to European Union pressure. In the iPhone 15 series, the familiar tech has been replaced with the faster USB-C standard, boasting a remarkable 20x increase in data transfer speeds at 10Gbps. The most significant advantage is the elimination of the need for a separate Lightning cable for your iPhone. However, if you were expecting faster charging rates compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max, that’s not the case.

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: Camera Upgrades

While the iPhone 15 Pro Max isn’t a massive leap, it does bring notable improvements over the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The most noticeable enhancement is the new 5x zoom lens, utilizing a clever tetraprism design to achieve a 120mm focal length. It also incorporates OIS and autofocus 3D sensor-shift technology for better stability and precision. This allows for closer zooming compared to the 3x zoom on the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Moreover, the primary camera has a larger sensor that excels in capturing more light, especially in challenging lighting conditions. While both cameras share the same 48MP resolution as the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the iPhone 15 Pro Max produces sharper 24MP default photos, compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s usual 12MP images. Although direct side-by-side comparisons are yet to surface, these changes could be significant. Additionally, it boasts other interesting features like a smarter portrait mode and appealing background effects.

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: Transformation of the Mute Switch

The iPhone 15 Pro Max introduces a notable change to the Mute Switch, converting it into an Action Button resembling a conventional button rather than a switch. While it still mutes the phone, it now offers customization for various functions. This versatile Action Button enables quick access to features like the camera or flashlight, and it allows switching between Focus modes, activating accessibility features, or recording voice memos. It seamlessly integrates with the Shortcuts app, offering more customization options.

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: Processing Power

Presenting Apple’s most powerful chip yet, the A17 Pro, potentially making the iPhone 15 Pro Max the ultimate choice for gaming and AI enthusiasts. Crafted using a cutting-edge 3nm process, this chip accommodates more transistors, resulting in increased speed and prolonged performance compared to the A16 Bionic in the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Apple claims a 10% boost in CPU speed and double the computational capacity for the neural engine, ensuring swifter, more intelligent applications, and enhanced photo and video processing.