Is the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max worth it? It's a great camera phone. Practical evaluation

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Excellent photography features on the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max—but is the upgrading worthwhile? Practical evaluation

The iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max are among the newest iPhone models that Apple has announced. However, in contrast to the models from the previous year, these changes appear to be somewhat meek, giving only a few promises and minor improvements.

Being an early adopter, I've owned every iPhone model since the first one was released in 2007 and have bought the newest model as soon as Apple starts taking preorders. It was the same this year. I reserved a preorder for the new desert titanium-colored iPhone 16 Pro Max with 512GB of internal storage. My iPhone 15 Pro Max, which had 512GB of storage, was replaced by this one.

To find out more about this phone and whether you should upgrade or keep with your existing iPhone model, continue reading.

Pro Tip: If you're considering switching from an Android phone to an iPhone 16, we've explored five reasons why you should do so.

Who ought to get a 16 Pro Max Apple iPhone?

Review of the iPhone 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a titanium housing and is available in four new colours. Apple

Apple's flagship smartphone and the one with the largest display is the iPhone 16 Pro Max. It is intended for users who require the quickest performance and who stand to gain from having Apple's largest smartphone display. In addition to being a potent still and video camera, this smartphone is intended to be a high-performance communications tool that can also be used for productivity, entertainment, health and fitness, and safety.

If you want to shoot video at up to 4K (120 frames per second) resolution or take pro-quality pictures, this is the iPhone you should get. It's also the model that can perform demanding jobs requiring a lot of processing power, such high-end gaming, thanks to its Apple A18 Pro CPU.

One of Apple's less expensive iPhones might be more appropriate for you unless you require the extra processing capability of the A18 Pro chip (which is available in the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max) and want the extra on-screen real estate afforded by the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

iPhone 16 Pro Max: Quick Overview

Review of the iPhone 16 Pro Max

Rich, Jason R.

6.9-inch display; Super Retina XDR touchscreen; Display resolution: 2,868 x 1,320 pixels (460 pixels per inch); Refresh rate: up to 120 Hz; Maximum display brightness: 2,000 nits; Processor: Apple A18 Pro; Available colours: black, white, natural, and desert titanium; Dimensions: 6.42 x 3.06 x 0.32 inches; Weight: 7.99 ounces; Wireless connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3; Operating system: iOS 18; Dual eSIM; Waterproof rating: IP68; Front camera: 12MP TrueDepth; Rear cameras: 48MP Fusion (main), 48MP (ultra-wide), 12MP (telephoto); MagSafe compatible: Yes

Pricing: Before trade-in, incentives, or financing offers, $1,199 (256GB), $1,399 (512GB), and $1,599 (1TB) are the prices.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a little bigger display and a quicker, more potent processor than the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Up to 15% faster CPU and up to 20% faster GPU performance is achieved. Having said that, even when playing sophisticated, graphically demanding games, as a "power user," I never once felt that the iPhone 15 Pro Max was operating too slowly or experienced any unwelcome lagging. This raises the question of whether investing in even more processing capacity is worthwhile.

Additionally, Wi-Fi 7 is now supported by the phone instead of Wi-Fi 6E. Plus, it has a more efficient battery life than the model from the previous year. Up to four more hours of runtime should be anticipated between charges.

Review of the iPhone 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 phones have a new Camera Control button on the side. Rich, Jason R.

Aside from the Camera Control button on the side of the smartphone, the two main new features are the Apple Intelligence (AI) integration that will soon be included in an upcoming edition of iOS 18. It is anticipated that in autumn, this AI functionality will be made available. The Camera Control button is only useful for people who frequently take pictures or record videos with their iPhone, and even then, using it is completely optional.

Grade 5 titanium is now used to make the housing of the iPhone 16 Pro Max. This titanium is extremely robust and lightweight. Additionally, Apple has resized the bezel surrounding the screen to make the display somewhat larger than the model from the previous year. As opposed to the 6.6-inch display on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, this permits a 6.9-inch display. The difference in display size is negligible.

Will the iPhone become smarter with Apple Intelligence?

It's now challenging to respond to that question because Apple Intelligence won't be included in any iPhones until later this autumn. What we anticipate, though, is a more customised Siri voice assistant that can comprehend spoken language as well as the context of requests and queries.

With the aid of Apple Intelligence, applications will be able to collaborate more easily and share pertinent data in a way that can expedite repetitive processes while assisting users in protecting their security and privacy. Text composition will also be aided by Apple Intelligence. It can transcribe and then summarise audio recordings when used as a recording device. More smooth scheduling and to-do list management, along with AI-assisted language translations, have also been promised.

Apple Intelligence offers more user-friendly yet effective image enhancing and editing capabilities for photographers and videographers. One such tool is the shots app's Clean Up feature, which allows users to eliminate undesired items from shots. This functionality functions fairly well, but only under specific circumstances. For the greatest results, AI can also help with the actual photo or video taking process. However, it's hard to say for sure how helpful the AI-driven functionality will be until Apple officially unlocks all of the Apple Intelligence capabilities.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: Capturing images and recording footage

Review of the iPhone 16 Pro Max

Rich, Jason R.

The hardware upgrades introduced to the iPhone 16 Pro Max's camera system aren't really noticeable. Nevertheless, iOS 18 comes preinstalled with the Camera and Photos applications, both of which have seen significant improvements from Apple. The camera system can now do new things thanks to this. The speedier processor works in tandem with the overall improved camera performance. Additionally, there are more tools available for capturing, organising, improving, editing, and sharing images and videos.

The addition of the Camera Control button is the most obvious change. This physical button on the side of the phone can be used as a shutter button in addition to being a convenient way to open and modify the Camera app's settings. As a result, the experience is more like using a conventional point-and-shoot camera than it has ever been. Naturally, the touchscreen still provides access to all of the existing camera settings and controls. Consequently, using the Camera app in a different and optional manner is made possible by the Camera Control button.

With Dolby Vision support, the iPhone 16 Pro Max can now record video at 4K (120 frames per second) resolution. This is the highest frame rate and resolution that an iPhone has ever provided. When shooting video, this is coupled with improved spatial audio recording capabilities to make it simpler to record and produce more immersive and eye-catching material.

There are even more possibilities for still photography. The phone's rear features two improved 48MP cameras and a single 12MP camera that support ProRAW and HEIF photo file formats. This enables users to record more detailed images even in dimly lit environments. You can now zoom up to 25 times by using digital zoom capabilities. Additionally improved are the phone's macro (ultra close-up) capabilities.

The phone can capture more accurate colours, including more realistic skin tones, thanks to processing that takes place in the background while taking pictures or recording video. Additionally, it's simpler to employ your own imagination when producing material when you have the assistance of Photographic Styles.

More capabilities and control over the stored photos are available with the updated Photos app. But the new UI lacks the previous level of intuitiveness. I've been using the iPhone 15 Pro Max with the iOS 18 beta for more than a month, but the new design is still so unusual that it's taking me some time to get used to it. I'm worried that some people will find the new UI to be incredibly perplexing.

Examples of photos captured with the iPhone 16 Pro Max

Review of the iPhone 16 Pro Max

This is an illustration of one of the customisable Photographic Styles that the Camera app currently provides. Rich, Jason R.

Review of the iPhone 16 Pro Max

Combining the Macro and Portrait photography modes allows you to adjust the depth of field in an image. Rich, Jason R.

Review of the iPhone 16 Pro Max

Wide shots with vivid colours are well captured by the iPhone's 48MP Fusion camera on the rear. Rich, Jason R.

Review of the iPhone 16 Pro Max

Currently, users have more artistic freedom when converting a full-color image to black and white. Rich, Jason R.

Review of the iPhone 16 Pro Max

When using the Macro shooting option on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, it captures details exceptionally well. Rich, Jason R.

Review of the iPhone 16 Pro Max

This is an illustration of how you can easily remove undesired things from photos using the new Clean Up tool in the Photos app. This functionality seems to function well enough, but I've found that utilising the Heal tool in third-party programs like Photoshop Express and TouchRetouch yields superior results. Rich, Jason R.

Five things separate the iPhone 16 from the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Review of the iPhone 16 Pro Max

Rich Jason R.

While the iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display, the iPhone 16 delivers a 6.1-inch display.

The A18 Pro chip, which is quicker and more powerful than the Apple 18 chip, powers the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, whereas the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus use the Apple 18 chip.

While the iPhone 16 offers 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of internal storage (with no 1TB option), the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of internal storage.

The iPhone 16 has a smaller resolution (2,556 x 1,179 pixels compared to 2,868 x 1,320 pixels) than the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

With three rear-facing cameras on the iPhone 16 Pro Max compared to the iPhone 16's two, customers have greater creative freedom and options when shooting photos and videos.

Does the iPhone 16 Pro Max justify its price?

Apart than taking pictures or recording videos, the greatest method to test the performance of the iPhone 16 Pro Max is to use it for processing-intensive games. After installing it, I launched "Diabolo Immortal." This iPhone game is one of the more sophisticated ones that can be found in the App Store, and it looks and sounds amazing on the device.

Review of the iPhone 16 Pro Max

Diablo Eternal

The ability to further alter the appearance of what shows on the iPhone's screen is another new feature. Working with these new features is enjoyable for knowledgeable users. However, scrolling through the Settings app and customising the phone has become a more complicated procedure for someone who is already overwhelmed by all of the customisable options available on the iPhone.

I would love to declare that the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the better phone for everyone with an older iPhone or Android phone, but I'm not comfortable saying that. Rather, I would unquestionably advise anyone using an iPhone that is three years old or older to switch to the iPhone 16 Pro Max. These individuals will experience the most gains in overall performance, particularly if they also desire a bigger screen.

However, since both phones can run the most recent version of iOS 18 and will benefit from Apple Intelligence once it is available, the only noteworthy improvement for owners of an iPhone 15 Pro Max considering an upgrade is the addition of the Camera Control button.

Design: The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a striking resemblance to last year's model, save for the addition of an extra Camera Control button and a slightly larger display. Still, I think the new, more elegant-looking case colour selections are great.

Performance: The iPhone 16 Pro Max is capable of achieving quicker speeds. While employing Apple Intelligence features, this might be helpful, but for routine chores, it doesn't really matter.

Value: The cost of the iPhone 16 Pro Max is high. You can avoid spending more money by going with the iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro unless you absolutely need the additional processing power and larger display. While the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max offer marginally better performance, the majority of users will find the iPhone 16 Plus to be a more affordable option.

AI integration: While the NPU is undoubtedly strong, it remains to be seen how successfully Apple incorporates Apple Intelligence into iOS 18 and key apps.

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