The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a beast that has everything expected from Apple’s most powerful and ambitious model, although it does not represent a great evolution in technical characteristics compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which was the most sold in the world in the first tranche of 2024, according to Counterpoint. While its main external novelty is a button that changes the way the cameras are used, the apple company promotes it as its first phone designed internally to optimize the use of Apple Intelligence, its generative AI service announced last month June. However, all models in the iPhone 16 range They arrive in the European Union without the expected artificial intelligence system. EL PAÍS has tested the terminal for a few days, which in addition to having a better battery, is positioned as a good alternative for content creators. These are its pros and cons.
The best
The iPhone with the largest screen
The screen of the iPhone 16 Pro Max is even larger than its predecessor. It grows from the 6.7 inches of the iPhone 15 Pro Max to 6.9 inches. To do this, Apple has reduced the screen bezels and slightly increased the size of the phone. In fact, this is the largest iPhone the Cupertino company has ever created. It measures 16.3 centimeters high and 7.76 centimeters wide—compared to 15.99 centimeters high and 7.67 centimeters for the model released in 2023. Due to its large dimensions, it is not an iPhone for all audiences, but it is a great option for viewing multimedia content and, especially, for lovers of large screens. Of course, it is also somewhat heavier: if the iPhone 15 Pro Max weighed 221 grams, its successor weighs 227 grams.
A battery to match
One of the strong points of the iPhone 16 Pro Max is its battery. Although Apple never reveals the technical details of the batteries of its mobile phones, the National Telecommunications Agency of Brazil points to 4,685 mAh—5.5% more than that of the iPhone 15 Pro Max—, according to the portal specialized in specifications. of mobile phones GSMArena.
In practice, autonomy improves considerably, more than 5%. The terminal lasts a full day without recharging, even when there is intensive use of the mobile phone, sharing the internet, playing videos, playing games and browsing social networks.
Captivating slow motion
The results when recording in slow motion are spectacular. The iPhone 16 Pro Max allows 4K recording at 120 frames per second (FPS). This high number of frames helps achieve high resolution and smooth videos. In addition to a high level of detail, the recordings are realistic, have good dynamic range and accurate colors. Less specialized users may not use this feature often, but it can be especially attractive to content creators, filmmakers, or athletes.
High-end performance
If the iPhone 16 Pro Max stands out for something, it is for its performance. It debuts the Apple A18 Pro processor and it is without a doubt one of the most powerful mobile phones on the market. For the user, it is like carrying a computer in your pocket. In this newspaper’s tests, its performance has been fluid, it has not overheated or slowed down and it has been up to par when using all types of applications.
Worst
The artificial intelligence that does not arrive
Many expectations had been created around Apple Intelligence. After months waiting for the apple company to once and for all get on the boat of generative artificial intelligence championed by ChatGPT, Apple made the official announcement with great fanfare in early June during its annual conference for software developers. However, being only compatible with A17 Pro processors and higher, this new AI leaves out more than 90% of current iPhone users. Furthermore, the new features of this technology will not be available until the end of October, and initially only in the United States and in English. In Spain, for now, we will have to wait. Although Apple has announced that it will be implemented in other languages in 2025, it is not clear if its arrival in the European Union will be further delayed due to lack of compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Love-hate camera control
The iPhone 16 Pro Max debuts a button that allows you to open the camera application with one click. Simply press it to take photos and hold it to record. Additionally, you can slide your finger over it to make zoom and, by double-clicking on it, a menu of tools opens that allows you to change the exposure or put different filters on the photos.
It’s easy to have a love-hate feeling with this button. Although it is useful in some specific contexts and is easy to use, sometimes it does not solve any problems and its position is not completely ergonomic. It is located on the right side, below the power button. It gives the impression that it is designed for right-handed people and for using the mobile phone horizontally, but it is not entirely comfortable or intuitive when creating content vertically – the predominant format for uploading videos or stories to applications such as TikTok or Instagram. Additionally, using some accessories can make the experience worse. For example, when placing the phone on a car mount, the button can be accidentally pressed and open the camera when the user wants to view the map application.
No major photographic improvements
The results with the main camera, 48 megapixels, are really good. However, in the tests carried out by EL PAÍS, no significant difference has been detected with those taken by the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The colors, dynamic range, realism and level of detail are remarkable, but quite similar to those achieved with its predecessor. The same goes for the 12-megapixel front camera and the 12-megapixel, five-times telephoto lens, which is ideal for portraits and maintains the good performance of the highest model in the 2023 iPhone range.
Another pending issue is the 48 megapixel wide angle. Although it improves, in low light conditions a higher level of detail is missing, especially in the corners of the photographs. The absence of major improvements could disappoint iPhone 15 Pro Max owners who are considering updating their device, especially considering that the photography section is one of Apple’s main assets to be crowned leader in the sector.
The price
Apple’s most powerful mobile phone is prohibitive for some users. Its price starts at 1,469 euros for the version with 256 gigabytes of storage. The 512 gigabyte model costs 1,719 euros and the 1 tera model costs 1,969 euros. Apple thus maintains the prices of the iPhone 15 Pro Max and positions this mobile as a product premiumwith a price comparable to that of a computer, pieces of jewelry or haute couture clothing.
#iPhone #Pro #Max #worst #powerful #largest #mobile #phone #Apples #history