iPhones have traditionally set the standard for smartphones, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max wants to continue that legacy. This flagship beast, unveiled in September 2023, has received significant enhancements. But, as a seasoned tech blogger, I wanted to check if it genuinely warranted all the attention. So, I got my hands on the iPhone 15 Pro Max and tested it carefully. Here’s my straightforward review to help you determine whether it’s worth the investment.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max – Full Specifications | |
|---|---|
| NETWORK | |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| LAUNCH | |
| Announced | September 12, 2023 |
| Status | Released on September 22, 2023 |
| BODY | |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight | 221 g (7.80 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Corning-made glass), glass back (Corning-made glass), titanium frame (grade 5) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM and eSIM – International Dual eSIM with multiple numbers – USA Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) – China IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) |
| DISPLAY | |
| Type | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) |
| Protection | Ceramic Shield glass Always-On display |
| PLATFORM | |
| OS | OS iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 17.4 |
| Chipset | Apple A17 Pro (3 nm) |
| CPU | Hexa-core (2×3.78 GHz + 4×2.11 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (6-core graphics) |
| MEMORY | |
| Card slot | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM NVMe |
| MAIN CAMERA | |
| Triple | 8 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28″, 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.06″, 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, Cinematic mode (4K@24/30fps), 3D (spatial) video, stereo sound rec. |
| SELFIE CAMERA | |
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6″, PDAF, OIS SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) |
| Features | HDR, Cinematic mode (4K@24/30fps) |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| SOUND | |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm jack | No |
| COMMS | |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, hotspot |
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| NFC | Yes |
| Radio | No |
| USB | Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort |
| FEATURES | |
| Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer Ultra Wideband 2 (UWB) support Emergency SOS via satellite (SMS sending/receiving) |
| BATTERY | |
| Type | Li-Ion 4441 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min (advertised) 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) – requires iOS 17.2 update 4.5W reverse wired |
| MISC | |
| Colors | Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium |
| Models | A2849, A3105, A3106, A3108, iPhone16,2 |
| Price | $ 999.94 / € 1,205.26 / £ 948.75 / ₹ 148,900 |
| TESTS | |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 1487203 (v10) GeekBench: 7237 (v6.0) |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -24.5 LUFS (Very good) |
| Battery (new) | Active use score 16:01h |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 118h |
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- 8GB RAM | Apple A17 Pro
- 6.7" | 2796‑by‑1290-pixel resolution at 460 ppi
- 256GB/512GB/1TB storage, no card slot
- 4441mAh lithium‑ion battery | 15W
- 48MP 2160p
Design: Titanium Makes It a Looker (and Lighter!)
The first thing that struck me about the iPhone 15 Pro Max was its stunning titanium frame—out with the stainless steel, in with something new! This switch to titanium makes it noticeably lighter without feeling any less sturdy. Plus, those slightly curved edges? It makes it surprisingly comfy to hold, even with its massive size. And don’t get me started on the colors—that black titanium is as sleek as anything.
Display: My Eyes Are in Love
The 6.7-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display is, as usual, a stunner. That 120 Hz refresh rate makes everything feel buttery smooth, and let me tell you, the 2000 nits peak brightness is insane. HDR movies look incredible. And hey, the Always-On display gets some subtle customization options with iOS 17, which is a nice touch.
Cameras: Say Hello to Your Pocket-Sized Photography Studio
Apple always delivers on cameras, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max is no different. That triple-lens rear setup—with its 48MP main sensor, 12MP ultrawide, and the exciting new 12MP periscope telephoto lens for 5x optical zoom—is a powerhouse. It’s the computational photography where this phone shines. Images are crisp as can be, colors are true-to-life, and low-light shots? Forget about it; they look awesome.
Let’s not forget those selfies. The front-facing camera system’s got a 12 MP lens, and that SL 3D sensor makes FaceID as secure as ever. And video? 4K recording across all lenses and cinematic modes is still a major win in my book.
Performance: The A17 Pro Bionic is a speed demo
Under the hood, the A17 Pro Bionic chip is an absolute monster. This device, built on the new 3nm technology, is very fast. Apps load quickly, demanding games operate smoothly, and even heavy-duty jobs like picture editing are a breeze. It’s not only about speed right now; this processor will keep your iPhone 15 Pro Max running smoothly for years.
Battery: Finally, a Phone That Keeps Up
The iPhone 15 Pro Max finally delivers the serious battery upgrade I (and a lot of us!) have been waiting for. Even on the busiest days, I had plenty of juice left at night thanks to that power-efficient chip and bigger battery. Charging speeds aren’t the absolute fastest, but hey, at least we finally have USB-C! MagSafe and Qi wireless charging are still there if you’re into that.
Software: iOS 17 is refined, not revolutionary
iOS 17 on the iPhone 15 Pro Max is clean and intuitive, as one would expect. It’s not a major redesign, but the additional customization choices and the new “Action Button” (think shortcuts aplenty) are handy features.
Price and Verdict: Is It Worth the Hype (and the Cash)?
Here’s the million-dollar question (or rather, the ₦1,950,000 / $1,236.50 question): Is the iPhone 15 Pro Max worth its hefty price tag?
If you want the best smartphone experience possible, hands down. The titanium construction, stunning display, interchangeable cameras, lightning-fast performance, and long-lasting battery make an unrivaled combination. If you refuse to settle for anything less, have the money, and adore Apple’s environment, the 15 Pro Max is an excellent purchase.
But fair warning: iPhones are usually expensive, and Nigeria is no exception. Consider if these changes are worth the high cost compared to other, more inexpensive solutions.
Beyond the Core Experience: It’s the Little Things That Count
Let’s talk about some of the smaller features that add up to the iPhone 15 Pro Max experience:
- Dynamic Island: Upgrade or Gimmick? Okay, it wasn’t new with the 14 Pro Max, but Dynamic Island gets some cool upgrades in iOS 17. It can display more information, has slick little animations, and it’s genuinely useful for quickly checking things. It’s not just a novelty anymore, I’d say.
- Speakers: Surprisingly Good The stereo speakers surprised me—they have a decent amount of depth and are great for watching videos or taking calls on speakers without headphones.
- Connectivity: No More Signal Struggles Rock-solid 5G and Wi-Fi 6e mean you’ll get the fastest speeds possible and stay connected, even in crowded areas.
- Durability: Built to Last That IP68 water and dust resistance means no panicking during light rain, and Ceramic Shield does help protect the screen from drops and scratches.
- Crash Detection and Satellite SOS: Hopefully You’ll Never Need Them These are features I hope I never have to use. But the fact that your phone can detect serious car accidents and send an SOS signal even in remote areas with no cell coverage? That’s some major peace of mind.
But like everything, it’s not perfect.
No phone is flawless, so let’s be real about a few potential drawbacks:
- No Fingerprint Scanner: A Missed Opportunity FaceID works most of the time, but it struggles in low light or with masks on. An in-display fingerprint sensor would have been a welcome backup.
- Limited Customization: Your Way, the Apple Way iOS is smooth, but true customization junkies might feel limited compared to Android.
- Storage: Start Saving for Upgrades The base model still starts with 256GB, which is tight for people who shoot a lot of ProRes video or RAW photos. Be ready to pay even more for a higher storage tier.
The Upgrade Question: Should You Take the Plunge?
This depends on where you’re coming from.
- iPhone 13 Pro Max Users: You’ll see worthwhile upgrades with the 15 Pro Max, especially in the camera, battery, and overall snappiness.
- iPhone 12 Pro Max (or Older) Users: The upgrade is significant, making it pretty tempting.
- Recent Android users: The 15 Pro Max has the power and polish to win you over, but switching ecosystems is a big decision to make.
Final Thoughts
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is hands-down an exceptional smartphone. Yes, it’ll put a dent in your wallet, but you get a top-of-the-line experience in design, performance, cameras, and features that make it worth the splurge for many. If having a “no compromises” phone is your goal and your budget allows it, the iPhone 15 Pro Max won’t leave you disappointed.
