Is the 5x zoom better for portraits?

Actually, many photographers prefer the 3x on the smaller Pro for portraits. The 5x (120mm) requires you to stand very far away from your subject, which can make communication difficult.

Does the 15 Pro Max charge faster?

No. Both phones have a peak wired charging speed of around 27W. Because the Pro Max has a larger battery, it actually takes longer to reach 100% than the smaller Pro.

Are they both waterproof?

Yes, both carry an IP68 rating. However, in 2026, if you are buying a used model, remember that the waterproof seals can degrade over time. Don't go swimming with a 3-year-old phone!

Can I use a 16 Pro case on a 15 Pro?

No. While they look similar, the 16 Pro is slightly taller and has the new Camera Control button, which the 15 Pro lacks.

How long will they be supported?

Apple usually provides 6-7 years of updates. You can expect the iPhone 15 Pro series to be fully supported until 2029 or 2030.

Apple

Mukarram Majid

January 26, 2026

iPhone 15 Pro vs 15 Pro Max

iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Which 2023 Flagship Wins in 2026?

It is January 2026, and the iPhone 15 Pro series has officially entered its legacy era. While the world is currently buzzing about the ultra-thin iPhone Air and the iPhone 17 Pro, the 15 Pro family remains a massive favorite on the refurbished and used markets.

Why? Because these were the phones that gave us USB-C, the Action Button, and Titanium frames. In 2026, they still look and feel modern. But the choice between the small Pro and the "Max" is more complicated than just screen size. One has a superior zoom lens, while the other is significantly easier to use with one hand. Let’s dive into the long-term verdict.

1. The Screen Size

The most obvious difference remains the physical appearance.

iPhone 15 Pro: 6.1-inch display. At 187g, it is a pocket-friendly dream.
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 6.7-inch display. At 221g, it is a content machine.

In 2026, we’ve noticed a trend where users are moving back toward the 6.1-inch size. After years of giant phones, the small 15 Pro feels like a relief. However, if you use your phone as your primary movie-watching or gaming device, the 6.7-inch Pro Max is still the gold standard for immersion. Thanks to the titanium build, even the Max feels lighter than the old stainless steel "bricks" of the 13 and 14 era.

2. The Camera: 3x vs. 5x Optical Zoom

This was the most controversial split when these phones launched.

iPhone 15 Pro: Uses a traditional 3x Telephoto lens (72mm equivalent).
iPhone 15 Pro Max: Debuted the 5x Tetraprism lens (120mm equivalent).

The 2026 Perspective: In real-world use over the last two years, we’ve found that the 3x lens on the smaller Pro is actually more useful for daily portraits and indoor shots. 120mm (5x) is often too much zoom for a dinner table or a small room.

However, for travel, concerts, and outdoor sports, the 5x zoom on the Pro Max is a literal game-changer. If you are someone who likes sneaky street photography or capturing your kid’s soccer game from the sidelines, the Pro Max is the clear winner.

3. Battery Life: The Endurance Gap

Physics hasn't changed in 2026. A bigger body means a bigger battery.

15 Pro: ~3,274 mAh
15 Pro Max: ~4,441 mAh

In our 2026 stress tests running iOS 26, the iPhone 15 Pro Max remains a true 1.5-day phone. If you take it off the charger at 7:00 AM, you can realistically expect to have 30% left by midnight. The smaller 15 Pro, especially as the battery has aged over two years, is strictly a "charge every night" device. If you are a power user who spends hours on 5G, the 15 Pro will likely need a midday top-up.

4. Storage and Value in 2026

When they launched, the Pro Max was $200 more expensive, but it also started at 256GB of storage, whereas the base Pro started at 128GB.

In the 2026 refurbished market:

A used iPhone 15 Pro (128GB) can be found for roughly $400 - $450.
A used iPhone 15 Pro Max (256GB) typically sits around $550 - $600.

When you factor in that 128GB is barely enough for photos and 4K video in 2026, the Pro Max often represents the better storage-per-dollar value. Compare side-by-side.

A Brief Tangential Thought

Does anyone else miss the "Mute Switch"? The Action Button is great, and in 2026, we’ve all mapped it to our favorite AI shortcuts, but there was something so satisfying about that physical click to silence a phone in a movie theater. (Rhetorical question: Why did it take us a decade to realize that a customizable button was better than a single-use switch?)

2026 Performance: A17 Pro in the Modern World

Both phones share the A17 Pro chip and 8GB of RAM.

This is the magic number for 2026. Because they have 8GB of RAM, both the 15 Pro and Pro Max support Apple Intelligence (Siri 2.0, Writing Tools, etc.). The base iPhone 15 and 15 Plus do not. This makes the 15 Pro series the entry point for modern Apple tech. Even three years after release, they still feel incredibly fast and responsive.

The Verdict: Which should you buy in 2026?

Go with the iPhone 15 Pro if:

You want the most comfortable phone to hold and use.
You prefer 3x zoom for portraits and indoor photography.
You are on a stricter budget but want the "Pro" features (120Hz, Titanium, AI).