iPhone 16 Pro Max Review: One Week Later—What Shines and What Could Be Better

The iPhone 16 Pro Max—Apple's latest flagship—is here, and after a week of using it as my daily driver, I have a lot to say. Does it live up to the hype? From its massive 6.9-inch display to the new A18 Pro chip and impressive camera upgrades, Apple clearly wants this device to set the bar for smartphones. But is it perfect? Not quite. Let’s dive into the pros, the cons, and even see how it stacks up against its top rival, the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

The Screen: A Visual Delight, but Not Without Flaws

The iPhone 16 Pro Max’s 6.9-inch display is a marvel. With its peak brightness of 2,500 nits and incredible color accuracy, it’s a screen that can make even non-tech enthusiasts go, “Wow!”

What’s Great

What Could Be Better

• No Anti-Glare Layer: Unlike the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which comes with an anti-glare coating, the iPhone 16 Pro Max struggles in direct sunlight.
• Minimal Display Upgrade: While the screen is excellent, it doesn’t significantly outshine the iPhone 15 Pro Max, leaving room for improvement.

Photography and Videography: Near Perfection

Apple continues to dominate in camera consistency. The 48MP ultrawide lens adds extra detail, and Photographic Styles let you personalize your shots like never before.

Strengths

• 48MP Ultrawide Lens: Improved detail in zoomed-out shots.
• 120fps 4K Video: Perfect for slow-motion enthusiasts.

Missed Opportunities

• Megapixels vs. Quality: While the iPhone excels in consistency, it still lags behind Android flagships in megapixel count.

Performance: The A18 Pro Chip Steals the Show

The A18 Pro chip makes iOS 18 feel buttery smooth. Apps launch instantly, and even demanding tasks like gaming and video editing are handled effortlessly.

Gaming

• Titles like Resident Evil: Village run flawlessly, with enhanced cooling keeping the device comfortable during extended play sessions.

What’s Missing

• Delayed Features: Some iOS 18 features, like Clean Up, didn’t launch with the phone, leaving users waiting for updates.

Battery Life: A Quiet Champion

Battery life is where the iPhone 16 Pro Max really shines. On average, it lasts 18+ hours, outpacing many competitors.

• Why It’s Impressive: Apple’s optimization between hardware and software ensures longevity.
• Room for Improvement: While it’s third on our battery test leaderboard, an even larger battery could push it to first.

Design: Elegance in Desert Titanium

Desert Titanium brings a subtle, classy finish to the iPhone lineup. The glossier rails improve grip, making it feel as premium as it looks.

• Size Concerns: While the 6.9-inch display is immersive, it can feel unwieldy for one-handed use, even with Reachability mode.

Competitor Showdown: iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra

How does Apple’s flagship compare to Samsung’s?

Display

• iPhone 16 Pro Max: Superior brightness and color accuracy.
• Galaxy S24 Ultra: Anti-glare coating and slightly larger screen size give it an edge in outdoor use.

Cameras

• iPhone 16 Pro Max: Excels in consistency and software optimization.
• Galaxy S24 Ultra: Wins in sheer versatility with a 200MP main sensor and 10x optical zoom.

Performance

• iPhone 16 Pro Max: A18 Pro chip offers better single-core performance.
• Galaxy S24 Ultra: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 excels in multi-core tasks and AI-driven features.

Battery Life

• Both phones deliver excellent endurance, but Apple’s software optimization edges out Samsung in real-world usage.

FAQs: Addressing Your Burning Questions

Is the iPhone 16 Pro Max worth upgrading from the iPhone 15 Pro Max?

If you value the camera and battery improvements, absolutely. Otherwise, it’s a modest upgrade.

How does the iPhone 16 Pro Max handle gaming?

Exceptionally well, thanks to the A18 Pro chip and improved cooling.

Does the Galaxy S24 Ultra outperform the iPhone?

It depends on your priorities. Samsung excels in hardware versatility, while Apple dominates in software integration and ecosystem.

Conclusion

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a powerhouse that excels in display quality, performance, and battery life. However, it’s not without flaws, particularly in its size and incremental updates. If you’re an Apple loyalist or someone who appreciates consistent performance and user experience, this phone is hard to beat.

Curious about how it compares to Android alternatives? Check out our in-depth Galaxy S24 Ultra review. Don’t forget to share your thoughts—what feature do you wish Apple would include in the iPhone 17?