iPhone 16 Pro Max review: improving photography for all in a more than iterative upgrade

Posted:
in iPhone edited October 7

While some are calling it boring, there are lot of great spec updates in iPhone 16 Pro Max with the most impactful being significant improvement to photography workflows that affect everyone.

Close-up of a smartphone with three camera lenses and a flash, backlit by a colorful, glowing design. Sponsored by TORRAS graphic in the bottom right corner.
iPhone 16 Pro Max review



Iteration is only a sin if it isn't being useful, and iPhone 16 Pro Max manages to be a quiet leap over iPhone 15 Pro Max despite looking nearly identical. The only real giveaway besides color is the incredible size of the device and the new button.

The last few iPhones have gone beyond the usual processor and camera updates by adding in some kind of special feature. iPhone 14 Pro included the Dynamic Island, iPhone 15 Pro added the Action button, and now iPhone 16 Pro has Camera Control.



Apple has spent the last 17 years perfecting the iPhone, and while there is always room for improvement, the rate of change has slowed greatly. Between a lack of space for more components and a plateau in what's possible for a smartphone, it's getting harder to truly impress each year.



Apple Intelligence was a big bet, and it may still pay off despite not being in the iOS 18 release. So, this review will focus on everything outside of those features, even though they are available in beta.

I could tell right away this was going to be a tough review to write, not because it was a boring upgrade or lacking features, but much of what makes iPhone 16 Pro Max special is below the surface. The biggest upgrade isn't even unique to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, but more on that later.

Top of the line iPhones get consistent scores, but for different reasons. My iPhone 14 Pro Max review emphasized the UI shift and real-world use cases provided by the Dynamic Island and brighter display, while my iPhone 15 Pro Max review focused on the impact of "seven cameras in your pocket" and the unique tetraprism sensor.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max didn't change anything externally, which will make most onlookers call this an undesirable "s" year. However, A18 Pro, the promise of Apple Intelligence, Camera Control, a new photography pipeline, cooler operating temperatures, a larger display, and longer battery life all greatly affect day-to-day use -- making this anything but a boring update.

iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Design



Beyond color and Camera Control, you'd be hard-pressed to find a single external difference between the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The black titanium is a darker shade on the edges and back, but that's it.

Two dark-colored smartphones with multiple rear cameras, displaying the Apple logo on the back, positioned side by side against a plain background.
iPhone 16 Pro Max review: You won't find many design differences across generations



Yes, the display and device are larger by a smidge, but your eyes won't see that difference easily with the display off. You'll notice it most when using apps, like Mail, where the UI stretches ever so slightly more, providing more information, more rows, or bigger images.

Trimming the weight in the iPhone 15 Pro Max set the stage for making the device bigger for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Incredibly, despite the bigger display and longer battery, it is still much lighter than the iPhone 14 Pro Max -- that's the weight savings from moving to titanium from stainless steel.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is 7.99 ounces, up from 7.81 ounces for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but under the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which weighed 8.47 ounces. It's bigger in height and width, but it maintains the same 0.32-inch depth.

Camera specs are upgraded in some respects, but that didn't change the layout of the camera bump. It sits at the same height and shape as before.

Two black smartphones with the Apple logo, displaying triple and dual camera setups, resting on a dark surface.
iPhone 16 Pro Max review: iPhone 16 Pro Max (right) is slightly bigger



I will continue to complain about the IP68 water resistance rating until something changes. The rating has existed since the iPhone 12, and we are no closer to intentional submersion for underwater video than before. Though, it seems doubtful Apple would ever promote such a feature even if the iPhone would survive, just for liability reasons alone.

External design is a significant selling point for many upgraders. That's why new colors like desert titanium will always sell best.

The larger and heavier iPhone 16 Pro Max doesn't feel that way in the hand. Despite changing almost nothing externally, Apple gave users more screen real estate and battery life with seemingly zero negative tradeoffs.

iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Display



Apple increased the display size from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches. That's it.

Smartphone showing a podcast titled 'bear with Jony Ive' and a paused image of a cat, with colorful background.
iPhone 16 Pro Max review: The Dynamic Island continues to be whimsical and useful



I wish it were that easy to move along, but I'll explain what's actually here. Operationally, nothing has changed for the user year over year.

The Super Retina XDR display has ProMotion, always-on, Dynamic Island, HDR, P3, and 2,000 nits peak brightness. There is a new 1 nit minimum brightness that is handy for dark rooms, and the ceramic shield is improved to be "tougher than any smartphone glass."

Even though the display increased in size, Apple kept the same 460 ppi that's been there since iPhone 14 Pro Max. That required a tiny bump to 2,868p by 1,320p.

iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Bright, colorful, and accurate display now down to 1Hz
iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Bright, colorful, and accurate display now down to 1Hz



I'm not going to intentionally scratch my iPhone display or launch it from my bicycle's handlebars (again), but I trust there's some work being done to ensure the display doesn't shatter easily. However, anyone that has studied material chemistry knows that making the glass more shatter resistant means it is potentially more prone to micro scratches.

I've never been a fan of screen protectors, but considering my iPhone 15 Pro Max had a few good scratches after a year of use, I may need to get one. Especially if the new model is potentially more prone to scratches.

iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Cameras



I was ready to do an incredibly in-depth camera comparison for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, but as I began shooting photos, I realized the point may be moot. Apple has made the iPhone a consistent camera every year, and this release isn't any different.

Close-up of a smartphone's triple camera setup with a colorful bokeh background.
iPhone 16 Pro Max review: same camera bump, many changes underneath



There's also the new 4K 120 fps video shooting mode, which results in stunning slow motion or crisp video at full speed. I've never been one to shoot a lot of video, but I am happy to have this new ability on the camera in my pocket.

The new audio recording options are amazing too. I've tested shooting various videos of street performers or people talking and have heard incredible results in the microphone isolation options. It's not something I can demonstrate in this written review, so give it a try yourself or check out our YouTube channel where Andrew will inevitably test the feature.

OK, let's talk about photos.

A large basketball sculpture sits atop a building partially obscured by green trees under a clear blue sky.
Vibrant Telephoto -- Women's Basketball Hall of Fame



The Tetraprism 120mm camera returns with identical specs to the new ISP and photo pipeline, so I'm not focusing on that camera in this review. Just know that some images captured in some conditions may be slightly improved thanks to that better pipeline, and you get the new reversible Photographic Styles in the Telephoto Camera too.

I'm going to get the 48MP Ultra Wide Camera out of the way first, as it's the most changed, yet easiest to discuss. It's a big deal for all iPhone photography.

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48MP Ultra Wide and macro



The most significant camera upgrade in iPhone 16 Pro Max is to the Ultra Wide Camera. Increasing the resolution to 48MP means improved detail in regular shots and macro.

Close-up of a black and white dog with its mouth open, tongue out, and appears to be smiling. Trees and a railing are in the background.
Ultra Wide Cozy -- Piper smiling with striking detail in the fur, even in the black hair and nose



Now that the Fusion Camera and Ultra Wide Camera are operating at the same resolution, users don't need to worry about a loss in detail when taking close-up photos. That range between using macro mode or not is used a lot for pets, food, and nature, and it was never a good experience to see a lower-quality photo as a result.

The photo output from Ultra Wide is 12MP by default unless shooting ProRAW. However, macro mode will always take a 12MP photo.

That doesn't mean the resulting photo is worse than the Fusion Camera's 24MP output, it just means it is using twice as much pixel binning, likely for light gathering. The result is macro or ultra wide photos that have more sharpness, color, and detail than what could be captured from iPhone 15 Pro Max regardless of the final megapixel count.

Close-up of a vibrant pink flower with a yellow center and soft white gradient petals.
Natural Macro -- a bright pink flower captured in high detail despite windy conditions



Macro photos are stunning. Landscapes are detailed. You no longer have to worry about shooting with the Ultra Wide Camera, as it is no longer compromised.

Comparing images taken in my dim office, the iPhone 15 Pro Max shot more noisy, less saturated photos whether it was macro or ultra wide. The Ultra Wide Camera is finally as consistent and reliable as the main Fusion Camera.

Fusion Camera



The new 48MP Fusion Camera should result in consistently better images, though Apple kind of skipped over the why. It appears that the photo production pipeline has been reconfigured to result in more natural, crisp images by combining a well-exposed image with a high-resolution sharp image.

Arch sculpture made from numerous bicycles intertwined and stacked, set against trees and a building in the background.
Vibrant Fusion Camera -- the Bicycle Arch in Knoxville



That process was happening before, but it appears to be more efficient with the improved ISP in A18 Pro. Most photos taken in bright lighting should look nearly identical between the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max, but conditions that were more challenging for iPhone 15 Pro Max will be less challenging for iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Normally, this is where I'd stack a bunch of images taken on both devices for comparison. I believe we've crossed a line in iPhone photography where I'm just wasting your time making you slide between two basically identical images suffering from web compression.

Close-up of a black cat looking upwards, with a visible yellow eye and prominently highlighted whiskers.
Amber Fusion Camera -- Agatha's yellow eyes and red-tinted black fur shines in this style



Instead, you'll see photos straight from iPhone 16 Pro Max with different Photographic Styles and edits all performed in the Camera or Apple Photos app. There is nothing to compare to iPhone 15 Pro Max, because without the upgraded Photographic Styles and new image pipeline, you're just taking a high-quality iPhone photo.

So, while those ISP upgrades and photo pipeline changes will result in marginally better photos year over year, let's look at what actually makes a big difference. And it's a feature available in all iPhone 16 models -- reversible Photographic Styles.

Photographic Styles make iPhone photography better for all users



The important takeaway is this -- if you buy one of the previous two iPhone Pro models, you'll get natural, consistent, and sharp photos. However, there is a big step up in iPhone 16 Pro Max with the new photo pipeline that implements reversible Photographic Styles.

A grid of six photos showing a tabby cat, each with different lighting and color filters labeled Vibrant, Neutral, Rose Gold, Cozy, Ethereal, and Quiet.
Photographic Styles gives users more control over the camera output



I believe this is a net positive. When you see dramatic changes in how photos look from generation to generation, that means the smartphone maker either didn't have confidence in the previous output, or they are chasing trends instead of having an opinion.

Apple very clearly has an opinion on photography, one Android manufacturers seem to be diverging from -- reality. Every photo you capture on iPhone should represent that moment as a realistic snapshot, not an idealized dream.

No, that doesn't mean Photographic Styles contradicts that mentality. Instead, it means users get greater control of the output to achieve an image that represents their artistic vision while maintaining realism.

Tall buildings tower on both sides of a narrow street, looking up toward a bright blue sky with wispy clouds.
Dramatic Fusion Camera -- enhancing shadows and bringing out the blues in this sky shot



Apple isn't fundamentally changing the photo or its contents by adding AI-generated balloons or flowers. It is making professional-level color grading possible with a tool that feels as easy as an Instagram filter, but technologically closer to spending time in Photoshop.

Photographic Styles were introduced as a way to apply a preconfigured and permanent style to every photo you took. The approach was clever -- introducing changes to tone and saturation during development rather than after.

However, the process was irreversible and meant most people would never use Photographic Styles except as an afterthought. Now, you can shoot with a style enabled, reverse it after, or apply a whole new style in post.

Neon sign reading 'Alice in Appalachia' against a green, mossy background, with hanging plants above and wine bottles below.
Natural Fusion Camera -- striking a balance between the neon light and detailed shadows



But these aren't filters by any stretch. Photographic Styles exist deep in the image development pipeline in a way that changing them is like going back to the dark room and using different processes.

Photographic Styles intelligently account for foreground, background, and skin tone. You're not going to turn people purple or make the image look over-processed by applying a style.

Some Photographic Styles lean into more surreal grading, while others use natural lighting. Finally, you can take complete control every time you click the shutter and get away from the "Shot on iPhone" default look without needing a complex photo editor or editing skills.

Bronze sculpture featuring small human figures engaged in various activities like drinking from a bottle, bending down, and climbing stairs.
Stark B&W Fusion Camera -- dramatizing a steampunk sculpture



The best part is you can set a default Photographic Style from the original set that is automatically selected when opening the camera. And even though it's selected by default, you can still reverse it afterward.

Like with capturing Portrait Mode data with every photo, it removes some of the thought process and lets you just take photos. The next logical step in Apple's camera pipeline will be to enable spatial capture data without being in that mode.

Also, the Photographic Styles data is portable, so you can shoot on your iPhone 16 and edit on your iPad.

Torras Ostand Spin Series iPhone 16 cases

Spatial Photos



I'm likely one of the more heavy Apple Vision Pro users that still exist on the market, so of course I'm going to discuss the one specific feature available on iPhone -- spatial photos and videos. However, like with the rest of the Apple Vision Pro platform, there's not much to say.

Close-up of a smartphone with three camera lenses, large black Apple logo, and colorful, blurred shapes in the background.
iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Capture spatial photos and videos with the horizontal cameras



You'd think that introducing a new 48MP sensor to the Ultra Wide Camera would somehow improve the feature that uses it and the Fusion Camera for 3D photos and video. Turns out, no, that isn't the case.

Resolution is a useful metric, and Apple could one day target that sensor and produce 4K spatial video by cropping the sensor in a way to ensure both the Fusion Camera and Ultra Wide Camera capture identical fields of view and resolution. But for now, Apple has chosen to replicate the spatial video and photo pipeline exactly in a way that creates identical results across generations.

So, no, for now you're not getting any benefit from shooting spatial anything on an iPhone 16. However, third-party apps like Spatialify could find a way to take advantage of the larger sensor, but it is too soon to tell.

A yellow butterfly rests on vibrant pink flowers surrounded by lush green leaves.
iPhone 16 Pro Max review: this flat and boring photo really pops when viewed on Vision Pro



I also wanted to compare spatial photos with converted 2D to 3D photos -- a feature of visionOS 2. The results are somewhat inconclusive.

Looking back at old photos taken on ancient iPhones or DSLRs that lack included depth data, the 3D conversion effect is still quite solid. Older photos might run into poorer conversions or artifacts because of that lack of data.

However, new photos bundled with the depth data captured in most recent iPhones provide enough information for near-perfect 3D recreations. Apple Vision Pro still takes better 3D photos due to the perspective and number of sensors, but whatever behind-the-scenes magic occurs when creating spatial photos on iPhone appears to be identical to the process of converting a 2D photo to 3D.

I don't have unique insight into this process and could be wrong. But I believe there is a significant chance Apple is capturing depth data with the iPhone sensors and converting the resulting image into 3D using the same process as Apple Vision Pro's conversion feature.

Tablet showing photo of skyscrapers and flowers in front of a foggy, snowy landscape with pine trees and steep mountains.
iPhone 16 Pro Max review: converted photos look identical to captured spatial photos



If not, that's more of a compliment to the 3D conversion process than the limited ability for iPhone to capture depth data. So, I want to know if there is any point in shooting spatial on iPhone.

My conclusion is this -- never shoot spatial photos on purpose because you'll get more usable data by taking a regular photo and can convert it later. If you decide to capture spatial photos, do so only after you've taken regular photos as a backup.

Spatial video should be treated somewhat similarly, but note there isn't a video conversion feature. You need to set out to shoot spatial, but only do so after you've captured 4K 60 fps, or 120 fps, of the same event. If you know you only have one chance to capture the footage, always choose the 4K option over spatial.

iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Camera Control



The iPhone has more hardware dedicated to capturing photos and video than it does for making phone calls. If it weren't for the power behind the brand of iPhone, it would seem Apple should call it some kind of smart camera.

A close-up of a smartphone capturing a photo of a metallic structure outdoors, with greenery in the background.
iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Camera Control is easily reached vertically



Beyond the seven cameras in your pocket and the improvements to each, there's even more camera hardware to discuss -- Camera Control. The aptly named button that Apple won't call a button introduces a useful tool in iPhone photography.

I won't call it a game changer, at least not at this early stage. Camera Control is excellent, but it is going to take an effort to get used to.

There is certainly a learning curve and a danger of having it lie forgotten until it is accidentally pressed, not unlike the Action button. Sure, I use the Action button, but after a year I've only just started using it regularly and thinking of new ways to program it.

Muscle memory is hard to break. Every time I want to open the Camera, I have to remember I can press a button on the side, but sometimes I'm already halfway to swiping my way to the App Library to hit the icon when I've realized.

A hand holds a smartphone capturing a photo of a large metal structure with various geometric shapes and protrusions in an outdoor setting.
iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Camera Control is placed to feel like a real camera's shutter button



None of that is against Camera Control. I'm quite happy it exists and its implementation is completely unique.

Sure, other smartphones have had camera buttons for ages, even since the days of the flip phone. Apple once toyed with the idea of a camera shutter button on its iPhone Smart Battery Case.

Ever since I tried that shutter button, I've wanted more hardware camera systems on iPhones. I reviewed the ShiftCam SnapGrip with MagSafe charging and a remote shutter, but it performed like any other Bluetooth-connected shutter.

Camera Control is something else. It is three buttons in one that can be pressed, half-pressed, or tapped, and swiped.

Side view of a smartphone with a colorful, out-of-focus background featuring various geometric shapes.
iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Camera Control is flush with the side of iPhone



If your iPhone is asleep, one press will wake the device, and another opens the Camera app. Rest your finger firmly on the button, and it'll open the current tool, like Photographic Styles. Firmly press twice in quick succession to bring up the tool selection menu.

Every time I'm using Camera Control, I miss the on-screen UI. I feel like once I get the options memorized, I'll fly through everything quickly.

There are some oddities with the system I hope to see updated in future iOS releases. In both the zoom and camera selection tool, you're unable to select the 1.2x or 1.5x zoom levels without fiddling with the dial.

Now, let me contradict that complaint right off. Apple chose those zooms as part of the "seven cameras in your pocket" because they create effective focal lengths of 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm using the 1x, 1.2x, and 1.5x, respectively.

A hand holding a smartphone, capturing a close-up photo of a rusty, industrial structure with green, blurry foliage in the background.
iPhone 16 Pro Max review: The 1.2x and 1.5x options aren't shown in the camera selector



When shooting at these focal lengths, you're automatically shooting the 24MP "fusion" photos using the photographic pipeline that combines the full 48MP image with multiple exposures into a high-resolution, high-contrast composite 24MP photo.

So, it actually isn't necessary to have those particular focal lengths as presets in the zoom dial view since anything between 1x and 2x will shoot at 24MP using that pipeline. That said, the "Cameras" selector tool should include those focal lengths as presets to swipe between.

The other tools include Exposure, Depth, Styles, and Tone. They are obvious choices for Camera Control, but you will still need the main Camera app UI for toggling flash, Dark Mode, Live Photos, and ProRAW.

I believe this is the right choice, as burying every option in the fiddly button would get cumbersome very quickly. That said, Apple should rethink the Camera app UI with Camera Control in mind. The disappearing act of the current UI is jarring, and I may get used to it, but I wonder if Apple shouldn't reshuffle everything since every iPhone 16 and newer will have the hardware.

Dark grey smartphone with a camera module showing three lenses and a circular magnetic ring on the back case, resting on a dark surface.
iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Third-party cases use cutouts for Camera Control



One of the big stories around Camera Control has been how case manufacturers are handling it. Apple's approach is obviously the most elegant with the sapphire glass cover, while other case makers are going with a cutout.

Depending on the cutout, it is a fine alternative to what is surely an expensive addition from Apple. Swipes, firm presses, and taking photos all work fine with a case, but bulky cases with deep cutouts are likely to be an issue.

I use the Nomad Magnetic Leather Back, which is basically a slab of leather that attaches with MagSafe and leaves the sides exposed. So, I get the full use of Camera Control.

What I'd love to see is third-party case makers build new and interesting interaction options for Camera Control. Perhaps using sapphire glass to get controls through like Apple, but adding grooves or touch points to tell the user where their finger is sight unseen.

iPhone 16 case collection from Torras banner

iPhone 16 Pro Max review: A18 Pro



Apple's gaming promises didn't come to pass (shocker, I know). The The A17 Pro had everything it needed to make iPhone an attractive AAA gaming powerhouse, yet in 2024 we're looking at the same lineup as 2023 plus one popular Chinese Genshin Impact-like game.

Handheld console displaying pixelated character on a beach with water and rocks. Green game cartridge nearby.
iPhone 16 Pro Max review: A lack of AAA games isn't a problem thanks to emulation



I don't want to spend a lot of time on games in this initial review, because frankly, I've not spent a lot of time gaming in recent weeks. Sure, Resident Evil 4 runs a bit smoother and Assassin's Creed Mirage looks as good as ever, but the specs tell us that would be true.

It's the lack of new and unique console-grade titles on iPhone that have me returning to my comfort games that require little to no processing power. Games like those found in emulators or the never-dying Minecraft.

I want to talk about gaming on iPhone, but there's nothing to say until Apple does something about it. So, let's get on to the A18 Pro and its specs.

Benchmarking A18 Pro



When I ran Geekbench on iPhone 16 Pro Max, it showed the A18 Pro has a single-core score of 3,244 and a multi-core score of 7,738. The metal score is 32,520. These scores were a bit lower than other iPhone 16 Pro Max scores, but likely due to my active apps, room temperature, battery percent, and other factors.

Smartphone screen displaying Geekbench 6 CPU Benchmark Result showing a single-core score of 3244 and a multi-core score of 7738, with other tabs for benchmark categories.
iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Geekbench CPU results



Even so, that's a step up from the iPhone 15 Pro Max with a 2,864 single-core score and a 7,076 multi-core score. Its metal score is 27,085.

The 6-core GPU is built with what Apple calls desktop-class architecture that results in 20% faster performance over the A17 Pro. Ray Tracing is twice as fast too.

There aren't any concerns with heat either -- none that I've encountered anyway. It seems the new cooling considerations have solved whatever problem people had with overheating in the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Smartphone screen displaying Geekbench 6 GPU benchmark results with a score of 32520 and system information showing iOS 18.1 and model iPhone17,2.
iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Geekbench metal score



The 6-core CPU is 15% faster. Since recent iPhones have never really struggled with running iOS or most apps, these speed gains don't really translate to regular use, but instead to power savings.

A18 Pro is built on a second-generation 3nm technology, which Apple says is the first smartphone to use. Apple focused on the 16-core Neural Engine, which was designed for Apple Intelligence.

Since Apple Intelligence isn't available to the public yet, there's not much to say here. The chip is likely better than the A17 Pro at these AI tasks, but I'm interested in how it performs versus the M4.

iPhone 16 Pro Max review: MagSafe, USB-C, & Action button



Larger displays, longer battery life, Camera Control, the A18 Pro, 48MP Ultra Wide, Fusion Camera with 120 fps 4K video, and several other upgrades make up a solid year for the iPhone. There are a few other less impactful features I wanted to round up here.

Close-up of the edge of a smartphone showing a USB-C charging port and speaker holes, with a colorful, blurred background.
iPhone 16 Pro Max review: The USB-C port is still using the 3.0 standard



The iPhone 16 lineup is upgraded to Wi-Fi 7, which is meaningless to most consumers that likely barely just upgraded their home networks to Wi-Fi 6 or 6E.

The USB-C port is unchanged and still operates at USB 3.0 speeds. Connecting an external SSD to record ProRes Log is still an option.

MagSafe got upgraded to enable 25W charging, but of course, you'll need all new charging stands and pucks that support this speed. I've never had an issue with 15W, so I'm not going to rush to the store to upgrade the many charging spots in my home.

Close-up of a smartphone's edge with buttons and camera lenses, blurred colorful lights in the background.
iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Action button and MagSafe return



The Action button still exists, but I've struggled to make it a part of my daily routine throughout the year. It was used a lot at first, then forgotten briefly, and in the past few months, I've tested different configurations.

It is a muscle memory issue I hope to overcome. I expect when I find something compelling enough to assign to the button, it'll make me use it more. For now, it is a novelty -- very unlike Camera Control.

Finally, I want to mention battery life. The time I've spent with the iPhone 16 Pro Max hasn't been enough to test the battery performance to any extreme, so I can't speak to it directly. But more is always good, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the best rated ever at 33 hours for video playback.

iPhone 16 Pro Max review: not boring, but not perfect



I seriously doubt we'll ever see the "perfect" iPhone. Each year we're given new iterations on cameras and processors like clockwork, and if we're lucky, we're offered a special new bit.

A sleek black smartphone with a rectangular shape and three camera lenses on its back, lying on a dark surface.
iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Many small changes throughout



As I highlighted at the top, Apple has been on a feature addition spree of sorts over the past few years. The Dynamic Island, Action button, and Camera Control arrived one after the other in spite of commentary suggesting Apple is boring and stuck in a rut.

In the 17 years of iPhone, it drastically saw its design change once with iPhone X. Interaction paradigms shifted slowly. But in four years, we've seen a ton of upgrades across every system on the product.

I mean, Apple added an entire multi-touch, force-sensitive button. That's anything but boring.

Close-up of a modern smartphone with multiple rear cameras and an Apple logo, set against a dark background.
iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Once again, it's all about the cameras



Compare the iPhone 12 Pro Max to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and the differences are astronomical. Most buyers are on a somewhat similar scale, and it is important to remember that when reviewing a product.

Sure, the iPhone 16 Pro Max looks nearly identical to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The number of impactful new features can be counted on one hand, but that doesn't matter to 90% of people on the market buying these devices because they aren't upgrading from the 2023 model.

The complaints I had in 2022 with the iPhone 14 Pro Max were mostly addressed last year. The iPhone 16 Pro Max polishes the product further to the point that my only real annoyance is with the ancient and unchanging water resistance rating.

Close-up of a modern smartphone with three cameras on the back, set against a backdrop of various electronic device icons.
iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Definitely not boring



Apple's iPhone is a mature product, and every useful iteration is an achievement. If the iPhone 16 Pro Max is boring, then I'd love to find a single company on Earth that wouldn't want such a boring product in their lineup too.

I'll be back to discuss more of the iPhone 16 Pro Max and how Apple Intelligence affects the product later. For now, I can easily recommend anyone looking to upgrade from an iPhone 14 Pro Max or earlier to make the leap.

iPhone 16 Pro Max review -- Pros


  • Bigger display, longer battery life, no noticeable adverse effects

  • Improved camera systems, ISP, and pipeline

  • Reversible Photographic Styles

  • Camera Control is a useful addition to iPhone

  • Ultra Wide and macro photos vastly improved with 48MP

  • 4K 120Hz video provides excellent new option for slow motion

iPhone 16 Pro Max review -- Cons


  • IP68 ratings are so 2017

  • Action button didn't live up to the hype

  • Third-party cases are going to struggle with Camera Control

Rating: 4.5 out of 5



As always, look to the content of the review, not the Google-mandated numerical score, for a nuanced look at how I feel about the product.

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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 15
    PemaPema Posts: 121member
    All this song and dance about the camera. Always about the camera. Look, I am not Ansel Adams or John Ford. I am not attempting to take memorable photographs that become museum pieces or shoot great cinema that ends up being described as epic. And neither are you. So far as photography and camera goes I find it most annoying when I try to shoot a reflective surface and I see my goofy self in the reflection. That's something I would be interested in on how to resolve. Rather than telling me how terrific the camera is. 

    While we are at it, it would be productive if Apple invested some time and effort into how to improve the typing on the itsy-bitsy dinky little iPhone keyboard. I type 75wpm on the Mac. Whenever I try to dash out a quick message on the iPhone it turns out into incomprehensible gibberish. Like 'I am on the home way home. What do you need from the store?' becomes 'I am gronome, need stira doya'. I have watched other folks struggle with this and end giving up and just calling. At least the words we speak come out intelligible. 

    Billions and billions on Apple Car and now the Vision Pro that is turning into a nightmare. How about a couple of millions into developing better keyboards that can say what we write. 


    kkqd1337kamyk35RonnyDaddydewmeAlex1N
  • Reply 2 of 15
    Pema said: While we are at it, it would be productive if Apple invested some time and effort into how to improve the typing on the itsy-bitsy dinky little iPhone keyboard. I type 75wpm on the Mac. Whenever I try to dash out a quick message on the iPhone it turns out into incomprehensible gibberish. Like 'I am on the home way home. What do you need from the store?' becomes 'I am gronome, need stira doya'. I have watched other folks struggle with this and end giving up and just calling. At least the words we speak come out intelligible. 
    You're not familiar with the word suggestions that appear above what you are typing? You just tap those instead of completing the word. 
  • Reply 3 of 15
    Pema said:

    While we are at it, it would be productive if Apple invested some time and effort into how to improve the typing on the itsy-bitsy dinky little iPhone keyboard. I type 75wpm on the Mac. Whenever I try to dash out a quick message on the iPhone it turns out into incomprehensible gibberish. Like 'I am on the home way home. What do you need from the store?' becomes 'I am gronome, need stira doya'. I have watched other folks struggle with this and end giving up and just calling. At least the words we speak come out intelligible.


    I have much the same problem, and end up using voice recognition most of the time.  I understand that doesn't work for everyone for a variety of reasons, but it works well for me.
    kkqd1337williamlondondewmeAlex1N
  • Reply 4 of 15
    kkqd1337kkqd1337 Posts: 451member
    I wouldn’t say the 16 pro max is an overwhelmingly different experience for me upgrading front the 13 pro max 

    The 16 pro max is really only a necessity for those with very specific needs or with cash to burn 
    Pemawilliamlondonpulseimages
  • Reply 5 of 15
    The photographic styles would be great, because they're also entry level for colour coding, however, it's a big let down that you can only use them in HEIF (not widely adopted) not in jPeg.
    As for the Ultra Wide, it's a Mickey Mouse upgrade, with the aperture staying at f2.2 and Macro is no better than on the 15 Pro Max!
    surf monkeywilliamlondon
  • Reply 6 of 15
    Those photos look consistently horrible. Especially the cat photo. Dull, washed out and under saturated.  Apple’s “photonic engine” gets worse with each iteration in my opinion. 
    williamlondon
  • Reply 7 of 15
    Wesley HilliardWesley Hilliard Posts: 243member, administrator, moderator, editor
    kamyk35 said:
    The photographic styles would be great, because they're also entry level for colour coding, however, it's a big let down that you can only use them in HEIF (not widely adopted) not in jPeg.
    As for the Ultra Wide, it's a Mickey Mouse upgrade, with the aperture staying at f2.2 and Macro is no better than on the 15 Pro Max!

    Can always shoot with Photographic Styles then export as jpeg after. Sure, the aperture is the same on the Ultra Wide lens, but the detail capture is vastly improved and makes macro shots much more worthwhile at full 12MP crops instead of the previous approx 3MP crop.
    Those photos look consistently horrible. Especially the cat photo. Dull, washed out and under saturated.  Apple’s “photonic engine” gets worse with each iteration in my opinion. 

    Might want to adjust your monitor ;) Each of these photos from the iPhone camera were captured with different styles with different levels of saturation, contrast, and shadows. I do tend to favor tones around minus 30 on the scale, as I believe it compensates for Apple's tendency to blow out shadows. The cat photo funny enough showed incredible performance from the iPhone camera given it was a backlit black cat. The preserved detail in the fur, the bright and colorful eyes, and the textured nose all came through despite the challenging environment.

    But that's the beauty of art -- it is subjective.
    gatorguyAlex1Nelijahg
  • Reply 8 of 15
    Spatial photos taken natively on the 16 definitely use two lenses, and you can see the difference clearly if you photograph something with complex edges — faking it often adds artifacts. Also, when you capture in Spatial, the iPhone captures a 24MP 2D still as well as two matching lower res eyes for the Apple Vision Pro. You can even choose to view the 2D version there if you want, and all 3 images can be seen in Preview.

    In regular 2D images, the new ProRAW Lossy compression means that 48MP still take 20MB instead of 75MB, which is a huge deal. Also, shooting ProRAW is the only way to get 48MP stills from the ultra wide sensor. 
  • Reply 9 of 15
    dewmedewme Posts: 5,686member
    The world needs more dog hair photos. 
  • Reply 10 of 15
    m4m40m4m40 Posts: 9member
    kkqd1337 said:
    I wouldn’t say the 16 pro max is an overwhelmingly different experience for me upgrading front the 13 pro max 

    The 16 pro max is really only a necessity for those with very specific needs or with cash to burn 
    I don’t know about specific needs. I just cannot really see any professional choosing iPhone camera with a fixed lens over some full frame professional DSLR or mirrorless.

    I upgraded from 14 Pro to 16 Pro and, as you said, it was very underwhelming upgrade. I still hope that the better A-chip will be useful for the AI but I could have just kept my old phone and be fine.

    I think one of my pet peeve with the 14 Pro was the battery. While the health still showed around 90%, my phone lasted till the evening and not overnight like it used to. And of course the threshold for AppleCare+ is 80%.
    kkqd1337M68000apollak
  • Reply 11 of 15
    PemaPema Posts: 121member
    Those photos look consistently horrible. Especially the cat photo. Dull, washed out and under saturated.  Apple’s “photonic engine” gets worse with each iteration in my opinion. 
    Bravo. Apple leadership since the passing of Jobs and the departure of Jony Ive has lost its compass. One flub after another. They are starting to look and behave like Google. A cemetery replete with dead moonshots. 
    1) Apple Car - Billions and Billions wasted
    2) Vision Pro - a disaster so large that it can't be drowned 

    And this obsession with the camera, camera, camera. Forget about the bloody camera. There are so many other things to focus on that need vast improvement on the iPhone: the keyboard; enhanced security; playing nice with the Mac. 
    I recently purchased the iPhone 16 Pro. The transition from the 15Pro was an abysmal disaster. The eSim would transfer; mail wouldn't transfer; my banking app stopped working. Basically Apple bricked my phone. I spent two hours on the phone with an Apple 'Genius' and in the end gave up. 
    I took it back to the store the next day. 
    I am now waiting patiently for the 17. Let's hope that Apple spends more time working on the things that really matter to the vast majority of us than assuming we all want to become Ansel Adams and all we need is a better camera. 
  • Reply 12 of 15
    Wesley HilliardWesley Hilliard Posts: 243member, administrator, moderator, editor
    Pema said:
    Those photos look consistently horrible. Especially the cat photo. Dull, washed out and under saturated.  Apple’s “photonic engine” gets worse with each iteration in my opinion. 
    Bravo. 
    Some people online seem to live in perpetual technological tragedy. Sorry to hear.
  • Reply 13 of 15
    Pema said:
    All this song and dance about the camera. Always about the camera. Look, I am not Ansel Adams or John Ford. I am not attempting to take memorable photographs that become museum pieces or shoot great cinema that ends up being described as epic. And neither are you. So far as photography and camera goes I find it most annoying when I try to shoot a reflective surface and I see my goofy self in the reflection. That's something I would be interested in on how to resolve. Rather than telling me how terrific the camera is. 

    A CPL filter is what you need to remove reflections. 


    Alex1N
  • Reply 14 of 15
    kamyk35 said:
    The photographic styles would be great, because they're also entry level for colour coding, however, it's a big let down that you can only use them in HEIF (not widely adopted) not in jPeg.
    As for the Ultra Wide, it's a Mickey Mouse upgrade, with the aperture staying at f2.2 and Macro is no better than on the 15 Pro Max!

    Can always shoot with Photographic Styles then export as jpeg after. Sure, the aperture is the same on the Ultra Wide lens, but the detail capture is vastly improved and makes macro shots much more worthwhile at full 12MP crops instead of the previous approx 3MP crop.
    Those photos look consistently horrible. Especially the cat photo. Dull, washed out and under saturated.  Apple’s “photonic engine” gets worse with each iteration in my opinion. 

    Might want to adjust your monitor ;) Each of these photos from the iPhone camera were captured with different styles with different levels of saturation, contrast, and shadows. I do tend to favor tones around minus 30 on the scale, as I believe it compensates for Apple's tendency to blow out shadows. The cat photo funny enough showed incredible performance from the iPhone camera given it was a backlit black cat. The preserved detail in the fur, the bright and colorful eyes, and the textured nose all came through despite the challenging environment.

    But that's the beauty of art -- it is subjective.
    You have the patience of a saint.
    Alex1N
  • Reply 15 of 15
    puiz666puiz666 Posts: 23unconfirmed, member
    Bro. Inches? And now even ounces?! I know the U.S. is great, but it’s literally one of two or three countries out of almost 200 that still doesn’t use grown-up measurements. Would you mind including millimeters and grams in the future as well? Apple lists them on its website. 
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