Apple iPhone 15 Pro (Max) vs. 16 Pro (Max): No price differences
The Pro series is just as expensive in 2024 as it was last year, there are no differences here. The overview:
- iPhone 16 Pro 128 / 256 / 512 / 1,024 GB for 1,199 / 1,329 / 1,579 / 1,829 euros
- iPhone 15 Pro 128 / 256 / 512 / 1,024 GB for 1,199 / 1,329 / 1,579 / 1,829 euros
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 256 / 512 / 1,024 GB for 1,449 / 1,699 / 1,949 euros
- iPhone 15 Pro Max 256 / 512 / 1,024 GB for 1,449 / 1,699 / 1,949 euros
Apple has already taken the 15 Pro models off sale. The 16 Pro can be pre-ordered from September 13th. Sales start a week later, on September 20th, 2024.
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Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. 16 Pro Max: Bigger and heavier
The basic design hasn’t changed, which means the main ingredients remain the same: Ceramic Shield on the front and frosted glass on the back, held together by a wide titanium frame. The Desert Titanium color is new, replacing the blue from last year.
Otherwise, it remains white, black and silver metallic (“Natural Titanium”). However, the iPhone 16 Pro (Max) have become taller, wider and heavier, a difference that you can immediately see and feel in your hand. With the iPhone 16 Pro, we are talking about an increase of 12 grams, which is a lot by smartphone standards. Here are the size differences in detail:
- iPhone 16 Pro: 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.25 mm and 199 grams
- iPhone 15 Pro: 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25 mm and 187 grams
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: 163 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm and 227 grams
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm and 221 grams
New camera button for touch and click
On the iPhone 16 Pro (Max), Apple has placed a new button for camera control on the right side, well below the power button. This is a mix of button and touchpad, with a pressure sensor for light pressing and a capacitive sensor that recognizes touch gestures. You can start the camera preview by pressing this button and you can adjust zoom, exposure or depth of field by swiping over it.
Apple has announced an update for the fall that will give the button a two-stage shutter release, so that you can automatically set focus and exposure by pressing it lightly. The new camera button, with its mix of click and touch, is designed to allow a variety of control functions. Apple has already announced that it will release the corresponding APIs to app developers so that they can program the button for their own actions.
Displays larger and with narrower bezels
The displays have become larger, growing from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches (Pro Max) and from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches. Apple has achieved this increase through a larger housing, but also through narrower display edges. Compared to the previous generation, the edge has shrunk from 1.55 to 1.15 millimeters – that doesn’t sound like much, but you can see the difference immediately. The other key technical data of the OLEDs remain identical.
Processor: Desktop-level performance
When it comes to mobile processors, Apple has been outpacing the competition for years, and the new Apple A18 Pro SoC is once again state of the art. It is manufactured with a structure width of 3 nanometers and is powered by a 6-core CPU, which, according to Apple, is 15 percent faster than the A17 Pro, while consuming 20 percent less energy.
The GPU can calculate hardware-accelerated ray tracing twice as fast. The Neural Engine for on-device AI calculations has also improved, as shown in the figure below. The Apple A18 Pro therefore offers more performance and more efficient energy management. However, the A17 Pro is already so powerful that the user is unlikely to notice the increase.
Connectivity: WiFi 7 mit an Bord
In terms of connectivity, WiFi 7 is a new addition, the iPhone 15 Po “only” supports WiFi 6E. Otherwise, as usual with Apple, (almost) everything is included, including Ultra Wide Band. However, we still miss Bluetooth Auracast and Bluetooth LE.
Camera system: Ultra wide angle with 50 MP and 4K videos at 120 fps
We have already discussed the new camera button. Apple has also beefed up the ultra-wide angle (UWW) on the 16s, with the resolution jumping from 12 to 48 megapixels. The previously mediocre quality should get a real boost. Macro shots also benefit from this, as macros are realized via the UWW. Macros with 48 megapixels are possible with the 16 Pro.
Apple also talks about a faster memory connection for the sensor, which not only results in faster autofocus, but also enables 4K video recordings at 120 fps. This allows you to shoot wonderful slow-motion videos with high resolution, which Apple celebrated extensively at the presentation. With the iPhone 15 Pro, 4K videos are “only” possible at a maximum of 60 fps.
Battery: Longer runtimes and faster MagSafe
Apple has increased the battery size of both 16 models, by 5 percent in the iPhone 16 Pro and by 9 percent in the iPhone 16 Pro Max. For the latter model, the manufacturer promises the best battery life of any iPhone ever. Apple traditionally holds back on technical details, but a comparison of the battery life figures gives an indication of where the 16 Pro is headed:
- iPhone 16 Pro video playback / video streaming / audio playback: 27 h / 22 h / 85 h
- iPhone 15 Pro video playback / video streaming / audio playback: 23 h / 20 h / 75 h
- iPhone 16 Pro Max video playback / video streaming / audio playback: 33 h / 29 h / 105 h
- iPhone 15 Pro Max video playback / video streaming / audio playback: 29 h / 25 h / 95 h
Apple has also improved wireless charging: the throughput has increased from 15 watts to 25 watts via MagSafe. However, for this to work, a new 30-watt power adapter is required, which costs 45 euros from Apple. It remains at 15 watts via Qi2, and the fast charging capabilities via cable have not been improved either.
Conclusion: Normal upgrade without surprises
With the iPhone 16 Pro, Apple has enlarged the displays, installed a new camera button, massively upgraded the ultra-wide-angle camera and increased the battery size. Performance has also been increased with the new Apple A18 Pro power SoC. A small detail with a big impact are the narrower display edges, which make a visual difference. All in all, a good, a normal upgrade to the iPhone series.
More on the topic: Apple
Source: www.connect.de
