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iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max Have Same Feature Set Aside From Display Size and Battery

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There are no major differentiating features between the two Pro iPhone models this year, with Apple aiming for feature parity between the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

iphone-16-pro-models-1.jpg

Last year, the iPhone 15 Pro Max was updated with a 5x Telephoto lens that used Tetraprism technology, but the iPhone 15 Pro was limited to 3x zoom. This year, Apple has made improvements that allow both models to offer the 5x Telephoto lens.

Some pre-launch iPhone 16 Pro rumors suggested that Apple might introduce a new camera sensor that was exclusive to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, or a new super zoom feature, but that did not happen. Both models have the same 48-megapixel "Fusion" camera with f/1.78 aperture, as well as the same 12-megapixel Telephoto lens with f/2.8 aperture. Both models were also upgraded with a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera that lets in more light and supports better quality macro photos.

With the same camera technology included in both iPhone 16 Pro models, the only difference comes down to display size, starting storage capacity, and battery life. The iPhone 16 Pro starts at 128GB of storage, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at 256GB of storage with no 128GB option available. Both can be upgraded to 1TB of total storage.

The iPhone 16 Pro has a 6.3-inch display, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display. As for battery life, the iPhone 16 Pro lasts for up to 27 hours when playing video, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max lasts for up to 33 hours.

Both of the iPhone 16 Pro models will be available for pre-order this Friday.

Article Link: iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max Have Same Feature Set Aside From Display Size and Battery
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/09/09/iphone-16-pro-models-same-features/
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I’m really unsure of which model I want. The boosted battery life of the 16 pro makes it really appealing, but I still don’t quite trust Apple’s assessment of how long a battery really lasts. With the PM model… you really have to try to kill the batt.

I mostly want 16 pro because it’s less bulky and a better size, but I also really value battery life.
 
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0xjf said:
I’m really unsure of which model I want. The boosted battery life of the 16 pro makes it really appealing, but I still don’t quite trust Apple’s assessment of how long a battery really lasts. With the PM model… you really have to try to kill the batt.

I mostly want 16 pro because it’s less bulky and a better size, but I also really value battery life.
Click to expand...

The battery measurements are annoying. Playback of audio and video are essentially zero-compute tasks at this point, it's hardly surprising the life is *super* long with them.
 
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0xjf said:
I’m really unsure of which model I want. The boosted battery life of the 16 pro makes it really appealing, but I still don’t quite trust Apple’s assessment of how long a battery really lasts. With the PM model… you really have to try to kill the batt.

I mostly want 16 pro because it’s less bulky and a better size, but I also really value battery life.
Click to expand...
Well you can kind of use a combination of your personal experience over the past year and what Apple claims the battery life is on the 15PM vs. 16P. Apple claims the 15PM lasts 29h for video playback and they claim 27h for the 16P. That’s a “two hour difference.” You can, sort of, subjectively say that as long you have ”about 2 hours“ of life left on your 15PM at the end of the day (or before you can reasonably charge), then you should be “fine” with the 16P battery.

I’m in your same situation. I plan on finally going back to a “smaller” phone now that both the 16P and 16PM are objectively the same phone (aside from battery and screen size). The battery should be fine in my case.
 
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Apple is charging the same prices as last year for fewer features. For example, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max were priced at $999 and $1199, respectively, but had more differences between them. Now, the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max are priced the same, but offer fewer distinguishing features — unless I’m reading this wrong 🤷‍♂️
 
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0xjf said:
I’m really unsure of which model I want. The boosted battery life of the 16 pro makes it really appealing, but I still don’t quite trust Apple’s assessment of how long a battery really lasts. With the PM model… you really have to try to kill the batt.

I mostly want 16 pro because it’s less bulky and a better size, but I also really value battery life.
Click to expand...
From experience of owning a 12PM then going for the 13 mini.

Don’t get a pro max if you’re worried about bulk. They’re huge and horrible.
 
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0xjf said:
I’m really unsure of which model I want. The boosted battery life of the 16 pro makes it really appealing, but I still don’t quite trust Apple’s assessment of how long a battery really lasts. With the PM model… you really have to try to kill the batt.

I mostly want 16 pro because it’s less bulky and a better size, but I also really value battery life.
Click to expand...
I certainly wouldn't use battery life to choose between the two. The size (good or bad) will make the biggest difference in your daily life and it merely takes a handy power bank accessory to take you through times when you need more battery.
 
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I think I may drop down to the pro vs the pro max. The pro max was great for doing business stuff but work recently decided that we're no longer allowed to use our personal phones so there's no reason for me to have the larger screen, especially since I'm trying to spend less time on my phone anyway.
 
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PowerButton said:
Apple is charging the same prices as last year for fewer features. For example, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max were priced at $999 and $1199, respectively, but had more differences between them. Now, the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max are priced the same, but offer fewer distinguishing features — unless I’m reading this wrong 🤷‍♂️
Click to expand...
The Pro and Pro Max models having differing feature sets aside from screen and battery is an abnormality; it's only happened with the 12 and 15 series, and it's only been the camera due to space constraints. The 11, 13, 14, and now 16 series have the same feature sets and the same pricing differential per storage tier for the Pro and Pro Max versions.
 
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