iPhone Pro Max -Comparison of all Models, Specs & Prices

When Apple first unveiled the first-ever iPhone Pro Max back in September 2019, the price of $1,099 left many with their eyebrows raised. Fast forward to today, six years later, and the entire series has managed to maintain its status as one of the most highly-anticipated tech releases of every single year.

The tricky part is that there are now seven different models of the iPhone Pro Max available (with the eighth one just around the corner). This makes it rather hard to determine which model is really worth your investment if you want either a new or refurbished phone or even just want to know what improvements have been made over time.

This comprehensive guide provides the specifications, release dates, US prices of all iPhone Pro Max models that were manufactured from 2019 until 2025. Here, you may learn about the complete specifications, release date, prices in the US at various storage capacities, the main differences compared to the year before, and some opinions about the smartphones found online. Also, there is a table summarizing all seven models and their features, and a separate part about what Apple is going to create next, namely the iPhone Pro Max 2026.

Let us begin with the first phone.

iPhone 11 Pro Max (2019) — The One That Started It All

Launch Date

September 20, 2019. Apple announced it at the Steve Jobs Theater on September 10, 2019, and pre-orders opened on September 13.

US Launch Prices

Major Changes Over Previous Model (iPhone XS Max)

From a technical perspective, this is where the concept of the “Pro Max” name originated, with the iPhone XS Max being the biggest model from Apple to date. As a matter of fact, the iPhone 11 Pro Max offered the innovative triple-camera setup for the first time ever on an iPhone compared to the double camera configuration on the XS Max. The use of an ultra-wide camera lens made a huge difference in terms of how photos would be taken using the iPhone. There was a five-hour boost in terms of battery life relative to the older iPhone XS Max model.

iPhone 12 Pro Max (2020) — 5G Arrives, But So Does a Delay

Launch Date

November 13, 2020. Unlike the standard iPhone 12 lineup that launched on October 23, the Pro Max had a staggered release. Apple announced the entire iPhone 12 family on October 13, 2020.

US Launch Prices

Major Changes Over iPhone 11 Pro Max

The iPhone 12 Pro Max had three key differences that actually made an impact. Firstly, 5G capability came in, though in reality, it would be hard to notice in 2020. Secondly, sensor-shift optical image stabilization technology was implemented in the main wide lens, something not available in a much pricier lens technology. Thirdly, the Ceramic Shield technology made the front glass more durable. MagSafe, Apple's new magnetic accessories ecosystem, also appeared with this model. The design became more angular and featured flat sides in line with the aesthetics of iPhone 4 and 5 models. It was controversial but it set the trend for all subsequent iPhones. Interestingly, despite being slightly thinner, the iPhone 12 Pro Max featured a slightly smaller battery size (3,687 vs 3,969 mAh) but kept battery life metrics similar owing to the efficiency of A14 processor.

iPhone 13 Pro Max (2021) — ProMotion and a Battery That Actually Lasts

Launch Date

September 24, 2021. Announced alongside the rest of the iPhone 13 lineup at Apple's "California Streaming" event on September 14, 2021.

US Launch Prices

Major Changes Over iPhone 12 Pro Max

According to most experts, iPhone 13 Pro Max is one of the greatest generational upgrades offered by Apple company. ProMotion 120Hz display was the most desired characteristic of the new smartphone among its power users. Additionally, a great achievement is a possibility of adaptive refresh rate, which drops down to 1Hz. Battery duration became significantly higher: according to Apple company, it lasts about 28 hours with video content, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max can last about 8 hours less. An amazing feature of iPhone 13 Pro Max is macro photography via ultra-wide camera lens. Another great thing about iPhone 13 Pro Max is that it comes with 1TB storage capacity. The company also provided new Cinematic Mode to enable rack focus function on videos and support ProRes video recording up to 30fps 4K.

iPhone 14 Pro Max (2022) — Dynamic Island and an Always-On Display

Launch Date

September 16, 2022. Announced at Apple Park on September 7, 2022, with pre-orders opening September 9.

US Launch Prices

Major Changes Over iPhone 13 Pro Max

Dynamic Island is the biggest new addition, replacing the traditional notch in the 14 Pro Max. Instead of a simple rectangular black hole, it is a dynamic software-based island, which changes its shape based on live notifications, app data, and activities. This is an innovative solution to adapt to a technical challenge with style. The Always-On Display is another exclusive first, although it drains more power than anticipated. The primary camera has gone from 12 MP to 48 MP, making possible a level of photographic detail unseen before. Additionally, it supports a 2x optical-quality zoom mode through the use of quad-pixel technology. Crash Detection relies on advanced motion sensors, including accelerometers and gyroscopes, to determine car accidents and automatically make calls to emergency services. Emergency SOS via satellite has been added to allow for contacting emergency services without cell network access.

iPhone 15 Pro Max (2023) — Titanium, USB-C, and a 5x Zoom

Launch Date

September 22, 2023. Announced at Apple's "Wonderlust" event on September 12, 2023.

US Launch Prices

Major Changes Over iPhone 14 Pro Max

In terms of major updates, the iPhone 15 Pro Max had three that were truly useful for daily life. First, switching from Lighting to USB-C after more than 10 years meant a much faster data transfer speed up to 10Gbps and better compatibility with third-party accessories. The titanium casing made the device lighter by about 19 grams compared to the previous iPhone (221g vs 240g) without changing its size. The unique to this model 5x optical zoom telephoto camera was designed using tetraprism periscope and had no equivalent on the smaller 15 Pro. The Apple A17 Pro chipset was made using a brand-new 3 nm technology from TSMC and was capable of hardware-accelerated ray tracing during gaming. The highly anticipated Action Button, previously only rumored, replaced the mute switch and could be fully customized. RAM was increased to 8GB.

iPhone 16 Pro Max (2024) — Bigger Screen, 48MP Ultra Wide, Camera Control

Launch Date

September 20, 2024. Announced at Apple Park on September 9, 2024, with pre-orders opening September 13.

US Launch Prices

Major Changes Over iPhone 15 Pro Max

The first major change was the use of a larger 6.9-inch screen compared to the previous generation of iPhone which had a 6.7-inch screen. The larger display also improves the overall messaging experience, especially for users who spend hours on communication, productivity, and collaboration apps.The ultra-wide camera got a massive upgrade for that single lens in Pro Max history going from 12MP to 48MP, which greatly increased ultra-wide shots and video capabilities in low light. A hardware-level control button on the side of the screen for the camera functions was introduced, acting similarly to the camera shutter. The recording of videos with maximum quality reached 120fps in Dolby Vision, with this version being the best Apple has ever had on its iPhone. The maximum charge capacity with MagSafe increased from 15W to 25W. Apple Intelligence, Apple's artificial intelligence software (developed in partnership with OpenAI for some purposes) was released together with iOS 18, designed to work only with the latest chips, such as A17 Pro and later.

iPhone 17 Pro Max (2025) – Aluminium Makes a Comeback, Four 48MP Cameras, and Record Battery Life

Launch Date

September 19, 2025. Announced at Apple's "Awe Dropping" event in September 2025. Available for pre-order September 12, 2025.

US Launch Prices

Major Changes Over iPhone 16 Pro Max

The most drastic material changes from any phone before were seen on this year's 17 Pro Max, which swapped out its stainless steel and titanium build for the heat-forged aluminum unibody. This aluminum unibody helps transfer the heat away from the A19 Pro chip in the vapor chamber cooling system, helping it sustain its high performance for longer periods of time. All of the three rear cameras have been updated to 48 MP cameras, up from the 12MP that had been on all previous iPhone 16 Pro Max models. This is the most powerful optical-quality 8x zoom available on any iPhone. From 8GB of RAM, the phone increased to 12GB of RAM. The front camera has gone from 12MP to 18MP and has added Center Stage support. This is the largest front-facing camera increase in a long time. Video playback battery life increased from 33 hours to 39 hours. The improved thermal management and longer battery life also make the device ideal for mobile screen sharing during extended meetings, presentations, and remote collaboration sessions.The maximum amount of memory increased from 1TB to 2TB. The Ceramic Shield 2 on the front is 3x more scratch-resistant than its predecessor.

All iPhone Pro Max Models Compared: Side-by-Side

Which iPhone Pro Max Should You Buy Right Now?

Selecting an iPhone Pro Max model depends on both your personal circumstances and budget.

For instance, if the latter factor matters most to you, and you would like to purchase a reliable yet inexpensive second-hand Apple smartphone, there's no better choice than iPhone 13 Pro Max. Its ProMotion display with a 120Hz refresh rate and the triple-lens camera are more than good enough, and its price is much less than $350, which makes it available. Additionally, it is fully compatible with iOS 18.

As for the option that combines new hardware and low price, the winner will be the iPhone 15 Pro Max, featuring the titanium case, 5x zoom, and USB-C port and prices have dropped significantly since the 17 series launched.

With its combination of features and top-end components, there’s no question what to choose if you can afford it. The 8X optical zoom, 39 hour battery life, all 48 megapixel cameras, and vapor chamber cooling system makes this the most advanced iPhone yet designed. 2 TB storage is a useful feature if you create videos in ProRes.

What to Expect from the iPhone 18 Pro Max (2026)

The new Pro Max iPhones for 2026 have yet to be announced officially by Apple, although rumor mills have been more vocal and credible than ever in their predictions.

Here is a summary of the information provided by trusted sources such as Mark Gurman of Bloomberg and supply chain leaks confirmed by MacRumors and Macworld concerning the specifications of the soon-to-be-released iPhone 18 Pro Max.

The anticipated new processor is the Apple A20 Pro made using the TSMC 2nm process, one generation better than the existing 3nm process and thus offering performance gains with no increase in the temperature of the phone when running demanding applications. The amount of RAM will likely stay at 12GB across the range.

The most notable rumored improvement of the camera is the variable aperture for the primary 48MP camera. With this improvement, the lens can change how much light will hit the sensor, a function offered by several Android flagship phones and long desired by iPhone users. It will enable better photos in low-light conditions and give more room for creativity when shooting portrait images.

Another improvement involves reducing the size of the Dynamic Island by placing some infrared Face ID sensors beneath the screen. Although it will not completely do away with the notch, it will reduce its visibility on the front of the phone. In addition, there is a rumor about a new 18MP front camera.

As far as colors go, Macworld's sources from the supply chain say that the Dark Cherry will replace Cosmic Orange. Dark Cherry is said to be a dark red color with hints of purple. The other colors include Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver.

The other noteworthy addition that could grace the 18 Pro Max is Apple's C2 modem, which will offer full internet connectivity through satellites instead of just offering satellite-based SOS capabilities, in collaboration with Amazon's satellite constellation.

Expect the pricing to stay similar to the present day $1,199 entry-level price point but expect the higher configurations to go up slightly as a result of increased memory costs.

Should you be considering whether you should buy the iPhone 17 Pro Max today or wait for its successor, do remember that the latter is still some months off, and the one thing that the 18 Pro Max could add would be the variable aperture camera module. Everything else is an improvement.

Final Thoughts

Six years after the release of the Pro Max series, Apple has created something truly worth its premium value every single time – not just when some models are necessary upgrades. This is despite the fact that the camera system started out as an innovative triple-lens camera system in 2019 and now in 2025 features a full-fledged 48MP camera with 8x zoom. The battery capacity has been almost doubled. The display was upgraded from a decent one to an outstanding one.

In case you are still on the fence about the matter, it’s worth noting that the iPhone 17 Pro Max is undoubtedly the best iPhone ever made by Apple. However, if you cannot afford it because of its high cost, there are also iPhone 15 Pro Max or even iPhone 13 Pro Max, which deliver a great bang for the buck while being fully supported by Apple.

The latest prices can be found at the official iPhone web page of Apple.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Which iPhone Pro Max has the best camera?

The iPhone 17 Pro Max currently has the best camera system of any Pro Max model. It features all three rear cameras at 48MP, including the telephoto, along with 8x optical-quality zoom and an 18MP Center Stage front camera. The 8x telephoto in particular is a significant leap over the 5x in the 15 and 16 Pro Max models.

Q2: Is the iPhone 16 Pro Max worth buying over the 17 Pro Max?

If budget is a concern, the 16 Pro Max is still an excellent phone with a 6.9-inch display, 48MP ultra-wide camera, Camera Control, and 33 hours of battery life. The main advantages of the 17 Pro Max are the 8x telephoto, 39-hour battery, 12GB RAM, and all-48MP camera system. If photography and battery life matter a great deal to you, the 17 Pro Max is worth the extra cost. Otherwise, the 16 Pro Max at a discounted price is a smart buy.

Q3: Does the iPhone 15 Pro Max have a headphone jack?

No. Apple removed the headphone jack starting with the iPhone 7 in 2016 and has not brought it back. All Pro Max models use either Lightning (11 through 14 Pro Max) or USB-C (15 Pro Max onward) for wired audio through an adapter.

Q4: Is the iPhone 13 Pro Max still supported?

Yes. The iPhone 13 Pro Max supports iOS 18 and is also compatible with iOS 26 as of 2026. Apple typically provides around five to six years of major iOS updates for its flagship devices, so the 13 Pro Max should continue receiving updates for at least another year or two.

Q5: Can I use Troop Messenger on my iPhone Pro Max for professional team communication?

Yes. Troop Messenger works smoothly on all iPhone Pro Max models. The large Super Retina XDR display makes managing group chats, file sharing, and team collaboration noticeably easier on the go. It is one of the better ways to stay connected with your team directly from your iPhone. Check out Troop Messenger to explore its mobile messaging features.

Q6: What is the secret button on the iPhone?

It is called the Back Tap feature. You can double or triple tap the back of your iPhone to trigger shortcuts like taking a screenshot, opening the control center, launching an app, or running a Siri shortcut. It works on iPhone 8 and later running iOS 14 or above. To enable it, go to Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Back Tap and assign your preferred action. Most iPhone users never discover this feature because Apple does not advertise it prominently.

On the iPhone 15 Pro Max and later, there is also the Action Button on the left side — a customizable hardware button that replaces the old mute toggle and can be set to launch the camera, flashlight, translation, Focus modes, and more.