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InnoReviews

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone XS Max

WINNER
iPhone 16 Pro Max
66Inno Score
VS
iPhone XS Max

Apple

iPhone XS Max

$1,099

33.9Inno Score
69.5Performance30
60.4Display29.7
59.3Camera35.3
61.3Battery23
89.3Features73.3
15 spec wins — iPhone 16 Pro Max2 spec wins — iPhone XS Max

InnoReviews verdict

iPhone 16 Pro Max wins this phone face-off, 66 to 33.9, pulling ahead mainly in performance (+40) and battery (+38). iPhone XS Max still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the iPhone 16 Pro Max

  • Stronger performance score: 70 vs 30
  • Stronger display score: 60 vs 30
  • Stronger camera score: 59 vs 35
  • Stronger battery score: 61 vs 23
  • Stronger features score: 89 vs 73

Reasons to pick the iPhone XS Max

No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.

Display

Display comparison: iPhone 16 Pro Max versus iPhone XS Max
SpeciPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone XS Max
Screen size6.9 ″+6%6.5 ″
Panel typeLTPO Super Retina XDR OLEDOLED
Resolution1320x28682688x1242
Pixel density460 ppi458 ppi
Refresh rate120 Hz+100%60 Hz
Peak brightness2,000 nits+220%625 nits
Screen-to-body91.4 %—

Performance

Performance comparison: iPhone 16 Pro Max versus iPhone XS Max
SpeciPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone XS Max
ChipsetApple A18 ProApple A12 Bionic
AnTuTu 101,720,000+139%Top 20%720,000Top 68%
Geekbench 6 (single)3,400+209%Top 4%1,100Top 63%
Geekbench 6 (multi)8,450+202%Top 9%2,800Top 67%
RAM (max)8 GB+100%4 GB
Storage options256/512GB/1TB64GB / 256GB / 512GB
Storage typeNVMeNVMe

Camera

Camera comparison: iPhone 16 Pro Max versus iPhone XS Max
SpeciPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone XS Max
Main camera48 MP+300%12 MP
Main aperturef/1.78f/1.8
Ultra-wide48 MP—
Telephoto12 MP12 MP
Optical zoom5 x+150%2 x
Max video4K@120fps4K@60fps
Front camera12 MP+71%7 MP
OISYesYes

Battery

Battery comparison: iPhone 16 Pro Max versus iPhone XS Max
SpeciPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone XS Max
Capacity4,685 mAh+48%3,174 mAh
Wired charging30 W+100%15 W
Wireless charging25 W+233%8 W
Active use endurance13 h—

Design

Design comparison: iPhone 16 Pro Max versus iPhone XS Max
SpeciPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone XS Max
Weight227 g208 g+8%
Thickness8.3 mm7.7 mm+7%
IP ratingIP68IP68
Frame materialTitaniumStainless steel

Connectivity

Connectivity comparison: iPhone 16 Pro Max versus iPhone XS Max
SpeciPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone XS Max
5GYesNo
Wi-FiWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth5.35.0
NFCYesYes
USBUSB-C 3.2 Gen 2Lightning
eSIMYesYes

Software

Software comparison: iPhone 16 Pro Max versus iPhone XS Max
SpeciPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone XS Max
OS at launchiOS 18iOS 12
OS update pledge6 years6 years

Audio

Audio comparison: iPhone 16 Pro Max versus iPhone XS Max
SpeciPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone XS Max
Stereo speakersYesYes
3.5mm jackNoNo

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