These Are the Only Differences Between iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max

While Apple keeps the Pro and Pro Max iPhone models nearly the same this year, there are still a few differences between the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Knowing them may help you decide which Pro model to get.

Usually, the Pro Max has better camera specs than the Pro version, but this year's camera is the same for both the front and rear camera systems. For example, they both have a tetraprism lens for 5x optical zoom, up to 25x digital zoom, and 3D sensor-shift optical image stabilization and autofocus, all of which were only available on the iPhone 15 Pro Max model last year. Still, there are a few differences worth pointing out, including each device's total carbon footprint.

1. Physical Size

The most obvious difference between the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max is the physical size, and this year, both Pro models are slightly larger than their predecessors.

The iPhone 16 Pro's screen is 6.3 inches diagonally (or 6.27 inches when measured within a standard rectangle shape). In comparison, the iPhone 16 Pro Max's screen is larger at 6.9 inches (or 6.86 inches within the rectangle shape). Both of these are slightly bigger than the Pro models in the iPhone 12 Pro, 13 Pro, 14 Pro, and 15 Pro series.

• iPhone 16 Pro: 6.3" diagonally
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: 6.9" diagonally

The height and width dimensions for the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max are larger than previous Pro generations. The 16 Pro Max is over a half-inch longer and a quarter-inch wider than the 16 Pro. The depths are the same, but the 16 Pro Max is heavier by just less than an ounce.

• iPhone 16 Pro: 5.89" H x 2.81" W x 0.32" D at 7.03 oz.
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: 6.42" H x 3.06" W x 0.32" D at 7.99 oz.

2. Screen Resolution

Both models have higher screen resolution than last year's: 2,622-by-1,206 pixels at 460 ppi for the iPhone 16 Pro and 2,868-by-1,320 pixels at 460 ppi for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Both have 460 pixels per inch (ppi), which their predecessors also had.

• iPhone 16 Pro: 2,622-by-1,206 pixels at 460 ppi
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: 2,868-by-1,320 pixels at 460 ppi

3. Battery Size

According to Apple, this year's Pro models have better battery life than any other iPhone battery. The iPhone 16 Pro Max gets up to 33 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 16 Pro maxes out at 27 hours.

• iPhone 16 Pro: Up to 27 hours video playback (or 22 when streamed)
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: Up to 33 hours video playback (or 29 when streamed)

Apple's audio tests give a similar ratio, with the Max model providing about 20 percent more juice. The iPhone 16 Pro Max gets up to 105 hours of audio playback, while the iPhone 16 Pro maxes out at 85 hours.

• iPhone 16 Pro: Up to 85 hours audio playback
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: Up to 105 hours audio playback

With the iPhone 16 Pro Max's slightly larger battery, it takes five more minutes to get up to a 50% charge when using a 20-watt adapter or higher paired with a USB-C charging cable (or 30-watt adapter or higher paired with MagSafe Charger).

• iPhone 16 Pro: Up to 50% fast charge in 30 minutes
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: Up to 50% fast charge in 35 minutes

4. Storage Size

The iPhone 16 Pro has one more option for internal storage — a 128 GB model — than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. This was also the case for the iPhone 15 Pro series last year.

• iPhone 16 Pro: 128GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB

5. Carbon Footprint

Apple designed the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max to reduce environmental impact, with more than 25% recycled content and 30% emissions reductions. But Apple's reports indicate a different environmental impact between the two Pro models.

Taking into account the iPhone, its components, its packaging, and all in-box accessories, Apple calculated that the iPhone 16 Pro Max models have more greenhouse gas emissions tied to it.

For example, the cheapest iPhone 16 Pro model's total product carbon footprint is 66 kg CO2e (kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent), while the most affordable iPhone 16 Pro Max's is 74 kg CO2e, all coming from Scope 3 emissions. Scope 3 emissions are indirect emissions that occur upstream and downstream of Apple's value chain, such as production and transportation of goods, product use, and end-of-life processing.

iPhone 16 Pro:

• 128 GB: 66 kg CO2e total carbon footprint
• 256 GB: 72 kg CO2e total carbon footprint
• 512 GB: 84 kg CO2e total carbon footprint
• 1 TB GB: 95 kg CO2e total carbon footprint

iPhone 16 Pro Max:

• 256 GB: 74 kg CO2e total carbon footprint
• 512 GB: 86 kg CO2e total carbon footprint
• 1 TB GB: 97 kg CO2e total carbon footprint

6. Price

As usual, the Pro Max model is more expensive than the Pro model. This time, the price variance is mostly in relation to the different screen sizes, physical dimensions, and batteries.

• iPhone 16 Pro: $999 (128GB), $1,099 (256 GB), $1,299 (512 GB), $1,499 (1 TB)
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: $1,199 (256 GB), $1,399 (512 GB), $1,599 (1 TB)

The iPhone 16 series models were available to preorder starting Sept. 13 and officially released in stores beginning Sept. 20.

Images via Apple