When the iPhone 15 Pro Max launched in September 2023, it was the first iPhone with a 5x telephoto lens, the first with a titanium frame, and the first with USB-C on a Pro model. In 2026, two iPhone generations later, it is available used and refurbished in the $899 to $999 range, and it is still a better camera phone than the current standard iPhone 16. That durability of relevance is worth examining. Last updated: May 2026.
I am writing this review from two years of use – I have been carrying the 15 Pro Max alongside the 16 Pro Max for six weeks of side-by-side comparison. The gap between them is real but narrower than two generations usually suggests.
Verdict: 8.5/10 at launch, 7.5/10 in 2026. The 15 Pro Max remains an excellent phone for anyone who can find it at refurbished prices below $900. The 5x telephoto, titanium frame, and USB-C are the features that have aged best. Three things to know: it does not support Apple Intelligence (the A17 Pro chip has the Neural Engine capability but Apple has not enabled it); it runs iOS 18 and will receive iOS 19; and at 221 grams it is only 6 grams lighter than the current Pro Max.
Design
The 15 Pro Max is 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25mm and weighs 221 grams. Apple’s switch from stainless steel to Grade 5 titanium happened here – the same frame material used on the current 16 Pro models. The matte glass back remains, and the four original colour options (Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium) all hold up visually two years later. Scratches on the titanium frame are less visible than stainless steel at the same level of wear.
The Action button debuted on this model. The USB-C port replaced Lightning for the first time on an iPhone Pro, though it supports USB 3 speeds (10Gbps) on the 15 Pro Max – the same as the current 16 Pro models. The Dynamic Island carries over from the iPhone 14 Pro and works identically. No Camera Control button, which was introduced on the 16 series.
Specs at a Glance
Spec
Detail
Display
6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz ProMotion, Always-On
Processor
Apple A17 Pro (3nm)
RAM
8GB
Storage options
256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Main camera
48MP, f/1.78, OIS
Ultrawide
12MP, f/2.2
Telephoto
12MP, 5x optical, f/2.8
Front camera
12MP TrueDepth, f/1.9
Battery
~4,422mAh, 27W wired, 15W MagSafe
OS at launch
iOS 17
Dimensions
159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25mm
Weight
221g
Current price (used/refurb)
$849 to $999
Release date
September 2023
Display
The 6.7-inch ProMotion OLED is 2,796 x 1,290 at 460ppi. In a side-by-side comparison with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the display looks identical for all practical purposes – same brightness, same colour accuracy, same ProMotion responsiveness. The Always-On Display on the 15 Pro Max works identically to the 16 Pro Max’s implementation, showing the time and notification previews at minimal refresh rate. Peak brightness at 2,000 nits HDR is identical to the 16 Pro Max.
Performance
The A17 Pro was the first chip Apple built on a 3nm process. Geekbench 6 multi-core scores average around 7,100 – behind the A18 Pro’s 8,500 but ahead of most current Android competition. In daily use, the A17 Pro handles everything without hesitation. The chip limitation that matters in 2026: Apple Intelligence features are not available on the 15 Pro Max, even though the A17 Pro has sufficient Neural Engine capability. Apple chose not to enable them, reportedly due to hardware RAM constraints at the firmware level, not the chip capability.
For non-AI tasks – gaming, video export, multitasking – the A17 Pro remains more than fast enough for current workloads. It will receive iOS 19, which extends the support runway to approximately 2028 to 2029.
Camera
The 15 Pro Max was the phone that introduced the 5x telephoto to iPhones, and in two years of use, the 5x remains the most impactful single camera feature on the device. The 12MP telephoto at f/2.8 produces sharp results across a variety of distances. Combined with Apple’s computational zoom, the system produces usable images up to 10x in good light.
The main 48MP sensor is slightly behind the 16 Pro Max’s newer sensor in low-light performance – noticeable in a direct comparison, not noticeable in isolation. The ultrawide is 12MP without the 48MP upgrade that the 16 series received. Macro photography works via the ultrawide and activates automatically when you move close to a subject. Video: 4K at 60fps on all cameras. Log encoding was introduced as a feature on the 15 Pro Max via a software update, and remains functional on iOS 18.
Software
The 15 Pro Max shipped with iOS 17 and has received iOS 18. It will receive iOS 19. Apple Intelligence features are not supported – Apple has explicitly excluded the A17 Pro from the Apple Intelligence hardware list. All other iOS 18 features are present: the customisable lock screen, the improved Control Center, StandBy mode, and the Action button configuration. iOS support through 2029 is a reasonable estimate based on Apple’s historical support cadence for Pro models.
Battery
The 15 Pro Max shipped with a 4,422mAh battery – smaller than the 16 Pro Max’s 4,685mAh. In current use over two years, the battery retains approximately 88 to 92% of its original capacity (Apple’s Health report), delivering 10 to 12 hours of mixed use rather than the original 11 to 14. Buying a used model: check the Battery Health percentage in Settings before purchase. Anything above 85% is acceptable. MagSafe on the 15 Pro Max is limited to 15W rather than the 25W on the 16 Pro Max.
Audio
Stereo speakers identical in configuration to the current Pro models. No headphone jack. USB-C audio via adapter. Spatial audio via Bluetooth on compatible AirPods and headphones.
Connectivity
5G (sub-6GHz and mmWave), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, UWB, Thread, NFC. USB-C at USB 3 speeds (10Gbps). Emergency SOS via satellite. No Wi-Fi 7 (introduced on the 16 Pro), which does not matter in 2026 but will matter as Wi-Fi 7 infrastructure grows.
Price and Value
The 15 Pro Max is no longer sold new by Apple. Used and certified refurbished models are available for $849 to $999 depending on storage and condition. At $849 for 256GB, it costs $150 less than a new iPhone 16 Pro and brings the 5x telephoto that the standard 16 lacks. The trade-off is no Apple Intelligence and slightly older camera sensors. For buyers who do not care about Apple Intelligence, the 15 Pro Max at refurbished prices is excellent value.
Pros and Cons
Pros
5x telephoto remains one of the best zoom systems on any smartphone
Titanium frame and USB 3 speeds still match the current generation
ProMotion 120Hz Always-On display visually identical to the 16 Pro
Receives iOS 19, extending useful life to approximately 2029
Strong value at refurbished prices below $900
Cons
No Apple Intelligence – Apple has explicitly excluded the A17 Pro
MagSafe limited to 15W (vs 25W on iPhone 16 Pro)
Battery capacity may be reduced after two years of use
Ultrawide is 12MP, not the 48MP of the current generation
Who It Is For
The 15 Pro Max at refurbished prices is the right choice for anyone who wants a Pro-tier iPhone camera (5x telephoto, ProMotion, ProRAW) without paying current-generation prices, and who does not specifically need Apple Intelligence. It is also a sensible upgrade path for someone on an iPhone 13 or earlier who cannot justify $999 plus for a new Pro.
Skip it if Apple Intelligence features are a priority – they will not arrive on this chip. Also skip it if battery longevity matters and you cannot verify the Battery Health of a specific unit before buying.
Alternatives
iPhone 16 Pro ($999 new): Apple Intelligence, 48MP ultrawide, Camera Control, 25W MagSafe. Worth the premium if any of those features matter.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (refurbished, ~$799 to $899): 200MP camera, S Pen, 7-year update commitment. The better choice if you prefer Android and want a stylus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the iPhone 15 Pro Max get Apple Intelligence? No. Apple has confirmed the A17 Pro chip is not supported for Apple Intelligence. The minimum requirement is the A17 Pro in the iPhone 15 Pro only for a limited set of features – actually the minimum is the A17 Pro for iPhone 15 Pro, but the full suite requires A18 or later. The 15 Pro Max will not receive the full Apple Intelligence feature set.
Does the iPhone 15 Pro Max support iOS 19? Yes. Apple’s track record suggests the 15 Pro Max will receive iOS 19 and likely iOS 20, giving it at least three to four more years of software support from 2026.
What is the difference between iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max? Screen size (6.1-inch vs 6.7-inch), battery, and the 5x telephoto – the 15 Pro Max was the only model with 5x in the 15 Pro lineup. The 15 Pro used a 3x telephoto. This changed with the 16 series, where both Pro models received 5x.
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