iPhone 16 Pro Max Review – Agree to Disagree

The iPhone 16 launch this year was a significant milestone for Malaysia, as it was the first time an iPhone was introduced at the newly opened Apple Store @ The Exchange TRX. Leading the charge is the flagship model, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which has quickly been hailed as the pinnacle of Apple’s latest lineup. And guess what? I’ve got the iPhone 16 Pro Max right here in my hands. So, without further delay, let’s dive into my iPhone 16 Pro Max review and see if it truly lives up to the hype! Of course, I highly suggest reading our iPhone 16 review first because some pointers were already elaborated in it.

Unboxing iPhone 16 Pro Max

While the standard iPhone 16 highlights the back design, the iPhone 16 Pro Max shifts the focus to the front display. In fact, if it weren’t for the updated wallpaper, you’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the iPhone 15 Pro Max we reviewed earlier. The similarity is striking!

Inside the box, you’ll find the essentials:

• The iPhone 16 Pro Max itself
• USB-C to USB-C cable
• SIM ejector tool
• Basic documentation

Interestingly, for the first time, the iPhone 16 Pro Max doesn’t include the iconic Apple stickers, which have been a tradition for many generations. This missing detail led to some personal disappointment in my household—especially for my son, who eagerly waits for those sticckers with every unboxing. Additionally, you can notice that I have opted for the Desert Titanium which is the most unique variant this time around.

Specifications

CPU	Apple A18 Pro 2 x performance cores up to 4.05GHz 4 x efficiency cores up to 2.42GHz 3nm TSMC 16-core Neural Engine
GPU	6-core GPU
RAM	8GB
Storage	1TB NVMe
Display	6.9″ 2868 x 1320 (460 ppi) LTPO Super Retina XDR 120HZ OLED with Dolby Vision, 19.5:9 ratio 120Hz ProMotion adaptive refresh rate HDR10, True Tone, P3 Wide Colour, 1000 nits typical, 1600 nits (HDR), 2000 nits max brightness, 1 nit minimum Dynamic Island Always On Display (AOD) 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio
Audio	Spatial audio playback with stereo speakers 4 x studio-quality microphones
Camera	48 MP (Fusion), f/1.78, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28″, 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS Also enables 12MP 2x Telephoto with 52mm, f/1.6, sensor-shift OIS, 100% Focus Pixel 48MP (Ultra-wide), f/2.2, 13mm, 120º field of view, 0.7µm, PDAF 12 MP (Telephoto), f/2.8, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.06″, 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 5x optical zoom, 20º field of view, Tetraprism TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) 5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out, 10x optical zoom range 25x digital zoom Camera Control Stills Adaptive True Tone Flash, Photonic Engine, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 5, Focus & Depth Control Portraits, Night Mode with LiDAR, 63MP Panorama, Spatial Photos, 48MP Macro, Apple ProRAW, Burst Mode Video Up to 4K60 (100fps Fusion) Dolby Vision, 4K120 Fusion, Up to 1080p60 (120 fps Fusion) Dolby Vision, 4K30 Cinematic, 2.8K60 Action Mode, 1080p30 Spatial Video, 4K120 ProRes with external recording, Log Video, Up to 4K120 Dolby Vision (Fusion) or 1080p240 Slo-mo, Time-lapse with audio stabilization, Spatial Audio capture, Wind noise reduction
Selfie Camera	12MP f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6″ selfie camera, PDAF, OIS Stills Portrait mode, Portrait Lighting, Animoji & Memoji, Photonic Engine, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 5, Apple ProRAW, Photographic styles Video Up to 4K60 HDR video with Dolby Vision, 4K30 Dolby Vision Cinematic mode, 4K60 ProRes video, 1080p120 slow-mo, Retina Flash
Connectivity	WiFi 7 (802.11be) with 2×2 MIMO Gigabit LTE with 4×4 MIMO and LAA FDD-5G nR (Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76) TDD-5G NR (Bands n38, n40, n41, n48, n53, n77, n78, n79) 5G NR mmWave (Bands n258, n260, n261) FDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 66, 71) TDD-LTE (Bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53) UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) FDD-LTE Bands (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 66) Bluetooth 5.3 NFC with reader mode USB Type-C 3.2 Gen2 Display Port
Software	iOS 18.0.1
Battery	Li-Ion 4685 mAh, non-removable 25W MagSafe Wireless Charging 15W Qi2 Wireless Charging 4.5W Reverse Charging
Dimensions	163 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm
Weight	227g
Ingress Protection	IP68 (max depth of 6m up to 30 mins) under IEC standard 60529

Performance

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is powered by the Apple A18 Pro Chip, built on 2nd-generation 3nm technology. Designed for both peak performance and efficiency, this chip unlocks features that are exclusive to the Pro models. The 6-core CPU, featuring 2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, promises a 15% speed boost over its predecessor, the A17 Pro, offering a significant upgrade in processing power while optimizing energy consumption.

The 6-core GPU in the A18 Pro Chip is not only 20% faster than the previous generation but also boasts an additional core compared to the standard A18 chip. This enhanced GPU supports Dynamic Caching, mesh shading, and offers twice the speed in hardware-accelerated ray tracing, making it a powerhouse for high-end gaming experiences and advanced graphical tasks.

One of the most significant upgrades is the improved 16-core Neural Engine, now optimized to handle large generative models with greater efficiency. As Apple’s Apple Intelligence capabilities expand, the demand for onboard processing will increase, and this Neural Engine is built to meet those needs. To support this, the system memory bandwidth has been enhanced by up to 17%, ensuring smoother performance and quicker response times for demanding tasks.

Now, all these impressive numbers sound great on paper, but the real test lies in the benchmarks. So, let’s dive in and see how the iPhone 16 Pro Max performs against its top competitors.

First up is our long-standing benchmark test, Antutu V10, which evaluates nearly every component to deliver an overall performance score. The iPhone 16 Pro Max scored significantly higher than its predecessor, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but faced tough competition from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 powering the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, which edged it out overall. However, this doesn’t put the A18 Pro to shame. In fact, the iPhone 16 Pro Max still performed impressively against other devices running the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It’s likely safe to say that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra benefits from better overall optimization.

This further solidifies my point. Geekbench focuses solely on one component: the CPU. Based on the results, the A18 Pro stands out as the most powerful mobile CPU to date, leaving all competitors in the dust; noth in single core and multi core tests. In fact, the standard A18 chip—without the “Pro” title—also performed impressively, coming in second place right after the A18 Pro. This raises an interesting question: if the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s CPU is so dominant, where exactly is the bottleneck?

Exactly! 3D Mark gives us the real insight here. In the Wild Life Extreme test—one of the most demanding GPU benchmarks—the A18 Pro falls behind the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 by a significant margin. This trend continues in the Solar Bay test, which pushes the GPU even further with ray tracing. While Apple made substantial improvements with the A18 Pro over its predecessor, particularly when compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, they still have ground to cover to compete in the GPU arena.

In my iPhone 15 Pro Max review, I predicted that it would take at least two more generations before we see ray tracing achieve true stability on the iPhone series. So far, it looks like we’re still on track for another generation before that happens.

GPUScore Sacred Path Disclaimer

We stumbled upon an interesting “accidental discovery” during our GPUScore Sacred Path benchmarks. Typically, we begin our device testing by running benchmarks before installing any apps or transferring data. This ensures we capture raw performance metrics without any background interference. However, when testing the iPhone 16 Pro Max, there was a small hiccup with the GPUScore Sacred Path test, so I delayed it and proceeded to install all my apps and use the device normally.

When I finally ran the benchmark, I noticed something was off—the results were significantly lower, even compared to the A18 chip on the standard iPhone 16 we reviewed earlier. To investigate, I wiped the device and re-ran the tests on a clean slate.

As you can see from the results above, the performance numbers look more realistic now. This highlights an important factor: once the device is fully loaded with personal data and apps, GPU performance can take a hit, likely due to indexing and background processes. While most of us use our devices with various apps installed, it’s worth noting that a fully loaded A18 Pro may see a performance drop, even falling behind the A18 in its raw form.

We stick to raw benchmarks for consistency, but this is something to consider when evaluating GPUScore Sacred Path data. After all, benchmarks are meant to give a clear picture of potential performance, but real-world usage can sometimes tell a different story.

Due to the absence of 3DMark’s battery benchmark on iOS, which is our preferred tool for battery testing, I had to rely on alternative methods to evaluate battery performance. Using the iPhone 16 Pro Max as my daily driver, I’ve yet to see the battery drop below 20% by the end of the day when I put it on charge. As a former iPhone 15 Pro Max user for over a year, I can confidently say the battery optimization on this new model is nothing short of remarkable.

That said, it’s important to note that I don’t game on my daily driver. I use a separate phone strictly for gaming, which has been my routine for years. With productivity, social media, communication, and everything else (except gaming), the iPhone 16 Pro Max delivers exceptional battery life—far better than any other device I’ve carried in my pocket.

Yes, the battery has been slightly upgraded from 4441mAh to 4685mAh, but it’s not just about a larger battery. Apple has clearly fine-tuned the system to optimize performance and efficiency. Kudos to them for achieving this balance! While I’m a sucker for performance on my primary device, battery life is equally important, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max nails it in both aspects.

iPhone 16 Pro Max Camera

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the new Camera Control button introduced with the iPhone 16 series. It’s a bit unusual to see Apple adding another button to the iPhone, especially after years of gradually removing them, including the once-iconic home button from earlier models.

The Camera Control button serves as a versatile tool, allowing users to perform quick actions while in the camera app. You can adjust exposure levels, tweak aperture depth, zoom in or out, switch between different cameras, and even select photographic styles or tones. With a hard press, you can instantly open the camera app from any screen. A half-press triggers the assigned action, and sliding your finger on the button lets you scroll through the parameters of the selected function. If you double half-press, you can quickly toggle between different camera modes. Finally, a full press captures a photo or starts recording a video, making it a multi-functional powerhouse for photography enthusiasts.

Of course, I will talk further about the Camera Control button in the Good and Bad sections, but for now, let’s talk about the camera itself.

The photos taken above are mix of Portraits, Landscapes, Macros, Telephotos, Night Photography and all possible options. There is only ONE photo that was post edited and that was only edited using the new iPhone’s Quick Tone adjustment pad with no further alterations. All other images are simply point and shoot with no edits applied. Images are then processed to reduce their resolutions, quality reduced to 80% and reformatted into JPEG for article compatibility and browser loading times only.

At first glance, the iPhone 16 Pro Max camera setup may seem identical to its predecessor, but there are some key differences. For starters, the main 48MP wide camera, now called the Fusion Camera, has an upgraded aperture from f/1.8 to f/1.78. This improvement allows the Fusion Camera to capture both 48MP and 24MP photos with zero shutter lag, supporting both ProRAW and HEIF formats. This means that as soon as the shutter button is hit, the picture is captured instantly.

These formats can be customized in the Camera Settings, where you can set the default Photo Capture Mode to either 12MP or 24MP. The ProRAW format can be adjusted to HEIF Max (48MP), ProRAW (12MP), or ProRAW Max (48MP), and this can easily be toggled within the Camera app at the top right. The 24MP mode works with various focal lengths like 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm—prime lenses commonly used in professional studios, now available directly on the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Thanks to the quad-pixel sensor, the Fusion Camera also offers 2x Telephoto capability at 48mm, capturing 12MP photos, which are ideal for portraits.

Next up is the 48MP Ultra Wide Camera, which also utilizes a quad-pixel sensor for stunning 0.5x framing—perfect for capturing much wider images in tight spaces. Thanks to Hybrid Focus Pixels, autofocus remains sharp even when shooting at higher resolutions. But what really sets this camera apart is its enhanced macro photography capabilities. You can now get as close as 2cm to your subject, capturing incredibly detailed shots. Of course, you’ll need ProRAW Max or HEIF Max formats to achieve this level of detail.

Lastly, we have the 5x Telephoto Camera with a 120mm focal length, ideal for capturing close-ups from a distance. With zero shutter lag, even fast-moving subjects are effortlessly captured. Apple achieved this through its Tetraprism design, which reflects light rays four times within the glass structure, creating separation between the lens and the sensor. This is further enhanced by 3D sensor-shift OIS, delivering remarkable stability, even when zooming in.

What I love most about the iPhone 16 Pro Max camera is the quick tone adjustment feature introduced with iOS 18. This lets me set the tone right before the shutter is pressed, significantly reducing my post-editing time, which can be overwhelming when I have hundreds of photos to process. While tone and mood adjustments are nothing new in high-end smartphones, the way Apple has implemented it with the control pad is pure genius. In just a few seconds, I can swipe across the control pad to adjust tones effortlessly. Once I’ve selected a mood or undertone, an additional slider appears to fine-tune its intensity, and everything is displayed live. I can’t fully express how much I appreciate this feature—it’s hands down my favorite on the iPhone 16 Pro Max camera. This is a beautiful harmony of hardware and software working flawlessly.

The Good

For me, the display is the defining feature of a companion phone. While other aspects eventually become routine, the screen is what I engage with most, making it absolutely crucial. The iPhone 16 Pro Max now boasts a larger 6.9-inch display, an upgrade from the 6.7 inches on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and it reduces borders to maximize screen space. The Super Retina XDR display is as sharp as ever, delivering 2868 x 1320 pixels at 460ppi and shining at a stunning 2000 nits for outdoor visibility. At night, you can dim it all the way down to 1 nit for a more comfortable, glare-free experience—yes, 1 nit, which is about 1 candela per square meter (cd/m²).

Since this is one of the Pro models, it does have LTPO that I did explain recently in my previous article and AOD (Always On Display). Although the screen has evolved slightly in terms of size and brightness range, the enhancements stop there. Honestly, the iPhone 15 Pro Max display still holds its own, so I suppose, “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.”

When I reviewed the iPhone 14 Pro two years ago, one of my biggest gripes was how the dialer felt practically useless compared to Android devices. Well, guess what? That’s no longer the case! Apple has finally brought the feature I’ve been waiting for. Now, I can dial 21626 (which spells “AIMAN” using the corresponding letters), and the iPhone instantly pulls up relevant contacts for me to select and call.

Call me a Boomer if you must, but this is hands down the fastest way to get in touch with someone. Prove me wrong! Honestly, I’m thrilled Apple added this feature—it’s the second thing on my “The Good” list, which should tell you just how important this is to me. Thanks, Apple!

Now, let’s dive into the part I know many of you have been eagerly waiting for—the Camera Control button. There are a few things I really like about this feature. First off, the sapphire layer on the button makes gliding over it incredibly smooth. I had my suspicions about how Apple would handle the haptic feedback on the Camera Capture button, given their track record with haptics, and I wasn’t disappointed! Apple nailed it, as expected. The way the button responds to both touch and presses is beautifully executed. You can distinctly feel the different depths of triggers, almost effortlessly. And the sliding action feels completely natural.

If you’ve ever used an iPhone before, you’re probably familiar with how the display scrolling seamlessly tracks your finger’s movements. Now, imagine that same smooth, responsive experience—applied to the Camera Capture button. It’s just that intuitive.

You can customize the Camera Capture button to perform other actions as well, such as launching the Magnifier, opening the QR Code scanner, or even firing up the Instagram app for quick photo posting. You also have the option to completely disable the button if you choose. I can’t shake the feeling that Apple has even more planned for this feature in the future. My top guess? It could be used as a trigger for gaming. But for now, at the time of writing, these are the current capabilities of the Camera Capture button.

Now let’s dig into the design language of the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The device is crafted using Grade 5 Titanium, a material typically found in aerospace and industrial applications. Although Titanium was first introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro series, it’s still worth noting its impressive durability and scratch resistance, along with having the best strength-to-weight ratio compared to other metals. What sets the iPhone 16 Pro apart is the solid Titanium finish, which replaces the brushed finish seen on its predecessor. Adding to its premium feel is the Ceramic Shield coating on the glass back, giving the device an elegant and refined look. Yes, it’s water and dust resistant at IP68 surviving depths up to 6 meters for up to 30 minutes.

I must say, the battery life of the iPhone 16 Pro Max is remarkably impressive, and it’s rare for any device to earn such high praise from me. The previous generation already offered a commendable battery performance, so when I learned that the iPhone 16 Pro Max would feature an even larger battery, I was curious about the improvement. To my surprise, it exceeds my expectations significantly. As a heavy user who relies on my phone for constant communication, I need a device that can last the entire day without requiring a midday charge. For this reason alone, opting for the Pro Max over the standard Pro is well worth it.

I won’t go into too much detail since there’s already a dedicated section above, but it’s worth mentioning that the camera on the iPhone 16 Pro Max is outstanding. There’s no denying that photography is one of the iPhone’s greatest strengths. You don’t need to be a professional photographer to capture stunning images with the iPhone 16 Pro Max; simply point and shoot, and the results will impress you. For anyone who frequently uses their smartphone camera, the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers a remarkable combination of hardware and software, making it suitable for production-grade photography.

One significant advantage of the iPhone 16 Pro series over the non-Pro models is the inclusion of USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2. This feature allows you to connect an external SSD for storage expansion at commendable speeds. With a bandwidth capacity of up to 10 Gbps, you can shoot in ProRAW or ProRES formats directly to a high-speed SSD, freeing up valuable space on your device.

Finally, I must say that the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s starting price of RM5,999 is quite appealing. Keep in mind, we’re talking in the territory of high-end smartphones here. While you have the option to choose the iPhone 16 Pro, which starts at RM4,999, I recommend spending an extra RM500 to at least secure the 256GB storage variant. Why do I say this? For one, the competition in the market is already hovering around this price range, if not higher. Apple has a proven track record of confidently managing its pricing. A year later, an iPhone will still hold its value, allowing you to recoup a significant portion of your investment if you decide to sell it. Additionally, it will remain relevant for years to come—something I can attest to from personal experience.

The Bad

Let’s dive into one of the most controversial aspects: the Camera Control button. While simulating this button for traditional photography is straightforward, adapting it for smartphone photography presents challenges. If you’re right-handed and primarily use your device for landscape photography, it works fine. However, the reality is that smartphones are utilized in more dynamic ways than just as conventional cameras. With various social media formats, particularly the increasingly popular portrait format, using the iPhone 16’s Camera Control button can feel unnatural. Personally, I often shoot in portrait mode while the device held inverted, and the Camera Control button feels awkward and intimidating to use, as I worry about losing my grip and dropping the device. I’ve always appreciated physical buttons, and while I believe the Camera Control button opens doors for innovation, Apple needs to rethink its design to better accommodate “smartphone photography.”

Secondly, while this section was initially intended for The Good, it has unfortunately found its place here. This is the first time I’ve waited so long to publish my review, despite having the iPhone 16 Pro Max since its launch day, mainly due to the absence of Apple Intelligence. This feature was a significant reason for my eagerness to try out the iPhone 16 Pro Max, yet as I write this review, it remains unavailable. Apple tends to build considerable hype around its iPhones, so when the device launches feeling half-cooked, it somewhat diminishes the overall experience. While I expect to experience Apple Intelligence soon—within this month—the wait has been quite disappointing. Half of what my review was supposed to be is all down the drain due to the lack of Apple Intelligence.

Third, while I’ve praised the photography capabilities of the iPhone, I struggle to see the significant impact of the “new iPhone” in this iteration. The camera setup feels very similar to the previous generation, with only minor updates: a slight bump here, an optimization there, and suddenly it’s marketed as a whole new device. In simpler terms, if you’re already using the iPhone 15 Pro Max, upgrading to the iPhone 16 Pro Max may not offer you much in terms of improvement.

I understand that it’s no longer easy to innovate in a market where devices are already highly refined. After over 10 years of reviewing smartphones, I’ve encountered some of the most talented engineers from various brands, and they all share a unified sentiment: innovation is becoming increasingly challenging. What more can manufacturers cram into such a compact form factor?

All I’m saying is that there’s no need to rush out new devices just to meet annual KPIs. Breakthroughs can occur several times in a year, but sometimes they take longer. At the very least, when it’s time to release a product, manufacturers should deliver on every promise to make the experience worthwhile. In this case, I feel like the iPhone 16 series was rushed.

iPhone 16 Pro Max Review Verdict

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has left me with mixed feelings this time around. On one hand, there’s a lot to look forward to as Apple rolls out Apple Intelligence in phases throughout the year, unlocking new possibilities along the way. On the other hand, it feels like there’s not much new to excite users this time. The starting price of RM5,999 is starting to feel more attractive considering its a high-end tier device. The unit that we reviewed is the iPhone 16 Pro Max 1TB variant that is priced at RM7,999.

Even the Camera Control button seems more like a talking point to justify the iPhone 16 series than a genuinely innovative feature. It’s not a bad device—far from it—the performance is solid, and the battery life is impressive. It still checks all the boxes that Apple has maintained over the years. However, it just doesn’t spark the same excitement that I’ve felt during past iPhone reviews. Despite this, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is still worthy of its Silver Pokdeward. I can only say it could have achieved Gold if it had been released with all the anticipated features and without feeling rushed. Of course, you can agree to disagree.