The iPhone 15 Pro Max has finally been unveiled, as Apple made the announcement during its ‘Wonderlust’ event on September 12. This latest and most advanced iPhone yet brings significant changes, especially when compared to previous Pro Max devices.
Scoring an entirely new titanium design, ditching the Lightning port for a much faster USB Type-C port, and featuring an impressive 5X optical zoom periscope camera, along with being powered by the world’s first mobile chipset based on the 3nm manufacturing node, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the true flagship of the iPhone 15 series.
Here are the most important features of the iPhone 15 Pro Max that you need to know:
- The iPhone 15 Pro Max comes with a new USB Type-C port instead of Lightning, capable of USB 3.0 speeds (up to 10 Gbps).
- Fresh design with chamfered edges, aerospace-grade titanium, making the iPhone 15 Pro Max sturdy yet lightweight.
- The first smartphone to use a 3nm chipset is the Apple A17 Bionic.
- Replacing the classic mute switch with a customizable action button similar to the Apple Watch Ultra.
- The new 5.0x periscope camera is a standout feature of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
- Natural titanium, Blue titanium, White titanium, and Black titanium are all brand-new hues..
iPhone 15 Pro Max Release Date:
- Announcement: September 12
- Pre-order Starts: September 15
- Release Date: September 22
The announcement for the iPhone 15 Pro Max was made during the ‘Wonderlust’ event on September 12. The gadget will be made available to the public on Friday, September 22. Pre-orders will start on September 15th, a Friday.
This schedule follows Apple’s tradition of unveiling its new iPhones in a dedicated hardware-centric keynote, which typically takes place in early September, usually on the second Tuesday of the month. Following this, the newly announced devices hit the market almost ten days later on a Friday, which is usually one of the most crucial initial weeks for Apple’s devices.
iPhone 15 Pro Max Price:
The pricing for the formidable iPhone has not seen an increase. The iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at $1,199 for the entry-level 256GB version, which is the same as the starting price for the iPhone 14 Pro Max last year. The 512GB version starts at $1,399, while the range-topping 1TB version could be yours for $1,599. It’s worth noting that the 128GB version has been discontinued, which was priced at $1,099 for the iPhone 14 Pro Max last year.
It’s important to note that rumors about price hikes have always circulated ahead of the official release of new iPhone families. Apple has, in the end, put these rumors to rest by maintaining the unchanged pricing, as they did last year, and it’s likely to remain so in 2023.
iPhone 15 Pro Max Camera:
- Special: Tetraprism periscope camera, 5.0x zoom (equivalent to 120mm)Β
- Most advanced optical image stabilization on a smartphoneΒ
- Three new primary focal lengths for cameras: 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm
- Β New 24MP default shooting mode Supports ProRES video up to 4K@60fps
The iPhone 15 Pro Max delivers an enhanced triple-camera system with a “seven Pro lens equivalent” package.
Starting with the main camera, which is 48MP but now features a new high-resolution 24MP default shooting mode. This allows users to switch between three different shooting focal lengths: 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm, providing more versatility for photographers. The main camera also supports 48MP PRORAW HEIF image capture with four times the resolution.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max now features a new and exclusive 5.0x periscope camera, which has an internal tetraprism design and provides optical capabilities equivalent to 120mm focal length. This gives you more versatile capabilities when shooting distant subjects like extreme portraits, wildlife, and more.
The iPhone 15 Pro also boasts Apple’s most advanced image stabilization system, featuring an autofocus 3D sensor-shift module that adjusts rapidly.
Night mode has been improved and now captures more vivid colors thanks to the latest version of Apple’s Photonic Engine. The subsequent Night Mode also allows for portraits, which are powered by the LiDAR scanner. There’s also an enhancement in Smart HDR due to improvements in the Photonic Engine, now allowing for real skin tones, bright highlights, exquisite midtones, and superb shadows
The iPhone 15 Pro Max achieves ProRES video capture at up to 60 frames per second in 4K quality, which was previously only possible at 30 frames per second. This will give videographers a better opportunity to play with footage in post-production and achieve their artistic vision.
iPhone 15 Pro Max Storage
The entry-level 128GB storage variant has been removed from the iPhone 15 Pro Max lineup, and it now starts with 256GB. The phone is also available in 512GB and 1TB variants. The prices remain unchanged compared to the similar storage variants of the iPhone 14 Pro Max from last year.
iPhone 15 Pro Max Storage Variants:
- 256 GB
- 512 GB
- 1 TB
iPhone 15 Pro Max Design
- Fresh design with titanium and a new action button instead of the mute switch
- Slim bezels
- Four titanium-inspired color options
In terms of design, the iPhone 15 Pro Max features a new space-grade titanium chassis that increases durability while keeping the weight down. In fact, the weight of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is only 7.81 ounces or 221 grams, which is a remarkable 0.66 ounces/19 grams lighter than the previous year’s iPhone 14 Pro Max.
However, on the inside, the iPhone 15 Pro Max uses an aluminum frame that is connected to the titanium external frame through a toughened state diffusion process. The internal aluminum frame helps reduce weight, aids in heat dissipation, and allows for easier repairs like replacing the back glass, for example.
On the front, the display is protected by Apple’s ceramic shield, which keeps the screen scratch-resistant.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max features a new refined brush finish on the highest edges, which is not as pronounced as on previous iPhone Pro Max devices. The ultra-slim bezels are also part of the impressive feature set of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The signature mute switch, customizable action button, which was also found on previous iPhone Pro Max devices, has been removed. In addition to switching between silent and ring modes, as well as focus modes, you can now map different functions and shortcuts to the new button. You can activate Torch, Voice Memo, Translate, Magnifier, Shortcuts, and much more. The button not only gives visual cues in the form of a dynamic island but also provides you with fine-tuned haptics.
When it comes to iPhone 15 Pro Max colors, the device is now available in four new options:
- Natural Titanium
- Black TitaniumΒ
- Blue Titanium
- White Titanium
The iPhone 15 Pro Max comes with a USB Type-C port, capable of achieving USB 3.0 speeds of up to 10 Gb/s with a compatible USB cable included in the box.
iPhone 15 Pro Max Display
Aside from slim bezels, the display of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is not significantly different from its predecessor. It still features a 6.7-inch XDR promotion OLED HDR screen with a variable refresh rate capable of reaching up to 120Hz for a smoother experience. The display resolution remains at 2796×1290 pixels, resulting in a screen sharpness of 460ppi.
The Dynamic Island punch-hole, which highlighted one of the major design changes in the iPhone 14 Pro/Max series for iPhone displays, is now a prominent feature in the iPhone 15 lineup, with all iPhone 15 devices featuring an extensive punch-hole solution.
iPhone 15 Pro Max Battery and Charging
While the official battery size of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is still not clear, Apple’s official battery life expectations suggest that we should not expect any improvements or declines in battery life. The battery of the iPhone 15 Pro Max likely remains in the range of 4,300mAh and provides battery life similar to Apple’s previous iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Apple references battery life of up to 29 hours for video playback, up to 25 hours for streamed video playback, and up to 95 hours for audio playback. Battery life expectations are quite similar to the iPhone 14 Pro Max, so no significant changes are expected here.
iPhone 15 Pro Max Features and Software
iOS 17 is set to power the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro Max, with a software update scheduled for September 18th. The upcoming software was officially announced during the WWDC’23 keynote speech, where we also got a glimpse of the exciting new Apple Vision Pro virtual reality headset.
iOS 17 is shaping up to be an incremental update that will enhance some key iOS apps and experiences. Do you remember the old, boring contact cards? Poof, they’re gone. New contact posters, which can be customized much like your iOS lock screen, are set to become the norm. The Messages app is also getting organized and includes live stickers that can be pulled directly from your live photos.
Trying to call someone on FaceTime but they’re unavailable? Leave a FaceTime Voice (or Video?) Mail. Speaking of VoiceMail, iOS now scores a Text-to-Speech Live VoiceMail feature that will show you the content of your VoiceMail as soon as it’s recorded.
Siri has also been streamlined. You no longer need to say “Hey Siri” to engage with the smart assistant; simply “Siri” will suffice. It also includes a new journal-like Journal app and easy device-to-device contact sharing with the new NameDrop feature.
If you’re accustomed to charging your iPhone on a MagSafe stand, you’ll find the new Standby Mode useful, which transforms it into a sort of smart display. You’ll be able to view the time, your widgets, your photos, and more in this display.
FAQs
Q: What is the iPhone 15 Pro Max?Β
A: The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the latest flagship smartphone from Apple, featuring significant design and hardware improvements.
Q: When was the iPhone 15 Pro Max announced?
A:Β It was unveiled during Apple’s ‘Wonderlust’ event on September 12.
Q: What are the key design changes in the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
A: The phone features a titanium body, a USB Type-C port, and a customizable action button.
Q:What is the chipset used in the iPhone 15 Pro Max?Β
A: The iPhone 15 Pro Max is powered by the Apple A17 Bionic, the world’s first 3nm chipset.
Q: What is the standout camera feature of the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
A: It boasts a 5.0x periscope camera with impressive zoom capabilities.
Q: What color options are available for the iPhone 15 Pro Max?Β
A: It comes in four titanium-inspired colors: Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, White Titanium, and Black Titanium.
Q: When can I pre-order the iPhone 15 Pro Max?Β
A: Pre-orders start on September 15.
Q: When is the official release date for the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
A: The phone will be available to the public on September 22.
Q: How much does the iPhone 15 Pro Max cost?
A: The starting price is $1,199 for the 256GB version, with higher storage options available.
Q: What changes have been made to the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s camera system?
A: It features a 48MP main camera with a 24MP default shooting mode and a new periscope camera for enhanced zoom.
Q: Is there a change in the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s display?
A:The display retains its 6.7-inch XDR OLED HDR screen with slim bezels and a variable refresh rate.
Q: What software does the iPhone 15 Pro Max run, and when is the software update scheduled?Β
A:The iPhone 15 Pro Max runs iOS 17, with a software update scheduled for September 18th, bringing various improvements and features.