Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

The first titanium flagship with 5x tetraprism zoom, which impresses with its enormous battery life of over 23 hours and a lightweight of 221 g even in 2026. While the A17 Pro chip continues to enable console gaming, the charging time of two hours via USB-C feels extremely sluggish in the current market environment. Those looking for a large premium iPhone at a significantly reduced used price will find the most enduring model of the 15 series here.

Classification and Target Audience

The iPhone 15 Pro Max was the pioneer for Apple's titanium era and is aimed at users who need maximum display area for media consumption and photography. Compared to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, it offers more natural photo processing but falls short in maximum digital zoom. Thanks to its lower weight compared to the 14 Pro Max, it feels noticeably more comfortable in hand.

Display and Build

The 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display is brilliant and provides buttery smooth operation thanks to ProMotion (120 Hz). The Grade 5 titanium casing ensures high stability with reduced weight, while the matte glass on the back effectively conceals fingerprints.

Performance and Hardware

The A17 Pro chip was the first 3nm chip on the market and still offers enough power for all AI features and games in 2026. A major criticism remains the charging technology: Apple takes about 120 minutes for a full charge, while competitors often fully charge in just 30 minutes by 2026.

Video and Camera System

The highlight is the 5x optical zoom, which allows for sharp portraits, especially in daylight. Videos in ProRes can be recorded directly to external drives, making the device the standard for mobile filmmakers. However, compared to its successor, it lacks the dedicated camera control button.

Software and Support

Delivered with iOS 17, the device fully supports iOS 19/20 and all "Apple Intelligence" features. As is typical for Apple, security updates are expected until at least 2030.

Conclusion and Price-Performance Ratio

Starting at around €750 (refurbished), the 15 Pro Max is an excellent deal. It offers almost the same feel as the newer models and provides entry into the titanium class at a fair price.