In September this year, Apple launched the iPhone 15 series. Although my iPhone 13 Pro Max was still usable, Apple offered a very high trade-in price for it. Even for a two-year-old phone, I could get 3900 yuan for it, which was even higher than what platforms like Ai Hui Shou offered for second-hand phones. I thought it was a good deal, so I decided to upgrade. After using the Pro Max for so long, I wanted a change and opted for the smaller Pro this time.
But now, I deeply regret it. The battery life and user experience didn't meet my expectations. I should have just paid the extra 1000 yuan to get a brand new one. Now if I want to switch back, I'll lose another 1000 yuan. I have no choice but to make do and wait for the iPhone 16 series. So, based on my experience over the past few months, let's discuss how to choose between the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.
Unaccustomed to Small Screen After Being Used to Large Ones
First, let's talk about the appearance. Both models have the same design and materials, with glass backs and titanium frames. The main reason I wanted to replace my Pro Max was because it was too heavy. Putting it in my pocket made my pants sag, and holding it for a long time was tiring. This was because the iPhone 13 Pro Max had a stainless steel frame, but the iPhone 15 switched to a lighter titanium frame.
The weight of the iPhone 15 Pro Max has dropped to 221g, and in my experience, the feel of the 15 Pro Max is similar to the previous Pro model, and weight is no longer a pain point. However, the Pro Max has a 6.7-inch screen, while the Pro has a 6.1-inch screen. If you're used to using a large-screen phone, switching to a smaller screen can really be uncomfortable.
First off, squinting at tiny text is a real strain on the eyes, and typing on a small screen is just plain uncomfortable. Plus, I'm into gaming, and let me tell you, gaming on a small screen is a nightmare.
Take Genshin Impact for example. With my big hands, just placing them on the screen blocks half the game, and I can't see a thing. Since switching to a smaller phone, I hardly ever play Genshin Impact anymore.
Watching videos is a pain too. The screen is way smaller overall, and it feels so stingy. I also like to read manga during my subway commute, but with the smaller screen, I can't make out the text at all, and it's really frustrating. So unless you're a fan of tiny screens, I'd advise against it.
Battery life sucks, so you need a backup power bank.
The second reason I wouldn't recommend going for the iPhone 15 Pro is its battery life. My new iPhone 15 Pro barely lasts as long as my two-year-old 13 Pro Max. Looking at the specs, the iPhone 15 Pro has a battery capacity of 3650mAh, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts 4852mAh – the difference is pretty clear.
Actually, the iPhone 15 Pro Max can hold out until I get home from work before needing a recharge, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro drains to less than half battery by noon. If you plan on gaming, you'll need to be prepared to plug it in at any time. I wasn't in the habit of carrying a power bank before, but since I started using the iPhone 15 Pro, I always have to carry a spare one in my bag.
Some friends might be on a tight budget and want to opt for the iPhone 15 Plus instead of the Pro Max. The regular version of the iPhone doesn't even have a high refresh rate screen, which makes it quite uncomfortable to use. Plus, it's still rocking last year's chip and lacks the titanium metal frame. If you're going for an iPhone, don't compromise. Even if it means spending a bit more, the experience might not match up to flagship Android phones.
It's really frustrating not having a telephoto lens for everyday shooting.
Lastly, let's talk about the camera performance. Although the iPhone 15 Pro has seen some upgrades in its imaging capabilities, adding coatings to the lenses to address ghosting issues, overall, they're just minor upgrades. There won't be any significant differences from the previous generation in terms of experience. The absence of a crucial telephoto lens for mobile photography is sorely felt.
I believe most people who use their phones for photography rely on telephoto lenses because they allow for better composition and help avoid unwanted bystanders in the shot. They're more practical than wide-angle or primary lenses. It's a shame the iPhone 15 Pro lacks this feature.
The periscope telephoto lens featured in the iPhone 15 Pro Max utilizes a quadruple prism design, enabling 5x optical zoom and 25x digital zoom. This represents a significant improvement compared to the 2x optical zoom of the standard model and the 3x optical zoom of the Pro variant. Moreover, this design effectively saves internal space within the phone, allowing for substantial enhancement in imaging performance while maintaining nearly the same thickness.
Recently, Apple has officially reduced the prices of the entire iPhone 15 lineup by 500 yuan. Consequently, the price of purchasing an iPhone 15 Pro Max has also decreased. For those considering upgrading their phones during the Spring Festival, I still recommend going straight for the 15 Pro Max. Of course, opting for the 256GB storage variant should suffice for daily use.
