Having transitioned from an underdog that revolutionized the mobile landscape 15 years ago under Steve Jobs’ leadership, the Apple iPhone has evolved into a dominant force, holding a significant market share—approximately 60 percent in our region and 30% globally. While critics cite rising costs and diminishing innovation, the question remains: is the iPhone 15 Pro Max genuinely overpriced compared to its contemporaries? And what about advancements in technology?
Given the iPhone’s ubiquity, akin to the common household computer, this review will primarily evaluate its new features and its position within the increasingly competitive high-end smartphone market dominated by Android devices.
Perhaps not a groundbreaking technical leap, but a significant practical change is Apple’s adoption of USB-C, driven by EU regulations aimed at reducing electronic waste. All iPhone 15 models now utilize the same cable as many computers, headphones, and other modern devices. However, the maximum charging power remains at a modest 25.5W. It’s notable that a phone with a starting price of 18,000 kronor does not include a charger. In this aspect, Android devices hold a considerable lead, with some Chinese brands offering charging speeds up to 100W. In contrast to its siblings in the 15 series, the iPhone 15 Pro Max supports USB3, enabling faster data transfer speeds (up to 10Gpbs).
Apple has prominently highlighted the use of titanium in the frame of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models. While titanium is indeed used in aerospace applications, and often a marketing buzzword (“this is the same as NASA uses!“), we still advise using protection on such an expensive device, despite the titanium construction and IP68 rating. We’ve consistently used ZAGG products for over a decade, and they now offer both a new protective glass (XTR3 Protect) and robust cases. The XTR3 Protect screen protector provides exceptional clarity, a blue light filter, and effective fingerprint resistance, making it worth the investment (the lifetime warranty covers replacements, excluding shipping costs of approximately 130 kr). For cases, we’ve primarily used the Denali Snap, which offers substantial drop protection (up to five meters) and a built-in kickstand ideal for viewing content such as Real Time with Bill Maher. This case is also MagSafe-compatible. A more affordable (around 300 kr), lighter alternative is the Luxe Snap, featuring MagSafe, three meters of drop protection, and 95% recycled materials, but without a kickstand.
The screen size is either 6.1″ (Pro) or 6.7″ (Pro Max). Despite its size, the 6.7″ Pro Max remains surprisingly pocketable. Video playback is excellent, enhanced by technologies like Dolby Vision. The speakers have been refined, delivering a more natural and immersive audio experience. Apple has incorporated a 120Hz screen refresh rate, which improves scrolling and gaming smoothness. While Android devices have featured 120Hz displays for some time, the iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts exceptional color reproduction, contrast, and pixel quality (2796×1290 resolution, exclusive to the Pro Max this generation), making it one of the best smartphone displays available.
Regarding gaming, the Pro and Max models are equipped with the A17 Bionic Pro chip at 3nm with six graphics cores, supporting acceleration and ray tracing, enabling current-generation console games such as Resident Evil Village to run on the iPhone. The AV1 codec is now supported for video, and filmmakers can connect external hard drives to record directly in 4K 60fps Pro Res. While chip speed isn’t the sole determinant of overall experience, Apple has historically outperformed its competitors in this area. However, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, found in recent Xiaomi and ZTE flagships, sometimes delivers faster performance and more graphics cores. Mediatek also has a new chip performing comparably. Therefore, while benchmark figures are not the only measure, Apple’s advantage in processing power is no longer as definitive.
The camera remains a crucial aspect of modern smartphones, having largely replaced dedicated cameras for everyday use. Apple continues to deliver impressive performance. The optics are high-quality, featuring 24, 28, and 35mm lenses, and the Pro Max now includes a 5x optical zoom. Users can capture images in 48MP, though the default 24MP is sufficient. The software automatically enables portrait mode when photographing people or animals. Night mode has been improved, yielding more naturally lit images. The new SmartHDR 5 feature enhances image quality automatically. The iPhone 15 Pro Max camera offers excellent hardware and image quality. However, its software capabilities may lag behind competitors like Google’s Pixel 8 Pro, which offers advanced AI features at a lower price point. Apple could improve its software processing algorithms.
Dynamic Island is an innovative solution to the notch at the top of the screen, providing dynamic (animated) information such as Uber arrival times or song details. The Pro Max features an “action” button replacing the traditional silent mode switch, which can be customized to perform actions such as activating Do Not Disturb or launching the camera.
In terms of connectivity, the iPhone Pro Max supports Wifi 6E and 5G. The latter is becoming increasingly prevalent, even outside of major cities. The speed depends on location and provider. The iPhone 15 offers an intelligent system for managing network connections: it can be set to “auto” mode for network selection. This feature dynamically switches to the optimal network based on signal strength and balances performance and battery life while maintaining maximum browsing speed.
Battery performance is also noteworthy. Apple claims up to 29 hours of playback, and our testing supports this claim. With moderate use, the phone lasted nearly two days on a single charge, especially when engaging power-saving mode. The software also includes options to limit charging to 80% to prolong battery lifespan or to use optimized charging based on usage patterns.
In conclusion, the iPhone 15 Pro Max represents an evolutionary upgrade from Apple. While not a revolutionary device, it refines existing strengths and incorporates features seen in Android devices. While lossless audio codecs remain absent, many headphones deliver excellent audio quality even with existing formats. The starting price of 18,000 kronor for the base 256GB model is steep, reaching 24,000 for 1TB. However, comparable Android models are not significantly cheaper, indicating a convergence in pricing across the high-end market. While Apple’s flagship may not be as uniquely superior as it once was, the gap in features between it and its competitors is narrowing.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a versatile and stable option for users accustomed to Apple’s ecosystem who can afford it. Owners of iPhone 14 models may not find the upgrade essential, but those with iPhone 12 or earlier models should consider it. The phone operates smoothly and efficiently, despite some minor iOS 17 bugs. The iPhone’s adoption by security-conscious organizations highlights its strengths, even if it is not the impenetrable fortress it once was.
