Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max entered the smartphone space a few months ago, with many features and improvements. In this comprehensive review, we’ll explore 15 key features of the iPhone 15 Pro Max that stood out in our hands-on experience.
Inside The Box
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max comes in a slim box without a charging brick, which is not surprising, but it is worth noting. Instead, there’s a white braided USB-C cable in the box. However, keep in mind that the supplied cable is a USB 2 cable, while the iPhone supports the faster USB 3 standard. To take advantage of faster transfer rates, you must purchase a separate USB 3 cable.
Design Language
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is very similar to its predecessor, the iPhone 14 Pro Max. However, there are some differences that should be noted. First, the frame has a titanium brush, which eliminates the problem of scratches on the stainless steel frame. Although fingerprints can still be collected, they are less visible than before. Second, the bezels around the screen are quite thin, so the whole phone looks a bit small.
Display Dynamics
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has the same 6.7-inch OLED panel as before. The “Dynamic Island Cutout” that was introduced in the 14 Pro series is still present in this model.
The phone’s ProMotion 120 Hz refresh rate, customizable and Always On feature via iOS On settings, and high brightness capabilities make HDR videos ideal for viewing in any lighting conditions.
Although the peak brightness remains unchanged this year, this is not a concern, because the peak brightness of 2000 points is enough for most tasks.
Screen Protection
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is made of Ceramic Shield, which according to Apple is more durable than other smartphone glasses. Apparently that statement is true because I haven’t had any problems until now, even though I have accidentally dropped it several times. In addition, the device has a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating, which seems to work very well.
Display Quality
Apple’s latest 6.7-inch LPTO XDR OLED display looks identical to its predecessor. The screen produces accurate and natural-looking colors that are more useful when recording professional videos. The 120Hz refresh rate works perfectly when using software and is more efficient when playing games that support higher refresh rates. Also, when playing a fast-paced FPS title like Call of Duty: Mobile, the lag level is the highest.
Mute Switch becomes Action Button
The iPhone 15 Pro series no longer has a silent Switch. Instead, a new Action button has been introduced that works like the one on the Apple Watch Ultra. By default, the Action key will be a mute switch. However, various actions can be performed while stopped, such as turning on the flashlight, opening applications such as Voice Memos, accessing focus mode, or doing other things through the Shortcuts application.
Unfortunately, the Action button can only do one thing. It would be nice if one tap could toggle between mute and volume, while a hold action would initiate a manually programmed action. However, once an Action button is configured for a specific task, it will only perform that task, effectively overriding the user’s default behavior.
Heating Issues
While using the software regularly, I noticed that the phone would heat up randomly even when I used it indoors. Outside and with the camera on, the phone heats up quickly, depending on how long I’m shooting. In my experience, taking about 10-15 photos and two 4K videos in sunlight for 15 minutes is enough to heat up the phone. Although the heat is noticeable, it doesn’t cause any apps to crash or slow down when running the camera app. Although the iOS 17.0.3 update has fixed many of the previously reported heating issues, the phone does get a little warm when using the camera for a long time, but nothing to worry about.
Dynamic Island
The Dynamic Island feature introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro, which currently only supports iOS 17 native apps, has not generated much interest among app developers in India. Although the integration is limited, the feature looks good with its visual elements.
USB-C port gets a new home
The iPhone 15 series has made a big change by replacing the Lightning port with a USB-C port. However, the charging speed remains the same as in the iPhone 14 series. The phone has a maximum charging speed of 27 watts, which means that using a power brick that supports a higher wattage will not charge the phone faster. The battery life of the 15 Pro Max can last a day and a half to two days depending on how you use your phone.
Performance
The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are equipped with the A17 Pro chip, which allows them to run console video games. I was amazed when I played Resident Evil Village on my iPhone 15 Pro Max. Despite such a high quality game, the only sign that my phone is overworked is the heat I feel after 30 minutes of gaming.
Power of Camera
After spending two months with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, I noticed a few features. At the top of the list is the 15 Pro Max 5x optical zoom, which produces stunning images with great detail and wide dynamic range.
Videography
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a great phone when it comes to video recording. It’s capable of up to 4K60 in ProRes and comes with 1x to 3x cinematic zoom, an Academy color coding system, and Log coding for post-processing color correction. It also has the ability to record directly to an external hard drive via USB-C. The phone has a variety of slow-motion and hyperlapse recording tools, in addition to Motion mode for stabilization.
Sound
The iPhone delivers consistently clear and detailed sound. It has clear bass and a V-shaped EQ that produces excellent sound quality. However, they can sound a bit boxy at the top end.
There are some improvements in the midrange, but the overall tonal quality remains the same.
