Unlike its
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max primary camera samples (tap to see full size)
Since I had the iPhone 14 Pro with me, it made sense to check out the difference in quality between the new and old models. With the primary camera, the iPhone 15 Pro is clearly ahead when it comes to resolved detail since it can capture images at a higher resolution. However, I also noticed improvements when it came to white balance, which was my biggest complaint with the iPhone 14 Pro when I compared it with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra earlier this year. Colours are far more accurate compared to the iPhone 14 Pro. The iPhone 15 Pro comes out on top once again in low light, showcasing much better detail and colours. However, Apple’s more contrast-heavy approach to dynamic range still sees a lot of details lost in the shadows.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro ultra-wide camera samples (tap to see full size)
Moving on to the ultra-wide camera, things have improved mainly in terms of detail. The images have less noise in daylight and so don’t appear over-processed as they did on the iPhone 14 Pro. There’s still noticeable purple fringing in the brighter areas of an image. In low light, the results, just like the iPhone 14 Pro, aren’t great, with limited detail and soft images. Macro photos haven’t improved compared to the previous model (which is fine because they were great), but they definitely have better colours.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro daylight zoom camera samples (tap to see full size)
Coming to the new stuff, Apple’s new tetraprism or folded optical design, along with the stability of its 3D sensor shift OIS, makes it a lot more stable when shooting at the far end of the zoom range when compared to the iPhone 14 Pro. As for the images, the 5X optical zoom photos pack in a lot of detail despite using a sensor with the same 12-megapixel resolution as last year’s model. The 5X optical zoom level easily produces sharper and more detailed images in daylight compared to the 14 Pro’s 3X optical zoom images. However, the 15 Pro Max seemed to have some issues with 3X zoom, which is a crop of the primary sensor with slightly blurry or soft images. Moving beyond 5X at 10X, images still appear quite sharp and usable. At 25X, the results are decent with smudged details, but clearly not the best I have seen on a smartphone. In short, the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s zoom capability maxes out at 10X.
Top: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (5X optical zoom) bottom: iPhone 14 Pro (3X optical zoom) (tap to see full size)
In low light, when using Night mode, the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s primary sensor manages good image quality at 1X, but there’s a noticeable drop in quality with softer and less detailed images when shooting at 3X. Thankfully, image quality improves drastically at 5X optical zoom, but there’s a bit of noise and slightly less resolved detail in these images. This is still a solid improvement over the iPhone 14 Pro we reviewed last year.
Selfies haven’t really improved over the previous model in terms of detail, but there are noticeable improvements in dynamic range, which means less blown-out and more detailed backgrounds when clicking against the brighter scenes. You can also, for the first time, skip the cropped view when shooting portraits as the new iPhone gathers depth data from regular selfies or photos (which can be shot using the full frame), letting one apply a bokeh in the post via editing.
Selfies captured in low light show less noise compared to the iPhone 14 Pro’s selfies but have the same quality and come out quite soft overall. Portrait photos captured in daylight showed accurate skin tones, plenty of detail, and accurate edge detection. Apple’s done a fantastic job with its rather unique telephoto camera this year.
While we were pretty satisfied with the iPhone 14 Pro’s video quality, the iPhone 15 Pro seems to do a similar job, but I somehow preferred the 14 Pro stabilisation, as the 15 Pro seemed not to be as composed when panning or moving around. Low-light video is also quite good, with captures with low noise and good exposure.
iPhone 15 Pro Max Review: Verdict
With iPhone prices going higher with every passing year and Apple introducing a new tier in its ‘Pro’ segment this year, the iPhone sure seems to be losing points when it comes to overall value. This also means that the best possible iPhone experience gets pushed further out of reach for many this year.
However, keeping in mind all the meaningful upgrades we have seen with its lighter design, improved primary camera, impressive telephoto camera and sheer raw performance with its brand-new processor, it’s hard to argue that the new iPhone 15 Pro Max isn’t worth upgrading to despite its higher sticker price, even if you own last year’s iPhone 14 Pro.
Unlike previous models, Apple’s pitch for the iPhone Pro has also changed this year. It is no longer meant for the “Pros” or for videographers who simply prefer the best possible imaging quality from mobile phones. There’s AAA gaming, a lighter design, better battery life, better zoom and a customisable Action Button, which makes it really attractive or enticing even for the average consumer who would otherwise pick up a regular iPhone 15 Plus.
