Which one has better battery life?

It’s a toss-up. The 16 Pro Max has a bigger battery, but its screen uses more power. However, because the Pro Max screen can drop to 1Hz when idle, it often outlasts the Plus by an hour or two in "reading" or "always-on" scenarios.

Are they both come with USB-C?

Yes, but the 16 Pro Max supports USB 3 speeds (up to 10Gbps), while the Plus is stuck at USB 2 speeds. This only matters if you transfer massive video files to your computer.

Does the 16 Plus have the Action Button?

Yes! Both phones have the Action Button and the new Camera Control sensor. You aren't missing out on the new physical interface by going with the cheaper model.

Is the 16 Pro Max too big?

For many, yes. At 6.9 inches, it is the largest iPhone ever made. If you find the 16 Plus hard to use with one hand, the Pro Max will definitely require two.

What is the price gap today?

In early 2026, a new 16 Plus is around $899, while the 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199. On the refurbished market, you can usually find the Plus for about $700 and the Pro Max for $950.

Apple

Mukarram Majid

January 20, 2026

iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 16 Pro Max

iPhone 16 Plus vs 16 Pro Max: Is the "Pro" worth $300 more?

If you want a big iPhone in 2026, you have two very different paths. You can go with the iPhone 16 Plus, which is essentially a giant version of the base model, or the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which is a 6.9-inch behemoth that pushes the limits of what you can fit in a pocket.

Both phones share the new Camera Control button and both run Apple Intelligence, but once you start using them, the $300 price gap becomes very obvious.

6.7 vs 6.9: The Size Showdown

The iPhone 16 Plus sticks to the familiar 6.7-inch screen we’ve seen for years. It’s big, bright, and surprisingly light because of its aluminum frame.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max, however, moved the needle to 6.9 inches. Thanks to those razor-thin bezels, the phone isn't much bigger in your hand than the Plus, but the screen feels vastly more immersive. It’s also made of Grade 5 Titanium, giving it that "jewel-like" feel that the matte-finish Plus just can't match.

The "ProMotion" Problem

Here is the 2026 reality: The iPhone 16 Plus is still stuck with a 60Hz display.

Rhetorical Question: Why is Apple still putting 60Hz screens on $900 phones in 2026? It’s a mystery.

If you use the 16 Pro Max with its 120Hz ProMotion display, the 16 Plus will feel like it’s stuttering by comparison. The Pro Max is fluid, responsive, and features an Always-On display that the Plus lacks. If you care about "smoothness," the Pro Max wins by a landslide.

A18 vs A18 Pro: Do You Need the "Elite" Brain?

Both phones were built for Apple Intelligence, but they don't have the same engine:

iPhone 16 Plus: Uses the A18 chip. It’s incredibly fast and runs AI features (like the new Siri and Genmoji) perfectly fine.
iPhone 16 Pro Max: Uses the A18 Pro. It has an extra GPU core and better media engines.

If you’re a heavy gamer or you record 4K video at 120 fps, the Pro Max is a beast. If you’re just scrolling Reddit and sending emails? You’ll never notice the speed difference. Compare side-by-side.

The Zoom Lens: 2x vs 5x

The 16 Plus is a "Dual Camera" phone. It has a great 48MP main lens, but for zoom, it relies on a digital crop. The 16 Pro Max features a dedicated 5x Tetraprism zoom. In 2026, where we’re all used to getting close-up shots at concerts or sporting events, that 5x optical lens is a game-changer. Plus, the Pro Max has a 48MP Ultra Wide lens, making your architectural and landscape shots significantly sharper than the 12MP version on the Plus.

Final Verdict: The 2026 Choice

Buy the iPhone 16 Plus if: You want the lightest big iPhone, you love the vibrant colors (like Ultramarine or Teal), and you don't care about high refresh rates or professional photography.
Buy the iPhone 16 Pro Max if: You want the best display Apple makes, the longest battery life, and a camera system that can actually replace a dedicated DSLR

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