Enhanced Titanium Build, Powerful Zoom, A17 Pro Chip, and Smart Action Button Combine for an Exceptional iPhone Experience
The iPhone 15 Pro Max stands as a formidable flagship smartphone, introducing an array of noteworthy upgrades. These enhancements encompass a sleeker and more lightweight titanium construction, an expanded 5x zoom capability, and the addition of a practical Action button. With the A17 Pro chip at its core, it sets a new benchmark for speed, facilitating console-quality gaming experiences. Furthermore, the device boasts an impressive 14-hour battery life. Our only reservations concern the relatively sluggish USB-C charging and a digital zoom that falls slightly short of perfection.
Pros Cons
- +Stronger and lighter titanium design -$100 higher starting price
- +Longer 5x zoom -Slow charging compared to other phones
- +Action button adds flexibility -Action button only does one thing at a time
- +Best-in-class A17 Pro chip
- +Super long battery lifeThe iPhone 15 Pro Max marks a significant moment in my iPhone journey, as it immediately elicits a “whoa” reaction. This awe-inspiring sensation is primarily attributed to its innovative titanium design, which imparts remarkable lightness to this substantial 6.7-inch flagship device. Apple’s ingenious engineering also manifests in the reduction of bezels, resulting in a device that, despite its generous screen size, doesn’t feel excessively large.
This latest iteration of the iPhone 15 Pro Max brings forth a host of exciting upgrades. Notably, the addition of the Action button enhances user convenience by enabling a wide array of shortcuts. Moreover, it debuts the world’s inaugural 3nm processor, the A17 Pro, capable of delivering graphics akin to those found in gaming consoles. Not to be overlooked is the inclusion of a more substantial 5x telephoto zoom lens, closing the gap with Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra and allowing for more intimate capture of subjects.
However, not every aspect of the iPhone 15 Pro Max warrants a “whoa.” With a starting price of $1,199, it commands a $100 premium over its predecessor. While the shift to a USB-C port from Lightning is welcome, charging speeds remain somewhat leisurely. In this comprehensive iPhone 15 Pro Max review, we’ll delve into all the pros and cons to ascertain if it indeed claims the title of the finest smartphone available.
IPHONE 15 PRO MAX: DESIGN
The iPhone 15 Pro Max marks a departure from the stainless steel sides that characterized previous Pro models, embracing a groundbreaking titanium design—a noteworthy transition. What sets this change apart is the material itself. Apple has adopted grade 5 titanium, renowned for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. Remarkably, this titanium variant shares its lineage with the very material employed in crafting the Mars Rover—an emblem of space-age engineering.
I’ve developed an appreciation for the Natural Titanium color, primarily owing to its futuristic allure. Equally appealing is the Blue Titanium option, and for those with different preferences, there’s the choice of Silver Titanium and Black Titanium.In terms of weight, the iPhone 15 Pro Max tips the scales at 7.8 ounces, contrasting with the 8.5 ounces of its predecessor, the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The disparity is palpable both when holding the phone and when it’s nestled in my pocket.
IPHONE 15 PRO MAX: ACTION BUTTON
The Action button, taking over the role of the ringer switch, is a feature of the iPhone 15 Pro Max that’s both commendable and, at times, a source of frustration. Let’s begin with the positive aspects.
The button retains its functionality in silencing calls with a prolonged press, provided you have assigned the Silent Mode setting. Beyond this, within the settings app, you have the flexibility to configure the Action button for a multitude of tasks. These include launching various applications such as the camera, voice recorder, flashlight, and translation tools, among others. What’s even more impressive is the ability to specify actions directly within an app, facilitating seamless transitions, like instantly initiating a selfie within the Camera app.
For those seeking an even broader range of possibilities, the Action button seamlessly integrates with the Shortcuts app. This synergy enables you to customize it to launch any app of your choice with a prolonged press. Furthermore, you can create shortcuts for specific tasks, such as sending a message to a particular contact—a handy feature for notifying your family about your ETA or any delays.
However, a limitation of the Action button lies in its single-function capability. This means that if you opt to use it for launching the camera, you won’t be able to employ it simultaneously for call muting. In light of this, I would suggest to Apple the option of enabling app shortcuts through a double press, reserving the long press exclusively for activating silent mode.
IPHONE 15 PRO MAX: USB-C
The inclusion of USB-C charging in the iPhone 15 Pro Max is a significant and long-awaited development. Apple has, after over a decade, bid farewell to the Lightning port—a transition seemingly driven by EU regulations rather than a voluntary choice. Nevertheless, I find it quite convenient to no longer require an additional cable solely for charging my iPhone, given that many of my daily devices are already compatible with USB-C.
- This port also allows you to charge your other Apple devices, including the recently enhanced AirPods Pro with a USB-C charging case.
Moreover, if you wish to expedite the transfer of photos and videos to your Mac or an external drive, the iPhone 15 Pro Max provides USB 3 support, delivering impressive speeds of up to 10Gbps. While this is indeed efficient, it’s worth noting that it doesn’t quite reach the pinnacle of technology, as some other phones boast the newer 3.2 standard.