Forget the iPhone 16 Pro Max — here’s why I’d buy the iPhone 16 Pro instead

Less than a week left Apple’s September 9 event I’m waiting for a big reveal around iPhone 16 lineup. But the bigger question lingering in my mind is which one will I get this year: iPhone 16 Pro or 16 ProMaximum?

Both phones are expected to receive the usual upgrades, such as a faster update A18 Pro chip and larger batteries, as well as new additions such as Capture button and special Apple Intelligence with its features iOS 18The more I think about the differences between them, the more convinced I am that the reason I bought the iPhone 16 Pro might be because it inherits a major upgrade: a telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom.

This is the only reason why I am leaning towards buying the iPhone 16 Pro after using the iPhone 14 Pro Max for almost the last few years. Rumor has it that the iPhone 16 Pro could be getting the best part of last year’s iPhone 15 Pro Max, tetraprism telephoto lens this will give it 5x optical zoom.

Of course, if that happens, it would be one more reason to consider the iPhone 16 Pro.

5x zoom, like on the iPhone 16 Pro Max

(Image credit: Future)

Historically speaking, this may be the year when both Pro models are released with the same telephoto cameras. There have been three cases where the telephoto cameras were the same on the Pro models: iPhone 11 Pro, 13 PlusAnd 14 PlusConsidering the past year, iPhone 15 Pro Max Apple could offset this on the iPhone 16 Pro by taking advantage of the longer 5x optical zoom camera.

As hopeful as I am that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will outshine its rivals in the zoom department, I think it’s unlikely that Apple will put in another year’s effort to push the telephoto camera beyond 5x zoom; although one distant rumor suggests it could go beyond 5x zoom. 300mm focal lengthThat would more than double the range of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but it would still make a statement against its rivals if Apple were to somehow make it happen.

Offering the same 5x optical zoom on its telephoto cameras also puts the two upcoming iPhone 16 Pro models on par when it comes to getting close to objects, whereas last year I saw a big difference between the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.

A bigger screen for the Pro

(Image source: MacRumors)

The iPhone 16 Pro is also expected to have a larger screenIt grows from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches. This means you’ll have much more space for watching videos, playing games, and browsing the web.

Granted, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is also expected to have a larger display, jumping from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches. But that might be too big for some people, even Thinner bezels rumored for iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Remember, you still need to put a case on these phones, it would be better to choose the iPhone 16 Pro for portability.

Save more money without making too many sacrifices

(Image credit: Future)

As in previous years, there are still valid reasons to choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max over the iPhone 16 Pro. From its larger screen to its larger battery that should provide longer runtimes, I don’t want to discount what the iPhone 16 Pro Max has to offer beyond the iPhone 15 Pro – but it still comes at a steep price.

There’s a $200 price difference between the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max right now, so I don’t expect it to be any different on the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max because we just had a $100 price increase on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. While anything could happen, I don’t think Apple would do that. Increase the price of iPhone 16 Pro.

If Apple were to keep the current pricing structure to push the iPhone 16 Pro to $999, that would add a lot more value to it in my opinion, especially if it gets the same telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. When you factor in that both Pro models could likely have upgraded 48MP ultrawide cameras to match their 48MP main cameras, all of this adds a lot more value to the iPhone 16 Pro at $999.

After all it’s the same experience

(Image credit: Future)

The beauty of having an iPhone is that Apple has been pretty consistent about keeping the software experience the same across its devices. I expect the iPhone 16 Pro models to get at least a few extra Apple Intelligence features, but I don’t think there will be any exclusives for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

This means that neither will be any different in terms of software experience, so they will have access to the Apple Intelligence features that I am currently testing. iOS 18 beta – like Cleanliness in PhotosWriting Tools, email summaries, creating Memories, and more. Apple hasn’t deviated from what it’s done in the past with iPhone software, so there’s no big incentive for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

All things considered, I’m leaning toward the iPhone 16 Pro because of the extra savings, its smaller size, and cameras that could be on par with the 16 Pro Max. Unless there are more juicy leaks that convince me otherwise by Apple’s Glowtime event, I’m determined to upgrade to the iPhone 16 Pro.