iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 16e

The iPhone 16e is 13.2 millimetres0.52 inches shorter and 54 grams1.90 ounces lighter than the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max on Amazon (paid link) feels premium with its smoother screen and serious cameras, but the iPhone 16e (paid link) is so much lighter and easier to handle that it changes how you carry your phone. You save on the newer model but lose the telephoto lens and high refresh rate. Choose the 16e for comfort or stick with the 15 Pro Max for better optics. If you want the newest optics, the iPhone 18 Pro (paid link) is worth a look.

Paid link.

Easier one-handed: iPhone 16e

Pocket: iPhone 16e

Weight difference: Noticeable

iPhone 15 Pro Max
from $1,199 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)
iPhone 16e
from $599 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)

Paid link.

TRUE SCALE · 1.4 PX/MM

Hand: US Army ANSUR II, 2012 (sex-balanced median). Pockets: The Pudding, 2018. Card: ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1.

iPhone 15 Pro Max
from $1,199 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)
iPhone 16e
from $599 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)

Paid link.

HeightWidthDepthWeight15 Pro Max159.9 millimetres6.30 inches76.7 millimetres3.02 inches8.25 millimetres0.32 inches221 grams7.80 ounces16e146.7 millimetres, 13.2 millimetres less5.78 inches, 0.52 inches less71.5 millimetres, 5.2 millimetres less2.81 inches, 0.20 inches less7.80 millimetres, 0.45 millimetres less0.31 inches, 0.02 inches less167 grams, 54 grams less5.89 ounces, 1.90 ounces less

Height: 15 Pro Max 159.9 millimetres, 16e 146.7 millimetres.Height: 15 Pro Max 6.30 inches, 16e 5.78 inches.Width: 15 Pro Max 76.7 millimetres, 16e 71.5 millimetres.Width: 15 Pro Max 3.02 inches, 16e 2.81 inches.Depth: 15 Pro Max 8.25 millimetres, 16e 7.80 millimetres.Depth: 15 Pro Max 0.32 inches, 16e 0.31 inches.Weight: 15 Pro Max 221 grams, 16e 167 grams.Weight: 15 Pro Max 7.80 ounces, 16e 5.89 ounces.

Specifications

Specifications for iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16e. Differences are given against iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Specification	15 Pro Max	16e

Height	159.9 millimetres6.30 inches	146.7 millimetres, 13.2 millimetres less5.78 inches, 0.52 inches less
Width	76.7 millimetres3.02 inches	71.5 millimetres, 5.2 millimetres less2.81 inches, 0.20 inches less
Depth	8.25 millimetres0.32 inches	7.80 millimetres, 0.45 millimetres less0.31 inches, 0.02 inches less
Weight	221 grams7.80 ounces	167 grams, 54 grams less5.89 ounces, 1.90 ounces less
Volume	101.2 cubic centimetres6.17 cubic inches	81.8 cubic centimetres, 19.4 cubic centimetres less4.99 cubic inches, 1.18 cubic inches less
Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure.	90 percent	86 percent, 4 percent less

Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches.	6.7 inches	6.1 inches, 0.6 inches less
Resolution	1290 × 2796	1170 × 2532
Pixel density	460 pixels per inch	460 pixels per inch, the same
Cutout	Dynamic Island	Notch

Rear main	48MP	48MP
Rear ultra-wide	—	—
Rear telephoto	—	—
Front camera	12MP	12MP

Chip	A17 Pro	A18
Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity.	29 hrs	26 hrs

Port	USB-C	USB-C
Wireless	5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth	5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth
Water resistance	IP68 (6m for 30 min)	IP68 (6m for 30 min)

Storage	256 GB – 1 TB	128 – 512 GB
Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars.	1,199 dollars	599 dollars, 600 dollars less

Released	Sep 2023	Feb 2025
Status	Discontinued	Current

Dimensions

The iPhone 16e is 13.2 mm (0.52 in) shorter, 5.2 mm (0.20 in) narrower, 0.45 mm (0.02 in) thinner and 54 g (1.90 oz) lighter than the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The iPhone 15 Pro Max measures 159.9 × 76.7 × 8.25 mm (6.30 × 3.02 × 0.32 in) and weighs 221 g (7.80 oz). The iPhone 16e measures 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.80 mm (5.78 × 2.81 × 0.31 in) and weighs 167 g (5.89 oz).

Questions about these phones

How much smaller is the iPhone 16e than the iPhone 15 Pro Max?

The iPhone 16e is 13.2 mm shorter and 5.2 mm narrower than the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Is the iPhone 16e lighter than the iPhone 15 Pro Max?

Yes, the iPhone 16e weighs 54 g less than the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

What is the screen size difference between the iPhone 16e and the iPhone 15 Pro Max?

The iPhone 16e has a 6.1 inch display while the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 6.7 inch display.

Which phone is easier to use one handed?

The iPhone 16e is easier to hold one handed and better for small hands than the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Do these phones fit in a typical men's jeans pocket?

Both phones fit in a typical men's jeans pocket but the iPhone 16e is more pocketable due to its smaller size.

Is upgrading from the iPhone 15 Pro Max to the iPhone 16e worth it for size?

It depends on whether you prefer a smaller lighter device or the larger screen and features of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 16e

Quick answer

Specifications

Dimensions

Also compared with iPhone 15 Pro Max

Questions about these phones