iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Plus
Quick answer
The iPhone 16 Plus is 0.95 millimetres0.04 inches thinner and 50 grams1.76 ounces lighter than the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max on Amazon (paid link) arrives just weeks after the 16 Plus (paid link) drops to renewed pricing. You will feel the extra mass and smoother display in hand. If battery life is your north star, the Max wins; otherwise save money on the Plus.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone 16 Plus
Pocket: iPhone 16 Plus
Weight difference: Noticeable
iPhone 18 Pro Max
from $1,299 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)iPhone 16 Plus
from $899 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paid link.
TRUE SCALE · 1.3 PX/MM
TRUE SCALE · 2.1 PX/MM
Hand: US Army ANSUR II, 2012 (sex-balanced median). Pockets: The Pudding, 2018. Card: ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1.
iPhone 18 Pro Max: 163.4 by 78 by 8.75 millimetres, 249 grams. iPhone 16 Plus: 160.9 by 77.8 by 7.8 millimetres, 199 grams.
18 Pro Max, 16 Plus shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 18 Pro Max
from $1,299 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)iPhone 16 Plus
from $899 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: 18 Pro Max 163.4 millimetres, 16 Plus 160.9 millimetres.Height: 18 Pro Max 6.43 inches, 16 Plus 6.33 inches.Width: 18 Pro Max 78.0 millimetres, 16 Plus 77.8 millimetres.Width: 18 Pro Max 3.07 inches, 16 Plus 3.06 inches.Depth: 18 Pro Max 8.75 millimetres, 16 Plus 7.80 millimetres.Depth: 18 Pro Max 0.34 inches, 16 Plus 0.31 inches.Weight: 18 Pro Max 249 grams, 16 Plus 199 grams.Weight: 18 Pro Max 8.78 ounces, 16 Plus 7.02 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 18 Pro Max | 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 163.4 millimetres6.43 inches | 160.9 millimetres, 2.5 millimetres less6.33 inches, 0.10 inches less |
| Width | 78.0 millimetres3.07 inches | 77.8 millimetres, 0.2 millimetres less3.06 inches, 0.01 inches less |
| Depth | 8.75 millimetres0.34 inches | 7.80 millimetres, 0.95 millimetres less0.31 inches, 0.04 inches less |
| Weight | 249 grams8.78 ounces | 199 grams, 50 grams less7.02 ounces, 1.76 ounces less |
| Volume | 111.5 cubic centimetres6.81 cubic inches | 97.6 cubic centimetres, 13.9 cubic centimetres less5.96 cubic inches, 0.85 cubic inches less |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 91 percent | 88 percent, 3 percent less |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.9 inches | 6.7 inches, 0.2 inches less |
| Resolution | 1320 × 2868 | 1290 × 2796 |
| Pixel density | 460 pixels per inch | 460 pixels per inch, the same |
| Cutout | Dynamic Island | Dynamic Island |
| Rear main | 48MP Fusion, variable aperture f/1.48-f/4.0 | 48MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | 48MP Fusion f/2.2 | — |
| Rear telephoto | 48MP Fusion 100mm (4x optical, 8x optical-quality) | — |
| Front camera | 18MP Center Stage f/1.9 | 12MP |
| Chip | A20 Pro | A18 |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 45 hrs | 27 hrs |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi 7 · Bluetooth 6 · Apple C2 modem | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP68 (6m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 256 GB – 2 TB | 128 – 512 GB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 1,299 dollars | 899 dollars, 400 dollars less |
| Released | Sep 2026 | Sep 2024 |
| Status | Current | Current |
Dimensions
The iPhone 16 Plus is 2.5 mm (0.10 in) shorter, 0.2 mm (0.01 in) narrower, 0.95 mm (0.04 in) thinner and 50 g (1.76 oz) lighter than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. The iPhone 18 Pro Max measures 163.4 × 78.0 × 8.75 mm (6.43 × 3.07 × 0.34 in) and weighs 249 g (8.78 oz). The iPhone 16 Plus measures 160.9 × 77.8 × 7.80 mm (6.33 × 3.06 × 0.31 in) and weighs 199 g (7.02 oz).
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Questions about these phones
How much bigger is the iPhone 18 Pro Max than the iPhone 16 Plus?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is 2.5 mm taller and 0.2 mm wider than the iPhone 16 Plus. The iPhone 18 Pro Max also features a 6.9 inch screen compared to the 6.7 inch display on the iPhone 16 Plus.
Is the iPhone 18 Pro Max heavier than the iPhone 16 Plus?
Yes, the iPhone 18 Pro Max weighs 249 grams while the iPhone 16 Plus weighs 199 grams. This 50 gram difference is noticeable when holding the devices.
What is the screen size difference between the iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Plus?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max has a 6.9 inch display, which is 0.2 inches larger than the 6.7 inch screen on the iPhone 16 Plus. Both phones share the same 460 ppi pixel density.
Which phone is easier to use one-handed, the iPhone 18 Pro Max or iPhone 16 Plus?
The iPhone 16 Plus is easier to use one-handed due to its lighter weight and smaller dimensions. The iPhone 16 Plus is also considered better for small hands compared to the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Do these phones fit in a typical men's jeans pocket?
Both fit in a typical men's jeans pocket, but the iPhone 16 Plus is more pocketable due to its smaller volume. Neither the iPhone 18 Pro Max nor the iPhone 16 Plus fits comfortably in a typical women's jeans pocket based on measured median dimensions.
Is it worth upgrading to the iPhone 18 Pro Max for size alone?
Whether upgrading is worth it depends on your preferences as the physical size difference is small. The iPhone 16 Plus offers a similar experience with less bulk and lower weight.