iPhone 16 Pro Max: Not revolutionary innovations, but perfect execution

The criticism of Apple in recent years has been scathing: Where is the innovation? Where is the magic that once characterized the company? True, the iPhone 16 Pro Max introduces welcome innovations such as a physical camera button and advanced AI capabilities, but some would say it's not enough. This is another "year S" - a year of small improvements and not a real revolution. Apple's history is littered with examples of late-adopting technologies.

Widgets and the ability to freely arrange apps on the home screen, USB-C connection, screens with a high refresh rate - all of these appeared on iPhones years after they appeared on Android devices. But instead of seeing it as a disadvantage, I see it as an advantage. Apple is in no rush to jump on any passing trend. She takes her time, examines the new technologies, and often finds a way to implement them in a better, more complete way. And the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a perfect example of this. It proves that Apple knows how to adopt innovations late - but in the best way. We took the device for testing, delivered by the Dynamics Network, and came back with conclusions.

Design

At first glance, it's hard to tell any difference between the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The overall design remains similar, with a glass back and a sharp-cut titanium frame. However, this year Apple increased the screen in the Max model to an impressive 6.9 inches, compared to 6.7 inches in the previous generation. The screen enlargement was achieved by reducing the bezels around it, rather than by enlarging the device itself, which means you won't be able to keep your old covers if you're upgrading from the previous generation. Despite this, the weight increased slightly to 227 grams, compared to 221 grams in the previous generation, but the thickness remained the same. Still, you can't ignore the feeling that the iPhone's design, despite being elegant and meticulous, is starting to feel a little too familiar. If in the past the enlarged photo array was the hallmark of a new iPhone, then today, even I, an Apple lover and long-time technology critic, have trouble distinguishing between the iPhone models of the last three years.

And the truth is, the competition doesn't really help either - Samsung's Pixel 9 Pro and Galaxy S24 Ultra have in a way adopted Apple's minimalist aesthetic. And maybe it's time for Apple to renew and introduce a new and bold design, even if it means that they will try to copy it again. After all, innovation has always been part of Apple's DNA, and it's time for it to remind everyone who is the real leader in the field.

Refresh: New photo button

Apple introduced a significant innovation in the iPhone 16 series with the new "Camera Control", a dedicated button designed to improve the photography experience. In essence, the new button brings a very "dark" approach to a feature that exists even in phones from 20 years ago, back in the days of Nokia. But what is actually the main innovation? Instead of messing with the camera application, the button allows quick and convenient control over the various photo operations. For example, you can zoom in and out by swiping left and right, focus on an object with a light press, and start video recording with a stronger press.

In addition, the sensor allows sliding to adjust parameters such as exposure, zoom levels and tone, and a half press is still used to select options or exit menus within the new Camera Control interface. In fact, Apple succeeded where others failed - and brought a new photo button that feels comfortable and efficient, and opens the door to new possibilities in smartphone photography.

Although, its distance from the base of the phone requires a slight adjustment, especially for those with small hands or when shooting vertically, but overall, its operation is really easy even with one hand. I found it especially convenient when shooting horizontally, and it's also not a problem when shooting vertically after you get used to it. At the same time, sometimes, in certain situations, such as when taking a group photo or when you want maximum stability, it is still better to use two hands. And if you were worried, the location of the button in the lower right corner prevents accidental clicks.

Finally, it's important to note that to take advantage of the new button, you'll need a cover with a special cut or conductive layer that will allow interaction with the button. Apple of course offers a variety of compatible covers, as do third-party companies.

Photography

This year, Apple has chosen to keep most of the camera setup unchanged from the previous generation, with a 48-megapixel main sensor and f/1.8 aperture key. That's not necessarily a bad thing—the iPhone 15 Pro Max's camera was excellent, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max continues that tradition. But the real surprise is the new wide-angle camera, which is also equipped with a 48-megapixel sensor. It's a significant upgrade over the previous generation, and the results are certainly noticeable. The images are sharper, and with less distortion on the sides. The performance in low light has also improved dramatically.

To view photos taken with the iPhone 16 Pro Max in full quality - click here

And if the numbers don't speak to you, there are a few more upgrades in the iPhone 16 Pro camera that are worth dwelling on. Apple introduced what it calls the "Fusion 48-megapixel camera", which combines an image from both sensors to create one impressively detailed image (a technology that has been present in Android devices for several years). But the highlight is the amazing shooting speed, which Apple describes as "zero shutter lag".

In other words, the camera captures the exact moment you press the button, without any delay. This is a significant change compared to older cameras, where you had to shoot a bit earlier to compensate for the slight delay. And what actually happens?

The camera on the iPhone 16 Pro Max is one of the best - and maybe even the best - that mobile cameras can offer today. The images simply shine on the iPhone's excellent screen, vivid, sharp and incredibly detailed, whether taken in ideal lighting or in challenging lighting conditions. Even close-up shots, which used to be a weakness of many smartphones, have become easy and fun thanks to the fast and accurate focusing. Even when you transfer the photos to a computer and open them on a large screen, their detail and sharpness continue to amaze. Every leaf, every drop of water, every hair - everything looks incredibly sharp and clear. Apple has also added some new styles (filters) that allow you to play with the atmosphere of the image, and you can adjust the tones, contrast and warmth of each image with the help of the dedicated touch pad.

In fact, it is evident that Apple has put a lot of thought into the image processing technology, and the results speak for themselves. And it's true, although the differences between the photos taken on the iPhone 15 Pro Max and those taken on the iPhone 16 Pro Max are not always obvious at first glance, in a careful comparison you can notice subtle but significant improvements. The new images are sharper and the colors are slightly richer. In the video segment, Apple added (for the first time) support for 4K video at 120 fps in Dolby Vision. I was able to take some amazing videos of my cats, and the quality was just amazing. Colors were rich and vivid, and motion was incredibly smooth, even in slow motion.

iOS 18 without artificial intelligence 

This year, Apple has created a lot of confusion about which new features will be available on which iPhones. Key features like Apple Intelligence, improved writing tools and the new Siri won't be available until October, and even then only on iPhone 15 Pro and up. Additionally, other features announced at WWDC, such as Genmoji (artificial intelligence emoji creation), are not yet available even in the iOS 18.1 beta. Currently, the iOS 18 version comes with some minor design improvements to the home and control center screens.

Despite the confusion surrounding the new features, I still enjoyed my time with iOS 18 (which I had previously installed on my iPhone 15 Pro Max) even without Apple Intelligence. The operating system ran smoothly and quickly, and some of the notable changes in iOS 18 include the redesigned Control Center, which took some time to get used to, a home screen that allows apps to be arranged freely, and a gallery ("Photos") that received a completely new design. In fact, seasoned iPhone users will still feel right at home, even without the AI capabilities - and that's fine. Apple promised us a revolutionary experience with iOS 18, but we will have to wait a little longer to see if it lives up to the promise.

Performance

Under the hood, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is equipped with the new Apple A18 Pro chip, which Apple claims is about 20% faster than the A17 Pro. As usual with iPhones, these performance figures mostly guarantee breathing room and longevity when it comes to future software updates — my iPhone 15 Pro Max doesn't feel sluggish, and the 16 Pro doesn't feel dramatically faster.

The complete and particularly fluid experience, as expected from a flagship device, is also due to the perfect synergy between the iOS operating system and Apple's new processor. Although 8 gigabytes of working memory may seem a little in the world of devices with blown numbers, Apple proves once again that excellent optimization is just as important as raw power. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a living example of this, and provides a smooth and fast experience even with an amount of working memory that is apparently not among the highest on the market.

Battery

Apple has increased the battery in the iPhone 16 Pro Max from 4441 mAh to 4685 mAh, but it's hard to understand how noticeable it is. The device we received for review easily lasted an entire working day - we started at 9 in the morning with 100% and in the evening, after intensive use that included Instagram, WhatsApp and photography - we reached 25%. That's certainly impressive, especially compared to my iPhone 15 Pro Max, which requires charging already in the second half of the day. However, it is important to remember that it is difficult to examine the battery in depth in the first months of use. Even on my iPhone 15 Pro Max, at the beginning, I got almost a day of use, and currently the battery health is at 94% and most of the time I am connected to the charger already in the second half of the day.

In the bottom line

iPhone 16 Pro Max is undoubtedly a masterpiece of engineering and design. It successfully combines impressive innovations with keeping the familiar and the beloved. The device is fast, powerful, equipped with an excellent camera and a spectacular screen, and includes some interesting additions such as the new photo button. Apple, known for its measured approach to innovation, proves once again that it is in no rush to bring new features to market before they are perfected.

The result is a device that offers an excellent experience to users willing to pay the price. However, does it justify the high price tag? If you're already using an iPhone 15 Pro or higher, you might want to wait a bit. The camera and screen improvements are nice, but not dramatic enough to justify the big expense. But if your current iPhone is starting to show signs of age, and you want all the latest goodies, including the intriguing AI capabilities, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is probably the best new friend you could ask for.