iPhone 15 Pro Max 2024

iPhone 15 pro max

For years, I was a dedicated Android user, having switched from the trusty iPhone 4S to the Samsung Galaxy S6 back in 2015. Since then, I’ve experienced some of the top-tier Android devices.

What I initially thought would be a brief experiment with iOS and the iPhone 13 Pro at the end of 2021 turned into a long-term commitment to Apple’s ecosystem. Although I still have access to devices like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, my primary SIM card (yes, we still use them in the UK) resides in an iPhone.

Recently, the variety that Android offers, combined with a bit of iPhone fatigue, almost had me switching back to Google’s platform. But just when I was about to make the leap, the iPhone 15 Pro Max drew me back in.

And honestly, I’m fine with that—it’s an exceptional flagship smartphone. Yet, it might actually be too good, leaving me wondering where smartphones can evolve from here, beyond incremental improvements over previous models.

But first, let me explain why the iPhone 15 Pro Max has captured my attention, even though I’ve never really been a fan of the Max-sized phones.

The sum of its tweaks

The titanium build of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is a game changer, transforming what could have been a heavy, cumbersome 6.7-inch device into something that I can almost manage with one hand. The subtle curvature along the edges is a nice touch, keeping the sleek, flat-edge design that Apple reintroduced with the iPhone 12 series while making it more comfortable to hold. The matte finish on the back and the way the colors seamlessly blend into the titanium frame is also a standout feature.

Although the Dynamic Island isn’t perfect, it’s a refreshing change from the notch that I reluctantly got used to on the iPhone 13 Pro. I don’t find it any more intrusive than the punch-hole cameras on Android competitors like the Google Pixel 8 Pro, and the added functionality, while not always fully utilized, is a nice bonus.

ralated artcle iPhone 15 Pro Max 2024

The new Action button is a great addition as well. I’ve programmed it to quickly activate the flashlight—what Apple calls the ‘torch.’ USB-C connectivity is a much-needed upgrade. And I still appreciate Apple’s ProMotion display, with its adaptive 1Hz to 120Hz refresh rate. Combined with the smooth iOS experience, the iPhone 15 Pro Max feels incredibly fast.

Powered by the A17 Pro chip, this phone is absurdly fast, capable of running console-level games on a device far more portable than an Xbox Series X. While there’s room for better performance to optimize these games further, Apple Arcade offers plenty of fun titles to pass the time during a boring commute.

The camera system on the iPhone 15 Pro Max is exceptional. The new 5x telephoto zoom lens adds versatility to an already impressive setup, and both the main and ultrawide cameras consistently produce excellent photos. While I still rank the Galaxy S24 Ultra as the top camera phone, I personally prefer Apple’s approach to computational photography and image signal processing over Samsung’s.

Video performance is top-tier as well, making it incredibly easy to capture high-quality footage—even if your camera skills are lacking.

I’ve often criticized the over-the-top praise that Apple gets, feeling that they’re given a pass for things Android manufacturers would be heavily criticized for—like the standard iPhone 15’s 60Hz display and Apple’s slow adoption of USB-C. While I won’t defend the standard or iPhone 15 Plus models, I do believe that the iPhone 15 Pro Max is about as close to the perfect smartphone as you can get right now.

Where do we go from here?

All of this leaves me wondering if Apple has much room left to innovate. Sure, Tim Cook and his team will likely follow Google and Samsung by integrating generative AI tools into future iPhones. And it’s easy to predict that the iPhone 16 will be faster, with improved battery life, and maybe even proper fast charging.

However, when it comes to making a significant leap in smartphone evolution—both for iPhones and Samsung’s Galaxy series—it feels like we may have hit a plateau, especially when it comes to hardware advancements.

I remember a time when every new smartphone release felt like a major leap forward. Cameras were improving at a rapid pace, performance upgrades were meaningful from one generation to the next, and there were always exciting new features to look forward to. But now, it seems like each new phone is only a slight improvement over its predecessor.

That said, the collection of minor upgrades in the iPhone 15 Pro Max has made it my go-to phone and one that’s worth upgrading to. But with Apple seemingly perfecting the smartphone formula, I’m struggling to imagine how the iPhone 16 or iPhone 17 could be significantly better—unless there’s a breakthrough in screen technology or battery materials.

So, am I getting tired of smartphones? Not entirely. My hopes for future iPhones now lie with the possibility of a foldable iPhone. I think Apple has the potential to deliver a standout folding phone experience. I’m also open to seeing where software innovation, especially with AI, will take things.

For now, though, I’m content with having a phone that feels almost perfect for my needs. And in a world where a lot seems uncertain, that’s not a bad thing at all.

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After seven months with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, one of the biggest surprises — though not necessarily a pleasant one — is how well it survives drops. And yes, I can confirm this from personal experience.

The phone has tumbled off the arm of my couch onto the hardwood floor of my living room countless times. It’s slipped out of my pocket onto the sidewalk twice as I clumsily tried to grab it. And there have been several incidents at CNET’s San Francisco studio where the 15 Pro Max has crashed onto the floor during video shoots. I often use the iPhone as a teleprompter, clipped to a Panasonic S1H camera and lens. Occasionally, while adjusting the Panasonic, either I or the camera operator accidentally knock the setup, causing the phone to come loose and hit the ground. Amazingly, despite all these falls, the screen and back of my 15 Pro Max remain intact without a single crack.

I have to admit: I don’t use a case. I know, that probably makes me some kind of reckless soul, but I’ve just never been one for cases. Although, maybe I should reconsider.

Over the past seven months with my iPhone 15 Pro Max, it’s traveled with me across the country, been my companion for watching TV shows and movies, helped me unwind with games, and even accompanied me to a surf rock concert. It’s become my reliable half-pound, rectangular buddy that does everything I need it to do.

I’ve come to rely on features like StandBy Mode at home and at work, Check In during long bike rides, and that impressive 5x zoom on the camera. Of course, there have been a few downsides, like the overheating issue with iOS 17 last fall, but fortunately, my phone didn’t suffer from it, and Apple quickly patched things up.

Wear and tear

Let’s talk about the state of my iPhone 15 Pro Max after all those drops. The titanium sides are holding up pretty well, though there’s a small nick on the top-left corner — let’s just not talk about how that happened! The back glass, on the other hand, still looks pristine. My phone is in the natural titanium color, which a friend jokingly calls “not quite beige,” but that muted tone and the matte finish do a great job at hiding fingerprints and dust. Even after close inspection, I don’t see any scratches or scuffs on the back.

The Ceramic Shield display, however, hasn’t been as lucky. There are a few tiny scratches, particularly in the lower-left corner, and it seems like the oleophobic coating is wearing down in a couple of spots. I’m not really complaining, though, especially since I don’t go easy on the phone. Overall, it’s nice to see that the 15 Pro Max can mostly withstand the daily chaos of the “Patrick Holland experience.”

Battery life and display

My iPhone 15 Pro Max’s battery health is still in good shape, though its maximum capacity has dropped slightly from 100% to 99%. The battery cycle count is at 111, and my average screen-on time over the past 10 days is eight hours and 41 minutes. In terms of overall battery performance, not much has changed. The phone easily lasts a full day on a single charge and can stretch to a day and a half with lighter usage.

There have been times, like during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and Samsung’s Unpacked event in January, when I pushed the phone to its limits by snapping hundreds of photos and videos while also calling in for CNET’s live video stream over 5G. On those demanding days, using low-power mode helped curb battery drain, but even then, I was impressed by how well the phone handled it all. Thanks to its larger battery compared to the 15 Pro, the 15 Pro Max noticeably outlasts its sibling.

The iPhone’s display continues to impress me. Whether I’m watching The Bear, reading articles, laughing at New Yorker cartoons, or capturing photos, the screen delivers rich, detailed visuals and easy-to-read text, even when the brightness is set lower.

However, there is one area where the 15 Pro Max’s screen falls short for me: reflections. After using the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra with its low-reflection display, I can’t help but notice how reflective the iPhone’s display is — something I now see on most smartphones. I really hope Apple incorporates whatever Samsung is doing into the iPhone 16’s rumored display to cut down on those pesky reflections.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max and iOS 17

One of the most notable changes to the iPhone, aside from the camera, is the introduction of iOS 17. Now, 19 months after the launch of the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, it still feels somewhat underutilized by third-party apps. While it’s great for functions like Uber, music controls, and system alerts on Apple’s own apps, it seems like there’s more potential waiting to be tapped. Though Apple can’t force developers to embrace the Dynamic Island, it still feels like we’re in the early stages of what it could become, despite its longer presence on the market.

iOS 17 also introduced Stolen Device Protection, which safeguards your accounts and personal information in the event of theft. If you haven’t enabled it yet, I recommend turning it on. In iOS 17.3 or later, head into Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode, and activate it there.

Earlier, I mentioned experiencing several software bugs in iOS 17, like Safari freezing and becoming unresponsive. I’m pleased to report that I haven’t encountered this issue in months.

Additionally, iOS 17 is filled with small but delightful improvements, like the new Catch Up arrow in Messages. However, the feature I’ve seen gaining the most traction is StandBy Mode, which turns your iPhone into a mini-hub while charging. StandBy Mode displays widgets, the time, or photos, and is available across iPhone models beyond the 15 series. It’s fun to visit a friend’s house and see them using a stand in the kitchen or office for StandBy Mode. I’m curious to see how Apple might expand on StandBy Mode when iOS 18 arrives.