As an avid tech enthusiast, I was one of the first to get an iPhone 15 Pro Max, and after using it for three weeks, I thought I’d share why I believe it is your smartphone of choice.
Pure power and elegance.
Apple continues to drive the smartphone experience, and this latest offering is no exception. The iPhone 15 Pro Max sets a new standard for cutting-edge technology. At its core, it features the A17 Pro chip using the first-to-market 3-nm chip design featuring 19 billion transistors. This ensures lightning-fast performance, making multitasking a breeze and handling the most demanding apps on your phone with desktop class performance. During my three weeks of constant use, there has never been a single time the phone felt slow or even warm.
In case you’re wondering, 3 nm (nanometers) is 3 billionth of a meter, which is remarkably small. For comparison, your hair is about 100,000 nms wide. Your DNA is about 3 nms. Imagine Apple’s engineering efforts required to create a transistor 1/2500 the size of a red blood cell. And pack 19 billion of them into a chip no bigger than your smallest fingernail.
Small changes to design add up to big differences in everyday use.
One of the standout features of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is its titanium frame, which not only adds to the phone’s robustness but also reduces weight. The sleek and durable frame is a testament to Apple’s commitment to quality design and when you hold the phone in your hand, the slightly rounded edges make it feel even smaller than it is and much more comfortable to use. To put a fine point on that, I upgraded from an iPhone 13 Pro to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and I was concerned about the extra weight and size. While on paper the changes seem pretty major, in real world use, the phone has never felt big.
Difference in sizes between iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max don’t feel that different in everyday use.
A display that’s larger, yet feels smaller
In the past, I’ve tried to get the smallest iPhone possible, and use an iPad mini for a larger view, but honestly thanks to the new size/weight compromises on the iPhone 15 Pro Max and that 6.7″ screen, I may never go back to the regular size iPhone. (I may opt for an OLED iPad mini, but only if it solves the Jelly Scroll issue that I hated in the last one.)
The Pro Max series has always been known for its gorgeous OLED displays, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max takes it a step further. The Super Retina XDR display is a true visual treat, offering deeper blacks, vibrant colors, and an astonishingly sharp resolution. Whether you’re streaming your favorite shows or editing photos, this display will captivate your senses. And since the titanium frame was produced with a new technique bonding the aluminum frame, the bezels are smaller than on any previous iPhone. One bonus feature I enjoy every day is the glass is so perfectly aligned in the frame your finger can’t feel any edge – almost as if the glass and titanium are one solid body. I sometimes find myself unconsciously fondling the edge of the phone because it’s that seamless. (and feels strangely satisfying)
Photography Like Never Before
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a photographer’s dream. Its camera system is a marvel of engineering, now with a 48 megapixel main camera, improved low-light performance, enhanced optical zoom up to 5x, and cutting-edge AI features. Whether you’re a professional photographer or just someone who loves capturing precious moments, this phone is sure to impress you with its versatility and image quality. Apple refers to the new design as having “seven pro lenses” because through the magic of real glass and computational computing it can simulate a variety of traditional lenses, from 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm, plus .5x, 2x and 5x (120mm).
The quad‑pixel sensor makes the most of those 48 megapixels by adapting to what you’re shooting, so you get low‑light photos with better detail. The new Photonic Engine combines the best pixels from a super‑high‑resolution image with another that’s optimized for light capture. Apple’s previous cameras maxed out at 12MP, so be prepared for a 4x increase in storage requirements if you plan to capture all that detail. But you can set it up to automatically get 24MP photos — that’s still twice the resolution than before — for everyday shots with extra detail and not that much more storage space required.
The Power of Video
When it comes to video capabilities, the iPhone 15 Pro Max takes the crown. Its state-of-the-art camera system now offers unprecedented video quality, with enhanced stabilization (required for 5x zoom shots), 4K Dolby Vision HDR and Pro Res recording, and the ability to capture cinematic shots like never before. Whether you’re a budding filmmaker or simply love to record life’s moments in high-quality video, this phone gives you the tools to unleash your creative potential. And that A17 Pro now includes a dedicated AV1 decoder, enabling high-quality video experiences for streaming services. Finally, that new USB controller (a first for any iPhone) can now support USB 3 higher transfer speeds (Pro Max only, BTW) and video output up to 4K at 60 fps HDR, but you’ll need a dedicated USB 3 SSD drive, like this one to accomplish that feat.
This is the data that 4K 60 fps ProRes looks like when recording to an external drive like the SanDisk Extreme SSD attached to iPhone 15 Pro Max. The video file is stored automatically on the SSD, yet indexed to the Photos app.
That Action Button
OK, so this new feature is simultaneously cool, yet easy to forget. The Action Button, borrowed from the Apple Watch Ultra, replaces the older mute switch on all iPhone 15 models. Press and hold it to (by default) mute your phone, or wire it to many other activities like turning on the flashlight (or torch as it’s known outside the US), taking a photo, recording a voice memo, launching the magnifier (which gets its own new AI-powered magic tricks), or even launching a Shortcut. That last bit is where the real power lies, because now with a single press you can launch any number of activities. I have now used the Action Button to 1. launch a ChatGPT session; 2. make IFTTT call my iPhone (to have a reason to leave a sticky situation); 3. open the trunk on a Tesla and 4. instantly view my Alarm.com driveway camera feed:
I simply press and hold the Action Button to see my driveway camera instantly. No need to unlock the phone, no need to launch an app, no need to involve Siri.
The trouble is, with all that power comes confusion. How can one remember what they configured that button to do? Couldn’t Apple show the name of the shortcut with a quick press in the Dynamic Island? Why do I need to press and hold the button to run a single action – could a short press suffice? I’m sure we’ll see even more amazing uses of the Action Button but right now I sometimes get afraid to press it for fear I might remotely open my trunk when I simply wanted to record a voice memo.
Conclusion
In a world of ever-evolving technology, the iPhone 15 Pro Max stands out as a true flagship device. Its cutting-edge technology, stunning display, titanium frame that oozes elegance, unparalleled photography capabilities, exceptional all day battery life, and unrivaled video capabilities make it a top choice for tech enthusiasts and everyday users alike.
As someone who has been eagerly following the evolution of smartphones, and one who has owned nearly every iPhone model, the iPhone 15 Pro Max truly impresses me.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max embodies Apple’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of mobile technology, offering a holistic experience that’s hard to match, thanks to Apple’s own custom silicon design. If you’re looking for a smartphone that goes beyond the ordinary and elevates your everyday life, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the only way to go. Holding this device in your hand, you’ll not only feel the future but also capture it in breathtaking video, thanks to its advanced camera system.
P.S. I got the blue color and love it!