Review: Two Months With the iPhone 15 Pro Max

Apple's iPhone 15 lineup came out in September, and while most reviews are done shortly after a new device launches, we like to follow up with a longer term review that gives us an opportunity to provide a deeper dive into what it's like using these phones on a day to day basis for months.


MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has been using his ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max without a case to test durability, and the titanium frame has been holding up much better than stainless steel. Even after some minor drops, there are no scratches or scuffs to speak of.

There were reports of overheating early on with the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro models, but Apple has addressed this in software updates. The ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro stays cool to the touch for the most part, even when playing games. It can heat up when charging at random times, but it's not a consistent issue.

Battery life is about on par with the iPhone 14 Pro Max battery life, and there doesn't seem to be much of an improvement.

With the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro models, Apple added an Action Button, and , well, it's not getting much use. It's hard to get in the habit of using a new button for things that we've done for years using other workflows.

As for the camera, the best feature by far is the automatic portrait mode that lets you adjust focus after an image is captured without having to turn on Portrait mode. It's fun to use, and you can tap on each subject in the photo to change the focus from the foreground to the background. The 5x Telephoto lens is also a useful addition.

Make sure to watch our full video for more thoughts on the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max, and let us know how it's performed for you over the last two months if you have one.

Popular Stories

Generic iOS 18

Apple Announces iOS 18.2 Launching Today With These New Features

Wednesday December 11, 2024 5:23 am PST by
Apple has announced that iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 will be released today following more than six weeks of beta testing. For the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, the update introduces additional Apple Intelligence features, including Genmoji for creating custom emoji, Image Playground and Image Wand for generating images, and ChatGPT integration for Siri. There is also ...
iphone 17 pro concept render cameras

Major iPhone 17 Pro Redesign Backed by Supply Chain Info, Claims Leaker

Thursday December 12, 2024 4:36 am PST by
Next year's iPhone 17 Pro models will reportedly feature a major redesign, specifically centering around changes to the rear camera module, and now new supply chain information appears to confirm the striking change, according to a Chinese leaker. iPhone 17 Pro concept render Late last month, The Information's Wayne Ma claimed that the rear of the ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro...
m4 mac mini hands on

Cloud-Based M4 and M4 Pro Mac Mini Models Now Available

Wednesday December 11, 2024 7:34 am PST by
Developers now have access to cloud-based M4 and M4 Pro Mac mini units via MacWeb, a Silicon Valley-based provider of cloud services. The company has launched three configurations of the new Mac mini, powered by Apple's M4 and M4 Pro chips. Developers and IT teams can rent these machines for tasks ranging from basic development to advanced artificial intelligence modeling, providing an...
macOS Sequoia Night Feature

Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.2 With New Apple Intelligence Features

Wednesday December 11, 2024 10:02 am PST by
Apple today released macOS Sequoia 15.2, the second update to the macOS Sequoia operating system that was released in September. macOS Sequoia 15.2 comes over a month after the release of macOS Sequoia 15.1. Mac users can download the ‌macOS Sequoia‌ update through the Software Update section of System Settings. macOS Sequoia 15.2 adds Image Playground, an app that lets you create...
maxresdefault

Apple Releases iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 With Genmoji, Image Playground, Siri ChatGPT and More

Wednesday December 11, 2024 10:03 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2, the second major updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 updates that came out in September. The new updates come over a month after Apple released iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General >...
macbook air m2 13 inch

macOS Sequoia 15.2 Confirms New M4 MacBook Air Models Are Coming

Wednesday December 11, 2024 10:54 am PST by
Apple today made a mistake with its macOS Sequoia 15.2 update, releasing the software for two Macs that have yet to be launched. There is a software file for "Mac16,12" and "Mac16,13," which are upcoming MacBook Air models. The leaked software references the "MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025)" and the "MacBook Air (15-inch, M4, 2025)," confirming that new M4 MacBook Air models are in...
Generic iOS 18

Apple Seeds Second Release Candidate Versions of iOS 18.2 and More With Genmoji, Image Playground and ChatGPT Integration

Monday December 9, 2024 10:06 am PST by
Apple today seeded the second release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS 15.2 updates to developers and public beta testers for testing purposes, a week after releasing the first RCs. The first iOS 18.2 RC had a build number of 22C150, while the second RC's build number is 22C151. Release candidates represent the final version of beta software that's expected to see a ...

Top Rated Comments

chrisshewchuk Avatar
13 months ago
Two months is NOT long-term.

2 years is barely long term.

Go make a long-term review about the iPhone 11. Long-term reviews look at durability, repairability, product resilience, and support from the manufacturer. Anything else is short-term marketing hype and feature obsession.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Amazing Iceman Avatar
13 months ago

My immediate reply is why EVER use the phone for ApplePay? As an individual with almost $4,000 lifetime cash back, I only use my watch. I am actually a bit triggered when a merchant makes me pass them my phone as their drive-thru isn't equipped to tap by watch...or a bar won't let me come behind a bit to tap-just one more transfer that could invoke a dropped device.
I would hand my phone to nobody... there's no way to know what they can do to it while it's not within your sight.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
erikkfi Avatar
13 months ago
Even two months later, it's still the most Pro iPhone Apple has ever made.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrSegundus Avatar
13 months ago
I’ve been using my 15 Pro Max for the last couple of months and it’s barely any different than the 14 Pro Max I had before it. The Action Button isn’t revolutionary. In fact, I accidentally press it sometimes and accidentally mute my phone. Never had that problem with the switch. USB-C has been a non-issue since I use MagSafe for my charging needs. I feel like I paid for an iPhone 14 Pro Max a second time and feel kinda stupid, TBH.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Amazing Iceman Avatar
13 months ago
I love my 15 Pro Max, with the USB-C port I can connect directly to network switches and routers over ethernet to troubleshoot, manage and reconfigure. And so much more. It already paid itself.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ShadowJade Avatar
13 months ago

It's been an okay-ish upgrade from the 13 ProMax. My main issue has been with Apple Pay which is very spotty for me. Phone 13 was always reliable, but with 15PM I frequently have to use my watch as a backup. In hindsight, I should have waited at least one more iPhone cycle to see more of a speed and camera bump.
My immediate reply is why EVER use the phone for ApplePay? As an individual with almost $4,000 lifetime cash back, I only use my watch. I am actually a bit triggered when a merchant makes me pass them my phone as their drive-thru isn't equipped to tap by watch...or a bar won't let me come behind a bit to tap-just one more transfer that could invoke a dropped device.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)