Alright, let’s be clear—the iPhone 16 Pro Max isn’t exactly rewriting the playbook. Apple hasn’t ripped up the design and gone back to the drawing board, but honestly, they didn’t need to. What we’ve got here is a smooth, incremental upgrade, making an already fantastic phone even better. However, what Apple’s really been teasing us with is the upcoming Apple Intelligence—that next-gen AI software that promises to make everything feel brand new. But there’s a catch: it’s not here yet. It’s still a few weeks away, leaving the iPhone 16 Pro Max to hold the fort on its own, while we wait for the real revolution. That’s a bit of a gamble, sure, but Apple seems to be skating just fine on this thin ice. Despite the shaky ground beneath it, the iPhone 16 Pro Max still reigns supreme, and by Diwali? Well, we might just see this gamble pay off.
Desert Titanium: A Shade to Die For
So, let’s get to the new new. Apple has a knack for taking a minor change—like a new colour—and making it headline-worthy. This year, it’s Desert Titanium, a subtle yet chic new finish that has everyone buzzing. Ironically, even after all the hype and attending the grand launch event in Cupertino, I never actually held one. My review unit came in the standard bare titanium, which is still sleek and sophisticated, but let’s just say, the allure of the Desert Titanium has me feeling a touch of FOMO. From what I’ve seen in pictures, it gives off a refined gold hue, like a throwback to the iPhone XS days. But aesthetics aside, this titanium is also stronger than before, adding just a smidge of weight to the device.
Don’t worry, though—you won’t notice unless you’re the kind of person who carries a pocket scale. Even with the sturdier materials, the iPhone 16 Pro Max remains lighter than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, which is no small feat.
Built Tough, But Still Luxurious
Let’s talk about durability for a moment. Yes, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a tad heavier, but it’s also built to last and really you don’t feel it; you will need a weighing machine to notice the difference. Apple has once again improved its Ceramic Shield, making it 50 percent stronger than last year’s model. This phone is IP68 water and dust resistant, meaning it can handle spills, splashes, and even short dips without flinching. Whether you accidentally drop it in the sink or fumble it on concrete, you get the sense this phone can take a beating. It feels robust and reassuring in the hand—definitely one of the most well-built iPhones we’ve ever seen.
There’s no other way to describe it: the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a Titan. Powerful, elegant, and commanding—this is Apple’s top-tier model, and it shows in every detail. If you want to imagine it as a character, think of Thanos, from The Avengers, snapping his fingers with all the infinity stones in place. This phone is built to conquer the competition.
But let’s not get too carried away by metaphors—there’s plenty of substance to back up the style. Apple has introduced camera control, a feature that feels like a button, though Apple is quick to insist it’s not. We’ll talk more about that in a bit. First, let’s focus on the display.
A Display That Dominates
If there’s one area where Apple has gone all-out, it’s the screen. The iPhone 16 Pro Max’s 6.9-inch display is the outer edge of what a smartphone can be before it starts to feel like a tablet. But here’s the thing—Apple has made it work by virtually eliminating the bezels, giving us a screen that feels immersive without making the phone itself unwieldy.
And what a screen it is. We’re talking colour accuracy that’s as close to perfect as you can get, a brightness that hits up to 2,000 nits, and the ability to dial down to 1 nit for those times when you’re scrolling through Twitter late at night. It’s a feast for the eyes, whether you’re binging on Apple TV+ shows like Dark Matter or catching George Clooney and Brad Pitt’s latest collaboration, The Wolf. The Dolby Vision support ensures your content pops, and as expected, this is a ProMotion display, meaning the refresh rate dynamically adjusts between 1Hz and 120Hz, depending on what you’re doing.
If you’re a gamer, you’ll want to pay attention. I fired up Resident Evil Village on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and let me tell you—it was a revelation. The visuals were stunningly sharp, and the gameplay was smooth as silk. No lag, no stuttering, just pure gaming bliss. But that’s not all. The speakers on this phone are so good they almost steal the show.
The Best Speakers on Any Smartphone, Period
Apple has outdone itself with the audio. These speakers are the best I’ve ever heard on a smartphone. They’re loud, clear, and full of depth, delivering an immersive experience whether you’re gaming, watching movies, or just playing your favourite songs. Honestly, I’ve found myself skipping the Bluetooth speaker entirely in favour of the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s built-in speakers. They’re that good.
The stereo separation is excellent, the bass is surprisingly rich, and the highs are crisp without being too sharp. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better audio experience on a smartphone. Whether you’re jamming out in the kitchen or streaming Netflix in bed, these speakers deliver room-filling sound with ease.
A18 Pro: The Monster Inside
Now, let’s get into what really powers this beast: the A18 Pro chip. This processor is a monster. With six cores, it’s the most powerful chip you’ll find in any smartphone today. What’s even more impressive is how efficient it is. Apple has made significant strides in sustained performance this year, meaning the iPhone 16 Pro Max doesn’t get hot even during long gaming sessions or intense workloads.
The A18 Pro is paired with a new six-core GPU and a neural engine that can perform a mind-boggling 38 trillion operations per second. On top of that, Apple has implemented a passive cooling system, ensuring the phone stays cool under pressure. You can game, edit videos, or multitask without worrying about the phone overheating.
Speaking of heat, one of the biggest complaints with the iPhone 15 Pro was its tendency to warm up under load. Thankfully, Apple has fixed that with the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Even when charging wirelessly using a MagSafe power bank, the phone stays impressively cool. On the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the device would start to heat up around 65% charge, but the iPhone 16 Pro Max can easily push past 80% without getting noticeably warm. This is a huge improvement, and it makes for a much more comfortable user experience, whether you’re playing Death Stranding or editing high-resolution video files.
Speaking of video editing, this phone is a game-changer for content creators. Editing 4K 120fps video on a smartphone should be an arduous task, but not on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Using iMovie, I was able to scrub through the timeline smoothly, with fast rendering times and no noticeable lag. It’s hard to believe this level of performance is packed into a device that fits in your pocket. If you’re a content creator, this phone could replace your laptop for many editing tasks—it’s that good.
What makes the iPhone 16 Pro Max truly stand out isn’t just the raw power—it’s how that power translates into everyday use. Apple has always been great at real-world optimisation, and this phone is no different. From multitasking to gaming, everything feels seamless and snappy. This isn’t just about big benchmark numbers; it’s about performance that you can feel. Android devices often boast high specs, but Apple’s tight integration of hardware and software means the iPhone 16 Pro Max actually puts its power to use in meaningful ways. With the iPhone, you feel the power in your everyday tasks. That’s why I’m not even comparing it to the latest Android flagships. Sure, the Galaxy S24 Ultra can run games, but much of its AI processing is cloud-based. The Pixel 9? It doesn’t even come close.
Battery Life That Won’t Quit
Despite all the power under the hood, the iPhone 16 Pro Max still delivers outstanding battery life. Apple has found space for a larger battery this year, and it shows. I recently travelled to Los Angeles and charged the phone before leaving for the airport. After two flights, inflight WiFi, and constant use of WhatsApp, Instagram, and email, the phone still had 45% battery left after 22 hours. This is a true two-day phone, even under heavy use. On a typical day, with video editing, gaming, and long calls, I consistently clocked around six hours of screen time with battery to spare.
Charging speeds have improved slightly, especially with wireless charging. Using a MagSafe wireless power bank, I noticed that the iPhone 16 Pro Max charges quicker than its predecessor. That said, this isn’t the fastest charging phone on the market—but with battery life this good, you won’t need to charge it as often. For the first time since the iPhone 13 Pro Max, I no longer feel any battery anxiety. This phone lasts and lasts.
A New Kind of Camera Experience
On paper, the 48-megapixel sensor might look similar to last year’s, but don’t be fooled—it’s a completely new sensor. The big news? Zero shutter lag is back, and it’s a game-changer. Thanks to the A18 Pro’s upgraded image signal processor (ISP), you can shoot 24MP or 48MP photos without any delay. In low light, the new Night mode works faster, stitching together photos more efficiently, resulting in sharper, clearer images with less blur.
Apple’s camera control system is a clever addition. Think of it like Batman’s utility belt for the cameras. It’s essentially a mini haptic trackpad that lets you adjust depth, zoom, and exposure without touching the screen. It works brilliantly in landscape mode, though I’m still getting used to it in portrait orientation. For photographers who love manual control, this feature is going to be a favourite.
When it comes to video, Apple has once again outdone itself. The iPhone 16 Pro Max can shoot 4K 120fps video with Dolby Vision and real-time colour grading. Whether you’re a casual vlogger or a professional filmmaker, this phone is a game-changer. The addition of studio microphones also elevates the audio experience, ensuring crystal-clear sound without the need for external mics. In fact, I’ve used the iPhone 16 Pro Max to shoot a couple of videos recently, and I didn’t even bother with my external mic setup. The quality was more than good enough.
iOS 18: A Solid Foundation for What’s Next
iOS 18 introduces new customisation features and long-awaited updates like call recording, but the real magic will come with iOS 18.1, which will fully unlock Apple Intelligence. When that happens, the iPhone 16 Pro Max will truly take advantage of its hardware, delivering a user experience like no other.
Should You Buy It? Absolutely
If you’re using anything older than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, upgrading to the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a no-brainer. At Rs 140,000+ it’s not cheap, but it’s worth every penny. This phone offers the best video camera on any smartphone, stellar still photography, insane performance, and battery life that just keeps going. And here’s the cherry on top: it’s Made in India and cheaper than previous models. In a world full of smartphones, the iPhone 16 Pro Max stands tall as the undisputed king.
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