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.

Related Roundup: iPhone 15 Pro

Popular Stories

sonny iphone 16 pro colors

All Four iPhone 16 Pro Colors Revealed in New Image

Friday August 16, 2024 4:14 am PDT by
Leaker Sonny Dickson is back today with a new dummy unit image showing all four iPhone 16 Pro color variants, including the rose gold or "bronze" unit that replaces Blue Titanium in the existing iPhone 15 Pro models. The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to come in black, white or silver, gray or "Natural Titanium," and a rose or rose gold color replacing Blue Titanium, according to Apple...
iPhone 16 Pro Right Side Feature

The iPhone 16 is Getting a New Button: Here's What It Can Do

Tuesday August 13, 2024 4:01 pm PDT by
Multiple rumors have suggested that the iPhone 16 models are going to have an all-new button that's designed to make it easier to capture photos when the devices are held in landscape mode. Apple calls the button the Capture Button internally, and it is going to be one of the most advanced buttons that's been introduced to date with support for multiple gestures and the ability to respond to ...
iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

iPhone 16 Launch Is Just One Month Out – Here's Everything We Know

Saturday August 10, 2024 5:00 am PDT by
Apple typically releases its new iPhone series in the fall, and a possible September 10 announcement date has been floated this year, which means we are just one month away from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design...
iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

When Is the iPhone 16 Coming Out?

Wednesday August 14, 2024 6:20 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 16 series is expected to debut in September 2024. This release follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. While the exact date has yet to be officially confirmed, the day of Tuesday, September 10 has been rumored as a possible announcement date, and September has traditionally been the month when Apple unveils its latest smartphone innovations. ...
maxresdefault

Apple Aiming to Launch Tabletop Robotic Home Device as Soon as 2026 With Pricing Around $1,000

Wednesday August 14, 2024 11:30 am PDT by
Apple is moving forward with its project to develop a tabletop robotic device, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The device would feature a large iPad-like display mounted on a "thin robotic arm" that would allow the display to tilt and up and down and rotate a full 360º, and it would serve as a "smart home command center," a...
M4 Mac mini Silver Ortho Cooler

These New Macs Are Coming in 2024

Thursday August 15, 2024 4:34 pm PDT by
It's almost September, but Apple still has multiple new product launches planned for 2024. New iPhone 16 models and Apple Watches are coming in September, and we're also going to get at least three Mac updates with M4 chips this year, according to rumors. Here's what's on the horizon. MacBook Pro Apple plans to refresh both the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, adding M4 chips. The ...
T Mobile Generic Feature Pink 1

United States Fines T-Mobile $60 Million for Failing to Prevent Unauthorized Access to Sensitive Customer Data

Thursday August 15, 2024 1:32 pm PDT by
T-Mobile was fined $60 million by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS) for negligence surrounding data breaches, reports Reuters. CFIUS penalized T-Mobile for failing to prevent or disclose unauthorized access to sensitive customer data. When T-Mobile merged with Sprint, it signed a national security agreement with CFIUS, which is what led to the fine earlier this year....

Top Rated Comments

chrisshewchuk Avatar
9 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
9 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
9 months ago
Even two months later, it's still the most Pro iPhone Apple has ever made.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrSegundus Avatar
9 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
9 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
9 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)