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

iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 8 U.S. States

Tuesday July 8, 2025 11:26 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly since it was announced in 2021, with only nine U.S. states, Puerto Rico,...
macbook pro blue green

M5 MacBook Pro No Longer Coming in 2025

Thursday July 10, 2025 12:38 pm PDT by
Apple does not plan to refresh any Macs with updated M5 chips in 2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models are now planned for the first half of 2026. Gurman previously said that Apple would debut the M5 MacBook Pro models in late 2025, but his newest report suggests that Apple is "considering" pushing them back to 2026. Apple is now said to be...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

Leaker Reveals Amount of RAM in iPhone 17 Through iPhone 17 Pro Max

Wednesday July 9, 2025 8:08 am PDT by
Three out of four iPhone 17 models will feature more RAM than the equivalent iPhone 16 models, according to a new leak that aligns with previous rumors. The all-new iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will each be equipped with 12GB of RAM, according to Fixed Focus Digital, an account with more than two million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature 1

Foldable iPhone Display Production Begins Ahead of Launch Next Year

Wednesday July 9, 2025 10:59 pm PDT by
Production of foldable OLED displays for Apple's first foldable iPhone have begun ahead of its expected launch next year, Korea's ETNews reports. The first foldable iPhone's displays are being produced by Samsung Display, who are establishing a production line dedicated to the upcoming Apple device its A3 factory in Asan, Chungcheongnam-do. The production line will make displays exclusively...
apple tv 4k new orange

New Apple TV Expected Later This Year With These New Features

Saturday July 12, 2025 3:09 pm PDT by
A new Apple TV is expected to be released later this year, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the next Apple TV, according to rumors. Rumors Faster Wi-Fi Support The next Apple TV will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He said the chip supports ...
iphone 16 pro pro max

iPhone 17 Pro Models With BOE Displays Will Be Sold in China Only

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:59 pm PDT by
iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models with displays made by BOE will be sold exclusively in China, according to a new report. Last week, it emerged that Chinese display manufacturer BOE was aggressively ramping up its OLED production capacity for future iPhone models as part of a plan to recapture a major role in Apple's supply chain. Now, tech news aggregator Jukan Choi reports...

Top Rated Comments

chrisshewchuk Avatar
21 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
21 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
21 months ago
Even two months later, it's still the most Pro iPhone Apple has ever made.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rogue AI Avatar
21 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
21 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
21 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)