Goodbye, iPhone 15 Pro Max. Why did I get to know you so little?
Despite the fact that my iPhone 15 Pro Max takes excellent photos, it has not been my main camera. However, I have an idea of why the iPhone 16 Pro Max might be different.
As I approach the end of my year with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, I am about to send it in as part of a trade-in for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. I have decided to compile some of my favorite images taken with this device and share them as I reflect on my overall experience with it. While reviewing my gallery, I was surprised to notice that, unlike in previous years, I hadn’t captured as many photos with the iPhone.
It’s important to clarify that I have taken hundreds of photos with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, although this number is lower than in previous years. This is partly due to personal circumstances that limited my photographic opportunities throughout 2024. Most of the images I managed to capture were for specific projects, such as comparisons between the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 15 Plus. Unlike what happened with the iPhone 14 Pro, my lack of photos does not stem from a lack of appreciation for the camera quality of the 15 Pro Max. In using it, I have been satisfied with the results, especially with the 5x optical zoom, and I haven't noticed significant issues with contrast or exposure as seen in earlier models. Additionally, the editing suite on the iPhone is among the best available in its category, despite its somewhat cluttered appearance.
The effectiveness of the editing tool is key to maximizing the potential of the photos from the 15 Pro Max, but I don’t want this to be interpreted negatively. In the past, I edited images from the iPhone 14 Pro to correct issues, while with the 15 Pro Max, I did so to tailor them to my personal preferences. The photos captured by the 15 Pro Max don't present a completely neutral look, but they aren’t as intense or warm as I’d like. For example, I often use the High Contrast photographic style.
Although I haven't used the iPhone 15 Pro Max as frequently, I found several photos in my gallery that I really liked. An excellent example is an image of a bridge reflecting on the water. Taken with the 5x telephoto lens and slightly edited, it perfectly captures the autumn colors and warmth, while balancing the darkness of the threatening clouds. The photos of a Porsche Boxster against a backdrop of golden leaves and a cloudy sky also deserve positive mention. Even though I took these images hurriedly, the iPhone delivered exactly what I wanted.
When it comes to portraits, I enjoy experimenting with black-and-white filters, and the level of detail that the Portrait mode captures is impressive. Overall, the quality of the images I’ve taken with the 5x optical zoom is remarkable. However, even though I always had the iPhone on hand, I occasionally chose other phones to capture my photos. Among them, I highlight the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, which has one of the best cameras I’ve used in a smartphone, especially with the Photography Kit that complements it. This device was specifically designed for photography in collaboration with Leica, making it incomparable to the iPhone.
Later on, other models, like Google’s Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, became my preferred choices, especially during a recent trip to Berlin. Google phones are acclaimed for their image quality, and this time was no exception.
Despite still enjoying the photos I took with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the competition in this area has been so impactful that it has led me to stop using it as often as I used to. This situation makes me wonder what will happen with the iPhone 16 Pro Max that I will soon receive. I hope that the new physical camera controls are just what I need to regain my interest. I’m also excited to try the new Photographic Styles and the ultra-wide camera.
Although I don’t regret parting with the iPhone 14 Pro, I feel I could have made better use of my time with the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This situation highlights the quality of the competition and Apple’s need to draw users back to its camera. I won’t know if the iPhone 16 Pro Max has achieved this goal until its release, but I am eager to find out if it will once again be the device I always needed to capture my moments.
