You’ve seen the shiny new aluminum iPhone 17 Pro Max by now. It’s flashy. It has that "camera plateau" that everyone is arguing about on Reddit. But here’s the thing: a lot of people are quietly holding onto their el iphone 15 pro max, and honestly, they might be the smartest ones in the room.
It’s been over two years since the 15 Pro Max hit the shelves. Remember the drama? People were obsessed with the "Natural Titanium" color and everyone was freaking out about the switch to USB-C. Fast forward to 2026, and the conversation has shifted. Now, it's all about whether this "older" flagship can actually keep up with iOS 26 and the heavy-duty Apple Intelligence features that Apple keeps pushing.
The Titanium Truth
Apple moved away from titanium for the latest 17 series, opting for an aluminum unibody instead. Because of that, the el iphone 15 pro max feels like a bit of a relic from a "premium" era. It's lighter than the 14 Pro Max by about 19 grams, which doesn't sound like much until you're doom-scrolling at 1:00 AM and your pinky doesn't hurt.
The build quality is still insane.
If you’ve got one in Blue Titanium, you probably noticed the fingerprints early on, but most of us just slapped a case on it and moved on. The real win was those contoured edges. Before this model, iPhones felt like holding a sharp brick. The 15 Pro Max softened those edges just enough to make a 6.7-inch screen feel usable.
Does the A17 Pro still have "it"?
Honestly, the A17 Pro chip was a bit of a weird one at launch. It was the first 3nm chip, and it got hot. I remember people complaining that their phones were basically space heaters while charging or using Google Maps.
Apple patched most of that, but in 2026, the A17 Pro is facing its biggest test: Apple Intelligence.
The good news? The el iphone 15 pro max was the "cutoff" phone. It’s the oldest Pro Max that actually supports the full suite of AI features, like Genmoji, Writing Tools, and the revamped Siri. While the iPhone 17 Pro Max is faster at rendering "Image Playground" sketches, the 15 Pro Max still handles live translation and notification summaries without breaking a sweat.
However, there’s a catch.
Users on iOS 26 have been reporting some serious battery drain. If your battery health has dipped below 88%, you're probably feeling the "lag" that people always blame on planned obsolescence. It’s usually just the battery struggling to provide enough peak power for the neural engine.
Real-world performance right now:
- Gaming: It still runs Resident Evil Village and Death Stranding natively.
- Multitasking: With 8GB of RAM, it doesn't kill background apps as aggressively as the base iPhone 15 or 16.
- The "Lag" Factor: In 2026, some users are seeing keyboard stuttering on the latest software. A factory reset usually fixes it, but it’s annoying.
That 5x Tetraprism Camera
The 120mm focal length was the big selling point for the el iphone 15 pro max. It was the first time Apple beat the smaller Pro model on zoom specs.
Even today, the photos are stellar.
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The 48MP main sensor takes 24MP shots by default, which gives you that sweet spot of detail without filling up your 256GB of storage in a week. Speaking of storage, this was the model where Apple finally killed the 128GB base tier for the Max. Thank goodness.
But let’s be real about the 5x zoom. It’s great for concerts. It’s great for taking pictures of your dog from across the park. But in low light? It still struggles compared to the newer iPhone 17 sensors. You get some grain. You get some "mushiness" in the shadows. But for 90% of people? You wouldn't notice the difference unless you're printing posters.
The Battery Life Reality Check
When it was new, the el iphone 15 pro max was a two-day phone for light users. In 2026, that’s rarely the case.
Most long-term users are seeing around 6 to 7 hours of screen-on time. If you’re a power user—someone who’s constantly on 5G, using the Always-On display, and messing with AI tools—you’re likely reaching for a MagSafe battery pack by 6:00 PM.
Is it "bad"? No. But the iPhone 17 Pro Max has set a ridiculous new bar for battery life, making the 15 Pro Max feel "just okay" in comparison.
USB-C: The Gift That Keeps Giving
Switching to USB-C was the best thing Apple did for this phone. You can use the same cable for your MacBook, your iPad, and your friend’s Android phone.
The el iphone 15 pro max supports USB 3 speeds (10Gbps). This is huge if you actually use the "Pro" features. You can plug in an external SSD and record ProRes video directly to the drive. Most people don't do this, but if you're a content creator, it’s a lifesaver. It basically turned the phone into a pocket cinema camera.
Should you actually buy one in 2026?
If you can find a refurbished el iphone 15 pro max for under $750, it’s a steal.
You’re getting 90% of the flagship experience for half the price of a new 17 Pro Max. You get the Action Button—which you should totally map to the Flashlight or a custom Shortcut—and you get a display that is still one of the best in the world. 120Hz ProMotion makes everything look buttery smooth.
Avoid it if:
- The battery health is below 85% (unless you factor in the cost of a replacement).
- You absolutely must have the newest AI features that require the A19 chip's specialized hardware.
- You hate the "Natural Titanium" aesthetic that was everywhere two years ago.
Go for it if:
- You want a massive, high-quality screen without the $1,200 price tag.
- You need a reliable camera for social media.
- You want a phone that will still get software updates until at least 2029 or 2030.
The el iphone 15 pro max isn't the "new kid" anymore. It’s the seasoned veteran. It has some scars, and the battery isn't what it used to be, but it’s still more phone than most people actually need.
Actionable Next Steps
If you already own this phone and it's feeling slow, don't rush to trade it in. First, check your Settings > Battery > Battery Health. If it’s low, a $99 battery swap at an Apple Store will make it feel brand new. Also, go into your Settings > Accessibility and toggle "Reduce Motion" if you want the UI to feel snappier on iOS 26. If you're looking to buy, stick to reputable sellers like Apple's own Refurbished store or Back Market to ensure you aren't getting a device with third-party replacement parts that might disable Face ID.