DXOMARK has released its comprehensive review of the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max‘s camera capabilities. The device, which features a 48MP main sensor, a 48MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 12MP telephoto sensor, has undergone rigorous testing to evaluate its performance in various lighting conditions and shooting scenarios.

Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro Max has scored 157 points, which lands it in fourth place in the Ultra Premium camera phone segment, trailing devices like the Honor Magic 6 Pro, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra.

Key camera specifications:

• Primary: 48MP sensor, quad pixels, 24mm equivalent f/1.78-aperture lens, Dual Pixel AF, OIS
• Ultra-wide: 48MP sensor, 13mm equivalent f/2.2-aperture lens, Dual Pixel AF
• Tele: 12MP sensor, 120 mm equivalent f/2.8-aperture lens, Dual Pixel AF
• A18 Pro chipset

 

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Like its predecessors, the latest Apple flagship, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, did very well in the DXOMARK Camera tests, achieving an overall score that puts it among the very best smartphones for imaging. It shone particularly in video mode where it delivered better results than any other mobile device we have tested. It significantly surpasses its main competitor, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, in this area and in photo as well.

Even though the primary camera hardware on the Pro Max remained mostly unchanged over the previous model, Apple still managed to make improvements in a range of image quality and camera performance areas. In video mode, the new iPhone again managed to grab the top spot in our ranking, thanks to outstanding test results across the board at 4K resolution and with the 60fps variable frame rate. In addition, the Apple flagship comes with a new 4K /120fps mode and a range of “Pro” modes that allow for customization of settings and are, in this form, not available on competing devices. In photo mode, the camera benefited from improved processing and new editing options. We particularly noticed an improved color performance at default settings.

While the overall rate of improvement in camera performance appears to be slower than in previous years and compared to the competition, users of the new iPhone benefit from the introduction of new imaging features, such as the Undertones and Mood photographic styles, which are not covered by the DXOMARK Camera test protocol, but are designed to address real user needs.

While the 16 Pro Max has noticeably improved in terms of both photo and video, this is not the case for zooming. Our testers did not notice any particular texture improvements with the new 48MP ultra-wide camera when compared to the 15 Pro Max. There was also still a lack of image quality consistency across the tele zoom range, with a noticeable drop in detail at tele settings between 2x and 5x.

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If you're a super camera buff, then review the full in-depth report by DXOMARK. How does DxOMark Smartphone Ratings work? Check out the Marques Brownlee video here.

For a review of the lower end iPhone 16, you can review the video below comparing the Apple iPhone 16 vs Pixel 9 vs Galaxy S24 Camera by Danny Winget.