One year on: is the iPhone 16 Pro Max still worth buying in 2026?
With the 17 Pro Max out, last year’s flagship has quietly become the value pick of the Pro line. At a glance Spec Detail Display 6.9-inch LTPO OLED, 120Hz, 2000 nits Chip A18 Pro Telephoto 5x tetraprism (120mm) Extras Camera Control button The 5x lens Apple walked back The headline argument for the 16 Pro Max in 2026 is the 5x telephoto. The 17 Pro Max replaced it with a shorter, sharper 4x, which is the right call for most people, but if you photograph wildlife, stages or sports from the stands, the extra reach here still matters. Everything else holds up The A18 Pro is still quick, the titanium build still feels great, and the battery still clears a heavy day. iOS support runs for years yet. The Camera Control button remains divisive, but you can largely ignore it. Who it’s for Buy it if you want a Pro iPhone, do not need the newest chip, and value the longer 5x zoom. Skip it if you want the aluminium redesign, the cooler-running A19 Pro or the two-day battery of the 17 Pro Max. Alternatives worth a look iPhone 17 Pro, newer, cooler, better everyday telephoto, similar money after trade-ins. The verdict: Still an excellent phone, and now the smart-money choice in Apple’s Pro range. Sources GSMArena specifications