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Yes, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is substantially faster in Tom’s Guide’s CPU and graphics tests, but the gap matters most for demanding games, graphics, and video work—not routine phone use. In that publication’s 2026 comparison, the newer model also lasted longer in its battery test and charged faster. That makes the upgrade more compelling if you need those gains; benchmark scores alone can’t tell you whether the cost is worthwhile for your workload, battery condition, and trade-in value.
How much faster is the iPhone 18 Pro Max?
Tom’s Guide tested the iPhone 18 Pro Max with Apple’s A20 Pro chip and the iPhone 15 Pro Max with A17 Pro. Its Geekbench 6 results show a large CPU lead for the newer phone. In 3DMark Solar Bay Unlimited, a graphics test, the difference is also substantial.
| Test (Tom’s Guide, 2026) | iPhone 18 Pro Max | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6, single-core | 4,741 | 2,783 |
| Geekbench 6, multi-core | 12,789 | 6,945 |
| 3DMark Solar Bay Unlimited | 17,850 points; 67.9 fps | 6,283 points; 23.9 fps |
These are results from Tom’s Guide’s tested devices and setup, not guarantees for every handset or app. Synthetic benchmark scores also do not translate directly into a matching improvement in launch times or everyday responsiveness. Tom’s Guide describes both phones as fast and fluid for routine tasks, with the newer model’s advantage more apparent in processor-intensive work such as 4K editing and demanding games. See Tom’s Guide’s direct comparison and test results.
Why the graphics gap may matter in sustained workloads
Graphics performance is not just a question of peak benchmark speed: cooling can affect how a phone handles demanding work over time. Tom’s Guide reports that the 18 Pro Max has a vapor chamber and attributes a role in its graphics results to cooling. Apple describes the A20 Pro as having a new thermal-management system, but that product description does not by itself establish how much of the benchmark difference comes from cooling rather than other hardware changes.
#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Apple also says the A20 Pro includes a dual 16-core Neural Engine, with 32 total cores, and describes its AI processing power as double that of the A19 Pro. That is Apple’s comparison against A19 Pro—not a direct A20 Pro versus A17 Pro benchmark. Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro announcement also lists Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread, Apple N1 wireless networking, and Apple C2 cellular modem features for the 18 Pro family; those are product specifications, not speed-test results.
Battery life and charging in the published tests
Tom’s Guide’s custom battery-drain test ran for 18 hours 27 minutes on the iPhone 18 Pro Max and 14 hours 2 minutes on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The same comparison lists capacities of 5,391 mAh and 4,422 mAh, respectively. The runtime figures are one publication’s test results, not an expected screen-on duration for every owner; battery health, temperature, settings, and workload can change what you experience.
Rank #2
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
| Charging test (Tom’s Guide, 2026) | iPhone 18 Pro Max | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| After 15 minutes | 53% | 20% |
| After 30 minutes | 80% | 41% |
Apple separately says the iPhone 18 Pro can reach up to 50% charge in around 15 minutes when used with a separately sold 60W-capable adapter or higher with Adjustable Voltage Supply, paired with a USB‑C cable. That conditional estimate is not the same thing as Tom’s Guide’s measured result. Apple’s specifications page gives the accessory condition.
Other differences that may affect the upgrade decision
Tom’s Guide reports a 6.9-inch display on the iPhone 18 Pro Max and a 6.7-inch display on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. In its own brightness tests, it measured peaks of 2,326 nits and 1,550 nits, respectively. These figures describe that publication’s measurements; they do not determine which display size or brightness suits a particular person.
Rank #3
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Tom’s Guide says both phones retain broad Apple Intelligence access under the software context of its comparison. Feature availability can depend on software version and geography, so check Apple’s current availability details for your region rather than treating that statement as a permanent guarantee.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you upgrade from the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
- The upgrade is easier to justify if you regularly play demanding games, edit video, or run graphics-heavy tasks, and the faster charging and longer result in Tom’s Guide’s battery test would help your routine.
- Keeping the 15 Pro Max is reasonable if your use is mostly messaging, browsing, photos, and other routine tasks where Tom’s Guide found both phones fast and fluid.
- Check the economics before deciding. Compare the price of the 18 Pro Max in your region with the value you can actually get for your 15 Pro Max, accounting for its condition and battery health. The cited sources do not establish current prices or a specific trade-in value.
Do not combine scores from different benchmark datasets as if they were one controlled comparison. For example, Geekbench’s iOS device chart lists the iPhone 15 Pro Max at 2,532 single-core, 6,872 multi-core, and 23,026 GPU; those chart figures differ from Tom’s Guide’s direct-test CPU scores and are not the same side-by-side test. Geekbench’s iPhone 15 Pro Max device chart provides that separate listing.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Rank #4
- BIGGER, YET SLIMMER THAN EVER: Who would’ve guessed that wider could also be lighter? The design of Galaxy Z Fold7 is refined to feel like a traditional smartphone with its expanded cover display.
- BEST CAMERA ON A FOLD YET: You asked for more – now you can have the most. Galaxy Z Fold7 now boasts an ultra-premium 200MP camera with Pro-Visual Engine so you can effortlessly take incredibly detailed pics.
- SCREENSHARE FOR STREAMLINED ASSISTANCE: Intrigued by something you see? Go Live with Google Gemini, then screenshare or point your camera at it for additional info or assistance on the fly.¹
- DO AND VIEW MORE, ALL AT ONCE: With an 8” screen that allows you to view up to three windows at once, Galaxy Z Fold7 is the ultimate device for seeing and doing more.²
- ALL THE POWER AND SPEED YOU NEED Smoothly run your day with the power and speed of Galaxy Z Fold7. With its customized Snapdragon 8 Elite processor for Galaxy, you can stream your favorite shows, edit photos, scroll social feeds and more with ease.³
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