Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Desert Titanium 256GB

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the video king and the best big iPhone ever made. Find it under USD 800 and it's a no-brainer.

The A18 Pro is a beast. Six cores at 4.05GHz with 8GB of RAM means this thing chews through 4K 120fps Dolby Vision video without breaking a sweat. Apple claims up to 20 percent better sustained performance than the 15 Pro Max thanks to that recycled aluminum thermal substructure, and honestly, it shows in high-intensity gaming. The 48MP Fusion camera with 5x optical zoom is the real star here. Video quality is best-in-class, period. Battery life is strong at 4685mAh, though 30W wired charging feels a little stingy for a flagship in this price range.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the obvious rival, and it's a genuine toss-up if you care about the S Pen and Samsung's zoom range. But for video, the iPhone 16 Pro Max wins clean. The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has better AI photo tricks and a cleaner Android experience, but its chip can't touch the A18 Pro for sustained performance. The OnePlus 13 undercuts the iPhone on price and charges way faster, but you're giving up that Apple ecosystem polish. If you want the best all-around flagship and don't care about iOS vs Android, the S24 Ultra is the only one that makes this a real debate.

Here's the thing: prices are all over the place. We're seeing USD 670 to USD 1,030 across 13 US listings, which is a USD 360 spread. That's not pocket change. If you're buying, hunt for the lower end of that range. At USD 670, this is a steal. At USD 1,030, you're paying full freight for a phone that's already been out for a bit. The refurbished Grade A units are the sweet spot if you don't mind a phone that's technically not brand new.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is Apple doing what Apple does best: throwing a massive screen, a monster chip, and the best video camera on any phone into a titanium shell and calling it a day. The one thing to know? This is the phone to beat for video shooters and anyone who wants the biggest, brightest iPhone experience without compromise. It's not a radical redesign, but the A18 Pro chip and that 6.9-inch display make it feel like a meaningful step up from the 15 Pro Max.

If you want a compact phone, this isn't it. The 61.4 compact score tells the story. Go get a regular iPhone 16 Pro or a Pixel 9 instead. And if you're an Android loyalist who wants fast charging and a stylus, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is your phone.

Buy it. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the best iPhone you can get right now, and the video capabilities alone justify the price for anyone who shoots seriously on their phone. The A18 Pro, the display, the build quality, it's all top-tier. Just don't pay full price. Shop the refurbished listings, find one in the USD 670 to USD 800 range, and you've got a flagship that'll last you years.