In Tom’s Guide’s direct tests, the iPhone 18 Pro Max substantially outscored the iPhone 15 Pro Max in CPU and graphics benchmarks, and also lasted longer in that publication’s battery test and charged faster in its charging test. That gap matters most for demanding games, graphics-heavy work, and video editing. For routine tasks, Tom’s Guide found both phones fast and fluid, so benchmark scores alone do not settle whether upgrading is worth the cost.
How much faster is the iPhone 18 Pro Max in the reported tests?
Tom’s Guide’s 2026 comparison tested both phones using Geekbench 6 for CPU performance and 3DMark Solar Bay Unlimited for graphics. These are results from that publication’s devices and test setup, not guaranteed gains in every app or on every unit.
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| Test | 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 |
Source for all values: Tom’s Guide’s iPhone 18 Pro Max vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max comparison. The results show a substantial advantage for the newer phone in these synthetic CPU and graphics tests. They do not mean every task will finish in a fraction of the time: app behavior depends on the workload, software, and other factors.
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Routine tasks
Tom’s Guide describes both phones as fast and fluid in ordinary use. If your typical day is messaging, browsing, email, and other everyday tasks, the benchmark gap may be less noticeable than the figures suggest.
#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%.
Games and demanding creative work
The graphics results are more relevant to demanding games and graphics-heavy workloads. Tom’s Guide also points to processor-intensive tasks such as 4K video editing as areas where the newer chip has an advantage. A benchmark is an indicator of capability, not a direct measurement of how much faster your particular game or editing workflow will feel.
What explains the newer phone’s benchmark advantage?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max uses Apple’s A20 Pro, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max uses the A17 Pro. Apple describes the A20 Pro as having a dual 16-core Neural Engine and a new thermal-management system. Apple’s claim that the Neural Engine doubles AI processing power is relative to A19 Pro, not a direct A20 Pro-versus-A17 Pro benchmark. See Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro announcement.
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%.
Tom’s Guide reports that the 18 Pro Max has a vapor chamber and attributes a role in its graphics results to cooling. That is the publication’s interpretation of the test results; it is distinct from Apple’s description of the phone’s thermal-management design.
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How do battery life and charging compare?
In Tom’s Guide’s custom battery-drain test, the iPhone 18 Pro Max ran for 18 hours 27 minutes, compared with 14 hours 2 minutes for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Those are that publication’s results under its test conditions, not a prediction of how long every owner’s phone will last. Battery health, settings, temperature, and workload affect real-world runtime.
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%.
In the same publication’s charging test, the newer phone reached 53% after 15 minutes and 80% after 30 minutes; the older model reached 20% and 41% at those checkpoints. Apple separately says the iPhone 18 Pro can reach around 50% in about 15 minutes when used with a 60W-capable adapter or higher with Adjustable Voltage Supply and a USB-C cable. Apple says those accessories are sold separately. Its conditional estimate is not the same measurement as Tom’s Guide’s test result. Apple’s specifications are at Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro specifications.
What else may matter besides speed?
Tom’s Guide lists a 6.9-inch display for the iPhone 18 Pro Max and a 6.7-inch display for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. In its brightness tests, it measured 2,326 nits for the newer phone and 1,550 nits for the older one. Those measurements may matter if screen size or visibility is important to you, but they do not determine which display you will prefer.
Rank #4
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- 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
Apple’s specifications for the 18 Pro family also list Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread, Apple N1 wireless networking, and an Apple C2 cellular modem. These are connectivity specifications, not speed-test results. Software features and availability can vary by operating-system version and geography; check Apple’s current feature information for your location before treating a listed capability as available to you.
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Is the three-year upgrade worth it?
The upgrade is easiest to justify if you regularly push the 15 Pro Max with demanding games, graphics work, or video editing, or if the newer phone’s battery and charging improvements solve a problem you actually have. If your use is mostly routine and your current phone remains responsive, the benchmark lead may not translate into a compelling day-to-day change.
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%.
Make the decision using your own total upgrade cost, not the benchmark ratio. Prices and trade-in values depend on region, condition, storage, and seller; the cited tests do not establish current prices or a specific trade-in offer. Compare a verified quote for your 15 Pro Max with the price of the capacity and configuration you would buy, then weigh that outlay against the tasks and battery needs that the newer model would improve.
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