Is the iPhone 15 Pro Max still worth buying, or should I wait for the 16 Pro Max?

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a current-tier phone in all but name. Its A17 Pro chip, 5x tetraprism zoom, ProRes video, Always-On display, and titanium frame remain competitive in 2026. The 16 Pro Max adds Camera Control and a slightly brighter display, but the gap is incremental. Refurbished on Back Market from $598.45 versus $1,199+ new for the 16 Pro Max, the value case for the 15 Pro Max is hard to argue with.

What makes the 5x tetraprism zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro Max special?

The iPhone 15 Pro Max uses a tetraprism lens to achieve 5x optical zoom at 120mm, folding light internally through a series of mirrors to deliver a long focal length in a slim frame. It was the longest optical zoom ever in an iPhone at launch, and was exclusive to the Pro Max in the iPhone 15 generation (the 15 Pro had 3x). In practice, it makes a real difference for portraits, event photography, and distant subjects.

What is ProRes video on the iPhone 15 Pro Max and do I actually need it?

ProRes is a high-quality video format built for professional editing. On the iPhone 15 Pro Max, you can record ProRes video at up to 4K 60fps — though that top spec requires a connected external SSD via USB-C. Internal ProRes recording tops out at 4K 30fps. Either way, transfer speeds via USB 3 reach up to 10 Gbps. For everyday video, you won't need it. But if you edit in Final Cut Pro, Premiere, or DaVinci Resolve, ProRes significantly speeds up your workflow.

What's the point of a titanium frame on the iPhone 15 Pro Max?

The iPhone 15 Pro Max uses grade 5 titanium, the same alloy found in spacecraft and surgical instruments. It's harder and lighter than the stainless steel used on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, making the phone noticeably less heavy despite being the same size. The trade-off: titanium doesn't have the polished shine of steel. In practice, most users switching from a 14 Pro Max notice the weight reduction immediately.

What is the Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and what can I do with it?

The Action Button replaces the old mute/ring toggle switch on the side of the phone. You can customize it in Settings to launch the camera, start a voice memo, toggle silent mode, activate a Shortcut, open a specific app, or enable accessibility features. By default, it silences the phone. Once you assign it to something you use frequently, like the camera or a translation tool, it becomes one of the most-used buttons on the device.

How does buying a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max from Back Market help the planet?

Manufacturing a new smartphone generates roughly 77 kg of CO2e during the production phase alone. Buying a refurbished iPhone instead avoids that manufacturing footprint entirely: a 92% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to buying new (manufacturing phase, use phase excluded, based on ADEME 2022 data). Every device is sold by a verified refurbisher and backed by a 12-month commercial warranty, so choosing refurbished doesn't mean compromising on quality.

iPhone 15 Pro Max • Unlocked

Name: iPhone 15 Pro Max • Unlocked
Brand: Apple
Price: 582.46 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.37 (1451 reviews)

(1,451 reviews)

$582.46

Save $616.54

Free delivery by Aug 5 - 6

Express delivery by Aug 4 - 5 from $15.00

Restored professionally

Based on up to 100 points of inspection

Often bought together

iPhone 15 Pro Max • Unlocked

Black Titanium • 256 GB • eSIM

Refurbished price:$582.46

Versus $1,199.00 new

Back Market Case iPhone 15 Pro Max and protective screen - 100% Biodegradable - Black Wave

Refurbished price:$18.99

Total price: $601.45

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Customer reviews for iPhone 15 Pro Max • Unlocked

Overall rating

1,451 verified reviews

Rating details

Battery
4.2/5
Shipping
4.6/5
Lens & Camera
4.6/5
Accessories
4.3/5
Packaging
4.4/5
Overall performance
4.5/5
Appearance
4.4/5

Reviews

Sean G.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 1/31/26, United States.
I love my new iPhone 15 Pro Max and am amazed with the quality- it arrived in perfect condition. Looks like a brand new phone with no scratches or damage and has a battery health of 84%. I was initially looking for refurbished phones on Apple’s certified refurbished site and they have this same model (1TB storage) listed for around $1300 after taxes. Save your money and go with BackMarket!
iPhone 15 Pro Max 1000GB - White Titanium - Unlocked
iPhone 15 Pro Max 1000GB - White Titanium - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Excellent
Almost no signs of wear. The body may have very light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
1/28/26
Maria R.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 2/20/25, United States.
I have been searching this site for a phone for a while, but I couldn’t pull the plug on whether or not to purchase a refurbished phone. I am super happy with my iPhone 15 Pro Max. It was exactly as described and works and looks amazing. Backmarket didn’t disappoint! Will be purchasing from them again.
iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB - Blue Titanium - Unlocked
iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB - Blue Titanium - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Good
Light signs of wear. The body may have light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
2/2/25
Patrick B.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 3/29/26, United States.
I ordered the iPhone 15 Pro Max in premium condition on march 18, and paid for the $5 express shipping. I received it 2 days later, and although i ordered premium condition, i was still shocked at how high quality the phone was when i saw it. not a single scratch or mark on the front, back, or sides. battery health is at 100% with only 11 charge cycles. I basically got a brand new iPhone 15 Pro Max for $500 off!
iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB - Natural Titanium - Unlocked
iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB - Natural Titanium - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Premium
Close to perfection. The body may have tiny micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will be flawless.
Purchased
3/17/26
Justice B.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 5/17/26, United States.
great, worth the price and shipping was pretty fast for being standard. honestly would buy again and recommend to others wanting to upgrade but not wanting to buy completely new. my opinion was worth it. only a couple small screen scratches that were superficial & nothing else to note otherwise. battery level is 99%. and shows minimal charge time and first date of use of phone which wasn’t long ago.
iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB - Natural Titanium - Unlocked
iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB - Natural Titanium - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Fair
Signs of wear. The body may have a few visible scratches and dents. Items with screens may have light scratches.
Purchased
5/2/26
Solomon I.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 5/11/26, United States.
I wasn’t sure if I should buy a phone from BM, but I was like why not, and so I did. My old phone was an iPhone 11 256gb, with a very bad screen, and 71% battery health. And to go from that to a new to me, 15 pro max, 1tb, blue titanium(best color, IMO), with a 90% battery health, felt like heaven to me. The phone is really good, works great, no scratches on the back or on the screen. Actually looks brand new. I am completely satisfied with my purchase
iPhone 15 Pro Max 1000GB - Blue Titanium - Unlocked
iPhone 15 Pro Max 1000GB - Blue Titanium - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Excellent
Almost no signs of wear. The body may have very light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
5/6/26
Scholastica N.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 3/20/26, United States.
I'm honestly impressed. The device arrived absolutely brand new. What stood out the most was the battery health at 100%, which is rare even for some new devices. Everything about the phone checks out: no replacement parts, clean history, and it runs perfectly. Delivery was smooth, packaging was secure, and the whole experience exceeded my expectations.
iPhone 15 Pro Max 512GB - Black Titanium - Unlocked
iPhone 15 Pro Max 512GB - Black Titanium - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Premium
Close to perfection. The body may have tiny micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will be flawless.
Purchased
2/26/26
Luis C.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 3/18/26, United States.
The device is great!! Their al little scratches on the screen but nothing bad! I have very bad anxiety when it comes to purchasing online specially when it comes to technology or something expensive, but I highly recommend buying from them!
iPhone 15 Pro Max 512GB - Natural Titanium - Unlocked
iPhone 15 Pro Max 512GB - Natural Titanium - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Excellent
Almost no signs of wear. The body may have very light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
2/27/26

iPhone 15 Pro Max questions, answered

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a current-tier phone in all but name. Its A17 Pro chip, 5x tetraprism zoom, ProRes video, Always-On display, and titanium frame remain competitive in 2026. The 16 Pro Max adds Camera Control and a slightly brighter display, but the gap is incremental. Refurbished on Back Market from $598.45 versus $1,199+ new for the 16 Pro Max, the value case for the 15 Pro Max is hard to argue with.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max uses a tetraprism lens to achieve 5x optical zoom at 120mm, folding light internally through a series of mirrors to deliver a long focal length in a slim frame. It was the longest optical zoom ever in an iPhone at launch, and was exclusive to the Pro Max in the iPhone 15 generation (the 15 Pro had 3x). In practice, it makes a real difference for portraits, event photography, and distant subjects.
ProRes is a high-quality video format built for professional editing. On the iPhone 15 Pro Max, you can record ProRes video at up to 4K 60fps — though that top spec requires a connected external SSD via USB-C. Internal ProRes recording tops out at 4K 30fps. Either way, transfer speeds via USB 3 reach up to 10 Gbps. For everyday video, you won't need it. But if you edit in Final Cut Pro, Premiere, or DaVinci Resolve, ProRes significantly speeds up your workflow.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max uses grade 5 titanium, the same alloy found in spacecraft and surgical instruments. It's harder and lighter than the stainless steel used on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, making the phone noticeably less heavy despite being the same size. The trade-off: titanium doesn't have the polished shine of steel. In practice, most users switching from a 14 Pro Max notice the weight reduction immediately.
The Action Button replaces the old mute/ring toggle switch on the side of the phone. You can customize it in Settings to launch the camera, start a voice memo, toggle silent mode, activate a Shortcut, open a specific app, or enable accessibility features. By default, it silences the phone. Once you assign it to something you use frequently, like the camera or a translation tool, it becomes one of the most-used buttons on the device.
Manufacturing a new smartphone generates roughly 77 kg of CO2e during the production phase alone. Buying a refurbished iPhone instead avoids that manufacturing footprint entirely: a 92% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to buying new (manufacturing phase, use phase excluded, based on ADEME 2022 data). Every device is sold by a verified refurbisher and backed by a 12-month commercial warranty, so choosing refurbished doesn't mean compromising on quality.

Everything you ever wanted to know about the iPhone 15 Pro Max • Unlocked

Durability
Overall performance
Camera
Screen quality

48 megapixelsMain camera
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLEDScreen type
2023Release Year
AppleBrand
221 ozWeight
Black TitaniumColor
USB-C (USB 3)Connector
1290 x 2796Resolution
Black TitaniumColor (official name)

The iPhone 15 Pro Max represents Apple’s latest flagship smartphone, released in September 2023. It features a durable black titanium frame, offering a premium build that is both lightweight and robust. As the top-tier model in the iPhone 15 series, it delivers advanced performance and enhanced camera capabilities, making it suitable for users who demand the best from their device.

Key features:

Release Date: September 2023
Display: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED with ProMotion technology
Processor: Apple A17 Pro chip with 6-core CPU and 6-core GPU
Camera: Triple 48MP main camera system with improved low-light performance and 5x telephoto zoom
Operating System: Ships with iOS 17
Connectivity: 5G compatible for fast network speeds

Who is this for?

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is ideal for professionals, content creators, and tech enthusiasts who require cutting-edge performance, a large and vibrant display, and advanced photography features. It suits users who prioritize durability and premium materials, as well as those who want the longest display available in the iPhone lineup. Compared to the iPhone 15 Pro, this model offers a larger screen and enhanced camera zoom capabilities.

Pros & Cons: Pros Cons Premium titanium build offers durability and lightness. Large size may be cumbersome for users preferring compact phones. Powerful A17 Pro chip for smooth multitasking and gaming. High power consumption with demanding apps and features. Advanced triple-camera system with 5x telephoto zoom. No significant design changes compared to previous Pro Max models.
Why refurbished?

Choosing a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max is an eco-conscious decision that supports reducing electronic waste. Back Market thoroughly inspects and tests each pre-owned device to ensure it meets high standards of quality and functionality. Learn more about our quality standards.

Main camera: 48 megapixels
Screen type: LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Release Year: 2023
Brand: Apple
Weight: 221 oz
Color: Black Titanium
Connector: USB-C (USB 3)
Resolution: 1290 x 2796
Color (official name): Black Titanium
Memory Card Slot: No
OS: iOS
Front camera: 12 megapixels
Network: 5G
Screen size (inches): 6.7
Manufacturer Ref.: A2849
SIM card: eSIM
Memory (GB): 8 GB
Last OS Compatibility: Yes
Foldable: No
Carrier compatibility: Unlocked
Storage: 256 GB
Model: iPhone 15 Pro Max
Serie: Apple iPhone 15

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iPhone 15 Pro Max • Unlocked

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Customer reviews for iPhone 15 Pro Max • Unlocked

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Rating details

Reviews

Reviews

Sean G.

Maria R.

Patrick B.

Justice B.

Solomon I.

Scholastica N.

Luis C.

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iPhone 15 Pro Max questions, answered

Is the iPhone 15 Pro Max still worth buying, or should I wait for the 16 Pro Max?

What makes the 5x tetraprism zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro Max special?

What is ProRes video on the iPhone 15 Pro Max and do I actually need it?

What's the point of a titanium frame on the iPhone 15 Pro Max?

What is the Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and what can I do with it?

How does buying a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max from Back Market help the planet?

Everything you ever wanted to know about the iPhone 15 Pro Max • Unlocked

Durability

Overall performance

Camera

Screen quality

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