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 $530 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: 648.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.37 (1388 reviews)

(1,388 reviews)

$648.00

Save $751.00

Free delivery by Jul 14 - 15

Express delivery by Jul 13 - 14 from $15.00

Restored professionally

Based on up to 100 points of inspection

Often bought together

iPhone 15 Pro Max • Unlocked

Natural Titanium • 512 GB • eSIM

Refurbished price:$648.00

Versus $1,399.00 new

iPhone 15 Pro Max case and 2 protective screens - Silicone - Black

Refurbished price:$22.99

Total price: $670.99

These items might be sold and shipped by different sellers.

Pairs well with

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iPhone 15 Pro Max - Camera Lens Tempered Glass Screen ProtectorBrand new
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iPhone 15 Pro Max case and 2 protective screens - Recycled plastic - TransparentBrand new
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iPhone 15 Pro Max case - TPU - BlueBrand new
(2)
Refurbished price:$21.00
iPhone 15 Pro Max case - Silicone - BlackBrand new
Refurbished price:$18.36
iPhone 15 Pro Max and protective screen - TPU - BlackBrand new
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Refurbished price:$31.99
iPhone 15 Pro Max case - TPU - BlackBrand new
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Refurbished price:$21.00

Customer reviews for iPhone 15 Pro Max • Unlocked

Overall rating

1,388 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
Soveen U.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 3/29/26, United States.
Exquisite!!!! Was delivered on time, has no visible scratches and am quite satisfied with the battery health, the phone is working perfectly I mean give them all your money… I have nothing to nag about
iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB - Natural Titanium - Unlocked
iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB - 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
3/13/26
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

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 $530 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

6.7Screen size (inches)
221 ozWeight
AppleBrand
A2849Manufacturer Ref.
NoFoldable
5GNetwork
eSIMSIM card
Natural TitaniumColor
8 GBMemory (GB)

The iPhone 15 Pro Max represents Apple’s latest flagship model, offering advanced performance and a premium build. Released in 2023, it features a durable natural titanium frame that reduces weight while maintaining strength, making it a notable evolution from previous generations.

Key features:

Release Date: September 2023
Display: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED with ProMotion technology
Processor: A17 Pro chip with 6-core CPU and 6-core GPU
Camera: Triple 48MP main camera system with improved telephoto capabilities and LiDAR scanner
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 top-tier performance, a large vibrant display, and advanced camera features. It suits users who prioritize the latest iOS experience and enhanced durability. Compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max, it offers improved processing power and build materials, appealing to those wanting the newest innovations.

Pros & Cons: Pros Cons Lightweight and durable natural titanium frame. High repair costs associated with premium materials. Powerful A17 Pro chip suitable for demanding tasks. Limited customization options compared to some Android competitors. Advanced camera system with versatile shooting modes. Large size may be cumbersome for users preferring compact phones.
Why refurbished?

Choosing a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max supports an eco-conscious approach by extending the device’s lifecycle and reducing electronic waste. Back Market ensures each pre-owned device undergoes thorough testing and quality checks to meet high standards. Learn more about our quality standards.

Screen size (inches): 6.7
Weight: 221 oz
Brand: Apple
Manufacturer Ref.: A2849
Foldable: No
Network: 5G
SIM card: eSIM
Color: Natural Titanium
Memory (GB): 8 GB
OS: iOS
Front camera: 12 megapixels
Color (official name): Natural Titanium
Main camera: 48 megapixels
Resolution: 1290 x 2796
Serie: Apple iPhone 15
Last OS Compatibility: Yes
Connector: USB-C (USB 3)
Model: iPhone 15 Pro Max
Release Year: 2023
Screen type: LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Storage: 512 GB
Carrier compatibility: Unlocked
Memory Card Slot: No

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iPhone 15 Pro Max • Unlocked

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Customer reviews for iPhone 15 Pro Max • Unlocked

Overall rating

Rating details

Reviews

Reviews

Sean G.

Maria R.

Patrick B.

Justice B.

Solomon I.

Soveen U.

Scholastica N.

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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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