The iPhone 16 Pro Max has been put through its paces by DXOMark, the renowned camera benchmarking platform, and the results are in. While the iPhone continues its reign in the video realm, the photo performance tells a more nuanced story.
DXOMark Rankings: A Mixed Bag
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has secured a respectable fourth position in both the global smartphone camera rankings and the ultra-premium category. This places it behind formidable competitors like the Huawei P60 Pro, Google Pixel 8 Pro, and Honor Magic 5 Pro. While not at the very top, it’s worth noting that the iPhone significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which sits at the 26th position.
Video: The Undisputed Champion
The iPhone 16 Pro Max once again proves its dominance in videography. DXOMark awards it the top spot for its exceptional 4K60fps videos. The iPhone’s ability to handle low-light conditions with finesse, coupled with unique features like 4K120 recording and Pro modes, sets it apart from the competition. Further bolstering its video capabilities are its stellar processing, color accuracy, and comprehensive editing options. DXOMark also acknowledges the presence of new features like Undertones and Mood photographic styles, although these were not directly tested in this evaluation.
Photography: Strengths and Areas for Growth
The iPhone 16 Pro Max’s photo performance showcases a blend of strengths and areas where improvements can be made. DXOMark praises its ability to capture moving subjects with exceptional clarity, thanks in part to the zero-shutter lag enabled by the new Camera Control. HDR performance is also commendable, contributing to well-balanced shots in challenging lighting conditions. The iPhone’s bright night mode, aided by HDR, also delivers impressive results.
However, the camera does encounter some hurdles. DXOMark observed that people at a distance in group photos can appear slightly out of focus due to the limited depth of field. Zoom capability is another area where the iPhone falls short of expectations, with inconsistencies in quality across different zoom levels and a noticeable drop in detail between 2x and 5x. Furthermore, night mode shots, while good, exhibit more noise and fewer details compared to rivals like the Huawei P60 Pro. The new 48MP ultra-wide camera, unfortunately, doesn’t demonstrate a significant leap forward from its predecessor in the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max undeniably holds the crown for the best video mode on a smartphone, as affirmed by DXOMark. Its photo performance, though still strong, reveals room for improvement, particularly in areas like zoom and low-light photography. While it may not be the absolute pinnacle of smartphone photography, the iPhone 16 Pro Max remains a formidable contender, especially for those who prioritize video capabilities.
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