TL;DR After a Year: The iPhone 16 Pro Max has aged gracefully. Its titanium build still feels premium, its massive display hasn’t been outclassed, and Apple’s Camera Control has quietly become one of the best hardware ideas in recent iPhone history. Apple Intelligence has grown into something useful (though not indispensable), battery life is still a win, and performance remains untouched by Android rivals. And with iOS 26 on the horizon, this phone is about to feel brand-new again.

Design and Build: Titanium Never Gets Old

After twelve months of heavy daily use, the grade 5 titanium body still looks and feels excellent. Scratches are minimal, and the extra durability compared to stainless steel is noticeable—fewer scuffs, fewer “oh no” moments. The Camera Control button, once a novelty, has become muscle memory. Apple nailed the tactile haptics, and third-party apps have since started integrating it, making it more versatile than it was at launch.

At 227g, yes, it’s still hefty. But a year later, it feels “normal”—every other phone now feels small and plasticky by comparison.

Display: The 6.9-Inch Canvas Still Rules

The 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED hasn’t been eclipsed yet. Peak brightness at 2000 nits is still plenty even under Dubai’s midday sun, and ProMotion’s 120Hz fluidity feels natural. While rivals have gone up in resolution, Apple’s 2868 x 1320 panel still looks pin-sharp. Watching HDR content and playing games remain a joy, and the Dynamic Island has quietly evolved with iOS updates to feel less like a gimmick and more like an actual status hub.

One year later, this display still feels like it’s “enough phone for the next two years.”

Software and Apple Intelligence: Growing Into Itself

At launch, Apple Intelligence felt more like a promise than a feature. A year later, with iOS 18.6 now out, it has matured. Siri finally understands context properly, Writing Tools in Mail/Notes actually help polish text without sounding robotic, and Photos’ AI cleanup has reached the point where it can rival Photoshop’s basic content-aware fill.

That said, Apple’s “AI with guardrails” approach means it still feels more conservative than what you see on Samsung or Google phones. But if you value privacy and polish, Apple’s implementation has aged well.

Camera System: Subtle Refinements Pay Off

The 48MP ultrawide remains the hero upgrade here—macro shots are crisp, and wide-angle landscapes look gorgeous. The Camera Control button has made spontaneous photography genuinely faster; I can’t imagine going back.

Over the year, Apple has rolled out firmware updates that improved low-light noise handling and portrait edge detection, keeping it competitive. The Audio Mix feature for video has quietly become a creator favorite, especially for vloggers. And while still no 8K video, the 4K/120fps slow-mo has aged beautifully—sports, kids, pets, everything looks cinematic.

If you bought the 16 Pro Max for the camera, you haven’t been left behind.

Performance: Still a Beast

The A18 Pro chip hasn’t broken a sweat. Even a year later, this phone laughs at anything you throw at it—AAA gaming, 4K video editing, massive photo libraries. 8GB RAM still feels lean compared to Android’s 12–16GB, but iOS optimization makes it irrelevant.

With Wi-Fi 7 and improved Ultra Wideband, the 16 Pro Max feels future-proof even as we step into 2026. Benchmarks aside, in real use, it feels as fast today as it did on launch day.

Battery Life: Solid, But Not Ageless

One year in, the battery health on my unit sits at 96%, which is typical for heavy daily charging. Real-world use still gives me 13–15 hours depending on intensity, so no panic yet. Qi2 wireless charging has become more common in public places, making top-ups easier.

Reverse charging for AirPods/Watch remains a lifesaver when traveling. Apple’s “easier battery replacement” claim is true—I had mine inspected, and the new ionic adhesive system means swapping isn’t a nightmare.

Verdict: One Year Later, Still the iPhone to Beat

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has aged like fine titanium. What initially felt like “another familiar iPhone” has grown into a workhorse flagship that remains at the top of its game. Camera Control went from gimmick to essential, Apple Intelligence is finally useful, and the display/performance combo still outclasses much of the competition.

Is it perfect? No. Battery longevity is solid but not game-changing, and Apple Intelligence could still go further. But one year later, the iPhone 16 Pro Max doesn’t feel outdated—it feels like it was built to last longer than the usual upgrade cycle.

If you bought it last year, you’re still holding one of the best phones around. If you’re looking now, the only question is whether to wait for the iPhone 17 Pro Max—or just grab this proven beast at what will now be slightly lower prices.