It's still possible to get a new iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max from retailers if you hurry, but Apple has officially discontinued both 2023 models, as well as the iPhone 13 and other products as part of its annual streamlining.

The 13 Pro Max still feels fast, takes excellent photos, and easily lasts all day on a full charge even at 88% battery health. The usual improvements you expect from a new iPhone—faster processor, better cameras, longer battery life—would be lost on me in day-to-day use.

The iPhone 16 chip jumps two whole generations, from the A16 to the new A18, which has a 6-core CPU (4 efficiency, 2 performance) and a 5-core GPU. In addition to increased performance, the A18 promises up to around 30 percent less power usage for the same performance as the chip that was in the iPhone 15.

As for dimensions, compared to the iPhone 13 Pro Max, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is slightly taller (163mm vs. 160.8 mm) and thicker (8.3mm vs 7.7mm), but Apple's shaved down the weight significantly (to 227g from 240g).

I've spent my first seven days living with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, so let me tell you about the good points and bad.