Last updated: August 2026
The Plus exists for people who want a large iPhone but do not need Pro cameras. It is the cheapest way to get the big screen and the long battery life — and for many buyers that is the right trade.
Plus against Pro Max
| 16 Plus | Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | Large | Large |
| Battery life | Excellent | Excellent |
| Cameras | Good — no dedicated telephoto | Best available |
| Display refresh | Standard | 120Hz |
| Price | Substantially lower | Highest |
If you want a big phone for reading, video and battery, the Plus delivers that for considerably less. You give up the telephoto lens and the high-refresh display.
The two things you actually give up
- Optical zoom. The Pro’s telephoto is a real capability the Plus does not have. Digital zoom is not a substitute.
- 120Hz. Noticeable in scrolling and animation — easy to live without if you have not had it, harder if you have.
Everything else — the software, the app support, the years of updates — is identical.
What the 16 generation brought
The Action button and Camera Control extended across the standard line, not just the Pro models. The Plus gets the same everyday hardware conveniences as its expensive siblings.
Storage is permanent
No iPhone takes a memory card. On a phone you will keep for years, step up if you shoot video or keep a large photo library.
See iPhone 16, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16e and iPhone contract deals.
Frequently asked questions
Plus or Pro Max?
Plus if you want size and battery; Pro Max if you need the cameras.
What does the Plus lack?
A telephoto lens and the 120Hz display.
Does it run the same software?
Yes, identically, for the same number of years.
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Pricing, specifications and availability change regularly. This is general information, not financial advice.