The iPhone 16 pro max is huge and it took me a few days to get used to its size and weight. Before you let your imagination get the better of you, let me explain.
Since 2020 I’ve been using my trusty iPhone 12 for gaming. Yes, I’m the person who carries around two phones with them all the time because my games deserve a dedicated device for optimal performance. I am the Senior Editor of ONE Esports, after all, who happily dedicates myself to a myriad of dailies.
After hearing the hype and learning about all the new added features in iPhone 16, I was curious: is the iPhone 16 pro max good for gaming? Is it finally time for an upgrade, one that’s going to be worth the resources I’m investing?
Well, I went all the way with the iPhone 16 Pro Max to find out.
Is the iPhone 16 Pro Max good for gaming, really?
With a 6.9 inch all-screen OLED display, it’s very slightly larger than the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro’s 6.78 inches. Needless to say, it’s also one third bigger than the iPhone 12. What’s more, the iPhone 16 Pro Max weighs 227g, which is significantly more than the 164g iPhone 12.
Size and weight combined, it felt heavy to me in the first few days. You know how we enjoy lying down on the bed, holding our phone in one hand and using the other to click buttons and scroll? I couldn’t do that initially. Even with two hands holding it in landscape view, I couldn’t play more than one Honor of Kings match without feeling the effects of gravity.
In the same vein, just like any new phone, it takes a few games to get used to where the buttons are, which are always in a slightly different position depending on your screen size and phone model.
All of these adjustments were minor, however, compared to the advantages of the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s Super Retina XDR display that gives 868 by 1320 pixel resolution at 460 ppi. Unfazed by past limitations, I set everything in Honor of Kings to the highest specs.
Naturally, all aspects from the map to the heroes were more crisp and clear, but what really blew me away was Erin’s wings. Just like how HD TV shops at the mall put on hummingbird videos to prove to you its ultra high definition, I became mesmerized by her tiny buzzing fairy attachments.
The combined quality of iPhone 16 Pro Max’s OLED display and pixel resolution made a small character’s wings look life-like, which is impressive because it’s not a HUD TV, it’s a mobile device.
I even gained gameplay advantages simply because everything is bigger on a 6.9 inch display. I usually play a couple of Honor of Kings matches daily and can attest to the fact that on the iPhone 12’s 6.06 inch screen, I was squinting and focusing hard on the visuals, which tires me out faster. My eyes do not feel the strain anymore on the iPhone 16 Pro Max since everything is larger and more apparent.
A Nuwa main, I was especially thrilled that her boxes appear one third to twice the size greater, which means I am now aiming much better than before — I even earned an Adept badge in the process!
On the practical front, the phone’s fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating is super convenient. I’m sure mobile gamers understand when I say that it’s normal for screens to get greasy, prompting the need to wipe it down daily.
I haven’t had the need to because the Phone 16 Pro Max has been very resistant. According to Apple, it also has the best battery life ever in the iPhone series, which means less charging, less worrying about low battery, and more seamless gaming.
When it comes to competitive gaming, I’m afraid the iPhone 16 Pro Max has spoiled me and there’s no way I can go back to playing on a smaller screen anymore.
I further tested its graphics on AAA titles that have been ported to mobile. The nature of Resident Evil 7 Biohazard takes you to dark places that requires you to explore its environment, gathering useful clues and tools to solve puzzles that lead you deeper into the story.
This is where graphics plays a key role. It’s central to its storytelling, atmosphere, world-building, and what makes Resident Evil a powerhouse zombie franchise. Having played a few RE titles on PC, the port feels seamless. The only thing you really need to get used to is its digital console buttons.
In a low contrast environment, the phone’s clarity enhances usability, making navigation intuitive. I even played on speakers and it was surprisingly immersive, so much so that I felt scared, which I guess is the whole point of a survival horror game.
There are other game titles I use the iPhone 16 Pro Max to play, such as HoYoverse’s holy trinity, but the last title I want to highlight one where graphics is absolutely fundamental to the user experience: Love and Deepspace.
Sure, ultra high settings might make MOBAs and open world RPGs better, but in a 3D realistic otome game, it doesn’t just enhance gameplay — it has the potential to elevate your entire dating life.
The first thing I did after powering up the iPhone 16 Pro Max? Set all Love and Deepspace graphic settings to ultra mode.
Man, the boys have never looked this good. My emotional investment has since increased while my sleeping time simultaneously decreased.
If you play a large variety of games and would like a dedicated phone that will last you years to come, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a great premium gaming option that gives you peace of mind.
What’s more, it has a structural frame made of 100 percent recycled aluminium, a first for iPhone. Its battery, circuit boards, internal magnets, and more are also made from recycled material, which I highly appreciate as an environmentally conscious individual.
