iPhone 16 Pro Max: test of its speaker against the iPhone 15 Pro Max, who wins?

Intuitively, we could rule that from one generation to the next, the phone's speaker is more powerful and delivers more intense sound. Sound volume tests betweenl’iPhone 16 Pro Maxetl’iPhone 15 Pro Maxcarried out byiClarified show that this is not necessarily the case.

A slight drop in volume noted

The measurements taken reveal a subtle, but still measurable, decrease in sound volume on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The new model has a sound level of103.8 dBA (A-weighted decibel), compared to 105.0 dBA for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This 1.2 dBA difference, although small, can be noticeable in certain very specific listening conditions, particularly in a quiet environment or when using headphones.

When the measurement is carried out from the side of the device, this trend is confirmed,with 90.8 dBA for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, compared to 91.8 dBA for its predecessor. Note that these tests were carried out withiOS 18.0on both devices, ensuring a fair basis for comparison.

From ear to numbers: interpreting acoustic nuances

This slight drop in volume may seem innocuous, but it raises some interesting questions about Apple's design choices. It is possible that this reductionor the result of a compromise aimed at improving other aspects of the device, such as battery life or heat dissipation.

To put these numbers into perspective,it is useful to remember that the decibel scale is logarithmic. Imagine that you are going up the steps of a staircase. At first, each step seems like a significant climb. But the higher you go, the smaller the steps seem compared to the total height you've already covered. It's a bit the same thing with the decibel scale.

For example, an increase of 3 dB represents a doubling of physical sound intensity, but it does not mean that you will hear "twice as strong". The human eardoes not react in a strictly linear manner to sound intensity, thereforeperception of sound change may vary slightly depending on individuals and circumstances.

So the 1.2 dBA difference between the two models, while measurable, might not be significant for most users under normal listening conditions. For the general public, the difference is negligible,for audiophiles, this could be perceived in very specific situations.

What is certain is that the sound volume itselfis just one aspect of audio quality. Other factors play a very important role: sound clarity, frequency response or distortion at high volume for example. The tests mentioned are notThey are unfortunately not focused on these aspects.

• The sound volume of the iPhone 16 Pro Max is slightly lower than that of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, with a difference of 1.2 dBA.
• This drop could be linked to technical compromises such as improving autonomy or heat management.
• Although measurable, the difference is barely perceptible for most users under normal listening conditions.