Between the iPhone 15 Pro Max and ROG Phone 9, the iPhone 15 Pro Max comes out ahead in pixel density and weight, while the ROG Phone 9 wins on front camera and wired charging. Overall, the iPhone 15 Pro Max scores 63.2 and the ROG Phone 9 scores 75.1 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The ROG Phone 9 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 11.9 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the iPhone 15 Pro Max if the display is what you stare at all day — refresh rate, brightness, or sharpness is where the difference will be most visible. The biggest gaps in its favor are pixel density, weight, promised os updates.
Pick the ROG Phone 9 if you photograph or shoot video regularly and want the better imaging pipeline of the two. Its strongest claims are front camera, wired charging, ram, among others.
Both ship with comparable 5g support, water resistance, optical image stabilization, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the ROG Phone 9 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Apple - iPhone 15 Pro Max wins
- ▲Pixel density — 18.56% more. 460 ppi vs 388 ppi.
- ▲Weight — 6.00 g less. 221 vs 227.
- ▲Promised OS updates: 5 (vs 3).
Why ASUS - ROG Phone 9 wins
- ▲Front camera — 166.67% more. 32 MP vs 12 MP.
- ▲Wired charging — 140.74% more. 65 W vs 27 W.
- ▲RAM — 100.00% more. 16 GB vs 8 GB.
- ▲AnTuTu — 68.63% more. 2580000 vs 1530000.
- ▲Refresh rate — 54.17% more. 185 Hz vs 120 Hz.
- ▲Battery capacity — 31.16% more. 5800 mAh vs 4422 mAh.
- ▲Main camera — 4.17% more. 50 MP vs 48 MP.
- ▲Screen size — 1.19% more. 6.78 " vs 6.7 ".
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 15 Pro Max | ASUS - ROG Phone 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 221 glead | 227 g |
| Thickness | 8.25 mmlead | 8.9 mm |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP68 | IP68 |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 15 Pro Max | ASUS - ROG Phone 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 6.7 " | 6.78 "lead |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 460 ppilead | 388 ppi |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 120 Hz | 185 Hzlead |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 2000 nits | 2500 nitslead |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 15 Pro Max | ASUS - ROG Phone 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 48 MP | 50 MPlead |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MPlead |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 15 Pro Max | ASUS - ROG Phone 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 4422 mAh | 5800 mAhlead |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 27 W | 65 Wlead |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 15 W | 15 W |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 15 Pro Max | ASUS - ROG Phone 9 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | truelead |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 15 Pro Max | ASUS - ROG Phone 9 |
|---|---|---|
| OS | iOSlead | Android |
| Promised OS updates | 5 yearslead | 3 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, iPhone 15 Pro Max or ROG Phone 9?+
ROG Phone 9 has 31.2% more battery — 4422 mAh vs 5800 mAh.
Which is lighter, iPhone 15 Pro Max or ROG Phone 9?+
iPhone 15 Pro Max is 6g lighter — 221g vs 227g.
Is iPhone 15 Pro Max waterproof?+
iPhone 15 Pro Max has an IP68 rating.
Does ROG Phone 9 support 5G?+
Yes, ROG Phone 9 supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, iPhone 15 Pro Max or ROG Phone 9?+
ROG Phone 9 offers 16GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, iPhone 15 Pro Max or ROG Phone 9?+
ROG Phone 9 has a 50 MP main camera vs 48 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
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