Preowned iPhone 15 Pro Max Problems and Concerns: What You Should Know
13/09/2025
9 Mins
Preowned iPhone 15 Pro Max Problems and Concerns: What You Should Know
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has been one of Apple’s most exciting flagship launches in recent years. With its sleek titanium frame, lighter weight, advanced camera system, and upgraded A17 Pro chip, it is easy to see why so many people are keen to own one. However, as with any major release, early adopters have raised a number of issues and concerns that are worth paying attention to.
At Used Mobiles 4 U, we’re always interested in how new devices perform because we know many of our customers will later look to purchase a preowned iPhone 15 Pro Max. Understanding potential problems now means you can make a more informed choice when deciding whether to buy refurbished or consider an alternative model like the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
In this blog, we’ll explore the main concerns surrounding the iPhone 15 Pro Max, from its titanium frame to software quirks, battery life, and connectivity issues. Each section goes into detail, not to criticise the phone unnecessarily, but to give a balanced perspective so you can decide whether these concerns are deal-breakers or simply minor inconveniences.
1. Titanium Frame: Lighter but Softer?
One of the most talked-about changes with the iPhone 15 Pro Max is Apple’s switch from stainless steel to titanium for the frame. On paper, this sounds like a significant upgrade. Titanium is strong, corrosion-resistant, and, most importantly for many users, much lighter than stainless steel. Apple has been promoting the weight reduction as one of the standout features, with the Pro Max now noticeably easier to handle compared to its predecessors.
However, as with many design innovations, there are trade-offs. Titanium may be strong, but it is also softer in terms of surface hardness than stainless steel. This makes it more prone to scratches, scuffs, and dents from daily use. To address this, Apple applied a PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) coating to the coloured models, such as blue and black titanium. The coating helps preserve the finish, but it has already been shown to wear off in some cases, revealing marks more easily than on older iPhones.
Those who opt for the natural titanium model may find it more resilient, as there is no coloured coating to wear away. Still, compared with stainless steel, this frame can pick up scratches more quickly. For anyone considering a preowned iPhone 15 Pro Max in the future, the condition of the frame will be an important factor. Buying a case and screen protector from day one is the best way to avoid disappointment, but as refurbishers, we also know it means buyers may see a wider variation in cosmetic condition when purchasing second-hand.
2. Overheating: A Setup Strain
Another issue that caught early headlines was overheating. Soon after the iPhone 15 Pro Max launch, many users reported their devices getting uncomfortably hot, particularly during the setup process or when transferring data from an older phone. This isn’t unusual for a brand-new device, as background processes such as indexing photos and reinstalling apps put enormous strain on the processor. However, the A17 Pro chip appears to have amplified this effect, with some handsets reaching worrying temperatures.
Apple responded swiftly, noting that a software bug combined with some third-party apps like Instagram and Uber was contributing to the problem. The release of iOS 17.0.3 addressed the overheating issue for most users, and reports of excessively hot devices have since declined. Still, the incident has left many wondering about the long-term thermal management of the phone.
Practical solutions include avoiding heavy gaming or large data transfers during the first few hours of setup, keeping the screen brightness lower, and switching off unused features such as Bluetooth or AirDrop until everything has settled. Using an official charger also helps prevent additional heat build-up.
From a refurbished perspective, overheating is important to consider because devices that frequently run hot can experience faster battery degradation. When buying a preowned iPhone 15 Pro Max, you’ll want to ensure the battery health is strong and that it has been tested for performance under load. Thankfully, with the software update fixing the worst of the problems, this is unlikely to be a persistent issue.
3. Durability: A New Weak Spot?
Apple’s marketing emphasises that titanium is one of the toughest materials used in smartphones. While this is true in many ways, durability testing has shown mixed results. Drop tests conducted by various YouTubers and tech reviewers revealed that the titanium frame held up relatively well, but the back glass was more vulnerable than expected. In some cases, a single drop was enough to shatter the rear glass, something that wasn’t as common with the stainless steel-framed iPhones.
Consumer Reports, however, found that the iPhone 15 Pro Max performed strongly in repeated drop and stress tests, suggesting that everyday durability may still be solid. The contrast between real-world results and lab testing highlights that durability isn’t always straightforward—it can depend heavily on the angle of impact, the type of surface, and whether or not the device is protected by a case.
The problem is that the iPhone 15 Pro Max is an expensive device, and repair costs for the rear glass remain high. While Apple has made repairs slightly easier by redesigning the internal structure of recent models, it’s still a costly process if you’re paying out of pocket. For refurbished buyers, this means paying attention to whether the device has undergone a back glass replacement and whether that repair was carried out using genuine Apple parts.
If you decide to purchase a preowned iPhone 15 Pro Max, checking that the device has been tested for durability and inspected for glass replacements is vital. At Used Mobiles 4 U, we make sure every device meets high standards before resale, giving peace of mind to our customers.
4. Screen Burn-In: Ghosts on Display
One concern raised by some iPhone 15 Pro Max owners involves screen burn-in, where remnants of static images remain faintly visible even after the display changes. This is a known risk with OLED screens, which Apple has used for several generations. Burn-in happens when certain pixels degrade faster due to prolonged exposure to high-contrast static elements, such as keyboards, icons, or navigation bars.
Reports of burn-in on the iPhone 15 Pro Max have been relatively rare, but they are worth mentioning. Users who spend long hours gaming or watching content with persistent interface elements are more likely to see this issue. High brightness settings can make the problem worse.
To reduce the risk, it’s advisable to keep the brightness on auto-adjust, use Dark Mode to balance pixel usage, and avoid leaving static images on the screen for extended periods. Apple also builds in features like pixel shifting and screen savers to minimise burn-in, though these can’t completely eliminate the risk.
For those considering a preowned iPhone 15 Pro Max, screen condition is critical. Reputable sellers like Used Mobiles 4 U will always test displays thoroughly, but buyers should be aware that faint image retention may be present in heavily used devices. The good news is that in most cases, burn-in is only visible under certain conditions and doesn’t impact daily usability. However, for perfectionists who want a flawless display, this is a factor worth asking about before buying.
5. Battery Life: Slimmer Gains
Battery life has been one of the most debated aspects of the iPhone 15 Pro Max. On paper, Apple promised improved efficiency thanks to the A17 Pro chip and a slightly larger battery. In practice, however, many users have reported that battery life feels about the same—or in some cases, slightly worse—than the iPhone 14 Pro Max. This may come down to how people are using the new phone, especially with its advanced camera features and high-performance gaming capabilities.
Heavy tasks such as 4K video recording, extended gaming, or prolonged use of 5G networks can drain the battery faster than expected. As always, Apple offers several ways to extend battery life: using auto-brightness, enabling Dark Mode, limiting background app refresh, and managing location services more carefully. These small adjustments can make a noticeable difference.
The more significant concern for buyers is long-term battery health. Lithium-ion batteries degrade over time, and devices that frequently overheat or are charged improperly can lose capacity faster. Apple provides battery health information in Settings, with most users expecting around 80% health after two to three years of regular use.
For refurbished buyers, this figure is crucial. At Used Mobiles 4 U, we only sell iPhones with strong battery health, and if needed, we replace batteries with high-quality parts before resale. So if you’re thinking about a preowned iPhone 15 Pro Max, you can rest assured it will have been tested and approved for battery performance.
6. Camera Launch Glitch: The Black Screen
One of the more frustrating issues reported by some iPhone 15 Pro Max owners has been the so-called “black screen” glitch when opening the Camera app. This seems to happen most often when the new Action Button is assigned to launch the camera. Instead of snapping into photo mode instantly, the app sometimes opens to a blank, unresponsive screen.
This is particularly annoying because the iPhone 15 Pro Max is marketed heavily on its camera capabilities, including its new 5x telephoto zoom (exclusive to the Pro Max model). Missing a photo opportunity because the camera refuses to load is not the experience anyone expects from Apple’s flagship device.
Thankfully, the glitch is usually temporary. Closing and reopening the app, or locking and unlocking the phone, restores functionality. Apple has also been quick to roll out software updates, and it’s likely that future patches will reduce or eliminate this issue entirely.
For refurbished buyers, software glitches like this are less concerning in the long run because Apple tends to fix them over time. By the time the preowned iPhone 15 Pro Max becomes widely available, this particular bug may well have been resolved. Still, it’s worth knowing about if you plan to use the Action Button for camera access. Keeping the Camera app on your home screen as a backup launch option is a sensible precaution in the meantime.
7. Connectivity: Wi-Fi Woes and More
Connectivity is another area where a handful of users have reported problems. These range from Wi-Fi connections dropping unexpectedly to slower than expected internet speeds. Some of these issues appear to be linked to Apple’s iCloud Private Relay service, which routes browsing data through two relays to mask user identity. While this is great for privacy, it can occasionally cause slower performance on certain networks.
If you experience this, turning off Private Relay often helps. Other quick fixes include restarting your router, resetting network settings, or ensuring you’re running the latest version of iOS. Most connectivity issues are software-related rather than hardware flaws, meaning they can be resolved without needing a repair.
That said, network reliability is hugely important in a device like the iPhone 15 Pro Max, especially since it supports fast 5G speeds. Problems with connectivity can make the phone feel sluggish and undermine its premium status. While not widespread, these reports are worth considering if you rely heavily on your phone for work or streaming.
Refurbished buyers should have little to worry about here. By the time the preowned iPhone 15 Pro Max is available on the second-hand market, most of the connectivity kinks will usually be ironed out through updates. Still, it’s reassuring to know that if you buy from a trusted reseller like Used Mobiles 4 U, the phone will be tested to ensure Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular connectivity are all working as expected.
Final Verdict: A Brilliant Phone with a Few Flaws
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is, without doubt, one of the most advanced smartphones on the market. Its lightweight titanium design, powerful camera system, and cutting-edge processor make it an impressive device that many will love. However, no phone is perfect, and the early reports of overheating, durability concerns, minor glitches, and mixed battery life remind us that every upgrade comes with compromises.
For buyers considering a preowned iPhone 15 Pro Max in the future, these are the key areas to keep in mind. Scratches on the titanium frame, battery health, and potential screen wear are all things to check before making a purchase. The good news is that most of the issues mentioned are either cosmetic or software-related, meaning they can be fixed, avoided, or managed with the right approach.
At Used Mobiles 4 U, we carefully test every phone we sell to ensure it meets high standards. Whether you decide the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the right choice for you or prefer a slightly older but equally capable model like the iPhone 14 Pro Max, you’ll find a wide range of refurbished and preowned options at competitive prices.
