How do I make my MacBook Pro screen brighter than its maximum?

Your screen isn't defective. By default, macOS holds back about half its brightness, and an app like MacBrightness unlocks the rest. The MacBook Pro 14"/16" panel can reach about 1,600 nits. The cap keeps everyday (SDR) content near half, saving the top range for HDR video. MacBrightness opens that reserve system-wide, on the same brightness keys you already press, with no new shortcuts. Test it free first: Splitscreen Mode brightens half your screen, so you see the difference before paying. It's $5 one-time, against $21.99 for BetterDisplay Pro or $23 for Lunar Pro. Outdoors that's the gap between a screen you squint at and one you can read.