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Apple iPhone 15 Pro vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Comparison

A detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right phone.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
Apple
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
8.7 / 10
Compass Score
From 65 critic reviews
Full review →
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
8.7 / 10
Compass Score
From 41 critic reviews
Full review →
Verdict

Pros & cons

iPhone 15 Pro

A refined phone offering improved compatibility and features for a delightful user experience.

+
Good
+ Lighter titanium build
+ USB-C port added
+ Fast A17 chip
+ Improved camera system
+ Action Button feature
−
Not
− Expensive pricing
− Limited zoom on telephoto
− Average battery life
− No charger in box
− Minor overheating issues

iPhone 17 Pro Max

A versatile, durable phone with enhanced cameras and outstanding battery life, ideal for those seeking reliability and performance.

+
Good
+ Long-lasting battery
+ Smooth performance
+ Bright display
+ Powerful zoom camera
+ Sleek design changes
−
Not
− Heavy design
− High cost
− Camera bulge
− No major AI
− Cumbersome size
Spec data

How they compare

Choosing the cheaper iPhone 15 Pro means giving up most on: Camera zoom, Battery life

iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Price (MSRP)
$999
Price (MSRP)
$1,199
OS
iOS
OS
iOS
Processor
Apple A17 Pro Hexa-core
Processor
Apple A19 Pro Hexa-core
Camera zoom
—
Camera zoom
4×
Battery life
12h 58m
GSMArena Active Use
Battery life
17h 58m
GSMArena Active Use
Wired charging
—
Wired charging
40W
Wireless charging
15W
Wireless charging
25W
Display
Color, 120Hz
2000 nits peak
Display
Color, 120Hz
3000 nits peak
Software support
—
Software support
—
Repairability
7/10
iFixit
Repairability
7/10
iFixit
Weight
187g (6.6 oz)
Weight
233g (8.2 oz)
Fingerprint
No
Fingerprint
No
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
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Third-party data

Testing & benchmarks

iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro Max
DxOMark v5
154
photo 153 · video 158
DxOMark v5
—
AnTuTu v10
1.50M
AnTuTu v10
2.61M
GSMArena endurance
12h 58m
Active Use
GSMArena endurance
17h 58m
Active Use
iFixit repairability
7/10
iFixit repairability
7/10
Physical comparison

Size & weight

Footprint · to scale
iPhone 15 Pro
5.8" × 2.8"
iPhone 17 Pro Max
6.4" × 3.1"
Thickness · to scale
iPhone 15 Pro
0.3"
iPhone 17 Pro Max
0.3"
Height
5.8" (146.6 mm)
Height
6.4" (163.4 mm)
Width
2.8" (70.6 mm)
Width
3.1" (78 mm)
Depth
0.3" (8.3 mm)
Depth
0.3" (8.8 mm)
Weight
187g (6.6 oz)
Weight
233g (8.2 oz)
Screen
6.1"
Screen
6.9"

Dimensions shown in inches (mm). Silhouettes are proportionally scaled for visual comparison.

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Common questions

iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: FAQ

Which is better, the iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max?
Both phones earn identical Compass Scores of 8.7, meaning critics rate them equally overall. The right choice depends entirely on which trade-offs matter more to you. Scroll through the spec-by-spec breakdown above to see where each phone pulls ahead.
Which phone has a better display, the iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max?
The iPhone 15 Pro runs at 120Hz and the iPhone 17 Pro Max at 120Hz. Since both panels match, day-to-day scrolling and animation fluidity will feel identical. Screen sizes are 6.1" and 6.9" respectively. Peak brightness hits 2,000 nits on the iPhone 15 Pro and 3,000 nits on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which affects outdoor readability.
Which lasts longer on a charge, the iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max?
In GSMArena's standardised endurance test, the iPhone 17 Pro Max scored 17h 58m of active use compared to 12h 58m for the iPhone 15 Pro. That gives the iPhone 17 Pro Max a measurable edge in screen-on time between charges. Keep in mind that real-world battery life varies with signal strength, screen brightness, and app usage patterns.
Which is faster, the iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max?
The iPhone 17 Pro Max scores 2,606,807 in AnTuTu benchmarks compared to 1,503,813 for the iPhone 15 Pro, roughly 73% higher in raw throughput. That gap is most noticeable in heavy gaming, video rendering, and large multitasking sessions. For everyday tasks like messaging and web browsing, both phones will feel responsive.
Which phone is more affordable, the iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max?
The iPhone 15 Pro launches at $999, which is $200 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max at $1,199. Street prices shift after launch, so check current deals for both phones before deciding.
Which is easier to repair, the iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max?
Both the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max score 7/10 on iFixit's repairability scale. Neither has a meaningful advantage in repair accessibility. Parts availability and repair cost should be similar for both devices.
Should I buy the iPhone 15 Pro or the iPhone 17 Pro Max?
Our critics' take on the iPhone 15 Pro: "A refined phone offering improved compatibility and features for a delightful user experience." On the iPhone 17 Pro Max: "A versatile, durable phone with enhanced cameras and outstanding battery life, ideal for those seeking reliability and performance." Both phones have clear strengths in different areas; scroll through the comparison above to see which trade-offs align with your priorities.

Specifications sourced from manufacturers and third-party databases. Last updated November 2026. Suggest a correction →