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Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 17 Comparison

A detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right phone.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
8.6 / 10
Compass Score
From 47 critic reviews
Full review →
Apple iPhone 17
Apple
Apple iPhone 17
8.7 / 10
Compass Score
From 49 critic reviews
Full review →
Verdict

Pros & cons

iPhone 16 Pro Max

A sturdy, larger phone with impressive cameras and extensive video features, appealing to creative users.

+
Good
+ Big, vivid display
+ Long battery life
+ Great camera features
+ New Camera Control
+ Quality build materials
−
Not
− Large, heavy design
− Limited AI features now
− High price tag
− Slow wireless charging

iPhone 17

Consistent performance and a quality display make this a good choice for most users.

+
Good
+ 120Hz refresh rate
+ Faster charging
+ Double storage
+ Slick selfie camera
+ Same cost as before
−
Not
− Weak zoom capabilities
− Gets hot during gaming
− No new AI features
− Lags in telephoto performance
− Subdued color options
Spec data

How they compare

Choosing the cheaper iPhone 17 means giving up most on: Camera zoom

iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 17
Price (MSRP)
$1,199
Price (MSRP)
$899
OS
iOS
OS
iOS
Processor
Apple A18 Pro Hexa-core
Processor
Apple A19 Hexa-core
Camera zoom
5×
Camera zoom
—
Battery life
17h 18m
GSMArena Active Use
Battery life
—
Wired charging
—
Wired charging
40W
Wireless charging
25W
Wireless charging
25W
Display
Color, 120Hz
2000 nits peak
Display
Color
Software support
—
Software support
—
Repairability
7/10
iFixit
Repairability
—
Weight
227g (8 oz)
Weight
177g (6.2 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 16 Pro Max
iPhone 17
DxOMark v6
161
photo 158 · video 167
DxOMark v6
157
photo 155 · video 162
AnTuTu v10
1.75M
AnTuTu v10
2.24M
GSMArena endurance
17h 18m
Active Use
GSMArena endurance
—
iFixit repairability
7/10
iFixit repairability
—
Physical comparison

Size & weight

Footprint · to scale
iPhone 16 Pro Max
6.4" × 3.1"
iPhone 17
5.9" × 2.8"
Thickness · to scale
iPhone 16 Pro Max
0.3"
iPhone 17
0.3"
Height
6.4" (163 mm)
Height
5.9" (149.6 mm)
Width
3.1" (77.6 mm)
Width
2.8" (71.6 mm)
Depth
0.3" (8.3 mm)
Depth
0.3" (8 mm)
Weight
227g (8 oz)
Weight
177g (6.2 oz)
Screen
6.9"
Screen
6.3"

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

Also compared

Related comparisons

Other head-to-head matchups for the phones on this page.

Apple iPhone 17
8.7
VS
Google Pixel 11
7.9
Apple iPhone 17 vs Google Pixel 11
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Common questions

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17: FAQ

Which is better, the iPhone 16 Pro Max or iPhone 17?
Based on aggregated critic reviews, the iPhone 17 earns a Compass Score of 8.7 compared to 8.6 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. That 0.1-point gap reflects stronger reviews across the board, though individual priorities like camera quality, battery life, or price could tip the scales the other way. Scores aggregate dozens of expert opinions, so they are a useful starting point, not the final word.
Which takes better photos, the iPhone 16 Pro Max or iPhone 17?
DxOMark rates the iPhone 16 Pro Max at 158 and the iPhone 17 at 155 for still photography. A 3-point gap on DxOMark's scale typically translates to visible differences in dynamic range, noise control, or colour accuracy. Real-world results also depend on computational processing and your shooting habits, so consider browsing sample shots for scenes you care about most.
Which is faster, the iPhone 16 Pro Max or iPhone 17?
The iPhone 17 scores 2,239,708 in AnTuTu benchmarks compared to 1,750,331 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, roughly 28% 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 16 Pro Max or iPhone 17?
The iPhone 17 launches at $899, which is $300 less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max at $1,199. Street prices shift after launch, so check current deals for both phones before deciding.
Should I buy the iPhone 16 Pro Max or the iPhone 17?
Our critics' take on the iPhone 16 Pro Max: "A sturdy, larger phone with impressive cameras and extensive video features, appealing to creative users." On the iPhone 17: "Consistent performance and a quality display make this a good choice for most users." 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 →