iPhones don’t always get huge upgrades over their predecessors, but Apple has really shaken things up this year, making some of the biggest changes to the lineup in a long time. While there aren’t any new buttons this time around, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has had a visual overhaul from the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and there are even bigger changes behind the scenes.
So, is the iPhone 17 Pro Max worth upgrading to? Or should you stick with the iPhone 16 Pro Max? Below, we take a closer look at how these two phones compare to help you make that decision.
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### iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: Specs Comparison
You’ll find a detailed look at the specs and features of these phones below, along with their prices. But first, here’s a brief overview of their spec sheets so you can see how they compare at a glance.
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### Price and Availability
The iPhone 17 Pro Max was available from September 19, though at the time of writing, you might be waiting longer than that, as it’s in high demand. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, meanwhile, launched in September 2024 but has now been discontinued by Apple, so you can’t buy it directly from Apple anymore.
Buying it new from retailers is still possible, but it could become increasingly tricky over the next few months unless you’re happy to look at pre-owned or refurbished units.
As for cost, the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149 for 256GB of storage. The higher storage options are:
– 512GB: $1,399 / £1,399 / AU$2,599
– 1TB: $1,599 / £1,599 / AU$2,999
– 2TB: $1,999 / £1,999 / AU$3,799
The iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at the same base price and storage of $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149 for 256GB. While the starting price is identical, you might find the iPhone 16 Pro Max for less if you can find new stock.
For higher storage tiers, the pricing remains identical outside Australia, where the iPhone 17 Pro Max is slightly more expensive. Note that the iPhone 16 Pro Max tops out at 1TB, so there is no 2TB model available.
**Winner: Tie** (unless you can find the 16 Pro Max for less or already own it!)
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### Design
The most obvious difference between these phones is their design. The iPhone 17 Pro Max features a redesigned back with a large camera bump that runs across the width of the rear. In contrast, the iPhone 16 Pro Max has a smaller camera housing located in the top-left corner.
Materials differ too: the top half of the rear and the sides of the iPhone 17 Pro Max are aluminum, with a glass panel on the bottom half of the back. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, however, features a full glass rear with titanium sides.
From the front, both phones look quite similar. They each have a flat screen with the Dynamic Island at the top. Both include an Action button and a Camera Control key.
The dimensions and weight also differ slightly:
– iPhone 17 Pro Max: 163.4 x 78 x 8.8mm, 233g
– iPhone 16 Pro Max: 163 x 77.6 x 8.3mm, 227g
This makes the iPhone 17 Pro Max slightly taller, wider, thicker, and heavier.
Color options are different as well:
– iPhone 17 Pro Max: Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue
– iPhone 16 Pro Max: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Desert Titanium
Both phones have an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. Their screen protection differs slightly, too—the iPhone 16 Pro Max uses Ceramic Shield, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max employs Ceramic Shield 2, offering reportedly three times better scratch resistance.
While design preference is subjective, the improved scratch resistance gives the iPhone 17 Pro Max a slight edge.
**Winner: iPhone 17 Pro Max**
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### Display
Both phones feature 6.9-inch OLED screens with a resolution of 1320 x 2868 pixels, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 460 pixels per inch. Both support Dynamic Island, an always-on display, and boast a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio.
However, the iPhone 17 Pro Max offers a notable improvement in peak outdoor brightness, reaching up to 3,000 nits compared to the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s 2,000 nits. It also features a new anti-reflective coating, which reduces reflections and makes the screen appear clearer in bright sunlight.
Other than these enhancements, the displays are quite similar, but these improvements contribute to a better viewing experience on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
**Winner: iPhone 17 Pro Max**
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### Cameras
The iPhone 17 Pro Max has received significant camera upgrades. It sports:
– A 48MP f/1.6 main camera with optical-quality 2x zoom
– A 48MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera with a 120-degree field of view
– A 48MP f/2.8 telephoto camera with 4x optical zoom and up to 8x optical-quality zoom via cropping
The front-facing camera is 18MP f/1.9 and includes a new Center Stage feature that automatically adapts between portrait and landscape shots without changing how you hold the phone.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has similar 48MP main and ultra-wide cameras but a 12MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. Its selfie camera is 12MP and lacks the Center Stage feature.
Both phones can record up to 4K video at 120fps.
While the iPhone 16 Pro Max has an excellent camera setup, the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s improvements, especially in telephoto and front camera capabilities, make it Apple’s best camera array yet.
**Winner: iPhone 17 Pro Max**
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### Performance and Software
As expected, the iPhone 17 Pro Max boasts better performance than its predecessor.
It features the new A19 Pro chipset, replacing the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s A18 Pro. Additionally, it comes with 12GB of RAM compared to 8GB on the older model. The iPhone 17 Pro Max also incorporates a vapor chamber for improved heat dissipation, helping it sustain peak performance for longer periods.
Our review described it as “fast and effective in every scenario.”
That said, the iPhone 16 Pro Max remains very powerful even a year after its launch. For most users, the performance difference might not be dramatic unless you have very high-end demands.
Both phones run iOS 26, though the iPhone 17 Pro Max will likely receive software updates for an additional year beyond the 16 Pro Max.
**Winner: iPhone 17 Pro Max**
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### Battery
Apple doesn’t officially disclose battery capacity, but certifications reveal that the iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 5,088mAh battery in the US and a 4,832mAh one elsewhere. This difference is due to the US model being eSIM-only, freeing up space for a larger battery.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 4,685mAh battery globally, which is smaller.
Apple claims up to 37 hours of video playback for the iPhone 17 Pro Max versus 33 hours for the 16 Pro Max. Our tests also confirmed the newer model lasts longer.
Charging speeds have improved as well: the iPhone 17 Pro Max can reach 50% charge in around 20 minutes with a 40W or higher charger, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max takes closer to 35 minutes.
While the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s battery life is still impressive, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is the clear winner in this category.
**Winner: iPhone 17 Pro Max**
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### Verdict
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is an upgrade over the iPhone 16 Pro Max in every category except price. From its chipset and RAM to its cameras, screen brightness, and battery life, the newer model offers meaningful improvements.
The introduction of the vapor chamber helps keep performance sustained under load, and the display enhancements ensure better visibility in bright conditions.
The new design might be divisive, but the improved scratch resistance and fresh look make it stand out.
Importantly, Apple hasn’t increased the starting price despite these upgrades.
If you already own an iPhone 16 Pro Max, the decision to upgrade depends on your needs and preferences, so you might want to check out our full iPhone 17 Pro Max review before deciding.
However, if you’re using a phone that’s a few years old, upgrading to the iPhone 17 Pro Max should feel like a significant leap forward.
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This comparison should help you choose the right Pro Max iPhone for your needs!
https://www.techradar.com/phones/iphone/iphone-17-pro-max-vs-iphone-16-pro-max
