Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Smartphones comparison: specs, VersusAnything Score, key differences and a clear recommendation.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max are two of the most cross-shopped phones right now, and the gap between them is narrower in some rows and wider in others than the marketing suggests. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the largest 2024 iPhone, pairing a 6.9-inch display with the biggest battery Apple had shipped at the time. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is Apple's biggest-battery iPhone to date, combining the 6.9-inch screen with the A19 Pro and a full 48 MP triple camera.
Quick verdict
iPhone 17 Pro Max scores 44 to iPhone 16 Pro Max's 35 on our category weighting, making it the stronger overall pick for heavy users who want the longest battery life and the best iPhone camera system. iPhone 16 Pro Max remains the right call for anyone who prioritises battery life and screen size over pocketability.
VersusAnything Score
Scores are calculated from measurable specifications normalised within the smartphones category and weighted by the factors above. Text-only rows (such as chipset or operating system) are explained but not scored. How the score works.
Side-by-side overview
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the largest 2024 iPhone, pairing a 6.9-inch display with the biggest battery Apple had shipped at the time.
Best for anyone who prioritises battery life and screen size over pocketability
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is Apple's biggest-battery iPhone to date, combining the 6.9-inch screen with the A19 Pro and a full 48 MP triple camera.
Best for heavy users who want the longest battery life and the best iPhone camera system
Key differences
- Chipset: iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple A18 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max Apple A19 Pro — a preference, not a scored win
- Rear cameras: iPhone 16 Pro Max Triple (wide + ultrawide + 5x telephoto) vs iPhone 17 Pro Max Triple (wide + ultrawide + 4x telephoto) — a preference, not a scored win
- RAM: iPhone 16 Pro Max 8 GB vs iPhone 17 Pro Max 12 GB — iPhone 17 Pro Max is better here
- Wired charging: iPhone 16 Pro Max 20 W vs iPhone 17 Pro Max 40 W — iPhone 17 Pro Max is better here
- Weight: iPhone 16 Pro Max 227 g vs iPhone 17 Pro Max 233 g — iPhone 16 Pro Max is better here
Specification comparison table
| Specification | iPhone 16 Pro Max | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | OLED (ProMotion LTPO) | OLED (ProMotion LTPO) |
| Screen size | 6.9" | 6.9" |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Chipset | Apple A18 Pro | Apple A19 Pro |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Base storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Rear cameras | Triple (wide + ultrawide + 5x telephoto) | Triple (wide + ultrawide + 4x telephoto) |
| Battery | 4,685 mAh | 4,832 mAh |
| Wired charging | 20 W | 40 W |
| Weight | 227 g | 233 g |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Operating system | iOS | iOS |
| Promised OS updates | 6 years | 6 years |
| Launch price (USD) | $1,199 | $1,199 |
Display: iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max Score: iPhone 16 Pro Max 52 · iPhone 17 Pro Max 52
Display type is identical at OLED (ProMotion LTPO). Both list 6.9" for screen size, so nothing separates them here.
On refresh rate the two match exactly (120 Hz).
Performance: iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max Score: iPhone 16 Pro Max 33 · iPhone 17 Pro Max 60
iPhone 16 Pro Max: Apple A18 Pro. iPhone 17 Pro Max: Apple A19 Pro. Neither is scored, but the chipset sets the ceiling for gaming, AI features and long-term speed. iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on RAM with 12 GB versus 8 GB, a margin of 4 GB. In practice more RAM keeps more apps alive in the background.
Base storage is identical at 256 GB.
Camera: iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max Score: iPhone 16 Pro Max 54 · iPhone 17 Pro Max 54
Both list 48 MP for main camera, so nothing separates them here.
iPhone 16 Pro Max: Triple (wide + ultrawide + 5x telephoto). iPhone 17 Pro Max: Triple (wide + ultrawide + 4x telephoto). Neither is scored, but extra lenses add telephoto reach or ultrawide flexibility.
Battery: iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max Score: iPhone 16 Pro Max 28 · iPhone 17 Pro Max 56
The battery row goes to iPhone 17 Pro Max: 4,832 mAh against 4,685 mAh. More capacity generally means more screen-on time between charges.
iPhone 17 Pro Max offers 40 W of wired charging while iPhone 16 Pro Max stops at 20 W; the 20 W gap matters because faster wired charging shortens top-up time when you are in a hurry.
Design: iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max Score: iPhone 16 Pro Max 11 · iPhone 17 Pro Max 0
On weight, iPhone 16 Pro Max keeps it to 227 g while iPhone 17 Pro Max lists 233 g. That 6 g edge counts since a lighter phone is more comfortable for long sessions and in a pocket.
Both list IP68 for water resistance, so nothing separates them here.
Software: iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max Score: iPhone 16 Pro Max 24 · iPhone 17 Pro Max 24
On operating system the two match exactly (iOS).
Both list 6 years for promised OS updates, so nothing separates them here.
Value: iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max Score: iPhone 16 Pro Max 24 · iPhone 17 Pro Max 24
On launch price (USD) the two match exactly ($1,199).
Pros and cons
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Pros
- 6.9-inch ProMotion display
- Longest iPhone 16 battery life
- 256 GB base storage
- Better weight (227 g)
Cons
- Weaker RAM (8 GB)
- Weaker battery (4,685 mAh)
- Weaker wired charging (20 W)
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Pros
- Largest iPhone battery ever
- 6.9-inch ProMotion screen
- 48 MP telephoto
- Better weight (233 g)
Cons
- Weaker RAM (12 GB)
- Weaker battery (4,832 mAh)
- Weaker wired charging (40 W)
Which one should you buy?
Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max for…
Anyone who prioritises battery life and screen size over pocketability. It stands out for 6.9-inch promotion display, longest iphone 16 battery life, 256 gb base storage.
Choose Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max for…
Heavy users who want the longest battery life and the best iPhone camera system. It stands out for largest iphone battery ever, 6.9-inch promotion screen, 48 mp telephoto.
Final verdict
iPhone 17 Pro Max scores 44 to iPhone 16 Pro Max's 35 on our category weighting, making it the stronger overall pick for heavy users who want the longest battery life and the best iPhone camera system. iPhone 16 Pro Max remains the right call for anyone who prioritises battery life and screen size over pocketability. The VersusAnything Score is a transparent starting point, not a command; weight the rows you care about and the right answer for you may differ.
Compare with another phone
Frequently asked questions
Is iPhone 16 Pro Max better than iPhone 17 Pro Max?
On the VersusAnything Score, iPhone 17 Pro Max finishes ahead 44 to 35. That makes iPhone 17 Pro Max the better overall pick for heavy users who want the longest battery life and the best iPhone camera system, while iPhone 16 Pro Max is still the right choice for anyone who prioritises battery life and screen size over pocketability.
What is the biggest difference between iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro Max?
The largest gap is chipset: iPhone 16 Pro Max lists Apple A18 Pro while iPhone 17 Pro Max lists Apple A19 Pro. The chipset sets the ceiling for gaming, AI features and long-term speed.
Which is cheaper, iPhone 16 Pro Max or iPhone 17 Pro Max?
They match on launch price (USD) at $1,199.
Who should choose iPhone 17 Pro Max over iPhone 16 Pro Max?
iPhone 17 Pro Max is the better fit for heavy users who want the longest battery life and the best iPhone camera system. Its strongest points are largest iphone battery ever, 6.9-inch promotion screen, 48 mp telephoto.
Sources
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: Apple product page (manufacturer)
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Apple product page (manufacturer)
Specifications last verified: 2026-10-01. Prices are launch or official list prices in US dollars unless stated. See our sources and data policy.