iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
It depends
Too close to call outright
These two are within 2 points overall — it genuinely depends on price on the day. The iPhone 17 Pro Max edges both longevity and performance, so prefer it when prices are close.
Value Score: iPhone 16 Pro Max 71 · iPhone 17 Pro Max 69 — methodology
The lifespan decider
When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.
Category by category
The iPhone 17 Pro Max's screen is the better one — 6.9-inch super retina xdr oled, promotion 1–120hz, up to 3000 nits peak.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max's Apple A19 Pro is simply the faster chip.
Camera systems are comparable on paper — pick by sample photos.
5,088mAh vs 4,685mAh — the iPhone 17 Pro Max lasts longer between charges.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is supported until Sep 2032 — 12 months longer than the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.
Full spec table
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro Max | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Price (street) | $649 | $1199 |
| Display | 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 1–120Hz, up to 2000 nits peak | 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 1–120Hz, up to 3000 nits peak |
| Chipset | Apple A18 Pro | Apple A19 Pro |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB/1TB | 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB |
| Battery | 4,685 mAh | 5,088 mAh |
| Charging | Wired fast charge — 50% in ~30 min with a 20W+ adapter; MagSafe wireless up to 25W | Wired fast charge — 50% in ~20 min with a 40W+ adapter; MagSafe wireless up to 25W (Qi2.2) |
| Rear cameras | 48MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 12MP periscope 5x | 48MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 48MP telephoto 4x |
| Dimensions | 163 × 77.6 × 8.25 mm | 163.4 × 78 × 8.75 mm |
| Weight | 227 g | 233 g |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Supported until | Sep 2031 | Sep 2032 |
Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.