iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

The iPhone 17 Pro Max wins this one, taking display and battery decisively. Against the iPhone 16 it's also the sounder buy at $15.94 per month of safe use.

Value Score: iPhone 16 59 · 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.

Apple iPhone 16 $699

Safe to buy$11.05/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Sep 20292031

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max $1199

Safe to buy$15.94/mo

2025◆ Buy-by Sep 20302032

Category by category

Display

iPhone 16 50iPhone 17 Pro Max 90

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.

Performance

iPhone 16 92iPhone 17 Pro Max 100

The iPhone 17 Pro Max's Apple A19 Pro is simply the faster chip.

Camera

iPhone 16 62iPhone 17 Pro Max 74

The iPhone 17 Pro Max has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 2).

Battery

iPhone 16 51iPhone 17 Pro Max 82

5,088mAh vs 3,561mAh — the iPhone 17 Pro Max lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone 16 75iPhone 17 Pro Max 90

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is supported until Sep 2032 — 12 months longer than the iPhone 16.

Value

iPhone 16 59iPhone 17 Pro Max 69

Overall value goes to the iPhone 17 Pro Max at $15.94 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone 16	iPhone 17 Pro Max
Price (street)	$699	$1199
Display	6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, up to 2000 nits peak	6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 1–120Hz, up to 3000 nits peak
Chipset	Apple A18	Apple A19 Pro
RAM	8GB	12GB
Storage	128GB/256GB/512GB	256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
Battery	3,561 mAh	5,088 mAh
Charging	Wired fast charge — 50% in ~30 min with 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, 12MP ultra-wide	48MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 48MP telephoto 4x
Dimensions	147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm	163.4 × 78 × 8.75 mm
Weight	170 g	233 g
Water resistance	IP68	IP68
Supported until	Sep 2031	Sep 2032

iPhone 16 full verdict →iPhone 17 Pro Max full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.