iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
Shop iPhone
iPhone 15 Plus
Starting at
£439.65£799.00 new
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Starting at
£1,209.00What's the difference between the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 17 Pro Max?
iPhone 15 Plus vs 17 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 15 Plus starts at £439.65, £769.35 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the newer model, released in 2025.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Apple A16 Bionic on the iPhone 15 Plus, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max has more RAM: 12 GB vs 6 GB.
- Battery: 4383 mAh on the iPhone 15 Plus, 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max specs
The iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 17 Pro Max differ in key areas that suit different user needs. The iPhone 15 Plus offers a solid balance with a 6.7 inch screen and 6 GB RAM, fitting well for everyday use and those who prefer a lighter, slightly smaller device. The iPhone 17 Pro Max features a larger 6.9 inch screen with a higher 120 Hz refresh rate and doubled RAM at 12 GB, making it better for users who value smooth visuals and multitasking. It also has a larger battery and a higher resolution front camera, which can benefit those who want longer battery life and sharper selfies. Storage options go higher on the 17 Pro Max, including up to 2TB, ideal for heavy storage needs. Both phones run iOS and support 5G with unlocked carriers.
iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max price
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iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery size, software support, and physical design aspects. Their battery capacities and dimensions differ, which affects daily endurance and handling.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 15 Plus has a 4383 mAh battery, providing a full day of use for many. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers larger battery options at 4823 mAh and 5088 mAh, which suits users who need longer use between charges, such as heavy phone users or those often away from power outlets.
Physical Dimensions
The iPhone 15 Plus is slightly slimmer and lighter, measuring 7.8 mm in depth and weighing 201 g. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is thicker at 8.8 mm and heavier at 233 g. This difference may matter if you prefer a lighter and less bulky phone to carry.
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Foldable
Ip rating
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Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max performance
Performance depends on chipset, RAM, and storage capacity. Both phones have Apple processors and multiple storage options. These differences influence speed, multitasking, and how much data you can keep on your device.
Processor Power
The iPhone 15 Plus runs on the Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm), suitable for everyday apps and smooth operation. The iPhone 17 Pro Max uses the Apple A19 Pro, which can handle more demanding tasks and heavier workloads, ideal for users who run multiple apps or use processor-intensive software.
Memory Capacity
With 6 GB of RAM, the iPhone 15 Plus keeps everyday apps running smoothly. The iPhone 17 Pro Max doubles this to 12 GB, allowing more apps to stay open at once and improving performance during multitasking or heavy app use.
Storage Options
The iPhone 15 Plus comes in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB capacities, suitable for average storage needs. The iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at 256GB and goes up to 2TB, fitting users who store large files, games, or extensive media libraries.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max screen
Screen quality affects how you view content, with differences in size, resolution, and refresh rate influencing clarity and smoothness.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 15 Plus has a 6.7 inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen with a resolution of 1290 x 2796. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a slightly larger 6.9 inch Super Retina XDR screen with 2868 x 1320 resolution. The larger screen on the 17 Pro Max offers more room for video and reading, while its resolution supports sharp images.
Refresh Rate
The iPhone 15 Plus refreshes at 60 Hz, which is standard for smooth everyday use. The iPhone 17 Pro Max doubles this with a 120 Hz refresh rate, making animations and scrolling appear smoother. This can benefit users who value a more fluid visual experience.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max camera
Audiovisual features like cameras influence photo and video quality, important for those who capture images or use video calls.
Front Camera
The iPhone 15 Plus has a 12 megapixel front camera, delivering clear selfies and video calls. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers an 18 megapixel front camera, capturing finer detail and sharper images for users who prioritise front-facing photography.
Main Camera
Both models have a 48 megapixel main camera. This keeps photo quality consistent for general photography needs across both devices.
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max size and design
Other differences include physical measurements, weight, and connectivity that may influence comfort and compatibility.
Carrier and SIM Compatibility
Both phones are unlocked and support 5G networks. Each uses a physical SIM plus eSIM setup, giving flexibility for mobile plans.
Connector Type
Both the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 17 Pro Max use USB-C connectors, supporting common charging and data transfer cables.
Size and Weight
The iPhone 15 Plus is slightly smaller and lighter, measuring 160.9 mm in height and weighing 201 g. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is bigger and heavier at 163.4 mm tall and 233 g. These differences may influence how the phone feels in your hand or pocket.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
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Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
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iPhone 15 Plus or iPhone 17 Pro Max: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 15 Plus if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £439.65, £769.35 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max
- you want an OLED screen
- you want a lighter build (201 g vs 233 g)
Buy the iPhone 17 Pro Max if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 6 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.7 inch)
- you want a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
What our customers say
Customers who bought the iPhone 15 Plus often mention the phone looks like new and runs smoothly. They appreciate the screen size for easier viewing, especially if they need a larger display for reading or media. Battery life is noted to last about a day, and switching to USB-C is a welcome change. Many find the phone in excellent or very good condition, with some highlighting quick data transfer and good performance for everyday use. The size and weight suit users who want a slightly lighter device.
For the iPhone 17 Pro Max, customers describe the device as very good quality and just like new. Battery health at purchase is frequently perfect, which suits those wanting a longer battery lifespan. The phone works well for most users. Overall, the device is praised for performance and condition, even if some find it heavier or larger. The higher RAM and larger screen are appreciated by users who run more apps or want a more immersive display.
Both devices appeal to different needs: the iPhone 15 Plus fits users who want a reliable, lighter device with solid everyday performance, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max suits those who prefer higher multitasking ability, a bigger screen, and larger storage.
iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max FAQs
iPhone 15 Plus vs 17 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A16 Bionic on the iPhone 15 Plus, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has more RAM: 12 GB vs 6 GB.
The iPhone 15 Plus is cheaper refurbished, from £439.65 compared with £1209 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The iPhone 15 Plus has 4383 mAh and the iPhone 17 Pro Max has 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 48 megapixels.
The iPhone 15 Plus is still supported and can run iOS 27. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max adds more RAM (12 GB vs 6 GB), a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.7 inch) and a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 60 Hz). Refurbished, it costs £769.35 more (from £1209 vs £439.65).
Refurbished, the iPhone 15 Plus comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB.
