iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
Shop iPhone
iPhone 16 Plus
Starting at
£588.00£799.00 new
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Starting at
£1,209.00What's the difference between the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 17 Pro Max?
iPhone 16 Plus vs 17 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 16 Plus starts at £588, £621 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 A18 on the iPhone 16 Plus, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- Battery: 4674 mAh on the iPhone 16 Plus, 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max specs
The iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 17 Pro Max differ mainly in performance, screen quality, and size. The iPhone 16 Plus suits you if you want a solid device with ample battery and a straightforward, sharp screen that keeps everyday apps running smoothly. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers more memory, a faster screen refresh rate, and a slightly larger display, which is ideal if you use many apps at once, watch a lot of video, or want a more detailed front camera for selfies. The 17 Pro Max is heavier and larger, so it fits better in your hand if you prefer a big phone with extra features.
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max price
Colour
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software support, and physical design. Battery size and physical dimensions differ, which impacts how long each phone lasts between charges and how it feels in hand.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 16 Plus has a 4674 mAh battery, which suits users who want solid all-day use. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers two battery capacities, 4823 mAh and 5088 mAh, providing longer usage times and better endurance for those who need more power between charges.
Physical Size
The iPhone 16 Plus measures 160.9 mm in height, 77.8 mm in width, and is 7.8 mm deep, weighing 199 g. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is larger and heavier at 163.4 mm tall, 78 mm wide, and 8.8 mm deep, weighing 233 g. If you prefer a lighter phone that fits more easily in your hand or pocket, the 16 Plus may suit you better.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
OS at launch
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max performance
Performance affects how smoothly apps run and how well the phone handles multitasking or demanding tasks. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers more RAM and a newer chipset, which benefits users who keep many apps open or use powerful applications.
Processor Chipset
The iPhone 16 Plus uses the Apple A18 (3 nm) chipset, which handles everyday tasks efficiently and keeps the phone responsive. The iPhone 17 Pro Max features the Apple A19 Pro chipset, providing enhanced processing power suited to users who want stronger performance for demanding apps.
Memory Capacity
With 8 GB of RAM, the iPhone 16 Plus keeps everyday apps running smoothly. The iPhone 17 Pro Max comes with 12 GB RAM, which suits users who multitask heavily or use memory-intensive applications for work or entertainment.
Storage Options
The iPhone 16 Plus is available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB versions, which cover most common storage needs. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers larger options including 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB, ideal if you store large files, videos, or many apps.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max screen
Screen quality impacts your experience with video, games, and everyday navigation. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers a faster refresh rate and a larger screen, which benefits users who value smooth scrolling and a bigger viewing area.
Refresh Rate
The iPhone 16 Plus has a 60 Hz refresh rate, suitable for regular use and video watching. The iPhone 17 Pro Max doubles this with a 120 Hz refresh rate, providing smoother motion and responsiveness that benefits gaming and fast scrolling.
Screen Resolution and Size
The iPhone 16 Plus has a resolution of 1290 x 2796 on a 6.7 inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen, delivering sharp images and vibrant colours. The iPhone 17 Pro Max features a 6.9 inch Super Retina XDR screen with a resolution of 2868 x 1320, offering more screen space and detail for videos and multitasking.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max camera
Audiovisual features shape your photo quality and video calls. Both phones share the same main camera resolution, but differ in front camera detail.
Front Camera
The iPhone 16 Plus has a 12 megapixel front camera, good for clear selfies and video calls. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has an 18 megapixel front camera, which captures more detail and is better suited if you often take high-resolution selfies or use video conferencing.
Main Camera
Both the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 17 Pro Max have a 48 megapixel main camera, providing high-quality photos for everyday shooting and special moments.
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max size and design
Other features include carrier compatibility, connectivity, and physical dimensions, which affect convenience and how the phone fits into daily life.
Carrier and Network
Both the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 17 Pro Max are unlocked and support 5G connectivity, giving you flexibility to choose your mobile network and access fast data speeds.
Physical Dimensions and Weight
The iPhone 16 Plus is slimmer at 7.8 mm depth and lighter at 199 g, which may be easier to handle. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is thicker at 8.8 mm and heavier at 233 g, reflecting its larger screen and battery.
SIM and Storage Expansion
Both phones support a physical SIM plus an eSIM and do not have SD card slots, so storage expansion is not available beyond the internal options.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 16 Plus or iPhone 17 Pro Max: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 16 Plus if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £588, £621 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max
- you want an OLED screen
- you want a lighter build (199 g vs 233 g)
Buy the iPhone 17 Pro Max if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 8 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 say the iPhone 16 Plus looks and feels like new, often matching the quality of brand new devices. Many are pleased with battery life and the phone's overall performance for everyday use. Some mention that the phone lasts a long time between charges and appreciate the clear, sharp screen. A few customers experienced issues with cosmetic condition or updates, but the majority found the 16 Plus reliable and enjoyable for routine tasks.
For the iPhone 17 Pro Max, customers report satisfaction with the device's condition, battery health, and smooth setup process. The larger screen and higher front camera resolution are appreciated by those who use the phone for video calls and multimedia. Some users mentioned minor problems with network connectivity but overall found the device to work as described and suitable for heavier use.
The iPhone 16 Plus suits those who want a lighter phone with solid battery and screen quality for everyday activities. The iPhone 17 Pro Max fits users looking for more memory, a larger display, and higher front camera detail, useful for multitasking and high-quality selfies.
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max FAQs
iPhone 16 Plus vs 17 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A18 on the iPhone 16 Plus, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
The iPhone 16 Plus is cheaper refurbished, from £588 compared with £1209 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The iPhone 16 Plus has 4674 mAh and the iPhone 17 Pro Max has 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 48 megapixels.
The iPhone 16 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 8 GB), a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.7 inch) and a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 60 Hz). Refurbished, it costs £621 more (from £1209 vs £588).
Refurbished, the iPhone 16 Plus comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB.
