iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17
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iPhone 16 Pro Max
Starting at
£840.13£1,399.00 new
iPhone 17
Starting at
£713.34£799.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 17?
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs 17 comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the iPhone 17 starts at £713.34, £126.79 less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 is the newer model, released in 2025.
Refurbished from
Chipset
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
Front camera
- Chipset: Apple A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple A19 on the iPhone 17.
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a bigger battery: 4685 mAh vs 3692 mAh.
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a bigger screen: 6.9 inch vs 6.3 inch.
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 specs
The iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 17 differ in size, battery capacity, performance, and camera details, each suiting different users. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a larger 6.9 inch screen and bigger battery, making it ideal for those who want a roomier display and longer battery life. The iPhone 17 offers a newer chipset and a higher resolution front camera with 18 megapixels, suited for users focusing on selfie quality and the latest processor. It is smaller and lighter, which works well for those preferring a compact device. Storage options also differ, with the Pro Max offering up to 1TB, while the iPhone 17 reaches 512GB.
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 price
Colour
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery size, software support, and physical design elements that affect daily use.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 4685 mAh battery, which is larger than the iPhone 17's 3692 mAh. This means the Pro Max is likely to last longer between charges, which benefits heavy users or those away from charging points for longer. The iPhone 17's smaller battery suits users who prefer a lighter phone and can recharge more often.
SIM Card Options
The iPhone 16 Pro Max uses eSIM only, which is ideal for users comfortable with digital SIM management. The iPhone 17 supports both physical SIM and eSIM, offering more flexibility if you want to use a physical SIM card for work or travel.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
OS at launch
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 performance
Performance includes chipset, RAM, and storage options that affect speed and capacity for apps and files. Both phones have 8 GB of RAM, keeping everyday apps running smoothly.
Chipset
The iPhone 16 Pro Max features the Apple A18 Pro chipset, while the iPhone 17 uses the Apple A19. The newer chipset in the iPhone 17 may provide improved processing for apps and tasks, which suits users looking for the latest performance.
Storage Options
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is available with 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options, making it suitable if you need extra space for large files or many apps. The iPhone 17 offers 256GB and 512GB, which suits users with more average storage needs.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 screen
Screen quality influences viewing experience for video, photos, and daily interaction. Both phones have a 120 Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling but differ in size, resolution, and screen type.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a larger 6.9 inch screen with a resolution of 1320 x 2868 pixels, offering more room and sharper detail for watching videos or multitasking. The iPhone 17 has a smaller 6.3 inch screen with 2622 x 1206 pixels, which suits those who prefer a compact phone that still delivers clear visuals.
Screen Type
The iPhone 16 Pro Max uses LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED technology, which is designed for efficient power use and vibrant colours. The iPhone 17 has a Super Retina XDR screen, offering excellent colour and brightness, suitable for everyday viewing.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 camera
Audiovisual specs include front and main cameras that affect photo and video quality. Both phones have the same 48 megapixel main camera but differ in front camera resolution.
Front Camera
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 12 megapixel front camera, suitable for clear selfies and video calls. The iPhone 17 features an 18 megapixel front camera, capturing more detail for selfies and video chats, which benefits users who prioritise front-facing camera quality.
Main Camera
Both phones have a 48 megapixel main camera, so they are equally capable for general photography and video recording.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 size and design
Miscellaneous specs include physical dimensions, connectors, and network features that affect handling and connectivity.
Size and Weight
The iPhone 16 Pro Max measures 163 mm in height, 77.6 mm in width, 8.3 mm in depth, and weighs 227 g. The iPhone 17 is smaller and lighter at 149.6 mm height, 71.5 mm width, 8 mm depth, and 177 g weight. The Pro Max suits users who want a larger phone to hold and view content on, while the iPhone 17 fits those who prefer a compact and lighter device.
Connector Type
The iPhone 17 has a USB-C connector, suitable for charging and data transfer.
Carrier Compatibility
Both phones are unlocked and support 5G networks, giving you freedom to choose your mobile provider and benefit from fast network speeds.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
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Width
iPhone 16 Pro Max or iPhone 17: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 16 Pro Max if
- you want a bigger battery (4685 mAh vs 3692 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.3 inch)
- you want an OLED screen
Buy the iPhone 17 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £713.34, £126.79 less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max
- you want a higher-resolution front camera (18 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
- you want a lighter build (177 g vs 227 g)
What our customers say
Customers who chose the iPhone 16 Pro Max frequently mention it looks and feels like new, with no scratches and very good battery health often near 100 percent. Many appreciate the large, responsive touchscreen and the phone's premium feel. The battery life is praised for holding charge well, even after several charge cycles. Users report smooth performance and a clean, well-maintained device that meets or exceeds expectations for a refurbished phone.
Reviews of the iPhone 17 highlight its near-new condition and excellent battery health, sometimes with zero charge cycles. Customers note the phone looks like new and performs well. Some mention the ease of setup despite regional defaults. The device appeals to those upgrading from older models and those looking for a compact but capable phone. Few users express hesitation before buying but are pleased with the overall experience.
Both phones suit different preferences: the iPhone 16 Pro Max fits users wanting a larger screen and longer battery life, while the iPhone 17 suits those who want a smaller, lighter device with the latest chipset and a sharper front camera.
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 FAQs
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs 17 comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Chipset: Apple A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple A19 on the iPhone 17. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a bigger battery: 4685 mAh vs 3692 mAh.
The iPhone 17 is cheaper refurbished, from £713.34 compared with £840.13 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a bigger battery: 4685 mAh vs 3692 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 48 megapixels.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is still supported and can run iOS 27. The iPhone 17 is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone 17 adds a higher-resolution front camera (18 megapixels vs 12 megapixels) and a lighter build (177 g vs 227 g). Refurbished, it costs £126.79 less (from £713.34 vs £840.13).
Refurbished, the iPhone 16 Pro Max comes in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, and the iPhone 17 in 256GB and 512GB.
