iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17e
Shop iPhone
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Starting at
£840.13£1,399.00 new
iPhone 17e
Starting at
£603.69What's the difference between the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 17e?
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs 17e comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the iPhone 17e starts at £603.69, £236.44 less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 17e is the newer model, released in 2026.
Refurbished from
Chipset
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
Refresh rate
- Chipset: Apple A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple A19 on the iPhone 17e.
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a bigger battery: 4685 mAh vs 4005 mAh.
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a bigger screen: 6.9 inch vs 6.1 inch.
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17e specs
The iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 17e differ in several key areas that suit different user preferences. The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers a larger and higher resolution screen with a smoother 120 Hz refresh rate, ideal for watching videos and gaming. It also has a bigger battery capacity and a more advanced USB-C connector for faster data transfer. The iPhone 17e is smaller and lighter with a more compact screen, uses a newer chipset, and supports both physical SIM and eSIM for flexible connectivity. Choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want a larger display and longer battery life. Opt for the iPhone 17e if you prefer a smaller, lighter device with the latest chipset and traditional SIM card support.
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17e price
Colour
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17e battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery size, software updates, and physical design. Differences here impact battery life and SIM card options.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 4685 mAh battery, larger than the iPhone 17e's 4005 mAh. This means the 16 Pro Max is suited to users who need longer battery life between charges, such as heavy phone users or those who spend more time away from charging points.
SIM Card Options
The iPhone 17e supports both a physical SIM and eSIM, providing more flexibility for users who want to use multiple carriers or swap SIM cards physically. The iPhone 16 Pro Max uses eSIM only, which suits users comfortable with digital SIM management.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
OS at launch
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17e performance
Performance includes chipset, RAM, and storage options. Both phones have 8 GB of RAM to keep everyday apps running smoothly. The chipset and storage choices vary, affecting processing power and capacity.
Chipset
The iPhone 17e uses the Apple A19 chipset, a newer generation compared to the Apple A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro Max. This makes the iPhone 17e suitable for those who want the latest processing technology for tasks like gaming or intensive apps.
Storage Choices
The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers three storage options: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. The iPhone 17e comes with 256GB and 512GB options. Choose the 16 Pro Max if you need more storage, especially for large media files or apps.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17e screen
Screen quality affects how you view content. Differences in size, resolution, refresh rate, and screen technology impact visual experience and comfort.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 6.9 inch screen with a resolution of 1320 by 2868 pixels, offering a larger and sharper display for watching videos or reading. The iPhone 17e has a 6.1 inch screen with 2532 by 1170 pixels, making it more compact and easier to handle with one hand.
Refresh Rate
The iPhone 16 Pro Max supports a 120 Hz refresh rate, which means smoother scrolling and animations, suitable for users who value fluid visuals. The iPhone 17e has a 60 Hz refresh rate, which works well for everyday use without the need for ultra-smooth motion.
Screen Technology
Both use Super Retina XDR OLED screens, but the iPhone 16 Pro Max has an LTPO panel, which can adjust refresh rates to save battery. This feature benefits users who spend a lot of time on their phone by balancing visual quality and battery life.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17e camera
Audiovisual features include cameras and their resolutions. Both phones offer similar camera specs, making them suitable for high-quality photos and video calls.
Front Camera
Both the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 17e have a 12 megapixel front camera. This supports detailed selfies and clear video calls, appealing to users who value front-facing camera quality.
Main Camera
Each phone features a 48 megapixel main camera, capturing detailed photos and videos. This makes both phones equally capable for photography enthusiasts or everyday photo needs.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17e size and design
Miscellaneous features include physical dimensions, connectors, network compatibility, and weight. These differences influence portability, connectivity, and user convenience.
Physical Size and Weight
The iPhone 16 Pro Max measures 163 mm tall, 77.6 mm wide, and 8.3 mm deep, weighing 227 g. The iPhone 17e is smaller and lighter at 146.7 mm tall, 71.5 mm wide, 7.8 mm deep, and 169 g. The 17e suits users wanting a more compact and lighter device for easier handling.
Connector Type
This matters if you frequently connect your phone to other devices for high-speed data.
Carrier and Network
Both phones are unlocked and support 5G networks, offering wide carrier compatibility and fast mobile internet speeds.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 16 Pro Max or iPhone 17e: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 16 Pro Max if
- you want a bigger battery (4685 mAh vs 4005 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.1 inch)
- you want a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
Buy the iPhone 17e if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £603.69, £236.44 less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max
- you want a lighter build (170 g vs 227 g)
What our customers say
Customers buying the iPhone 16 Pro Max consistently praise its near-new condition and excellent battery health, often at or near 100 percent. Many mention the screen is very responsive and smooth, highlighting the large and premium feel of the device. Users appreciate the phone's performance and display quality, with several noting it looks and feels like a new phone. The battery life and touchscreen experience make it enjoyable for daily use.
For the iPhone 17e, customers find the phone to be a nice size and in good condition, often saying it feels like brand new. Battery life is noted at 100 percent lifespan, and setup is reported as easy. The phone's compact size and quality make it a practical choice for those who prefer a smaller device. Some mention scratches affecting screen condition, but others find it better than expected.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max suits users who want a larger, premium device with excellent battery and display performance. The iPhone 17e appeals to those who prefer a smaller, lighter phone with solid battery life and easy setup.
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17e FAQs
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs 17e comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Chipset: Apple A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple A19 on the iPhone 17e. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a bigger battery: 4685 mAh vs 4005 mAh.
The iPhone 17e is cheaper refurbished, from £603.69 compared with £840.13 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a bigger battery: 4685 mAh vs 4005 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 48 megapixels.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is still supported and can run iOS 27. The iPhone 17e is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone 17e adds a lighter build (170 g vs 227 g). Refurbished, it costs £236.44 less (from £603.69 vs £840.13).
Refurbished, the iPhone 16 Pro Max comes in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, and the iPhone 17e in 256GB and 512GB.
