iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
Shop iPhone
iPhone 16
Starting at
£577.65£699.00 new
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Starting at
£1,209.00What's the difference between the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 Pro Max?
iPhone 16 vs 17 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 16 starts at £577.65, £631.35 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 A18 (3 nm) on the iPhone 16, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- Battery: 3561 mAh on the iPhone 16, 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max specs
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 Pro Max differ primarily in size, performance, and screen features. The iPhone 16 is more compact with a 6.1 inch screen and 8 GB RAM, making it suitable if you prefer a smaller device for everyday tasks. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers a much larger 6.9 inch screen with a higher 120 Hz refresh rate and more RAM at 12 GB, ideal if you want a spacious display and smoother visuals. Battery capacity is notably bigger in the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which suits heavier users. Camera megapixels differ mainly in the front camera, where the iPhone 17 Pro Max has a higher 18 megapixels compared to the iPhone 16's 12 megapixels. Storage options also vary, with the iPhone 17 Pro Max offering up to 2TB for those needing more space.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max price
Colour
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max battery life and software updates
Battery capacity and software support are key durability factors.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 16 has a 3561 mAh battery, which suits everyday use and typical daily routines. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers a larger battery capacity of 4823 mAh or 5088 mAh, providing longer usage times for users who rely on their phone for extended periods without frequent charging.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
OS at launch
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max performance
Performance differences come down to chipset power, RAM, and storage options. These influence multitasking, app speed, and storage needs.
Chipset
The iPhone 16 features the Apple A18 chipset built on a 3 nm process, which keeps everyday apps running smoothly. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has the Apple A19 Pro chipset, designed for higher performance, which suits users who run demanding apps or multitask frequently.
RAM Capacity
With 8 GB RAM, the iPhone 16 is well-suited for daily tasks and typical app usage. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers 12 GB RAM, supporting more open apps and heavier multitasking without slowdowns.
Storage Options
The iPhone 16 comes in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage sizes, fitting typical user needs. The iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at 256GB and extends up to 2TB, which is ideal if you require a large amount of storage for media, apps, or files.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max screen
Screen quality affects how you view content and interact with your phone. These devices differ in size, resolution, and refresh rate, which influence clarity and smoothness.
Screen Size
The iPhone 16 has a 6.1 inch screen, making it compact and easy to use one-handed. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers a larger 6.9 inch screen, providing a more spacious display for watching videos, browsing, or gaming.
Resolution
The iPhone 16 has a resolution of 1179 by 2556, delivering sharp images suitable for its screen size. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a higher resolution of 2868 by 1320, which supports clearer detail on its larger screen.
Refresh Rate
With a 60 Hz refresh rate, the iPhone 16 provides smooth visuals for everyday use. The iPhone 17 Pro Max doubles this with a 120 Hz refresh rate, making animations and scrolling feel noticeably smoother, especially for gaming or fast-moving content.
Screen Type
The iPhone 16 uses a Super Retina XDR OLED screen, known for vibrant colours and deep blacks. The iPhone 17 Pro Max features a Super Retina XDR screen, which also delivers excellent colour and contrast suitable for immersive viewing.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max camera
Camera capabilities influence the quality of photos and video calls. The two devices share the main camera resolution but differ in front camera megapixels.
Front Camera
The iPhone 16 has a 12 megapixel front camera, which is sufficient for sharp selfies and clear video calls. The iPhone 17 Pro Max upgrades this to 18 megapixels, capturing more detail and benefiting users who prioritise high-quality front-facing photos.
Main Camera
Both devices have a 48 megapixel main camera, offering detailed photos and good performance for most photography needs.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max size and design
Other differences include physical size, weight, and connectors, which affect handling and accessories.
Physical Size and Weight
The iPhone 16 measures 147.6 mm in height, 71.6 mm in width, and 7.8 mm in depth, weighing 170 g. Its compact size suits those preferring a lighter, easier-to-handle phone. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is larger at 163.4 mm tall, 78 mm wide, and 8.8 mm deep, weighing 233 g, fitting users who want a bigger device for media and typing.
Connector Type
The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a USB-C connector suitable for charging and data transfer with compatible cables.
Carrier Compatibility and SIM
Both devices are unlocked and work on 5G networks. Each supports a physical SIM card along with eSIM, giving flexibility for network choices.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 16 or iPhone 17 Pro Max: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 16 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £577.65, £631.35 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max
- you want an OLED screen
- you want a lighter build (170 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 6.1 inch)
- you want a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
What our customers say
Customers say the iPhone 16 looks like new, often noting excellent condition and battery health at 100%. Many find it a reliable upgrade with no defects, praising its smooth performance and good battery life for everyday use. The compact size and familiar design suit users who want a straightforward experience with a bright screen and solid camera. Reviews highlight satisfaction with the device's condition and feel making it a dependable choice.
For the iPhone 17 Pro Max, customers appreciate its good condition and performance, with some noting the phone works as described and has excellent battery health. The larger size and higher-spec features appeal to those needing more power and a bigger display. Some users mention minor issues with network connectivity but overall the phone meets expectations for a refurbished device. It suits buyers who want a spacious screen, more RAM, and advanced front camera quality.
Both devices attract customers who value refurbished phones that feel like new. The iPhone 16 fits those who prefer a lighter, smaller device with solid everyday performance. The iPhone 17 Pro Max suits those who want extra screen space, storage options, and higher specifications for demanding use.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max FAQs
iPhone 16 vs 17 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A18 (3 nm) on the iPhone 16, 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 is cheaper refurbished, from £577.65 compared with £1209 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The iPhone 16 has 3561 mAh and the iPhone 17 Pro Max has 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 48 megapixels.
The iPhone 16 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 6.1 inch) and a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 60 Hz). Refurbished, it costs £631.35 more (from £1209 vs £577.65).
Refurbished, the iPhone 16 comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB.
