iPhone 16e vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
Shop iPhone
iPhone 16e
Starting at
£478.75£599.00 new
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Starting at
£1,209.00What's the difference between the iPhone 16e and iPhone 17 Pro Max?
iPhone 16e vs 17 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 16e starts at £478.75, £730.25 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Apple A18 (3 nm) on the iPhone 16e, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- Battery: 4005 mAh on the iPhone 16e, 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 17 Pro Max specs
The iPhone 16e and iPhone 17 Pro Max both run iOS and come from 2025, but they differ in size, power, and features. The iPhone 16e suits those who want a lighter, more compact phone with a 6.1 inch screen and 8 GB of RAM. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is for users who prefer a larger 6.9 inch display, more memory, and a higher resolution screen. It also offers larger battery options and higher front camera megapixels, which benefit those who use their phone for media or photography. Storage options differ, with the 17 Pro Max available in very large capacities up to 2TB. Choose the 16e for everyday use and portability, or the 17 Pro Max when you want more power, screen space and storage.
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 17 Pro Max price
Colour
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 17 Pro Max battery life and software updates
Durability here refers primarily to battery capacity and the operating system. Both phones run iOS from 2025, but they differ in battery size which affects how long each phone can last between charges.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 16e has a 4005 mAh battery suited to typical daily use and lighter tasks. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers larger battery options at 4823 mAh and 5088 mAh, which means it is designed to support more intensive use or longer hours away from charging. If you often use your phone heavily or need longer battery life, the 17 Pro Max's larger battery capacities will be more suitable.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 17 Pro Max performance
Performance depends on the chipset, RAM, and storage options. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has more powerful internals and a wider range of storage sizes, making it suited for users who run demanding apps or want to store large amounts of data.
Chipset
The iPhone 16e uses the Apple A18 (3 nm) chipset, which provides efficient performance for everyday tasks. The iPhone 17 Pro Max features the Apple A19 Pro chipset, offering a higher level of processing power. This makes the 17 Pro Max better suited for users who run processor-intensive apps or multitask frequently.
RAM
With 8 GB of RAM, the iPhone 16e keeps everyday apps running smoothly and handles typical multitasking well. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has 12 GB of RAM, allowing it to keep more apps open simultaneously and deliver smoother performance for heavy multitasking or demanding applications.
Storage Options
The iPhone 16e is available with 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB of storage, covering the needs of most users. The iPhone 17 Pro Max goes further, offering 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB options, which suits users who store large files, extensive media libraries, or use their phone for professional purposes.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 17 Pro Max screen
Screen quality includes size, resolution, and type. These affect how much information you see, the clarity of images, and the visual experience for video and apps.
Screen Size
The iPhone 16e has a 6.1 inch screen that is easier to hold and pocket while still being large enough for most tasks. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers a 6.9 inch screen, providing more room for watching videos, gaming, or working with apps that benefit from a larger display.
Resolution
The iPhone 16e has a resolution of 2532x1170 pixels, delivering sharp images and text. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a higher resolution of 2868x1320 pixels, which means finer detail and crisper visuals on its larger screen. This is useful for media enthusiasts or those who use their phone for detailed work.
Screen Type
The iPhone 16e uses a Super Retina XDR OLED screen, known for vibrant colours and deep blacks. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a Super Retina XDR screen, which offers excellent display quality. Both screens provide great visual experiences but the 16e specifies OLED technology.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 17 Pro Max camera
Front camera quality influences video calls and selfies. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers a higher megapixel front camera, which can capture more detail.
Front Camera Resolution
The iPhone 16e has a TrueDepth 12MP front camera suitable for clear selfies and video calls. The iPhone 17 Pro Max features an 18 megapixel front camera, which captures more detail and may benefit users who prioritise high-quality self-portraits or video conferencing.
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 17 Pro Max size and design
Miscellaneous features include size, weight, connectivity, and carrier compatibility. These affect how the phone feels in hand, network use, and physical handling.
Dimensions and Weight
The iPhone 16e is smaller and lighter, measuring 146.7 mm tall, 71.5 mm wide, and 7.8 mm deep, weighing 167 g. This makes it easier to hold and carry for users who prefer compact devices. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is larger at 163.4 mm tall, 78 mm wide, and 8.8 mm deep, weighing 233 g, which fits users who want a bigger phone and do not mind extra weight.
Carrier and Network
Both phones are unlocked and support 5G networks, giving flexibility to use with various UK carriers. Each supports a physical SIM and eSIM, so you can choose your preferred SIM setup.
Connector
Both the iPhone 16e and the iPhone 17 Pro Max use USB-C connectors for charging and data transfer, providing compatibility with modern accessories.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 16e or iPhone 17 Pro Max: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 16e if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £478.75, £730.25 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max
- you want an OLED screen
- you want a lighter build (167 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 higher-resolution front camera (18 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
What our customers say
Customers say the iPhone 16e looks like new and many highlight that the battery life is good with some phones showing zero charging cycles. Users upgrading from iPhones such as the iPhone 7, iPhone 6, iPhone 12 mini, and iPhone 12 find the speed, battery, camera, and screen quality noticeably improved. Data transfer experiences vary but overall users are pleased with the condition and performance. The phone's compact size and ease of use with eSIM are appreciated, making it a reliable choice for everyday use.
Reviews for the iPhone 17 Pro Max praise its condition as like new with excellent battery health. Some customers mention a smooth app transfer and good performance. A few noted issues with call connectivity or the physical cleanliness of the device, but many found it worked well. The larger size and premium features come through in customer satisfaction, especially for users who want a bigger, more powerful phone.
The iPhone 16e suits those seeking a lighter, more compact device with solid performance for daily tasks. The iPhone 17 Pro Max fits users who prefer a larger screen, more memory, and higher storage capacities, benefiting from extra power and a higher resolution front camera.
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 17 Pro Max FAQs
iPhone 16e vs 17 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A18 (3 nm) on the iPhone 16e, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
The iPhone 16e is cheaper refurbished, from £478.75 compared with £1209 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The iPhone 16e has 4005 mAh and the iPhone 17 Pro Max has 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 48 megapixels.
The iPhone 16e is still supported and can run iOS 27. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is still supported and can run iOS 27.
Refurbished, the iPhone 16e comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB.
