iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 6S
Shop iPhone
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Starting at
£1,209.00
iPhone 6S
Starting at
£32.09£149.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 6S?
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs 6S comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 6S starts at £32.09, £1176.91 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 A19 Pro on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple A9 APL0898 on the iPhone 6S.
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max has more RAM: 12 GB vs 2 GB.
- Battery: 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, 1715 mAh on the iPhone 6S.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 6S specs
The iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 6S differ significantly in several key areas. Its performance is boosted by a more advanced chipset and greater RAM, ideal for multitasking and demanding apps. The screen on the iPhone 17 Pro Max is larger and uses Super Retina XDR technology, providing a more immersive experience. The camera setup on the iPhone 17 Pro Max captures more detail in photos and selfies. The iPhone 6S appeals to those who prefer a smaller, lighter phone with simpler storage options and a Lightning connector with a headphone jack. It suits users looking for a straightforward device for everyday tasks and lower storage needs.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 6S price
Colour
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 6S battery life and software updates
Battery size and software updates affect how long the phone lasts during use and how current it stays. These factors influence who the device suits depending on your daily needs and software preferences.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a much larger battery capacity, with two figures given: 4823 mAh and 5088 mAh. This larger battery supports longer usage times, making it a good choice if you need your phone to last through a busy day without frequent charging. The iPhone 6S has a smaller 1715 mAh battery, which suits users with lighter daily use or those who charge more often.
Software Updates
If keeping software current is important to you, the iPhone 17 Pro Max fits that need better.
Operating System
Both phones operate on iOS, so users familiar with Apple's interface will find both phones easy to use.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 6S performance
Processing power and memory determine how the phone handles apps and multitasking. Storage options also influence how much data and media you can keep on your device.
Chipset and RAM
The iPhone 17 Pro Max uses the Apple A19 Pro chipset with 12 GB of RAM, offering strong performance for demanding apps and multitasking. This makes it suited for users who run many apps at once or use resource-heavy software. The iPhone 6S has the Apple A9 APL0898 chipset with 2 GB of RAM, which supports everyday use like calls, messaging, and basic apps, a good fit for simpler tasks.
Storage Options
The iPhone 17 Pro Max comes with large storage choices: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. This is ideal for users who store lots of photos, videos, or apps. The iPhone 6S offers smaller storage options of 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB, which suits users with lighter storage needs or those who use cloud services more.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 6S screen
The display size and quality affect viewing comfort, video watching, and general interaction with the phone. Screen resolution and type also influence clarity and colour vibrancy.
Screen Size
The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 6.9 inch screen, providing more room for video, browsing, and multitasking. This larger display suits users who prefer a more spacious viewing area. The iPhone 6S has a 4.7 inch screen, which is more compact and easier to handle with one hand, appealing to those who want a smaller device.
Screen Resolution and Type
The iPhone 17 Pro Max uses a Super Retina XDR screen with a resolution of 2868x1320, offering sharper images and richer colours. The iPhone 6S has an IPS LCD screen at 750x1334 resolution, which delivers good colour accuracy and brightness but with less detail. Users prioritising screen quality and vividness may prefer the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 6S camera
Camera quality matters for photography and video calls. Higher megapixels can capture more detail in pictures and selfies.
Front Camera
The iPhone 17 Pro Max has an 18 megapixel front camera, which captures detailed selfies and makes video calls clearer. The iPhone 6S has a 5 megapixel front camera, suitable for basic selfies and video chats. If you take many selfies or use video calls often, the iPhone 17 Pro Max offers a more detailed front camera.
Main Camera
The iPhone 17 Pro Max features a 48 megapixel main camera, able to capture highly detailed photos. The iPhone 6S has a 12 megapixel main camera, which is good for everyday photos but with fewer details. The higher megapixel camera suits users who want sharper images or to crop photos without losing quality.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 6S size and design
Several other features influence how you connect your phone, carry it, and use mobile networks. These details matter depending on your preferences and needs.
Connectivity and Networks
The iPhone 17 Pro Max supports 5G networks and offers both a physical SIM and eSIM, which gives flexibility in managing mobile plans. The iPhone 6S supports 4G and uses a single physical SIM. If faster mobile data or dual SIM options are important, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is better suited.
Connector Type
The iPhone 17 Pro Max uses a USB-C connector for charging and data transfer. The iPhone 6S uses a Lightning connector and still includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing use of traditional wired headphones without an adapter. Users with existing Lightning accessories or who prefer wired headphones may find the iPhone 6S more convenient.
Size and Weight
The iPhone 17 Pro Max measures 163.4 mm in height, 78 mm in width, 8.8 mm in depth, and weighs 233 g. The iPhone 6S is smaller at 138.3 mm height, 67.1 mm width, 7.1 mm depth, and weighs 143 g. The iPhone 6S is lighter and more compact, making it easier to carry and use one-handed. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is larger and heavier, which may suit users who want a bigger screen and don't mind extra size.
Carrier Compatibility
Both phones are unlocked, so you can use them with any compatible network provider without restrictions.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 17 Pro Max or iPhone 6S: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 17 Pro Max if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 2 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 4.7 inch)
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
Buy the iPhone 6S if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £32.09, £1176.91 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max
- you want a lighter build (143 g vs 233 g)
- you want a headphone jack
What our customers say
Customers who bought the iPhone 17 Pro Max often praise its condition and performance, saying it looks and works like new. Many mention smooth app transfers and excellent battery health. Some note minor issues like call drops but overall find the device reliable and high quality. The larger screen and camera receive positive remarks, along with the phone's high storage and speed.
For the iPhone 6S, customers appreciate the phone's excellent condition and value for money. Many find it suitable as a simple, good quality smartphone for everyday use or as a gift. Its lighter weight and smaller size are liked by users preferring compact devices. While some mention battery concerns, the general sentiment is that it performs well for basic tasks and is a dependable refurbished option.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max suits those wanting top performance, a large screen, and advanced features like 5G and high storage. The iPhone 6S is well suited for users looking for a simpler, lighter phone with basic features and a lower price point.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 6S FAQs
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs 6S comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple A9 APL0898 on the iPhone 6S. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has more RAM: 12 GB vs 2 GB.
The iPhone 6S is cheaper refurbished, from £32.09 compared with £1209 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max has 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh and the iPhone 6S has 1715 mAh.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a higher-resolution main camera: 48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is still supported and can run iOS 27. Updates for the iPhone 6S ended in Mar 2025. Its last version is iOS 15.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max adds more RAM (12 GB vs 2 GB), a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 4.7 inch) and a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels). Refurbished, it costs £1176.91 more (from £1209 vs £32.09).
Refurbished, the iPhone 17 Pro Max comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB, and the iPhone 6S in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB.
