iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone XS
Shop iPhone
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Starting at
£1,209.00
iPhone XS
Starting at
£138.35£559.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone XS?
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs XS comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone XS starts at £138.35, £1070.65 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 A12 Bionic on the iPhone XS.
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.
- Battery: 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, 2658 mAh on the iPhone XS.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone XS specs
The iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone XS differ notably in size, performance, camera quality and connectivity. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers a larger 6.9 inch screen and higher resolution, suited for users who want more room for videos and apps. It has a bigger battery and 12 GB of RAM, which helps keep many apps open and supports demanding tasks. The cameras on the iPhone 17 Pro Max capture more detail with higher megapixel counts, ideal for photography enthusiasts. The iPhone XS is smaller and lighter with a 5.8 inch screen, making it easier to handle for those who prefer compact phones. It offers simpler storage options and uses a Lightning connector. Buyers who want 5G and USB-C connectivity will prefer the 17 Pro Max, while those who want a smaller device with 4G and Lightning may find the XS suits them better.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone XS price
Colour
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone XS battery life and software updates
Battery capacity and software updates play a key role in how durable a phone feels day to day. Battery size varies significantly, affecting how long you can go between charges.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers two battery capacities: 4823 mAh and 5088 mAh. These larger batteries support longer use before needing a recharge, which suits users who rely on their phone throughout the day without frequent charging. The iPhone XS has a 2658 mAh battery, which suits users with lighter daily use or those who regularly charge overnight.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone XS performance
The chipset, RAM and storage options shape a phone's speed and multitasking ability. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is designed for intensive tasks and keeping multiple apps running smoothly. The iPhone XS fits everyday use with fewer apps open at once.
Processor and RAM
The iPhone 17 Pro Max uses the Apple A19 Pro chipset and has 12 GB of RAM. This combination supports demanding apps and multitasking, making it suitable for users who run many apps or games simultaneously. The iPhone XS runs on the Apple A12 Bionic chipset with 4 GB of RAM, providing enough power for general apps and typical daily use.
Storage Options
iPhone 17 Pro Max offers storage from 256GB up to 2TB, catering for users who store large files, photos and videos. The iPhone XS comes with 64GB or 256GB, which suits those with moderate storage needs or who prefer to manage storage regularly.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone XS screen
Screen size, resolution and type affect visual experience for watching, reading and interacting with apps. The two devices differ considerably here, suiting different preferences for screen space and detail.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 6.9 inch screen with a resolution of 2868x1320 pixels, providing a large and detailed display. This suits users who watch videos or multitask on a spacious screen. The iPhone XS has a 5.8 inch screen with 1125x2436 pixels resolution, offering a compact, sharper pixel density experience for those who prefer a smaller phone.
Screen Type
iPhone 17 Pro Max uses a Super Retina XDR screen, which delivers high brightness and contrast, ideal for vivid images and outdoor use. The iPhone XS features a Super Retina OLED screen, which also offers rich colours and deep blacks, suitable for vibrant everyday viewing.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone XS camera
Front and main camera specs determine the quality of your photos and video calls. Higher megapixels can capture more detail, which matters if photography or video calls are important to you.
Front Camera
The iPhone 17 Pro Max has an 18 megapixel front camera, providing sharper selfies and clearer video calls. This is ideal for users who frequently take self-portraits or use video chat. The iPhone XS has a 7 megapixel front camera, which suits everyday selfie and video call needs.
Main Camera
The iPhone 17 Pro Max features a 48 megapixel main camera, capturing more detail and allowing for high-resolution photos. This suits users who prioritise photography. The iPhone XS has a 12 megapixel main camera, suitable for general photography and casual use.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone XS size and design
Other differences include physical dimensions, network compatibility and connectors, which affect how the phone fits in your hand, connects to networks and pairs with accessories.
Size and Weight
The iPhone 17 Pro Max measures 163.4 mm in height, 78 mm in width and 8.8 mm in depth, weighing 233 g. This larger size suits users comfortable with bigger phones that offer more screen space. The iPhone XS is smaller and lighter at 143.6 mm tall, 70.9 mm wide, 7.7 mm deep and 177 g in weight, making it easier to handle one-handed or fit in pockets.
Connector Type
The iPhone 17 Pro Max uses a USB-C connector, which is common for modern devices and supports faster data transfer and charging with compatible cables. The iPhone XS uses a Lightning connector, designed specifically for Apple devices, which may suit users with existing Lightning accessories.
Mobile Network
The iPhone 17 Pro Max supports 5G networks, offering faster mobile data speeds where available, suitable for users who want quicker downloads and streaming. The iPhone XS supports 4G networks, which provide reliable connections for everyday mobile use.
SIM Card
Both phones support a physical SIM and an eSIM, allowing flexible options for mobile plans and dual SIM use.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 17 Pro Max or iPhone XS: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 17 Pro Max if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 5.8 inch)
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
Buy the iPhone XS if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £138.35, £1070.65 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max
- you want an OLED screen
- you want a lighter build (177 g vs 233 g)
What our customers say
Customers who bought the iPhone 17 Pro Max appreciate the phone looking like new and working well. Many say the battery health is excellent and the device performs smoothly, with easy setup and good app transfer. Some mention the larger size and weight but still find it comfortable to use. A few customers note minor issues with calls but overall the device quality and performance receive positive feedback.
The iPhone XS buyers often mention the phone looks spotless and like new with good battery life. The compact size is appreciated for easy handling and pocket fit. Many enjoy smooth performance for everyday apps and photos. Some mention minor cosmetic marks or screen issues but most are pleased with the condition and photo quality. The 256GB storage option is popular among users with moderate storage needs.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max suits those who want a large, detailed screen, high camera resolution and faster 5G connectivity. The iPhone XS is well suited to buyers who prefer a smaller phone with simpler storage and reliable everyday performance.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone XS FAQs
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs XS comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple A12 Bionic on the iPhone XS. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.
The iPhone XS is cheaper refurbished, from £138.35 compared with £1209 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max has 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh and the iPhone XS has 2658 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 XS ended in Apr 2026. Its last version is iOS 18.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max adds more RAM (12 GB vs 4 GB), a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 5.8 inch) and a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels). Refurbished, it costs £1070.65 more (from £1209 vs £138.35).
Refurbished, the iPhone 17 Pro Max comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB, and the iPhone XS in 64GB and 256GB.
