iPhone 7 vs iPhone XS Max
Shop iPhone
iPhone 7
Starting at
£66.24£179.00 new
iPhone XS Max
Starting at
£168.09£459.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 7 and iPhone XS Max?
iPhone 7 vs XS Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 7 starts at £66.24, £101.85 less than the iPhone XS Max. The iPhone XS Max is the newer model, released in 2018.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Apple A10 Fusion (16 nm) on the iPhone 7, Apple A12 Bionic on the iPhone XS Max.
- The iPhone XS Max has more RAM: 4 GB vs 2 GB.
- The iPhone XS Max has a bigger battery: 3174 mAh vs 1960 mAh.
iPhone 7 vs iPhone XS Max specs
The iPhone 7 and the iPhone XS Max differ mainly in size, screen quality, performance, and software support. The iPhone 7 is smaller with a 4.7 inch Retina IPS LCD screen and 2 GB of RAM, which suits users who prefer a compact device for everyday use. The iPhone XS Max offers a larger 6.5 inch Super Retina OLED screen with higher resolution and 4 GB of RAM, which suits users who want a more spacious display and smoother multitasking. Storage options for the XS Max go up to 512GB, while the iPhone 7 maxes out at 128GB. Both have the same main and front camera megapixels but differ in SIM card options.
iPhone 7 vs iPhone XS Max price
Colour
iPhone 7 vs iPhone XS Max battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, and physical design elements that affect everyday use.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone XS Max has a 3174 mAh battery, which is larger than the iPhone 7's 1960 mAh battery. This means the XS Max can provide longer battery life between charges, which is helpful if you use your phone heavily throughout the day or prefer fewer charging breaks.
Software Updates
If staying current with new iOS features and security updates is important to you, the XS Max is the better choice.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 7 vs iPhone XS Max performance
Performance depends on the chipset, RAM, and storage options, which affect how smoothly your phone runs apps and how much you can store. The iPhone XS Max has more RAM and newer storage choices, suiting users who want smoother multitasking and more space for files and apps.
Chipset and RAM
The iPhone 7 uses the Apple A10 Fusion chipset with 2 GB of RAM, which suits everyday tasks and simpler apps. The iPhone XS Max features the Apple A12 Bionic chipset and 4 GB of RAM, allowing it to keep more apps open at once and handle demanding tasks more smoothly.
Storage Options
The iPhone 7 is available with 32GB or 128GB of storage, making it a practical choice for users with moderate storage needs. The iPhone XS Max offers higher storage options including 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB, which suits those who want to store more photos, videos, and apps.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 7 vs iPhone XS Max screen
Screen quality affects how you see content and interact with your device. The iPhone XS Max has a larger, higher resolution screen with a different display technology, which offers a more immersive viewing experience for video and gaming.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 7 has a 4.7 inch screen with a resolution of 750 x 1334, making it compact and easy to use with one hand. The iPhone XS Max has a larger 6.5 inch screen with a resolution of 1242 x 2688, providing more room for video, browsing, and multitasking.
Screen Type
The iPhone 7 uses a Retina IPS LCD screen which offers clear and accurate colours. The iPhone XS Max uses a Super Retina OLED screen which generally provides deeper blacks and higher contrast, enhancing media viewing.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 7 vs iPhone XS Max camera
The audiovisual features cover the cameras, which have the same megapixel counts on both devices. This means the detail captured in photos and videos is similar on each phone.
Camera Resolution
Both the iPhone 7 and the iPhone XS Max have a 12 megapixel main camera and a 7 megapixel front camera. This means both devices can capture a similar level of detail in photos and selfies.
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 7 vs iPhone XS Max size and design
Other important differences include physical size, SIM card options, and weight. These affect how the phone feels in your hand and the flexibility of your network connections.
Physical Dimensions and Weight
The iPhone 7 is smaller and lighter, measuring 138.3 mm tall, 67.1 mm wide, and 7.1 mm deep, weighing 138 g. The iPhone XS Max is larger and heavier, at 157.5 mm tall, 77.4 mm wide, 7.7 mm deep, and 208 g in weight. The 6.5 inch size makes the iPhone XS Max suited for users who prefer a larger screen and don't mind the extra weight.
SIM Card Options
The iPhone 7 uses a physical SIM card only, which suits users who prefer a traditional SIM setup. The iPhone XS Max supports both a physical SIM and an eSIM, offering more flexibility in managing multiple mobile networks.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 7 or iPhone XS Max: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 7 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £66.24, £101.85 less than the iPhone XS Max
- you want a lighter build (138 g vs 208 g)
Buy the iPhone XS Max if
- you want more RAM (4 GB vs 2 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (3174 mAh vs 1960 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.5 inch vs 4.7 inch)
What our customers say
Customers of the iPhone 7 often highlight its condition, with many saying the phone looks like new and works well. Battery life is described as good by several users, and the phone is noted for being a simple and reliable choice for everyday use. Some customers appreciate the physical SIM card for quick swaps. The screen and device condition generally meet expectations for refurbished products. A few mention minor issues but overall the iPhone 7 satisfies those looking for a straightforward and compact phone.
Users of the iPhone XS Max praise its excellent condition and larger screen size. Battery life is considered good, though a few customers mention needing a replacement due to battery performance. The larger storage options and updated software support make this phone appealing for those wanting more from their device. Setup can take longer for some users, but the screen quality and overall performance receive positive remarks. A small number mention minor issues with features like Face ID or call volume but still find the device meets their needs.
Both devices attract buyers who want a reliable refurbished smartphone. The iPhone 7 suits those who prefer a smaller, straightforward phone for everyday tasks, while the iPhone XS Max appeals to users wanting a larger screen, more storage, and longer software support.
iPhone 7 vs iPhone XS Max FAQs
iPhone 7 vs XS Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A10 Fusion (16 nm) on the iPhone 7, Apple A12 Bionic on the iPhone XS Max. The iPhone XS Max has more RAM: 4 GB vs 2 GB.
The iPhone 7 is cheaper refurbished, from £66.24 compared with £168.09 for the iPhone XS Max.
The iPhone XS Max has a bigger battery: 3174 mAh vs 1960 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 12 megapixels.
Updates for the iPhone 7 ended in Mar 2025. Its last version is iOS 15. Updates for the iPhone XS Max ended in Apr 2026. Its last version is iOS 18.
The iPhone XS Max adds more RAM (4 GB vs 2 GB), a bigger battery (3174 mAh vs 1960 mAh) and a bigger screen (6.5 inch vs 4.7 inch). Refurbished, it costs £101.85 more (from £168.09 vs £66.24).
Refurbished, the iPhone 7 comes in 32GB and 128GB, and the iPhone XS Max in 64GB, 256GB and 512GB.
