Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max lines up the September 2024 iPhone 16 Plus with the September 2025 iPhone 17 Pro Max. The spec score is a weighted share of comparable published rows. Manufacturer spec sheets are the source.
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, storage, and camera hardware.
Spec sheet
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2796×1290, 460 ppi, 60Hz, 2,000 nits peak | 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onLeads |
| Chip | A18 | A19 ProLeads |
| Memory | Not published | Not published |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TBLeads |
| Camera hardware | 48MP Fusion main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop | 48MP f/1.78 main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality)Leads |
| Optical zoom | No optical telephoto | 4xLeads |
| Front camera | 12MP | 18MP Center Stage |
| Battery | up to 27 hours video playback | up to 39 hours video playbackLeads |
| Charging | 50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter. MagSafe up to 25W | 50% in 20 minutes with a 40W or higher adapter. MagSafe, 50% in 30 minutes with a 30W adapterLeads |
| Weight | 199 g | Not published |
| Water resistance | IP68Tie | IP68Tie |
| Software support | Apple does not publish a fixed OS support window | Apple does not publish a fixed OS support window |
| Launch price | $899 launch price | Not listed |
| Software | iOS 18 at launch | iOS 27 |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
| Connectivity | USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 | USB-C (USB 3), 5G, Wi-Fi 7 (Apple N1), Bluetooth |
Who should buy which
Choose the iPhone 16 Plus if you want iOS 18 at launch.
Choose the iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want iOS 27. It leads on display, chip, storage, camera hardware, optical zoom, battery, and charging.
Questions
Which is better, iPhone 16 Plus or iPhone 17 Pro Max?
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, storage, and camera hardware.
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: which has the better battery?
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on battery. iPhone 16 Plus: up to 27 hours video playback. iPhone 17 Pro Max: up to 39 hours video playback.
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: which has the better camera?
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on camera hardware. iPhone 16 Plus: 48MP Fusion main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop. iPhone 17 Pro Max: 48MP f/1.78 main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality). This rank is hardware class, not a photo lab test.
What did iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 17 Pro Max cost at launch?
iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 17 Pro Max do not publish a comparable launch price figure. iPhone 16 Plus: $899 launch price. iPhone 17 Pro Max: Not listed.
Sources
- Apple iPhone 16 Plus technical specifications
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro technical specifications