Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 lines up the September 2025 iPhone 17 Pro Max with the September 2024 iPhone 16. The spec score is a weighted share of comparable published rows. Manufacturer spec sheets are the source.
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, storage, and camera hardware.
Spec sheet
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onLeads | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2556×1179, 460 ppi, 60Hz, 2,000 nits peak |
| Chip | A19 ProLeads | A18 |
| Memory | Not published | Not published |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TBLeads | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Camera hardware | 48MP f/1.78 main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality)Leads | 48MP Fusion main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop |
| Optical zoom | 4xLeads | No optical telephoto |
| Front camera | 18MP Center Stage | 12MP |
| Battery | up to 39 hours video playbackLeads | up to 22 hours video playback |
| Charging | 50% in 20 minutes with a 40W or higher adapter. MagSafe, 50% in 30 minutes with a 30W adapterLeads | 50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter. MagSafe up to 25W |
| Weight | Not published | 170 g |
| 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 | Not listed | $799 launch price |
| Software | iOS 27 | iOS 18 at launch |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
| Connectivity | USB-C (USB 3), 5G, Wi-Fi 7 (Apple N1), Bluetooth | USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 |
Who should buy which
Choose the iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want iOS 27. It leads on display, chip, storage, camera hardware, optical zoom, battery, and charging.
Choose the iPhone 16 if you want iOS 18 at launch.
Questions
Which is better, iPhone 17 Pro Max or iPhone 16?
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, storage, and camera hardware.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16: which has the better battery?
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on battery. iPhone 17 Pro Max: up to 39 hours video playback. iPhone 16: up to 22 hours video playback.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16: which has the better camera?
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on camera hardware. iPhone 17 Pro Max: 48MP f/1.78 main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality). iPhone 16: 48MP Fusion main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop. This rank is hardware class, not a photo lab test.
What did iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 16 cost at launch?
iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 16 do not publish a comparable launch price figure. iPhone 17 Pro Max: Not listed. iPhone 16: $799 launch price.
Sources
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro technical specifications
- Apple iPhone 16 technical specifications