Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max lines up the September 2025 iPhone 17 Pro Max with the September 2024 iPhone 16 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 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, camera hardware, and battery.
Spec sheet
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onLeads | 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 2,000 nits peak, always-on |
| Chip | A19 ProLeads | A18 Pro |
| Memory | Not published | Not published |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie | 256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie |
| Camera hardware | 48MP f/1.78 main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality)Leads | 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 12MP 5x tetraprism telephoto |
| Optical zoom | 4x | 5xLeads |
| Front camera | 18MP Center Stage | 12MP |
| Battery | up to 39 hours video playbackLeads | up to 33 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 | 227 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 | $1,199 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 (USB 3), 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, camera hardware, battery, and charging.
Choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want iOS 18 at launch. It leads on optical zoom.
Questions
Which is better, iPhone 17 Pro Max or iPhone 16 Pro Max?
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, camera hardware, and battery.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: which has the better battery?
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on battery. iPhone 17 Pro Max: up to 39 hours video playback. iPhone 16 Pro Max: up to 33 hours video playback.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: 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 Pro Max: 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 12MP 5x tetraprism telephoto. This rank is hardware class, not a photo lab test.
What did iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max cost at launch?
iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max do not publish a comparable launch price figure. iPhone 17 Pro Max: Not listed. iPhone 16 Pro Max: $1,199 launch price.
Sources
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro technical specifications
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max technical specifications