Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max lines up the September 2026 iPhone 18 Pro Max 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 18 Pro Max leads iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on chip, camera hardware, battery, and charging.
Spec sheet
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onTie | 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onTie |
| Chip | A20 ProLeads | A19 Pro |
| Memory | Not published | Not published |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TBTie | 256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie |
| Camera hardware | 48MP main with variable aperture f/1.48–f/4, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality)Leads | 48MP f/1.78 main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality) |
| Optical zoom | 4xTie | 4xTie |
| Front camera | 18MP Center Stage | 18MP Center Stage |
| Battery | up to 45 hours video playbackLeads | up to 39 hours video playback |
| Charging | 50% in about 15 minutes wired. 50% in 30 minutes wirelessLeads | 50% in 20 minutes with a 40W or higher adapter. MagSafe, 50% in 30 minutes with a 30W adapter |
| Weight | 249 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 | $1,299 launch price | Not listed |
| Software | iOS 27 | iOS 27 |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
| Connectivity | USB-C, 5G (C2 modem), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread | USB-C (USB 3), 5G, Wi-Fi 7 (Apple N1), Bluetooth |
Who should buy which
Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want iOS 27. It leads on chip, camera hardware, battery, and charging.
Choose the iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want iOS 27.
Questions
Which is better, iPhone 18 Pro Max or iPhone 17 Pro Max?
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on chip, camera hardware, battery, and charging.
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: which has the better battery?
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on battery. iPhone 18 Pro Max: up to 45 hours video playback. iPhone 17 Pro Max: up to 39 hours video playback.
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: which has the better camera?
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on camera hardware. iPhone 18 Pro Max: 48MP main with variable aperture f/1.48–f/4, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality). 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 18 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro Max cost at launch?
iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro Max do not publish a comparable launch price figure. iPhone 18 Pro Max: $1,299 launch price. iPhone 17 Pro Max: Not listed.
Sources
- Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max technical specifications
- Apple newsroom, September 9, 2026
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro technical specifications