Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max VS iPhone 17 Pro Max

We are comparing the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (Apple) with the iPhone 17 Pro Max (Apple). Scroll down to the pros and cons of each phone, in-depth specs, and performance highlights.

VS

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Apple

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KEY DIFFERENCES OF Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max AND iPhone 17 Pro Max

Here’s how Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro Max stack up against each other in their most impactful areas.

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max: 5 advantages iPhone 17 Pro Max: 3 advantages

Reasons to consider the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

5
  • 15% larger battery (5567 mAh vs 4832 mAh)
  • 22% higher AnTuTu v11 score (2935466 vs 2400156)
  • 9% higher single-core Geekbench score (4259 vs 3895)
  • 34% higher multi-core Geekbench score (13093 vs 9746)
  • 50% faster charging (60 W vs 40 W)

Reasons to consider the iPhone 17 Pro Max

3
  • Superior display technology (LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED)
  • 200% brighter (3000 nits vs 1000 nits)
  • 6% lighter at 233g

SPECIFICATION TABLE COMPARISON OF Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max AND iPhone 17 Pro Max

Below is the detailed specification table comparing Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Note: Highlighted specs mean that Phone wins that spec row.

If neither side is highlighted, it is a tie or there is not enough data for both specs.

Specification Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max iPhone 17 Pro Max
General Information
Brand: Apple Apple
Release Date: September 18, 2026 September 19, 2025
Mobile SoC: A20 Pro A19 Pro
GPU: Apple A20 Pro GPU Apple A19 Pro GPU
Operating System: iOS 27 iOS 26
Weight: 249 g 233g
Display
Display Size: 6.9 inches 6.9 inches
Display Resolution: 1320 x 2868 1320×2868
Display Pixels Per Inch: 458 458
Display Technology: OLED LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Display Refresh Rate: 120 120
Display Brightness: 1000 nits 3000 nits
Camera
Main Camera Setup: Triple Camera Triple Camera
Main Camera: 48 MP 48 MP
Main Camera Features: Adaptive True Tone flash, Photonic Engine, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 5, Night mode, ProRAW, macro photography LiDAR, SmartHDR, Photonic Engine
Main Camera Video: 4K at 24/25/30/60/100/120 fps, 1080p at 25/30/60/120/240 fps, 720p at 30 fps 4K at 30/60fps, 1080p at 30/60fps
Selfie Camera: 18 MP 18 MP
Selfie Camera Video: 4K at 24/25/30/60 fps, 1080p at 25/30/60/120 fps 4K at 30/60fps, 1080p at 30/60fps
Standard Lens
Megapixels 48 MP 48 MP
Image Resolution 8064 x 6048
Aperture f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8, f/4.0 f/1.78
Focal Length 24 mm 24 mm
Sensor Sony IMX903
Sensor Size 1/1.28" 1/1.28"
Pixel Size 1.22 micron 1.22 micron
Autofocus PDAF Phase autofocus (Dual Pixel)
Stabilization Optical Optical
Telephoto Lens
Megapixels 48 MP 48 MP
Aperture f/2.8 f/2.8
Focal Length 100 mm 100 mm
Sensor Sony IMX973
Sensor Size 1/2.55" a1/2.55"
Pixel Size 0.7 micron 0.7 micron
Autofocus PDAF
Stabilization Optical Optical
Ultra-wide Lens
Megapixels 48 MP 48 MP
Aperture f/2.2 f/2.2
Focal Length 13 mm 13 mm
Sensor Sony IMX972
Sensor Size 1/2.55" 1/2.55"
Pixel Size 0.7 micron 0.7 micron
Autofocus PDAF
Stabilization Digital Digital
Selfie Lens
Megapixels 18 MP 18 MP
Image Resolution 4896 x 3672 4896 x 3672
Aperture f/1.9 f/1.9
Focal Length 20 mm 20 mm
Sensor CMOS Sony IMX914
Pixel Size 1 micron 1 micron
Autofocus PDAF Phase autofocus
Stabilization Optical
Battery & Charging
Battery Capacity: 5567 mAh 4832 mAh
Battery Life (in hours tested): 30 39
Battery Type: Li-Ion Li-Ion
Charging Speed: 60W 40W
Wireless Charging:
Performance
RAM: 12 GB 12 GB
Storage: 2 TB, 1 TB, 512 GB, 256 GB 2TB, 1 TB, 512 GB, 256 GB
DxOMark Score: 168
GEEKBENCH V6
Single-Core (V6) 4259 3895
Multi-Core (V6) 13093 9746
ANTUTU SCORE
Overall (AnTuTu V11) 2935466 2400156
CPU 920410 690322
GPU 1397374 897791
MEM 470245 220128
UX 763044 591915
Overall (AnTuTu V10) 2600719
CPU 929218
GPU 976500
MEM 285782
UX 409219
Connectivity
Network Technology: 5G 5G
SIM Type: Nano-SIM + eSIM Dual Sim
Wi-Fi:
Bluetooth:
GPS:
NFC:
USB: USB Type-C 3.2 USB Type-C
Extras & Build
Face Recognition:
Water Resistance:
Speaker: Stereo Speakers Stereo Speakers
Audio Jack: No

Tip: indicates a higher-is-better spec advantage, while indicates a lower-is-better advantage.

PERFORMANCE CHART COMPARISON OF Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max AND iPhone 17 Pro Max

The charts below visualize how Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro Max stack up in key performance metrics.

Radar Chart Comparison

Category scores overview (0 to 100)
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
iPhone 17 Pro Max

Bullet Chart Comparison

Market Top is the best score found. Colored bars are % of market top (0 to 100).
Market Top
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
iPhone 17 Pro Max

SCREEN SIZE COMPARISON OF Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max AND iPhone 17 Pro Max

Here’s a proportional visualization of the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max’s 6.9 inches screen compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s 6.9 inches display.

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

6.9 inches″

iPhone 17 Pro Max

6.9 inches″

6.9 inches″
6.9 inches″

Release Timeline of Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro Max

iPhone 17 Pro Max
364 days
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

iPhone 17 Pro Max was released 11 months, 30 days earlier than Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Value For Money Calculator

Prices use available launch or current data. Enter your own prices to see which phone gives better value.

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

RAM: 12 GB
$
Value Index
0.0

iPhone 17 Pro Max

RAM: 12 GB
$
Value Index
0.0
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
iPhone 17 Pro Max
0%

Calculating...

Domain Score Summary

Scores are generated by Comparigon's scoring algorithm and are intended as a high-level guide. They may not map 1-to-1 with the individual spec-by-spec comparisons shown in the table.

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max iPhone 17 Pro Max
ALL
Overall
Difference: 0
Tie
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
90
iPhone 17 Pro Max
90
Performance
Difference: 3
Leads
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
93
iPhone 17 Pro Max
90
Camera
Difference: 1
Leads
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
93
iPhone 17 Pro Max
92
Display
Difference: 4
Leads
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
86
iPhone 17 Pro Max
90
Battery
Difference: 4
Leads
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
76
iPhone 17 Pro Max
80

Our Verdict

In conclusion, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has a narrow overall lead compared to the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max. Its strongest advantages are in Display and Battery. The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is the better fit if your top priority is Performance and Camera.

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Disclaimer: Specs, pricing, and benchmarks are sourced from official manufacturer data and verified test results. While we strive for precision, product details and pricing may change. Comparigon may earn an affiliate commission on qualifying purchases.