Apple iPhone 17 vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
The Verdict
The Apple iPhone 17 and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Apple iPhone 17 is the cheaper of the two at $799 versus $1,199, a difference of about $400. Apple iPhone 17 stands out for a19 chip with improved efficiency, while Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is praised for 48mp periscope telephoto with 8x optical zoom. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 17 if…
- →A19 chip with improved efficiency
- →Ceramic Shield 2 front and back
- →48MP main camera with improved processing
Buy the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max if…
- →48MP periscope telephoto with 8x optical zoom
- →4823 mAh battery for all-day use
- →Up to 2TB storage
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 17
Pros
- A19 chip with improved efficiency
- Ceramic Shield 2 front and back
- 48MP main camera with improved processing
- ProMotion 120Hz display
Cons
- Still only 27W wired charging
- No telephoto lens
- 8GB RAM vs 12GB on Pro models
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Pros
- 48MP periscope telephoto with 8x optical zoom
- 4823 mAh battery for all-day use
- Up to 2TB storage
- Ceramic Shield 2 front and back
- Spatial Video recording
Cons
- 227g is heavy
- Still 27W wired charging
- $1199 starting price
- Aluminum unibody less premium feel than titanium
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 17 | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 19 | iOS 19 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 174 g | 227 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield 2 | Aluminum unibody frame, Ceramic Shield 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 147 x 71 x 7.8 mm | 163 x 78 x 8.3 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 48 MP, f/1.6, OIS |
| Front camera | 24 MP, f/1.9, Center Stage | 24 MP, f/1.9 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Cinematic mode | 4K@120fps ProRes, Spatial Video |
| Telephoto | — | 48 MP, f/2.8, 8x optical zoom, periscope |
| Ultrawide | — | 48 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3600 mAh | 4823 mAh |
| Charging | 27W wired | 27W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 25W MagSafe |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.9 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion |
| Resolution | 1179 x 2556 | 1320 x 2868 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 2000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | 6-core | 6-core |
| GPU | 5-core GPU | 6-core GPU |
| Chipset | Apple A19 | Apple A19 Pro |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.0 | USB-C 3.2 (Thunderbolt) |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.4 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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