Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Updated Jun 2026 · Scored by the Let’s Compare Data Engine · How we score

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max are closely matched at 73 and 71/100. The Apple iPhone 17 Pro edges ahead on Chip and Memory, while the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max leads on Display and Power & Battery — pick the one whose strengths match what you'll actually use.

Verdict

Our overall take, at a glance

Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max are closely matched

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Where Apple iPhone 17 Pro stands out

Chip Model: Apple A19 Pro
Memory RAM capacity: 12 GB (50% more)
Display Protection: Ceramic Shield 2

Where Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max stands out

Display Resolution: 1320 × 2868 px
Design & Weight Dimensions: 7.76 × 16.3 × 0.825 cm
Rear Camera Optical zoom: 5 (25% more)

Winner by category for Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Category	Apple iPhone 17 Pro	Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max	Winner
Chip	86	82	Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Memory	90	69	Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Storage	48	48	Tie
Display	64	67	Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Rear Camera	70	72	Tie
Front Camera	81	73	Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Cellular	84	84	Tie
Connectivity	74	71	Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Sensors	85	85	Tie
Design & Weight	52	48	Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Power & Battery	64	73	Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Benchmark	86	76	Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Miscellaneous	65	68	Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Security	85	85	Tie

In-depth analysisAI

AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Jun 2026.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

The iPhone 17 Pro is designed to be Apple's most advanced smartphone, targeting power users and professionals who require exceptional performance and camera capabilities. It is equipped with the A19 Pro chip and an immersive display intended for high-workload activities.

Best for professional photographyBest for high-end content creationBest for power users

Pros

Boasts a heat-forged aluminum unibody structure, maximizing durability while maintaining a lightweight design.
Features the A19 Pro chip, which uses vapor cooling to sustain high performance even during intensive processing tasks.
The camera system is highly advanced, featuring 48MP rear lenses and an enhanced 'Center Stage' capability for improved video framing.
Includes essential pro features like a customizable Action button and optimized Super Retina XDR displays with ProMotion up to 120Hz.

Cons

The inclusion of advanced chips and specialized thermal systems suggests potentially high cost expectations.
Some key hardware features, such as the exact battery capacity or specific RAM measurements, are not detailed beyond general performance claims.

Official

Official product pageProvided key specs including the A19 Pro chip, heat-forged aluminum unibody, and camera details.

Source

Video — reviews used (2)

Generated Jun 28, 2026

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the flagship generation of Apple's smartphone line, designed for advanced users who require high performance and premium features. As one of Apple’s top-tier devices, it incorporates the latest processor technology and sophisticated camera systems. Its large display makes it suitable for content creators, power users, and media consumers.

Best for video creationBest for heavy media consumptionBest for professional photographers

Pros

Features a powerful A18 Pro chip combined with Snapdragon X71 modem capabilities (Source 2)
Offers an advanced cinematic experience on its large screen with up to 120Hz refresh rates (Source 2)
Includes professional-grade camera hardware, such as a 48 MP main lens and dedicated telephoto/ultrawide cameras (Source 2)
Provides comprehensive connectivity options including Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and advanced GPS capabilities (Source 2)

Cons

The device is a large and relatively heavy phone, weighing up to 227g (Source 2)
Requires the latest connection standards like Wi-Fi 7 and USB 10Gbps to utilize its full potential (Source 2)

Source

Video — reviews used (2)

Generated Jun 28, 2026

Value for Money

Which is the better deal for the price

Pre-filled with launch prices where known — enter today's price for an up-to-date check. Use the same currency for both.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Check Price on Amazon

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Check Price on Amazon

Performance

Higher benchmark score = faster

Apple iPhone 17 Pro2,430,575

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max1,838,828

See the raw benchmark values →

Benchmark score — a measured indicator of raw performance, not a guarantee of real-world speed.

Battery capacity

Larger cell — a hardware spec, not battery life

Apple iPhone 17 Pro3,998 mAh

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max4,685 mAh

Capacity is the raw battery size. Real-world battery life depends just as much on the processor, software and display.

Physical Comparison

Weigh them up, then compare real dimensions in 3D

Apple iPhone 17 ProApple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is 21 g (10%) heavier than Apple iPhone 17 Pro.

Review Videos

Hand-picked expert reviews for each product

Detailed Specifications

The full spec sheet, side by side

Chip

Feature	Apple iPhone 17 Pro	Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Model

Memory

Feature	Apple iPhone 17 Pro	Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
RAM capacity	12 GB50% more	8 GB
Memory technology	N/A	N/A

Storage

Feature	Apple iPhone 17 Pro	Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Storage capacity	256 GB	256 GB
Is expandable	No	No

Display

Feature	Apple iPhone 17 Pro	Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Size	6.3 in	6.9 in10% more
Resolution	1206 × 2622 px	1320 × 2868 px
Pixel density	460 PPI	460 PPI
Refresh rate	120 Hz	120 Hz
Display technology
Protection
Has pen support	No	No
Screen-to-body ratio	90%	92%

Rear Camera

Feature	Apple iPhone 17 Pro	Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Rear camera (megapixels)	48 MP	48 MP
Rear camera aperture	1.8	1.8
Optical zoom	4	525% more
Has High Dynamic Range (HDR)	Yes	Yes
Has Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)	Yes	Yes
Number of cameras	3	3
Other cameras	48 MP f/2.8, 48 MP ultrawide f/2.2	12 MP f/2.8, 48 MP ultrawide f/2.2

Front Camera

Feature	Apple iPhone 17 Pro	Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Front camera (megapixels)	18 MP50% more	12 MP
Front camera aperture	1.9	1.9

Cellular

Feature	Apple iPhone 17 Pro	Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Cellular technology
SIM type
Has dual-sim support	Yes	Yes

Connectivity

Feature	Apple iPhone 17 Pro	Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Bluetooth technology
Wi-Fi technology
Connector
Has a headphone jack	No	No

Sensors

Feature	Apple iPhone 17 Pro	Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Has a NFC sensor	Yes	Yes
Has an accelerometer sensor	Yes	Yes
Has a gyroscope sensor	Yes	Yes
Has a magnetic field sensor	Yes	Yes
Has an atmospheric pressure sensor	Yes	Yes
Has a GPS sensor	Yes	Yes

Design & Weight

Feature	Apple iPhone 17 Pro	Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Color	N/A
Dimensions	7.19 × 15 × 0.88 cm	7.76 × 16.3 × 0.825 cm
Weight	206 g9% less	227 g

Power & Battery

Feature	Apple iPhone 17 Pro	Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Battery capacity	3,998 mAh	4,685 mAh17% more
Has wireless charging support	Yes	Yes
Has fast charging support	Yes	Yes

Benchmark

Feature	Apple iPhone 17 Pro	Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Antutu score	2,430,57532% more	1,838,828
Geekbench single-core score	3,84610% more	3,490
Geekbench multi-core score	9,92315% more	8,606

Miscellaneous

Feature	Apple iPhone 17 Pro	Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Release date	September 19, 2025	September 20, 2024
SAR (Head)	1.19 W/kg	1.01 W/kg15% less
SAR (Body)	1.19 W/kg	1.15 W/kg3% less
Dust & Water resistance
Operating system

Security

Feature	Apple iPhone 17 Pro	Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Has a fingerprint scanner	No	No
Has an advanced face scanner	Yes	Yes

Specification Note

Specifications are compiled from official manufacturer data and other reliable internet sources. Some features may vary by region or model configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max comparison

They are closely matched: Apple iPhone 17 Pro scores 81/100 and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max scores 80/100 in our overall comparison — within 1 point. Neither is a clear winner overall, so the decision comes down to the specific features and price that matter most to you.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max are compared side by side above across every spec in the smartphones category — including performance, features and design — each scored 0–100 so you can see exactly where one leads the other. Our overall scores are 81/100 for Apple iPhone 17 Pro and 80/100 for Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max.

At launch, Apple iPhone 17 Pro was the more affordable option ($1099) versus Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max ($1199). Weigh that against the overall scores (81/100 vs 80/100) and the value-for-money meter above to judge whether the higher-rated model justifies its price for your needs. Current retail prices vary — check the retailer.

It's close — Apple iPhone 17 Pro (81/100) and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (80/100) score almost the same. Pick based on price and the individual specs that matter most to you; the comparison above shows where each one pulls ahead.