← Back to Compare Packs
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: specs, scores & best pick
Compare Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max flagship phones with full specs, performance insights, battery comparison, camera capabilities, pros & cons, FAQs, and an expert verdict to help you choose the best iPhone.
Updated: 2025-12-22
Buyer guide
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
- You want the best Apple performance and longest software support.
- Camera enhancements and peak brightness matter to you.
- You plan to keep the phone for many years.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
- You want flagship performance at slightly lower price (if discounted).
- You don’t need the absolute fastest chip or latest software runway.
Quick rule: Choose iPhone 17 Pro Max for the cutting edge Apple experience and longer update support; choose iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want most of that performance at a better value.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
FLIPKART • MOBHFN6YV7GYZHSM
Flagship iOS • 12 GB • 256/512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB • iOS 26
—
View detailsBuy
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
FLIPKART • MOBH4DQFNXH8SZ9D
Flagship iOS • 12 GB • 256/512 GB, 1 TB • iOS 25
—
View detailsBuy
Price-to-performance score
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
9.3/10
Top-tier performance, battery, and future software support justify the flagship price.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
8.9/10
Still excellent performance and value, slightly behind in benchmark and longevity.
Price comparison
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
—
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
—
Quick comparison
performance
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Powered by Apple A19 Pro — top-tier single-core and multi-core performance with long-term optimization.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Powered by Apple A18 Pro — excellent performance, slightly behind in raw benchmarks compared to A19 Pro.
display
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
6.9" Super Retina XDR OLED with adaptive 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness improvements.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
6.9" Super Retina XDR OLED with adaptive 120Hz refresh rate; very bright and color-accurate.
camera
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Advanced triple-camera system with improved low-light performance and new computational photography features.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Triple-camera system with excellent imaging and video recording; slightly less refined in the most extreme low light.
battery and charging
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Massive battery with optimized power management delivering excellent all-day battery life.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Strong battery life with great optimization; slightly less efficient than the 17 Pro Max in mixed use.
software
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
iOS 26 with the longest update support window among iPhones.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
iOS 25 with strong update support; slightly shorter runway than iPhone 17 series.
Highlights table
| Feature | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max — | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max — |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A19 Pro | Apple A18 Pro |
| Display | 6.9" OLED, 120Hz | 6.9" OLED, 120Hz |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Rear Cameras | Triple-camera (advanced) | Triple-camera |
| Battery | Massive with optimized life | Strong all-day life |
| OS | iOS 26 | iOS 25 |
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Pros
- —
Cons
- —
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Pros
- —
Cons
- —
Full specifications comparison
Specs are fetched live from the item endpoint and rendered as “Section • Attribute”.
| Feature | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|
FAQ
Is iPhone 17 Pro Max worth upgrading from iPhone 16 Pro Max?
Yes, if you care about the latest performance gains, camera enhancements, and longer future software support. Otherwise, the iPhone 16 Pro Max remains very capable.
Will apps run faster on the iPhone 17 Pro Max?
Yes — especially in demanding games and benchmark tasks, thanks to the Apple A19 Pro’s improved CPU and GPU performance.
Which phone will have longer software updates?
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max will receive updates longer, as it is the newer generation.
Verdict
If you want the **absolute best Apple performance**, longest software support, and the latest camera refinements, the **iPhone 17 Pro Max** is the top choice. If you want flagship iPhone capability at a potentially better value, the **iPhone 16 Pro Max** still delivers excellent performance, cameras, and battery life.