Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Verdict
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is not clearly ahead in any section, while the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads in battery and performance; they are even on camera, display, design & durability and connectivity & features.
The biggest difference is battery: 80 vs 91 points.
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is the newer model, announced 12 months after the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max.
- iPhone 17 Pro Max leads in 1 field
- iPhone 18 Pro Max leads in 3 fields
- 37 ties
41 scored fields compared
Score by section
| Section scores | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | ||
| Performance | 96 | 99 |
| Camera | 95 | 95 |
| Battery | 80 | 91 |
| Display | 96 | 96 |
| Design & durability | 78 | 76 |
| Connectivity & features | 84 | 84 |
Full specifications
Performance
- Chipset performance index
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 95/100
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 100/100(Better)
- Chipset
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Apple A19 Pro
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Apple A20 Pro
- RAM (max)
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 12 GB
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 12 GB
- Storage (max)
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 2 TB
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 2 TB
- Process node
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 3 nm
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 2 nm
Camera
- Main camera resolution
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 48 MP
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 48 MP
- Main sensor size
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 1/1.28″
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 1/1.28″
- Optical stabilization (OIS)
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Yes
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- Ultra-wide camera
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Yes
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- Telephoto camera
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Yes
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- Periscope lens
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Yes
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- Optical zoom
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 4×
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 4×
- Video recording
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 4K 120 fps
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 4K 120 fps
- Front camera
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 18 MP
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 18 MP
- Front camera 4K video
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Yes
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
Battery
- Battery capacity
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 4823 mAh
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 5391 mAh(Better)
- Battery endurance (EU label)
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 53:00 h
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 62:00 h(Better)
- EU label cycles
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 1000
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 1000
- Wireless charging
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 25 W
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 25 W
- Reverse charging
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Yes
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- Reverse charging type
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Wired
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Wired
Display
- Screen size
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9″
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 6.9″
- Panel type
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: LTPO OLED
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: LTPO OLED
- Refresh rate
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 120 Hz
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 120 Hz
- Pixel density
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 460 ppi
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 460 ppi
- Peak brightness
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 3000 nits
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 3000 nits
- Resolution
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 1320x2868
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 1320x2868
- Screen protection
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Ceramic Shield 2
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Ceramic Shield 2
Design & durability
- Weight
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 233 g(Better)
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 249 g
- Thickness
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 8.8 mm
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 8.8 mm
- Dust & water resistance
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: IP68
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: IP68
- Back material
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Aluminum
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Aluminum
- Frame material
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Aluminum
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Aluminum
- EU repairability class
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: C
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: C
- EU drop resistance class
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: B
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: B
- EU energy class
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: A
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: A
Connectivity & features
- 5G
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Yes
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- Wi-Fi
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Wi-Fi 7
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Wi-Fi 7
- Bluetooth
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.0
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 6.0
- USB speed
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: USB 3.x
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: USB 3.x
- USB port
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
- DisplayPort output
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Yes
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- NFC
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Yes
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- eSIM
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Yes
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- Ultra-wideband (UWB)
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Yes
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- Satellite connectivity
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Yes
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- Stereo speakers
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Yes
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- 3.5 mm headphone jack
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: No
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: No
- Fingerprint reader
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: None
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: None
- 3D face unlock
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Yes
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- Infrared blaster
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: No
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: No
- FM radio
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: No
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: No
- microSD slot
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: No
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: No
- Card slot
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: No
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: No
General
- Operating system
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: iOS 26
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: iOS 27
- Launch price
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: $ 899.25
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: $ 1,549.00
- Year
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 2025
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 2026
Show raw spec textHide raw spec text
Original text from the source spec sheet, for reference.
| — | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Network | ||
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 CDMA 800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66 - A3526 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 71 - A3257 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 71 - A3525 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 - A3527 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 106 - A3717 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 71 - A3473 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 71, 106 - A3716 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 106 - A3718 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3526 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - A3257 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3525 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3527 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3717 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - A3473 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3716 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3718 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Launch | ||
| Announced | 2025, September 09 | 2026, September 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, September 19 | Available. Released 2026, September 18 |
| Body | ||
| Dimensions | 163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in) | 163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in) |
| Weight | 233 g (8.22 oz) | 249 g (8.78 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum frame, aluminum back/ glass back (Ceramic Shield) | Glass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum frame, aluminum back/ glass back (Ceramic Shield) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International) · eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA) · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China) IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 6m for 30 min) | · Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International) · eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA) · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; China) IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 6m for 30 min) |
| Display | ||
| Type | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak) | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak) |
| Size | 6.9 inches, 115.6 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.9 inches, 115.6 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1320 x 2868 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) | 1320 x 2868 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) |
| Protection | Ceramic Shield 2 Anti-reflective coating | Ceramic Shield 2 Anti-reflective coating |
| Platform | ||
| OS | iOS 26, upgradable to iOS 27.2 | iOS 27, upgradable to iOS 27.2 |
| Chipset | Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) | Apple A20 Pro (2 nm) |
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x4.26 GHz + 4x2.60 GHz) | Hexa-core (2x4.93 GHz + 4x2.64 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (6-core graphics) | Apple GPU (7-core graphics) |
| Memory | ||
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 2TB 12GB RAM NVMe | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 2TB 12GB RAM NVMe |
| Main Camera | ||
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 48 MP, f/2.8, 100mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 4x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) | 48 MP, f/1.5-4.0, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS (gen2) 48 MP, f/2.8, 100mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 4x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama), Cinematic from regular video |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 120fps), ProRes, ProRes RAW (up to 120fps), Apple Log 2, 3D (spatial) video/audio, stereo sound rec. | 4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 120fps), ProRes, ProRes RAW (up to 120fps), Apple Log 2, 3D (spatial) video/audio, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera | ||
| Single | 18 MP multi-aspect, f/1.9, 20mm (ultrawide), PDAF SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) | 18 MP multi-aspect, f/1.9, 20mm (ultrawide), PDAF SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) |
| Features | HDR, Dolby Vision HDR, 3D (spatial) audio, stereo sound rec., ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2 | HDR, Dolby Vision HDR, 3D (spatial) audio, stereo sound rec., ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2 |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Comms | ||
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, hotspot |
| Bluetooth | 6.0, A2DP, LE | 6.0, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort |
| Features | ||
| Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer Ultra Wideband (UWB) support (gen2 chip) Emergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer Ultra Wideband (UWB) support (gen2 chip) Emergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite |
| Battery | ||
| Type | Market-dependent versions: · Li-Ion 4823 mAh - Nano SIM model · Li-Ion 5088 mAh - eSIM only model | Market-dependent versions: · Li-Ion 5391 mAh - Nano SIM model · Li-Ion 5567 mAh - eSIM only model |
| Charging | Wired, PD3.2, AVS, 50% in 20 min 25W wireless MagSafe/Qi2, 50% in 30 min (15W - China) 4.5W reverse wired | Wired, PD3.2, AVS, 50% in 15 min 25W wireless MagSafe/Qi2, 50% in 30 min (15W - China) 4.5W reverse wired |
| Misc | ||
| Colors | Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue | Black, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy |
| Models | iPhone18,2, A3526, A3257, A3527, A3525 | A3717, A3473, A3716, A3718, iPhone19,3 |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) | – |
| SAR EU | 1.49 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) | – |
| Price | $ 899.25 / € 1,034.94 / £ 899.00 / ₹ 144,900 | $ 1,549.00 / € 1,599.00 / £ 1,299.00 / ₹ 179,900 |
| EU LABEL | ||
| Energy | Class A | Class A |
| Battery | 53:00h endurance, 1000 cycles | 62:00h endurance, 1000 cycles |
| Free fall | Class B (180 falls) | Class B (180 falls) |
| Repairability | Class C | Class C |