Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max: specs comparison
How the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (2024 phone) and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (2025 phone) differ, worked out only from the values on each maker’s official spec page. No prices, ratings or benchmark scores.
Key differences
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is the newer model: it launched in 2025, Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max in 2024.
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max uses a newer chip from the same family: A19 Pro vs A18 Pro.
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is rated for longer video playback: up to 37 hours vs 33 hours for Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max.
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max offers more storage: up to 2 TB vs up to 1 TB.
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has the higher-resolution front camera: 18 MP vs 12 MP.
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is lighter: 227 g vs 231 g for Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, 4 g less.
In common: both list a display of up to 120 Hz and a 6.9-inch screen.
Who should pick which
- Pick the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want the lighter build (227 g).
- Pick the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want the newer model (2025), the newer A19 Pro, longer rated video playback (37 hours) and more storage (up to 2 TB).
Full specifications side by side
| Spec | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Launched | 2024 | 2025 |
| Display | 6.9-inch all-screen OLED, 2868 x 1320 at 460 ppi, ProMotion up to 120Hz, 1,000 nits max (typical), 1,600 nits peak (HDR), 2,000 nits peak (outdoor) | 6.9-inch all-screen OLED, 2868 x 1320 at 460 ppi, ProMotion up to 120Hz |
| Processor | A18 Pro chip | A19 Pro chip with 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine |
| Storage | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB / 2 TB |
| Rear camera | 48MP Fusion (24 mm, f/1.78) + 12MP 2x Telephoto (48 mm, f/1.78) + 48MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view) + 12MP 5x Telephoto (120 mm, f/2.8) | 48 MP Main (24 mm, f/1.78) + 48 MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2) + 48 MP Telephoto (100 mm, 4x, f/2.8) |
| Front camera | 12MP camera (f/1.9) | 18 MP Center Stage (f/1.9, autofocus) |
| Battery | Video playback: up to 33 hours | Up to 37 hours video playback, up to 33 hours streamed video |
| Charging | MagSafe wireless up to 25W with 30W adapter or higher; Qi wireless up to 7.5W | USB-C; up to 50% in 20 minutes with 40W or higher adapter; MagSafe and Qi2 wireless up to 25W |
| Operating system | iOS 18 | iOS 26 |
| Weight | 227 g | 231 g |
| Dimensions | 163 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm | 163.4 x 78 x 8.75 mm |
| 5G | 5G (sub-6 GHz) with 4x4 MIMO | Yes (sub-6GHz 5G with 4x4 MIMO) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM) | Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM) and dual eSIM |
| Source | Official specs · checked 2026-10-28 | Official specs · checked 2026-10-28 |
Questions
What is the difference between Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is the newer model: it launched in 2025, Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max in 2024. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max uses a newer chip from the same family: A19 Pro vs A18 Pro. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is rated for longer video playback: up to 37 hours vs 33 hours for Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Which is lighter, Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is lighter: 227 g vs 231 g for Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, 4 g less.
Which is newer, Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is the newer model: it launched in 2025, Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max in 2024.
Every difference above is calculated from the two spec tables, which are copied from Apple’s official pages. A spec that only one page states is not compared. Variants and options differ by region, so confirm on the official page before you buy. Spotted a difference? Report a correction.