iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
Trying to decide whether to go for a new iPhone 18 Pro Max or iPhone 17 Pro Max? See the specs side-by-side and find your next iPhone on Three.
How do the compare at a glance?
Both iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro Max have 6.9-in ProMotion displays, all 48MP rear cameras and 18MP Centre Stage front cameras.
iPhone 18 Pro Max has the upgraded A20 Pro chip and Dual 16-core Neural Engine. The camera’s been upgraded too, with a variable aperture main camera, 8x optical-quality zoom, and faster wireless charging. It also has a much bigger battery with up to 6 more hours of video playback than iPhone 17 Pro Max. iPhone 18 Pro Max also has a 2TB storage option.
While iPhone 17 Pro Max remains a powerful choice with the A19 Pro chip and 4x telephoto camera.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Features
Rear Camera
iPhone 18 Pro Max features the ultimate Pro camera system. The 48MP Fusion Main camera has a variable aperture for better low light photos and video and impressive depth of field.
The ultimate Pro camera system. With all 48MP rear cameras and 8x optical-quality zoom – it’s like having 8 pro lenses in your pocket.
- 48MP Fusion Main with variable aperture (f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8, f/4.0): 24mm
- 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide , f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚
- 48 MP Fusion Telephoto, f/2.8, 100mm
- Video: Up to 4K at 24/25/30/60/100/120fps, 1080p at 25/30/60/120/240fps
- Dolby Vision HDR
- 48 MP Fusion Main, f/1.6, 24mm
- 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ view
- 48 MP Fusion Telephoto, f/2.8, 100mm
- Video: Up to 4K at 24/25/30/60/100.120fps, 1080p at 25/30/60/120/240fps
- Dolby Vision HDR
Front Camera
iPhone 18 Pro Max features an 18MP Centre Stage front camera.
iPhone 17 Pro Max 18MP Centre Stage front camera gives you flexible ways to frame your shot.
- 18 MP Centre Stage, f/1.9, 20mm
- Video: Up to 4K at 24/25/30/60fps, 1080p at 25/30/60/120fps
- 18 MP Centre Stage, f/1.9, 20mm
- Video: Up to 4K at 24/25/30/60fps, 1080p at 25/30/60/120fps
Display
With a 6.3-in Super Retina XDR display, iPhone 18 Pro Max has a brighter, more immersive display with better anti-reflection. It also has ProMotion up to 120Hz.
iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 6.9-in Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology, Always-On display and Dynamic Island.
- 6.9 inch
- 2868 x 1320 pixels
- Super Retina XDR OLED
- HDR10
- 6.9 inch
- 2868 x 1320 pixels
- Super Retina XDR OLED
- HDR10
Memory and Storage
You can get iPhone 18 Pro Max with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB internal storage.
iPhone 17 Pro Max is available with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB storage options.
- 12GB RAM
- 256GB
- 512GB
- 1TB
- 2TB
- 12GB RAM
- 256GB
- 512GB
- 1TB
- 2TB
Performance and Security
iPhone 18 Pro Max is powered by the A20 Pro chip. Purpose built for AI with a next-generation vapour chamber and Dual 16 core Neural Engine. It also includes Siri AI – a more personal, more powerful AI assistant.
Powered by the A19 Pro chip, iPhone 17 Pro Max is more powerful than previous iPhones. It also has a whole new level of privacy and security built in.
- Launch OS: iOS 27
- A20 Pro chip
- 6‑core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores
- 7‑core GPU with Neural Accelerators
- Dual 16‑core Neural Engine
- Hardware-accelerated ray tracing
- IP68 (maximum depth of 6 metres up to 30 minutes) under IEC standard 60529
- Face ID
- Apple Intelligence
- Siri AI
- Launch OS: iOS 26
- A19 Pro chip
- 6‑core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores
- 6‑core GPU with Neural Accelerators
- 16‑core Neural Engine
- Hardware-accelerated ray tracing
- IP68 (maximum depth of 6 metres up to 30 minutes) under IEC standard 60529
- Face ID
- Apple Intelligence
Battery
Get up to 30 hours of use per charge on iPhone 18 Pro Max and faster wired charging – up to 50% charge in around 15 minutes.
iPhone 17 Pro Max has a unibody design that allows additional battery capacity for up to 37 hours of video playback. You can also get up to 50% charge in 20 minutes with a compatible adaptor.
- Video playback - Up to 43 hours
- Video playback (streamed) - Up to 38 hours
- Wired charging: Up to 50% charge in around 15 minutes when using 60W‑capable adapter or higher with Adjustable Voltage Supply
- MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W
- Qi2 wireless charging up to 25W
- Video playback - Up to 37 hours
- Video playback (streamed) - Up to 33 hours
- Wired charging: Up to 50% charge in around 20 minutes with 40W adaptor or higher
- MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W
- Qi2 wireless charging up to 25W
Colours
- Black
- Burgundy
- Glacier
- Silver
- Cosmic Orange
- Deep Blue
- Silver
Size and Weight
- Height x Width x Depth: 163.4 x 78 x 8.75 mm
- Weight: 249g
- Height x Width x Depth: 163.4 x 78 x 8.75 mm
- Weight: 231g