What is the difference between the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 16 Pro Max?

They differ on 18 of the 27 specifications their makers publish, including released (2025 against 2024), screen size (6.3in against 6.9in) and chip (A19 chip against A18 Pro chip), and 15 more. Everything else on this page reads the same on both.

What do the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 16 Pro Max have in common?

They match on 9 of the 27 published specifications, including screen type, refresh rate, graphics and main camera, and 5 more.

Can I trade in my current phone against one of these?

Yes. Tell us what you have and we will give you a price for it, and that price comes off whichever of these you buy. The figures on this page are what we are paying today.

Buy Sell

Phone comparison

iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max

How the iPhone 17 and iPhone 16 Pro Max compare on the specifications their makers publish, what each one costs refurbished, and what we pay for yours.

The iPhone 17 is £10 less refurbished today.

12-month warranty
Free delivery
30-day returns

Apple · Released 2025
iPhone 17

Spec by spec

Side by side

They differ on 18 of 27 specifications.

iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max, specification by specification
Specification	iPhone 17from £629.99	iPhone 16 Pro Maxfrom £639.99
Launch
Released	2025	2024
Display and chip
Screen size	6.3in	6.9in
Screen type	Super Retina XDR display	Super Retina XDR display
Resolution	2622x1206-pixel resolution at 460 ppi	2868x1320-pixel resolution at 460 ppi
Refresh rate	120Hz	120Hz
Chip	A19 chip	A18 Pro chip
Graphics	5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators	Not published
Camera and battery
Rear camera	48MP Dual Fusion camera system	Pro camera system
Main camera	48MP	48MP
Main camera aperture	ƒ/1.6	Not published
Front camera	18MP	12MP
Front camera aperture	ƒ/1.9 with autofocus	Not published
Video playback	Up to 30 hours	Up to 33 hours(better)
Fast charging	40W(better)	20W
Size and build
Height	149.6mm	163mm
Width	71.5mm	77.6mm
Depth	7.95mm	8.25mm
Weight	177g	227g
Water resistance	Rated IP68 (maximum depth of 6 metres up to 30 minutes) under IEC standard 60529	Rated IP68 (maximum depth of 6 metres up to 30 minutes) under IEC standard 60529
Build	Aluminium design, Ceramic Shield 2 front, Colour‑infused glass back	Titanium design, Latest-generation Ceramic Shield front, Textured matt glass back
Storage and software
Storage options	256GB, 512GB	256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Software at launch	iOS 26	iOS 18
Unlocking	Face ID	Face ID
Connectivity
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 7	Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Bluetooth	6	5.3
NFC	Yes	Yes, with reader mode
Safety
Safety features	Emergency SOS via satellite, Crash Detection, Roadside Assistance via satellite	Not published

iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max

iPhone 17

iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max

iPhone 17

iPhone 16 Pro Max

Side by side

Should you buy the iPhone 17 or the iPhone 16 Pro Max?

What buyers say

iPhone 17

iPhone 16 Pro Max

Put your old phone towards it

The iPhone 17 could cost you £94.99

iPhone 17

iPhone 16 Pro Max

What we have seen with these two phones

What people really got paid

What upgrading from an iPhone 16 Pro Max usually costs

Questions people ask

Keep reading

Guides

Buy

Sell

Tools

Compare the phones you want

Popular comparisons

Super size and management

It’s perfect

A trustworthy company

Best iPhone on sale