Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max is finally here, bringing some of the most significant updates we’ve seen in years — from a redesigned body and faster performance to camera upgrades and improved charging.
But with last year’s iPhone 16 Pro Max still widely available, many users are wondering: is the upgrade worth it? Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide.
Design and Display
Apple has swapped titanium for aluminum in the iPhone 17 Pro Max, offering a slightly different feel without major changes in size or weight. Both models are IP68-rated and feature the same 6.9-inch OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate.
The new Ceramic Shield 2 adds better scratch resistance and anti-reflective coating. Brightness performance varies, with the 17 Pro Max reaching up to 2700 nits in certain conditions compared to around 2200 nits on the 16 Pro Max.
Performance and Battery
Powered by the new A19 Pro chipset and 12GB RAM, the iPhone 17 Pro Max delivers a noticeable boost in speed and efficiency. It outperforms the A18 Pro-powered 16 Pro Max across CPU and GPU benchmarks. Battery capacity has also increased slightly to 4,832mAh, offering modest improvements in video playback and gaming. Charging speeds see a major upgrade — 0 to 65% in 30 minutes versus 46% on the previous model.
Cameras and Features
The 17 Pro Max introduces an 18MP front camera capable of landscape selfies and a new 4x telephoto lens. While low-light and zoom results show mixed improvements, overall image quality is slightly more vibrant. Video recording remains excellent, now with added Dolby Vision support at 4K120 and ProRes RAW.
Verdict
The iPhone 17 Pro Max brings meaningful upgrades in performance, charging, and camera versatility. If you’re coming from the iPhone 15 series or older, the upgrade is a no-brainer. However, iPhone 16 Pro Max owners may want to weigh the cost against relatively incremental improvements — unless features like faster charging and enhanced video capture are must-haves.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the more future-proof choice, but the iPhone 16 Pro Max remains a solid, value-packed flagship in 2025.