Head to head · October 2026
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 18 Pro Max
iPhone 18 Pro Max is 16 g heavier than iPhone 17 Pro Max, with 6 more hours of video.
Pick iPhone 17 Pro Max for
- Light in the pocket
No longer sold new
Pick iPhone 18 Pro Max for
- Battery first
- Keeping it for years
From $1,299
Our verdict
Which one should you buy?
Choose iPhone 17 Pro Max if…
- weight matters: it is 16 g lighter.
Choose iPhone 18 Pro Max if…
- battery life comes first: up to 45 hours of video against 39.
- you keep phones for years: the newer A20 Pro chip will get software updates for longer.
Side by side
Next to each other, to scale.
Screen size
6.9″ vs 6.9″
Both have a 6.9-inch screen. iPhone 17 Pro Max is 2868 × 1320 pixels at 460 ppi; iPhone 18 Pro Max is 2868 × 1320 at 460 ppi.
| Screen | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Diagonal | 6.9″ | 6.9″ |
| Approx. area | 116.7 cm² | 116.7 cm² |
| Resolution | 2868 × 1320 | 2868 × 1320 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
Price
— vs $1,299
Apple no longer sells iPhone 17 Pro Max new; iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299 at Apple in the US. Refurbished and second-hand prices vary by condition and storage.
| Storage | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| 256 GB | — | $1,299 · $5.07/GB |
| 512 GB | — | $1,499 · $2.93/GB |
| 1 TB | — | $1,899 · $1.85/GB |
| 2 TB | — | $2,499 · $1.22/GB |
Full specifications
Every figure, side by side.
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Introduced | 2025 | 2026 |
| Apple sells it new | No | Yes, from $1,299 |
| Height | 163.4 mm | 163.4 mm |
| Width | 78 mm | 78 mm |
| Thickness | 8.75 mm | 8.75 mm |
| Weight | 233 g | 249 g |
| Display | 6.9″ | 6.9″ |
| Resolution | 2868 × 1320 at 460 ppi | 2868 × 1320 at 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz ProMotion | 120 Hz ProMotion |
| Top of screen | Dynamic Island | Dynamic Island |
| Unlock | Face ID | Face ID |
| Chip | A19 Pro | A20 Pro |
| Rear cameras | Triple 48MP | Triple 48MP |
| Video playback | Up to 39 h | Up to 45 h |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB |
| US price by storage | Not sold new | 256 GB $1,299 ($5.07/GB) · 512 GB $1,499 ($2.93/GB) · 1 TB $1,899 ($1.85/GB) · 2 TB $2,499 ($1.22/GB) |
| Colors | 3: Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue | 4: Black, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy |
Sources: Apple technical specifications for iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 18 Pro Max; US prices from apple.com, checked October 2026. Apple does not publish RAM; it comes from Apple's Xcode device data as reported by MacRumors, or Wikipedia's list of iPhone models for older phones.
What reviewers say
17 Pro Max or 18 Pro Max?
Their conclusions, in our words. Follow the links for the full reviews.
TechRadar · Sep 2026
Lab-tests Apple's claims: video playback rises 9% on the 18 Pro and 15% on the 18 Pro Max over the 17 Pro models, though real gains depend on how you use the phone.
Our iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max battery life test results ↗Tom's Guide · Oct 2026
After four years the 18 Pro Max wins in every area they tested, with a much brighter screen standing out, so 14 Pro Max owners have a strong case to upgrade despite the higher $1,299 starting price.
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: Is it finally time to upgrade? ↗Tom's Guide · Oct 2026
An opinion piece: the writer found the excitement around the Duo made their brand-new 18 Pro Max feel unexciting, a useful gut-check for buyers torn between the two.
My iPhone 18 Pro Max just got delivered and I immediately regret the purchase — and I think iPhone Duo is to blame ↗9to5Mac · Oct 2026
A spec-by-spec rundown that leans practical: with Duo orders already slipping into 2027, the 18 Pro is the pick for anyone who needs a phone soon.
iPhone Duo vs iPhone 18 Pro: Here’s every key difference ↗
More reviewer perspectives (9)
9to5Mac · Oct 2026
Stopping down the new variable aperture helps night shots with longer exposures and starbursts, but the tester doesn't see it as a reason to leave a 17 Pro, only a bonus for owners of older iPhones.
Here’s the difference the variable aperture of the iPhone 18 Pro makes at night ↗9to5Mac · Oct 2026
After a month of daily use the reviewer singles out all-day battery with plenty to spare, the new variable-aperture main camera and cooler, steadier performance outdoors.
iPhone 18 Pro one month later: These features keep impressing me ↗MacRumors · Oct 2026
The Duo's extra cost buys a big folding screen and side-by-side multitasking, while the Pro models keep the more versatile cameras, Face ID and a much lower price.
iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone Duo Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Choose? ↗CNET · Oct 2026
CNET sees the Duo as a niche buy for people who want a pocketable reading and multitasking screen, and points camera, battery and durability buyers to the iPhone 18 Pro Max instead.
The $2,000 Duo: Who Is Apple's First Folding iPhone Actually For? ↗Yahoo Tech · Sep 2026
Pick the Duo for screen space and if you simply want a foldable; pick the 18 Pro Max for photography, video and the best camera controls.
Apple iPhone Duo vs. iPhone 18 Pro Max: How to decide between them ↗ZDNET · Sep 2026
Sticks with the 18 Pro: the Duo has no Pro camera controls or telephoto, swaps Face ID for Touch ID, is awkward one-handed when open and costs $800 more at 512GB.
iPhone Duo or 18 Pro? 8 reasons why I'm skipping Apple's first foldable ↗Trusted Reviews · Sep 2026
Same A20 Pro chip, cameras and Pro controls, so it comes down to size: the Pro Max for screen and battery, the Pro if you don't want a huge phone.
iPhone 18 Pro vs 18 Pro Max: What's the difference? ↗9to5Mac · Sep 2026
The headline changes are a new variable-aperture main camera, a smaller Dynamic Island, longer battery life and 50% charge in 15 minutes.
iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro: Here's everything new ↗CNET · Sep 2025
Praises the new aluminum unibody design, sharper telephoto and new selfie camera, and a battery that scored highest of any phone CNET had tested.
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max Review: Part Midlife Crisis, Part Battery King ↗
FAQ
Questions people ask
- Are iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 18 Pro Max the same size?
- Yes. Both measure 163.4 × 78 × 8.75 mm. iPhone 18 Pro Max is 16 g heavier (249 g vs 233 g). Case compatibility also depends on camera openings and button positions; check that the case maker lists both models.
- Will an iPhone 18 Pro Max case fit iPhone 17 Pro Max?
- The two bodies measure the same to within 0.3 mm, but the camera openings and buttons can still sit in different places. Check that the case maker lists both models before you rely on it.
- Which has better battery life, iPhone 17 Pro Max or iPhone 18 Pro Max?
- iPhone 18 Pro Max. Apple rates it for up to 45 hours of video playback against 39 hours for iPhone 17 Pro Max.
- Do iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 18 Pro Max have the same screen size?
- Both have a 6.9-inch screen. iPhone 17 Pro Max is 2868 × 1320 pixels at 460 ppi; iPhone 18 Pro Max is 2868 × 1320 at 460 ppi.
- Which is lighter?
- iPhone 17 Pro Max weighs 233 g, 16 g less than iPhone 18 Pro Max (249 g).
- Can I still buy iPhone 17 Pro Max new from Apple?
- No. Apple no longer sells iPhone 17 Pro Max new; you will find it refurbished or second-hand.
Keep comparing
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News & analysis
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