Compare iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max

Two of the devices from Apple’s 2025 release – but which is right for you? Let’s compare the differences between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Max. 

As the name suggests, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has a larger 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology (a 120 Hz refresh rate for a smoother experience) and an Always-On display. The 17 has these features too, but within a smaller 6.3-inch display. A larger screen may be beneficial if you regularly game or watch movies on your iPhone. In terms of build, they both have an aluminium unibody, an action button for customised shortcuts, and Camera Control for faster access to photo and video tools.  

They also both benefit from Ceramic Shield 2 on the front, which offers 3x better scratch resistance than the previous iPhone generation - but only the 17 Pro Max has a Ceramic Shield back. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has the A19 Pro chip, and the iPhone 17 has the A19 chip, resulting in a difference in battery life – the 17 Pro Max offering up to 37 hours of video playback, while the 17 can give you up to 30 hours of video playback. It’s also worth noting that the iPhone 17 Pro Max offers storage up to 2TB, whereas the iPhone 17 is restricted to a maximum capacity of 256B.  

For camera, both models have the 18MP Centre Stage front camera which offers new capabilities for taking selfies, including the new square sensor which can automatically change aspect ratios so everyone can easily get in the group photo. For the rear camera, both phones have 48MP camera lenses – but the iPhone 17 Pro Max has an extra 48MP Telephoto lens, so you can zoom up to 8x, whereas the iPhone 17 is restricted to 2x optical zoom. This may not be a dealbreaker for most, but a telephoto lens can come in handy for shooting objects in the distance.  

In conclusion, both iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Max offer the latest in smartphone advancements. At a more affordable price point, the iPhone 17 is missing some of the Pro Max features – but they both have excellent cameras, the same great screen, and great batteries. They also both come with the latest Apple Intelligence features – so you won’t miss out with either device.