Compare iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
Which one is best for you?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is Apple's newest large-screen flagship, while iPhone 17 Pro Max is the previous generation. Both share a 6.9-inch display, an 8x optical-quality zoom camera and an aluminium unibody design, but iPhone 18 Pro Max steps up with a newer A20 Pro chip, a brighter display with better anti-reflection, and a variable aperture main camera for improved low-light results.
Both phones feature a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion up to 120Hz, so you get smooth scrolling and responsive touch on either. They also share an 18MP Center Stage front camera with front and rear Dual Capture video, an 8x optical-quality zoom, Face ID, and a Ceramic Shield 2 front that is 3x more scratch resistant. Connectivity is matched too, with WiFi 7, Bluetooth 6 and 5G on both, and each uses an aluminium unibody design with a colour-matched back.
Where iPhone 18 Pro Max has the advantage is performance and camera flexibility. Its A20 Pro chip with a next-generation vapour chamber delivers up to 40% better GPU performance than iPhone 17 Pro Max, which makes it well suited to power users, creators and anyone running graphics-heavy apps or games. The 48MP Fusion Main camera adds a variable aperture for improved low-light photos and video, along with custom Pro controls, and you get up to six more hours of video playback than iPhone 17 Pro Max. Faster wired charging also takes you to 50% in around 15 minutes, compared with 50% in 20 minutes on iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Both are premium large-screen phones with strong cameras and durable builds. Choose iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want the newest chip, the best low-light camera performance and longer battery life or choose iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want a 48MP Pro Fusion camera with 8x zoom and a large display at a more accessible price.
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Frequently asked questions
Both phones have a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion up to 120Hz, so you get smooth, responsive visuals on either. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is brighter and has better anti-reflection, which helps outdoors and in bright light. If you spend a lot of time in sunlight, the iPhone 18 Pro Max gives you a clearer view.
Both phones share an 8x optical-quality zoom, a 48MP Pro Fusion camera system, and an 18MP Center Stage front camera with Dual Capture video. The iPhone 18 Pro Max adds variable aperture for improved low-light photos and video, plus custom Pro controls. If you shoot in difficult lighting, the iPhone 18 Pro Max gives you more flexibility.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max offers up to six more hours of video playback than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, so it lasts longer between charges. It also charges faster, reaching 50% in around 15 minutes compared with 20 minutes on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. If battery endurance matters to you, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the stronger choice.
Yes, both phones support 5G along with WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6, so you get fast mobile data and the latest wireless connectivity on either. You’ll not lose out on network speed by choosing the iPhone 17 Pro Max as both keep you connected on the go.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max uses the newer A20 Pro chip with a next-generation vapour chamber, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max has the A19 Pro chip with vapour cooling. The A20 Pro delivers up to 40% better GPU performance than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. For gaming and graphics-heavy tasks, the iPhone 18 Pro Max has the edge.
Both phones share a 6.9-inch display and an aluminium unibody design with colour-matched back glass, so they feel similar in the hand. The iPhone 18 Pro Max comes in four colours, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max uses a heat-forged aluminium unibody. Size and durability are closely matched between the two.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is better suited to creators thanks to its variable aperture main camera, custom Pro controls and Dual Capture video shared with the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The stronger A20 Pro chip also handles editing and rendering more comfortably. If you create content regularly, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the more capable option.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers many of the same headline features, including the 8x zoom and 6.9-inch display, often at a more accessible price. The iPhone 18 Pro Max adds a newer chip, a better low-light camera and longer battery, which justify the higher price for some. If budget is your priority, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is a smart choice.
Yes, both phones use Face ID to unlock securely, so you get the same biometric experience on either. Neither phone uses a fingerprint sensor. You can rely on facial recognition for everyday unlocking and payments on both.
Both phones have a Ceramic Shield 2 front that is 3x more scratch resistant and a Ceramic Shield back. The iPhone 18 Pro Max's Ceramic Shield 2 front offers 3x better scratch resistance than the iPhone 16 Pro, building on the same durable foundation as the iPhone 17 Pro Max. If scratch resistance is a concern, both hold up well.