The iPhone 17 Pro Max builds on Apple’s legacy of cutting-edge features, pushing performance, photography, and battery life further than ever. Below, you’ll find a clear comparison with the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max to see exactly how each generation improves.
Comparison Table
| Feature | iPhone 15 Pro Max | iPhone 16 Pro Max | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7″ OLED, 120Hz | 6.7″ LTPO OLED, 120Hz | 6.9″ LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz |
| Processor | A17 Pro (3nm) | A18 Pro (3nm) | A19 Pro (3nm) |
| RAM | 8GB | 10GB | 12GB |
| Storage Options | 128/256/512/1TB | 128/256/512/1TB | 256/512/1TB |
| Rear Cameras | 48MP + 12MP + 12MP | 48MP + 48MP + 12MP + LiDAR | 48MP + 48MP + 48MP + LiDAR |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 12MP | 24MP |
| Battery Capacity | 4,400mAh | 4,800mAh | 5,000mAh |
| Wired Charging | 35W | 40W | 45W |
| Wireless Charging | MagSafe 15W | MagSafe 20W | MagSafe 25W |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6E | 5G Ultra, Wi-Fi 7 | 5G Ultra, Wi-Fi 7+, Ultra Wideband 2 |
| Software | iOS 17 | iOS 18 | iOS 26 + Apple Intelligence |
| Weight & Dimensions | 240g, 6.33×3.07×0.29 in | 235g, 6.33×3.07×0.29 in | 230g, 6.34×3.04×0.28 in |
Display
The jump from the 6.7-inch panel on the 15 and 16 Pro Max to a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED brings you more screen real estate without making the chassis noticeably bigger. The LTPO backplane maintains 120Hz smoothness while dynamically scaling refresh rate to save battery.
Performance
Each generation’s chip shrinks the process node to 3nm, but the A19 Pro in the 17 Pro Max adds extra GPU cores and a faster Neural Engine. That means quicker app launches, more stable frame rates in games, and on-device AI tasks that feel instantaneous.
Camera System
All three models sport triple-lens setups, but the 17 Pro Max evens out all rear sensors at 48MP and improves low-light performance with a larger sensor on the ultrawide lens. The front camera doubles to 24MP, so your selfies and video calls are noticeably sharper.
Battery & Charging
A 5,000mAh battery in the 17 Pro Max represents the largest jump—25% more capacity than the 15 Pro Max. Combined with smarter power management in iOS 26, you’ll easily get a full day-plus of heavy use. Fast charging tops out at 45W wired and 25W wireless, shaving minutes off each charge cycle.
Design & Build
Apple keeps the premium titanium frame introduced on the 15 Pro series but refines the finish and evens out weight to make the 17 Pro Max feel surprisingly light for its size. The bold horizontal camera bar gives it a fresh, futuristic look.
Software & AI
iOS 26 introduces Apple Intelligence, which weaves on-device machine learning across apps—think smarter Siri suggestions, instant language translation, and real-time photo enhancements. Each model can run the new OS, but only the A19 Pro leverages all its advanced features at full speed.
Upgrading from an iPhone 15 or 16 Pro Max to the 17 Pro Max means bigger screen, stronger battery, a uniform 48MP camera array, and the full power of Apple’s latest AI. If you value top-tier photography, marathon battery life, and the absolute fastest performance, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is your best bet.
Interested in real-world benchmarks, price comparisons, or carrier deals? Let’s dive into whatever helps you make the smartest choice.