Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

Our Verdict: For Apple iPhone 16 Plus versus Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, the recommendation depends mostly on what you want from the hardware. The Pro Max is ahead for display quality, with its LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel, a higher-resolution 18MP front camera, and 256GB to 2000GB storage; the 16 Plus is the better match for its Super Retina XDR OLED panel and a lighter 199g body. The Pro Max is the better fit for display quality, while the 16 Plus is the one to consider for portability.

The 16 Plus is the cheaper one to own: around £772 over a typical contract, £379 less than the 17 Pro Max.

Expert Rating
4.2
12 reviews
4.4
11 reviews
Screen
6.7" 6.9"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution
2796 x 1290 1320 x 2868
Pixels Per Inch
460 458
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 18 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 (3 nm) Apple A19 Pro
Battery
4,674 mAh 4,823 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
OS
Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.3, A2DP, LE 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
160.9 x 77.8 x 7.80 mm 163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm
Weight
199 grams 233 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts
£31.79/mo (£9.00 upfront) £9.00/mo (£919.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£489.00 £998.00
Apple iPhone 16 Plus Apple iPhone 16 Plus Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Expert Rating 4.2
12 reviews
4.4
11 reviews
Screen 6.7" 6.9"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 2796 x 1290 1320 x 2868
Pixels Per Inch 460 458
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 18 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 (3 nm) Apple A19 Pro
Battery 4,674 mAh 4,823 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
OS Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.80 mm 163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm
Weight 199 grams 233 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts £31.79/mo
£9.00 upfront
£9.00/mo
£919.00 upfront
SIM-free £489.00 £998.00
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Apple iPhone 16 Plus

24 Months

128GB

White

Refurbished

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£31.79 per month, £9 upfront.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

24 Months

256GB

Silver

Unlimited

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£9 per month, £919 upfront.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£30 off)

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus is cheaper on contract at £771.96 over the life of the deal from £31.79 per month with £9.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Apple iPhone 16 Plus's 6.7", both screens are similarly sharp at around 460 pixels per inch, and the Apple iPhone 16 Plus uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 48 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £489.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 16 Plus and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 16 Plus and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max use?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is powered by the Apple A18 (3 nm), while the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max uses the Apple A19 Pro.

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is the more portable of the two: it's 34g lighter at 199 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.80 mm, and is slimmer at 7.8mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?

Both phones share the same water resistance rating of IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 16 Plus and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max run?

Both phones run Apple iOS.