Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Our Verdict: The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max leads where the larger 6.9" screen versus 6.3", the larger 4685mAh battery, with the usual caveat that capacity is not the whole battery-life story matter most, while the Apple iPhone 17 Pro answers with the sharper 18MP selfie camera, the lighter 206g body versus 227g. The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is currently cheaper on the lowest total contract cost at about £685, roughly £258 less than the Apple iPhone 17 Pro. There is also much wider deal availability for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro, with 19,123 active deals versus 1,163. That makes the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max the value-led pick, unless the sharper 18MP selfie camera on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro is worth paying extra for.

Over a full contract, the 16 Pro Max works out around £1032 all-in, about £87 less than the 17 Pro.

Expert Rating
4.4
11 reviews
4.5
12 reviews
Screen
6.9" 6.3"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution
1320 x 2868 1206 x 2622
Pixels Per Inch
458 458
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 18 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 Pro Apple A19 Pro
Battery
4,685 mAh 3,988 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
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
163 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm 150 x 71.9 x 8.8 mm
Weight
227 grams 206 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts
£41.79/mo (£29.00 upfront) £44.99/mo (£9.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£689.99 £939.99

Prices updated 16 July 2026

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple iPhone 17 Pro Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Expert Rating 4.4
11 reviews
4.5
12 reviews
Screen 6.9" 6.3"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 1320 x 2868 1206 x 2622
Pixels Per Inch 458 458
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 18 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 Pro Apple A19 Pro
Battery 4,685 mAh 3,988 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
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 163 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm 150 x 71.9 x 8.8 mm
Weight 227 grams 206 grams
Water Resistance IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts £41.79/mo
£29.00 upfront
£44.99/mo
£9.00 upfront
SIM-free £689.99 £939.99
Prices updated 16 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

24 Months

256GB

Desert Titanium

Refurbished

10GB

Data

£41.79 per month, £29 upfront.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

24 Months

256GB

Silver

10GB

Data

£44.99 per month, £9 upfront.

Use code: CASH2 (£2)

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is cheaper on contract at £1031.96 over the life of the deal from £41.79 per month with £29.00 upfront.

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

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Apple iPhone 17 Pro's 6.3", both screens are similarly sharp at around 458 pixels per inch, and both use LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panels.

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

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Apple iPhone 17 Pro 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 Pro Max or Apple iPhone 17 Pro?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £689.99.

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

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

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

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is powered by the Apple A18 Pro, while the Apple iPhone 17 Pro uses the Apple A19 Pro.

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

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is the more portable of the two: it's 21g lighter at 206 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 150 x 71.9 x 8.8 mm, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is slimmer at 8.3mm thick.

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

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes, while the Apple iPhone 17 Pro is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins).

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

Both phones run Apple iOS.