Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs HONOR Magic 8 Lite

Our Verdict: For Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max versus HONOR Magic 8 Lite, the recommendation depends mostly on what you want from the hardware. The HONOR is ahead for portability, with its AMOLED panel, a higher-resolution 108MP rear camera, and a larger 7,500 mAh battery; the iPhone is the better match for a sharper 458 PPI display, its LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel, and 256GB to 2000GB storage. A bigger mAh figure is useful context, but real battery life still depends on software and chipset efficiency. Software may decide it too: the iPhone keeps you in Apple's iOS ecosystem, while the HONOR is the Android choice. The HONOR is the better fit for portability, while the iPhone is the one to consider for display quality.

The Magic 8 Lite is the cheaper one to own: around £392 over a typical contract, £756 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Expert Rating
4.4
11 reviews
3.8
10 reviews
Screen
6.9" 6.79"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED AMOLED
Resolution
1320 x 2868 1200 x 2640
Pixels Per Inch
458 427
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 108 Megapixels
Front Camera
18 Megapixels 16 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A19 Pro Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 (4 nm)
Battery
4,823 mAh 7,500 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB 512GB
OS
Apple iOS Android 15
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e-SIM Nano SIM + Nano 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/6
Bluetooth
6.0, A2DP, LE 5.2 with A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Dimensions
163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm 161.9 x 76.1 x 7.8 mm
Weight
233 grams 189 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP65/68 - Dust and water proof up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes
Contracts
£44.99/mo (£39.00 upfront) £13.00/mo (£55.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£1009.99 £327.00
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max HONOR Magic 8 Lite HONOR Magic 8 Lite
Expert Rating 4.4
11 reviews
3.8
10 reviews
Screen 6.9" 6.79"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED AMOLED
Resolution 1320 x 2868 1200 x 2640
Pixels Per Inch 458 427
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 108 Megapixels
Front Camera 18 Megapixels 16 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A19 Pro Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 (4 nm)
Battery 4,823 mAh 7,500 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB 512GB
OS Apple iOS Android 15
SIM Type nano-SIM and e-SIM Nano SIM + Nano 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/6
Bluetooth 6.0, A2DP, LE 5.2 with A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Dimensions 163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm 161.9 x 76.1 x 7.8 mm
Weight 233 grams 189 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP65/68 - Dust and water proof up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes
Contracts £44.99/mo
£39.00 upfront
£13.00/mo
£55.00 upfront
SIM-free £1009.99 £327.00
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

24 Months

256GB

Deep Blue

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£44.99 a month, £39 upfront.

Use code: SAVING10 (£10 off)

HONOR Magic 8 Lite
HONOR Magic 8 Lite

24 Months

512GB

Black

100GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£13 a month, £55 upfront.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£30 off)

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or HONOR Magic 8 Lite cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the HONOR Magic 8 Lite is cheaper on contract at £392.00 over the life of the deal from £13.00 per month with £55.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or HONOR Magic 8 Lite?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the HONOR Magic 8 Lite's 6.8", the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has the sharper display at 458 pixels per inch versus 427, and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the HONOR Magic 8 Lite has a AMOLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or HONOR Magic 8 Lite?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the HONOR Magic 8 Lite has a 108 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 17 Pro Max or HONOR Magic 8 Lite?

The HONOR Magic 8 Lite is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £327.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and HONOR Magic 8 Lite?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, while the HONOR Magic 8 Lite comes in 512GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and HONOR Magic 8 Lite use?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is powered by the Apple A19 Pro, while the HONOR Magic 8 Lite uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 (4 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or HONOR Magic 8 Lite?

The HONOR Magic 8 Lite is the more portable of the two: it's 44g lighter at 189 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 161.9 x 76.1 x 7.8 mm, and is slimmer at 7.8mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or HONOR Magic 8 Lite?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the HONOR Magic 8 Lite is rated IP65/68 - Dust and water proof up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and HONOR Magic 8 Lite run?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max runs Apple iOS and the HONOR Magic 8 Lite runs Android 15. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.