Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs HONOR Magic 8 Lite

Our Verdict: Magic 8 Lite comes out ahead on value, and it is not relying on price alone because Magic 8 Lite has the higher-resolution 108MP rear camera. iPhone 17 Pro Max pushes back because iPhone 17 Pro Max has the sharper 458 PPI display. Pick Magic 8 Lite for the lower-cost deal; lean toward iPhone 17 Pro Max if its display, camera, size or software trade-off is the one you will notice every day.

The Magic 8 Lite is the cheaper one to own: around £351 over a typical contract, £870 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 (£119.00 upfront) £12.99/mo (£9.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£1035.00 £327.00

Prices updated 17 July 2026

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
£119.00 upfront
£12.99/mo
£9.00 upfront
SIM-free £1035.00 £327.00
Prices updated 17 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

24 Months

256GB

Silver

10GB

Data

£44.99 per month, £119 upfront.

Use code: SUMMER10 (£10)

HONOR Magic 8 Lite
HONOR Magic 8 Lite

24 Months

512GB

Black

150GB

Data

£12.99 per month, £9 upfront.

Use code: CASH2 (£2)

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 £351.16 over the life of the deal from £12.99 per month with £9.00 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.