Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs HONOR Magic 8 Pro

Our Verdict: For Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max versus HONOR Magic 8 Pro, the recommendation depends mostly on what you want from the hardware. The HONOR is ahead for portability, with its LTPO OLED panel, a higher-resolution 200MP rear camera, and a higher-resolution 50MP front camera; the iPhone is the better match for 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 Pro is the cheaper one to own: around £918 over a typical contract, £230 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Expert Rating
4.4
11 reviews
4.2
10 reviews
Screen
6.9" 6.71"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO OLED
Resolution
1320 x 2868 1206 x 2808
Pixels Per Inch
458 455
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera
18 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A19 Pro Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery
4,823 mAh 6,270 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB 512GB
OS
Apple iOS Android 16
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 161.2 x 75 x 8.3 mm
Weight
233 grams 219 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) £29.99/mo (£169.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£968.00 £950.00
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max HONOR Magic 8 Pro HONOR Magic 8 Pro
Expert Rating 4.4
11 reviews
4.2
10 reviews
Screen 6.9" 6.71"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO OLED
Resolution 1320 x 2868 1206 x 2808
Pixels Per Inch 458 455
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera 18 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A19 Pro Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery 4,823 mAh 6,270 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB 512GB
OS Apple iOS Android 16
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 161.2 x 75 x 8.3 mm
Weight 233 grams 219 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
£29.99/mo
£169.00 upfront
SIM-free £968.00 £950.00
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

24 Months

256GB

Cosmic Orange

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

Exclusive Deal Details

£44.99 a month, £39 upfront.

Use code: SUMMER10 (£10 off)

HONOR Magic 8 Pro
HONOR Magic 8 Pro

24 Months

512GB

Gold

200GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£29.99 a month, £169 upfront.

Use code: SAVING10 (£10 off)

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on total cost of ownership, the HONOR Magic 8 Pro is cheaper on contract at £918.36 over the life of the deal from £29.99 per month with £169.00 upfront.

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

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the HONOR Magic 8 Pro's 6.7", both screens are similarly sharp at around 458 pixels per inch, and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the HONOR Magic 8 Pro has a LTPO OLED.

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

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the HONOR Magic 8 Pro has a 200 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 Pro?

The HONOR Magic 8 Pro is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £950.00.

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

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

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

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is powered by the Apple A19 Pro, while the HONOR Magic 8 Pro uses the Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm).

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

The HONOR Magic 8 Pro is the more portable of the two: it's 14g lighter at 219 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 161.2 x 75 x 8.3 mm, and is slimmer at 8.3mm thick.

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

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the HONOR Magic 8 Pro 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 Pro run?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max runs Apple iOS and the HONOR Magic 8 Pro runs Android 16. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.