BeastCompare

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: Which One Should You Buy?

iPhone 18 Pro Max edges ahead with a BeastScore of 92.8/100 — but the right choice depends on what matters to you.

Head-to-head
Comparing 2 devicesSwipe ⇄
Apple · 2025

iPhone 17 Pro Max

iPhone 17 Pro Max
85/ 100
Launch price$1,199
Apple · 2026

iPhone 18 Pro Max

iPhone 18 Pro Max
93/ 100
Launch price$1,499
Head-to-head

iPhone 18 Pro Max wins 5 of 8 categories

Here's exactly where each phone is stronger.

iPhone 17 Pro Max
iPhone 17 Pro Max
0 wins
iPhone 18 Pro Max
iPhone 18 Pro Max
5 wins
At a glance

Bigger shape = better phone.

SpeedCameraSelfieBatteryDisplayConnectivitySecurityValue
iPhone 17 Pro MaxiPhone 18 Pro Max
Category winners

Scores out of 100. How we score

  • SpeediPhone 18 Pro Max
    90
    96
  • CameraiPhone 18 Pro Max
    85
    94
  • VideoNot enough data
  • SelfieTie
    76
    76
  • BatteryiPhone 18 Pro Max
    86
    94
  • DisplayiPhone 18 Pro Max
    90
    95
  • ConnectivityTie
    100
    100
  • SecurityTie
    100
    100
  • ValueiPhone 18 Pro Max
    55
    58
Key differences
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery5,567 mAh vs 5,088 mAh
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max charges faster45W vs 40W
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max is lighter233 g vs 249 g
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max launched cheaper$1,199 vs $1,499
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max has the faster chipApple A20 Pro (2 nm) vs Apple A19 Pro
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max can text for help by satelliteYes vs No
See all specs ↓

Why buy each phone

Swipe ⇄
Reasons to buy iPhone 17 Pro Max
  • ✓16 g lighter (233 g vs 249 g), easier to hold
  • ✓$300 cheaper at launch ($1,199 vs $1,499)
  • ✓48 MP main camera
Reasons to buy iPhone 18 Pro Max
  • ✓Bigger 5,567 mAh battery (+479 mAh)
  • ✓48 MP main camera
  • ✓6.9" display at 120 Hz

Full specifications

Swipe ⇄
SpecificationiPhone 17 Pro MaxiPhone 18 Pro Max
1. Display & Screen🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Display
Screen typeLTPO Super Retina XDR OLEDLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision
Screen Size6.9"6.9"
Resolution & Density2868x1320 (460 ppi)1320 x 2868 pixels (19.5:9 ratio) (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate120 Hz ProMotion120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness3,000 nits peak1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
Screen ProtectionNot listedCeramic Shield 2, Anti-reflective coating, Always-On display
2. Platform & Performance🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Performance
Chipset / ProcessorApple A19 Pro (3nm)Apple A20 Pro (2 nm) (2nm)
CPU CoresNot listedHexa-core (2x High Performance + 4x Efficiency)
GPU GraphicsApple GPU (6-core)Apple GPU (7-core graphics)
Operating SystemiOS 26iOS 27
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory12 GB LPDDR12GB LPDDR5X
Internal Storage256GB / 512GB / 1024GB / 2048GB256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB
Storage SpeedNot listedNVMe fast flash
Card SlotNoNo
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Camera
Primary Camera48 MP, f/1.78, OIS, Fusion 48MP48 MP, f/1.5, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, OIS, Dual pixel PDAF, Sensor-shift OIS (gen 2)
Telephoto Zoom48 MP (8x optical zoom), f/2.8, OIS48 MP (4x optical zoom), f/2.8, 100mm (periscope telephoto), OIS
Ultrawide Camera48 MP, f/2.248 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)
LiDAR / DepthNoneTOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth sensing & night portrait)
5. Video
Main Camera Video
Not listed
4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps1080p@240fps10-bit HDRDolby Vision HDR (up to 120fps)ProRes RAWApple Log 2Spatial 3D video & stereo sound
Front Video
Not listed
4K@24/25/30/60fps1080p@120fpsgyro-EISDolby Vision HDR
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens18 MP, f/1.918 MP, f/1.9, 20mm (ultrawide multi-aspect)
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 iPhone 17 Pro Max Lightest Chassis
Dimensions163.4 x 78 x 8.75 mm163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
Weight233 g249 g (8.78 oz)
Build MaterialsNot listedGlass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum frame, aluminum/glass back
SIM TypeNot listedNano-SIM + eSIM + dual eSIM support
Water ResistanceIP68IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min)
8. Battery & Charging🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Battery
Battery Capacity5,088 mAh5,567 mAh
Wired Fast Charging40W wired fast charging45W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging25W wireless charging25W wireless charging
Reverse ChargingNot listedNot listed
9. Sound & Audio
LoudspeakerNot listedYes, with stereo speakers (Spatial Audio)
3.5mm Headphone JackNoNo
10. Connectivity
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band, hotspot)
Bluetooth6.0Bluetooth 6.0, A2DP, LE
USB Port & SpeedUSB-C 3.0USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (up to 10Gbps), DisplayPort video out
NFCYes (contactless payment)Yes (Apple Pay Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
11. Sensors & Security
SensorsNot listedFace ID, LiDAR scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Satellite FeaturesNot listedEmergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite
12. Colors & Overview
ColorsNot listedBlack, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy
Launch Price$1,199$1,499
Our verdict

iPhone 18 Pro Max wins — BeastScore 92.8/100

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is the better pick for most people thanks to its bigger battery (5,567 mAh vs 5,088 mAh) and faster charging (45W vs 40W). The iPhone 17 Pro Max is worth a look if you prefer its lighter body (233 g vs 249 g).

Buy iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want

Lighter: 233 g vs 249 g (16 g less) · Lower launch price: $1,199 vs $1,499

Buy iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want

Larger battery: 5,567 mAh vs 5,088 mAh

Upgrade guideOwn the iPhone 17 Pro Max? Is upgrading to the iPhone 18 Pro Max worth it?
Read the verdict →

Common questions

Which is better: iPhone 17 Pro Max or iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is the better pick for most people thanks to its bigger battery (5,567 mAh vs 5,088 mAh) and faster charging (45W vs 40W). The iPhone 17 Pro Max is worth a look if you prefer its lighter body (233 g vs 249 g). BeastScore: iPhone 17 Pro Max 84.5/100, iPhone 18 Pro Max 92.8/100.

What are the main battery and display differences between iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 18 Pro Max?

iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display and 5088 mAh battery. iPhone 18 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display and 5567 mAh battery.

How do iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 18 Pro Max compare for speed?

iPhone 17 Pro Max scores 90/100 for performance; iPhone 18 Pro Max scores 96/100.

Similar Smartphones

Galaxy Z Fold8
Samsung

Galaxy Z Fold8

Apple iPhone Duo
Apple

Apple iPhone Duo

Google Pixel 9 Pro
Google

Google Pixel 9 Pro

OnePlus 15
Oneplus

OnePlus 15

Redmi Note 13 Pro+
Xiaomi

Redmi Note 13 Pro+

Vivo X300s
Vivo

Vivo X300s

Oppo Find X9 Ultra
Oppo

Oppo Find X9 Ultra

Motorola Edge 70 Pro+ 5G
Motorola

Motorola Edge 70 Pro+ 5G

More Smartphones comparisons

vs

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max

Compare →
vs

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max

Compare →
vs

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 17e

Compare →
vs

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro

Compare →
vs

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 17

Compare →
vs

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 18 Pro Max

Compare →
vs

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 18 Pro

Compare →
vs

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 15 Ultra

Compare →

Gear for the iPhone 18 Pro Max

All Amazon Finds →
Amazon FindsBest iPhone 18 Pro Max casesThin, rugged and MagSafe picks.See the picks Amazon FindsBest iPhone 18 Pro Max screen protectorsGlass that fits the big screen.See the picks Amazon FindsBest MagSafe car mountsVent, dash and charging mounts.See the picks Amazon FindsAirPods Pro 3 vs Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs BoseWhich flagship earbuds fit your phone.See the picks

Related articles

All articles →
Here are the Apple iPhone Duo alternativesGuide
6 min read

Here are the Apple iPhone Duo alternatives

Explore top alternatives to the $2,000 Apple iPhone Duo, including the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, Xiaomi 18 Fold 5G, Vivo X Fold5 Pro, and OnePlus Open 2.

Read →
Pixel 10a Now $599 vs Galaxy A57 & iPhone 17e: Still Worth It?Tech News
6 min read

Pixel 10a Now $599 vs Galaxy A57 & iPhone 17e: Still Worth It?

Google quietly raised the Pixel 10a from $499 to $599 in early October, and Samsung pushed the Galaxy A57 up to $599.99 the same week. That puts three "budget" phones at the same $599 starting price as the iPhone 17e. Here is what changed, how the three compare, and which one makes sense now.

Read →
Snapdragon 8 Elite vs. MediaTek Dimensity 9400 vs. Apple A18 Pro: The Definitive 3nm Mobile Silicon Architecture, GPU Ray Tracing & Gaming Benchmark Showdown (2026)Flagship SoC Architecture
22 min read

Snapdragon 8 Elite vs. MediaTek Dimensity 9400 vs. Apple A18 Pro: The Definitive 3nm Mobile Silicon Architecture, GPU Ray Tracing & Gaming Benchmark Showdown (2026)

An exhaustive 3nm architectural deep dive comparing Qualcomm custom Oryon CPU, MediaTek All-Big-Core Dimensity 9400, and Apple A18 Pro—covering microarchitecture, Adreno 830 vs Immortalis-G925 ray tracing, NPU compute, thermal throttling, and real-world gaming frame rates.

Read →