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YOUR PHONE FACE-OFF

iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max

Real specs. Clear sources.UK models · Checked 4 Sept 2026
THE CHOICE IS PERSONAL

Which one
is your one?

Two great phones.
Different things to love.

93Display93
Camera82
91Battery100
Make it personal How are scores calculated?
EVERYDAY PRIORITIESiPhone 17 Pro Max takes the lead.

4.6 points ahead across your selected display, battery priorities.

Change what matters

Scores compare published capabilities, not lab-tested quality. Camera image quality and independent performance tests are not rated. See scoring

Camera scoring is unavailable for this pair. Known hardware specs still appear below; default scores use only shared, verified categories.

THE DIFFERENCES THAT MATTER

A quick read on the trade-offs.

Every specification
iPhone 17

54g lighter.

Published device weight, without a case.

iPhone 17
177g
iPhone 17 Pro Max
231g

Schematic balance · not a physical simulation

iPhone 17 Pro Max

0.6″ larger diagonal.

Bigger is a preference, not a quality score.

iPhone 17
6.3
iPhone 17 Pro Max
6.9

Relative diagonals · illustrative shape, not actual size

iPhone 17 Pro Max

A different perspective.

Dedicated telephoto reach. No digital or crop zoom.

iPhone 17
No telephoto
iPhone 17 Pro Max
4×

Lens illustration · not an image-quality test

MANUFACTURER CLAIMS

Playback on paper.

Up-to claims. Different test methods; no endurance winner.

iPhone 17
Up to 30h
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Up to 37h

Shared 40-hour scale · not mixed-use battery life

BEYOND THE TOTAL

Why choose each?

Different strengths. Your call.

REASONS TO CONSIDER

iPhone 17 Pro Max

  • A dedicated telephoto camera

    4× native telephoto; the other phone has no separate telephoto module. Reach is not an image-quality verdict.

    Verified hardware; Camera is not scored for this pair.
  • More screen, if you want it

    6.9″ vs 6.3″ diagonally. Larger is a preference, not an automatic win.

    Preference, not included in the match score.
Sources behind these differences 2

Published facts, not hands-on recommendations. These preferences do not add extra points to the match score; no tested battery gains are inferred.

GO A LITTLE DEEPER

Where each phone shines.

Explore the numbers behind the match.

iPhone 17 iPhone 17 Pro Max
Relative specification comparisonComparing iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The outer edge is the higher published value in this pair. Unknown metrics are omitted. Manufacturer test methods vary; larger does not always mean better.BrightnessPixel densityNative zoomVideo timeRefresh rateRelative published specs · outer edge = higher value
Display explainedTied on these inputs

iPhone 17: Uses Apple's 3,000-nit outdoor peak, published 460 ppi and maximum adaptive 120Hz. This is a capability model, not a display-quality lab test.

iPhone 17 Pro Max: Scores Apple-published 3,000-nit outdoor peak brightness, 460 ppi and adaptive refresh up to 120Hz. Peak brightness is not independently measured.

Explore the sources
YOUR PHONE, YOUR RULES

What matters to you?

Make the comparison fit your life.

Any must-haves?

Your matchiPhone 17 Pro Max
92vs97
Unknown must-haves pause the recommendation.
SIDE BY SIDE. NOTHING HIDDEN.

Get into the details.

All specs13 specificationsiPhone 17iPhone 17 Pro Max
Weight
177g
231g
Width
71.5mm
78mm
Thickness
7.95mm
8.75mm
Screen size
6.3″
6.9″
Published peak brightnessManufacturer peak claims use different test conditions.
3000 nits
3000 nits
Pixel density
460 ppi
460 ppi
Maximum refresh rate
120Hz
120Hz
Native telephoto reach
No dedicated lens
Rear camera modules
2
3
8K video recording
NoApple lists recording up to 4K60, not 8K.
NoApple's video specification lists up to 4K recording, not 8K.
Claimed video playbackUp-to manufacturer claims. Playback protocols differ.
30 hours
37 hours
Wireless charging
Yes
Yes
Published support term
Not verified
Not verified
UK models · 256GB · Manufacturer specificationsView sources
GO BEYOND THE SPECS

A little perspective. A better decision.

Make this comparison yours.
THE PRICE THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING

What price changes your mind?

A great phone. An even better deal. Find the point where the value flips.

iPhone 17 Pro Max matches value at£839.40
vs iPhone 17
£799.00 reference MSRP
MORE SCORE PER £
£300.00£1,025.00£1,750.00
iPhone 17 Pro MaxiPhone 17 reference
£1,199.00
iPhone 17 offers more score per £ at this price.

A score-per-price simulation, not an objective buying verdict. Starts from reference MSRP; no live retailer offers.

NO LOGOS. JUST YOU.

Would you choose it blind?

Forget the brand for a moment. Which set of specs feels more like you?

Pick a phone. Then meet your match.

Manufacturer specifications. Your choice doesn’t change the comparison above.

Good comparisons start with good sources.8 cited sources for this pair. Every number has a story.See the evidence

Your selected categories: Display, Battery. Scores reflect published capabilities, not hands-on testing. Manufacturer battery claims can use different test conditions. Verified specifications remain visible even where a category cannot be scored.

How we calculate scores

Apple iPhone 17

256 GB · checked 4 Sept 2026

Your weighted score91.9 / 100Selected categories: Display, Battery.

(93.00 × 1 + 90.71 × 1) ÷ 2

Display93.0 / 100

Uses Apple's 3,000-nit outdoor peak, published 460 ppi and maximum adaptive 120Hz. This is a capability model, not a display-quality lab test.

Selected weight: 1.

medium confidence · 100% model coverage
Published peak brightnessSource value: 3000
100.00 × 40% = 40.00

Manufacturer-published peak figure; not an independent measurement.

Apple UK
Pixel densitySource value: 460
80.00 × 35% = 28.00

Apple publishes 460 ppi directly.

Apple UK
Maximum adaptive refresh rateSource value: 120
100.00 × 25% = 25.00Apple UK

Category score = 40.00 + 28.00 + 25.00 = 93.00

CameraNot scored

Published camera facts are shown, but this catalogue has not completed verification of every pro-workflow input required by the v1 camera model. No camera-quality score is inferred from megapixels.

Not included in your current weighted score.

Missing: Complete verification of the four model-defined pro workflows.

Battery90.7 / 100

Uses Apple's up-to 30-hour local-video claim and up-to-50%-in-20-minutes charging claim. Cross-brand confidence is low because test methods differ.

Selected weight: 1.

low confidence · 100% model coverage
Manufacturer-claimed local video playbackSource value: 30
85.71 × 65% = 55.71

Manufacturer up-to local-video claim, not independently measured mixed-use endurance. Apple's playback method differs from Samsung's.

Apple UKApple
Manufacturer-claimed charging rateSource value: 2.5
100.00 × 35% = 35.00

50% divided by 20 minutes using Apple's 40W-or-higher adapter claim; not a sustained charging measurement.

Apple UK

Category score = 55.71 + 35.00 = 90.71

PerformanceNot scored

No comparable independent cross-platform benchmark is included in this official-spec catalogue.

Not included in your current weighted score.

Missing: Comparable CPU, GPU and sustained-performance measurements.

LongevityNot scored

Apple's checked UK material does not state a model-specific fixed number of software-support years.

Not included in your current weighted score.

Missing: Published model-specific software-support duration.

Specifications & verification
Weight177 gmanufacturer · high confidenceApple UK
Width71.5 mmmanufacturer · high confidenceApple UK
Thickness7.95 mmmanufacturer · high confidenceApple UK
Display size6.3 inchesmanufacturer · high confidence

Nominal diagonal; 6.27 inches as a standard rectangle, with a smaller actual viewable area.

Apple UK
Peak brightness3000 nitsmanufacturer · medium confidence

Apple's outdoor peak claim; not an independent measurement.

Apple UK
Claimed video playback30 hoursmanufacturer · medium confidence

Manufacturer up-to local-video claim, not independently measured mixed-use endurance. Apple's playback method differs from Samsung's.

Apple UKApple
Claimed charging rate2.5% per minutecalculated · low confidence

50% divided by 20 minutes using Apple's 40W-or-higher adapter claim; not a sustained charging measurement.

50 percent divided by 20 minutes.

Apple UK
Published total supportNot verified

not published

Apple Newsroom UK
Wireless chargingYesmanufacturer · high confidence

MagSafe and Qi2, up to 25W.

Apple UK
Reverse wireless chargingNot verified

not published

Apple UK
Headphone jackNocalculated · high confidence

Apple's connector list specifies USB-C, with no 3.5mm jack.

Apple UK
Expandable storageNocalculated · medium confidence

Fixed storage options and no removable storage interface in Apple's specification.

Apple UK
eSIM onlyNomanufacturer · high confidence

UK specification: nano-SIM plus eSIM; dual eSIM also supported.

Apple UK
IP ratingIP68manufacturer · high confidence

Apple's controlled-lab claim: up to 6m for 30 minutes. Resistance is not permanent.

Apple UK
RAMNot verified

not published

Apple UK
Native telephoto reachcalculated · high confidence

No separate native telephoto module; the advertised 2x mode crops the main sensor.

Apple UK
Claimed optical-quality reachmanufacturer · high confidence

Apple's optical-quality 2x mode uses the main sensor, not a separate lens.

Apple UK
Rear camera modules2manufacturer · high confidenceApple UK
8K recordingNocalculated · high confidence

Apple lists recording up to 4K60, not 8K.

Apple UK
Reference MSRP£799.00Apple Newsroom UKApple UK
All sources4
  1. iPhone 17 — Technical SpecificationsApple UK · accessed 2026-09-04
  2. Apple debuts iPhone 17Apple Newsroom UK · accessed 2026-09-04
  3. Buy iPhone 17 256GB LavenderApple UK · accessed 2026-09-04
  4. iPhone - Battery Test InformationApple · accessed 2026-09-04

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

256 GB · checked 4 Sept 2026

Your weighted score96.5 / 100Selected categories: Display, Battery.

(93.00 × 1 + 82.00 × 0 + 100.00 × 1) ÷ 2

Display93.0 / 100

Scores Apple-published 3,000-nit outdoor peak brightness, 460 ppi and adaptive refresh up to 120Hz. Peak brightness is not independently measured.

Selected weight: 1.

medium confidence · 100% model coverage
Published peak brightnessSource value: 3000
100.00 × 40% = 40.00

Manufacturer-published peak figure; not an independent measurement.

Apple
Pixel densitySource value: 460
80.00 × 35% = 28.00

Apple publishes 460 ppi directly.

Apple
Maximum adaptive refresh rateSource value: 120
100.00 × 25% = 25.00Apple

Category score = 40.00 + 28.00 + 25.00 = 93.00

Camera82.0 / 100

A published-capability score, not an image-quality verdict. It counts a native 4x telephoto, Apple's 8x optical-quality mode and four named pro workflows; Apple does not claim 8K recording.

Not included in your current weighted score.

medium confidence · 100% model coverage
Native telephoto reachSource value: 4
80.00 × 25% = 20.00

The 4x/100mm telephoto is native. Apple describes 8x/200mm as optical-quality, not a separate native 8x lens.

Apple
Published optical-quality reachSource value: 8
80.00 × 15% = 12.00

The 4x/100mm telephoto is native. Apple describes 8x/200mm as optical-quality, not a separate native 8x lens.

Apple
Published pro workflowsSource value: 4
100.00 × 35% = 35.00

Counts Apple Log 2, RAW, external recording and genlock. This measures published workflow support, not output quality.

Apple
8K recording availableSource value: 0
0.00 × 5% = 0.00Apple
Native rear camera modulesSource value: 3
75.00 × 20% = 15.00Apple

Category score = 20.00 + 12.00 + 35.00 + 0.00 + 15.00 = 82.00

Battery100.0 / 100

Uses Apple's up-to 37-hour local-video claim and up-to-50%-in-20-minutes claim. The v1 runtime component is capped at its published 35-hour ceiling; these are not independent endurance measurements.

Selected weight: 1.

low confidence · 100% model coverage
Manufacturer-claimed local video playbackSource value: 37
100.00 × 65% = 65.00

Manufacturer up-to local-video claim, not independently measured mixed-use endurance. Apple's playback method differs from Samsung's.

AppleApple
Manufacturer-claimed charging rateSource value: 2.5
100.00 × 35% = 35.00

50% divided by 20 minutes using Apple's 40W-or-higher adapter claim; not a sustained charging measurement.

Apple

Category score = 65.00 + 35.00 = 100.00

PerformanceNot scored

Apple publishes chip configuration and relative marketing claims, but no comparable cross-platform benchmark under this methodology.

Not included in your current weighted score.

Missing: Comparable independently measured CPU benchmark, Comparable independently measured GPU benchmark, Comparable sustained-performance test.

LongevityNot scored

Apple describes long software support and lists iOS 27 compatibility, but its UK material does not promise a fixed support duration for this model.

Not included in your current weighted score.

Missing: Published model-specific OS support duration in years.

Specifications & verification
Weight231 gmanufacturer · high confidence

UK model, not the lighter eSIM-only regional variant.

Apple
Width78 mmmanufacturer · high confidenceApple
Thickness8.75 mmmanufacturer · high confidenceApple
Display size6.9 inchesmanufacturer · high confidence

Nominal diagonal; 6.86 inches as a standard rectangle and actual viewable area is smaller.

Apple
Peak brightness3000 nitsmanufacturer · medium confidence

Apple-published outdoor peak, not an independent measurement; HDR peak is 1,600 nits and typical maximum is 1,000 nits.

Apple
Claimed video playback37 hoursmanufacturer · medium confidence

Manufacturer up-to local-video claim, not independently measured mixed-use endurance. Apple's playback method differs from Samsung's.

AppleApple
Claimed charging rate2.5% per minutecalculated · low confidence

A normalized rate derived from a manufacturer up-to claim, not a sustained charging measurement. Apple requires a 40W-or-higher adapter.

50 percent divided by 20 minutes.

Apple
Published total supportNot verified

not published

Apple Newsroom UKApple
Wireless chargingYesmanufacturer · high confidence

Apple lists MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging up to 25W.

Apple
Reverse wireless chargingNot verified

not published

Apple
Headphone jackNocalculated · high confidence

Derived from Apple's exhaustive connector specification, which lists USB-C and no 3.5mm connector.

Apple
Expandable storageNocalculated · medium confidence

Apple lists fixed capacities and no removable storage interface.

Apple
eSIM onlyNomanufacturer · high confidence

The UK specification lists nano-SIM plus eSIM and dual-eSIM support.

Apple
IP ratingIP68manufacturer · high confidence

Apple's controlled-lab claim is up to 6m for 30 minutes under IEC 60529; resistance is not permanent.

Apple
RAMNot verified

not published

Apple
Native telephoto reachmanufacturer · high confidenceApple
Claimed optical-quality reachmanufacturer · high confidence

Apple's sensor-derived optical-quality mode is not a separate native 8x lens.

Apple
Rear camera modules3manufacturer · high confidenceApple
8K recordingNocalculated · high confidence

Apple's video specification lists up to 4K recording, not 8K.

Apple
Reference MSRP£1,199.00Apple Newsroom UKApple UK
All sources5
  1. iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max - Technical SpecificationsApple · accessed 2026-09-04
  2. Apple unveils iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro MaxApple Newsroom UK · accessed 2026-09-04
  3. iPhone - Battery Test InformationApple · accessed 2026-09-04
  4. iOS 27 Preview and CompatibilityApple · accessed 2026-09-04
  5. Buy iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB Deep BlueApple UK · accessed 2026-09-04
THE BEST PHONE IS PERSONAL.

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