The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max sit at the top of Apple’s latest lineup, showcasing the company’s most advanced features. The iPhone 17 Pro delivers a high performance experience with a vibrant display, versatile triple camera system, and solid battery life, making it ideal for most users. The Pro Max builds on this with a larger, more cinematic display, slightly longer battery life, and higher storage options, catering to those who watch a lot of media or need extra endurance.
This comparison looks at whether the Pro’s more manageable size or the Pro Max’s expanded screen and battery better fits your needs.
iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max – Build and Design
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max both exemplify Apple’s commitment to premium design, featuring a sleek titanium frame and a polished finish that feels substantial yet refined in the hand. The iPhone 17 Pro is lighter and more compact, making it comfortable for one handed use and daily carry, while the Pro Max, with its larger and heavier build, offers a commanding presence and a more immersive experience.
iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max – Display
The iPhone 17 Pro has a 6.3 inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with smooth 120Hz performance, making scrolling and animations fluid. The Pro Max enlarges this to 6.9 inches, giving a noticeably bigger viewing area while keeping the same high resolution and vivid colour quality.
Both screens are excellent, with the Pro Max excelling in scale and immersion, while the Pro is practical and precise.
iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max – Camera and Video
Both devices share a triple camera array with 48MP main, ultrawide and telephoto lenses, plus an 18MP front camera. They capture detailed photos and smooth, high quality video with professional features such as optical zoom and advanced video formats.
The Pro Max benefits from subtle improvements in low light and stabilisation, making it slightly better for longer shooting sessions or more demanding photography scenarios.
The Pro Max offers a small edge for enthusiasts or heavy photographers.
iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max – Processor
Both phones run on the A19 Pro chip, delivering excellent performance for gaming, multitasking and demanding apps. The Pro Max, thanks to its slightly larger body, can sustain high performance a little longer under continuous heavy use.
Both are extremely fast, with the Pro Max offering a minor advantage for extended intensive workloads
iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max – Battery Performance
The iPhone 17 Pro delivers reliable battery life for a full day of use. The Pro Max has a larger battery, giving longer video playback and more hours between charges.
The Pro Max is the better choice for endurance, while the Pro is sufficient for most daily routines.
iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max – Storage
The iPhone 17 Pro offers storage up to 1TB. The Pro Max takes this further with 2TB, ideal for users who store large amounts of media, work with professional video files or need substantial local storage.
The Pro Max provides maximum flexibility, while the Pro meets the needs of most users comfortably.
iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max – Verdict
The iPhone 17 Pro is ideal for those who want a compact, flagship experience. The Pro Max appeals to users who prioritise a bigger display, longer battery life and the highest storage capacity.
Choose the iPhone 17 Pro for a sleek, highly capable device. Opt for the iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want maximum screen size, extended battery life and top end storage.