iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 18 Pro Max
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 Pro Max | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 score | 2,521,699 | 2,980,000 | -15.4% |
| Chipset | Apple A19 Pro | Apple A20 | — |
| Display | 6.9" 120 Hz | 6.9" 120 Hz | — |
| Battery (mAh) | 4,800 | 4,900 | -2.0% |
| Rear cameras | 48+48+48+LiDAR MP | 48+48+48+LiDAR MP | — |
| Front camera (MP) | 24 | 24 | — |
| RAM / storage (base) | 12 GB / 256 GB | 12 GB / 256 GB | — |
| Max configuration | 12 GB / 1024 GB | 12 GB / 1024 GB | — |
| Weight (g) | 222 | 219 | +1.4% |
| Connectivity / unlock | 5G · No - Face ID | 5G · No - Face ID | — |
| Launch price (USD) | $1,199–$1,599 | $1,249–$1,649 | -4.0% |
- iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 15% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A19 Pro vs Apple A20).
- iPhone 17 Pro Max is the cheaper option at launch pricing.
Verdict: iPhone 17 Pro Max or iPhone 18 Pro Max?
iPhone 17 Pro Max advantages
- Affordability (+4%)
iPhone 18 Pro Max advantages
- Raw performance (+15%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want the best value for money.
- Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
Value for money
iPhone 18 Pro Max delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: which should you choose?
iPhone 17 Pro Max — Apple iOS 19 smartphone (2025) with a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A19 Pro, 4800 mAh battery and 48MP main camera, scoring about 2,521,699 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,199.
iPhone 18 Pro Max — Apple iOS 20 smartphone (2026) with a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A20, 4900 mAh battery and 48MP main camera, scoring about 2,980,000 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,249.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: iPhone 18 Pro Max is the faster phone. iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 15% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A19 Pro vs Apple A20). iPhone 17 Pro Max is the cheaper option at launch pricing.
Performance and everyday use
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is the faster device on raw benchmarks (2,980,000 vs 2,521,699 on AnTuTu v10), running the Apple A20 against the Apple A19 Pro. For messaging, browsing and social apps both feel instant — the gap matters most for gaming and long-term headroom.
Display and battery
iPhone 17 Pro Max carries a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED against a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED on the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Batteries are 4,800 and 4,900 mAh — though software tuning and chipset efficiency shape real-world endurance as much as capacity.
Cameras, storage and price
Rear arrays are 48+48+48+LiDAR MP versus 48+48+48+LiDAR MP, with 24 MP and 24 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 12 GB / 256 GB and 12 GB / 256 GB. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the more affordable at about $1,199 launch price, which may matter more than a small spec gap.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the smartphone comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the iPhone 17 Pro Max better than the iPhone 18 Pro Max?
These two are closely matched — the right pick comes down to which specific strengths you value and the price you actually pay. iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 15% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A19 Pro vs Apple A20).
What is the main difference between the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the iPhone 18 Pro Max?
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on raw performance by about 15% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A19 Pro vs Apple A20). iPhone 17 Pro Max is the cheaper option at launch pricing.
Which is better value?
iPhone 18 Pro Max delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Which should I choose?
Choose the iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want the best value for money. Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
Methodology
Smartphones are compared on AnTuTu v10 benchmark scores, chipset, display size and refresh rate, battery capacity, rear and front camera resolution, RAM and storage across launch variants, weight, and launch pricing (USD). Each model shows its base variant with the top-spec configuration noted where multiple variants exist. Benchmark scores reflect the listed chipset variant; real-world battery life and camera quality depend on software tuning, not just hardware numbers.