Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 18
Compare Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 18 side by side: Apple A19 Pro vs Apple A20 (2nm TSMC), 48MP vs 48MP camera, 4823mAh vs 3800mAh battery, $699…
Apple
iPhone 17 Pro Max
$699
7categories won
Apple
iPhone 18
$899
7categories won
7 categories tied · 21 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max takes the overall win
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max claims the overall win over the Apple iPhone 18, delivering a stronger technical package across battery endurance and core hardware. For battery longevity and charging speed, the iPhone 17 Pro Max takes the lead, while the iPhone 18 is the clear choice for demanding 3D gaming and heavy multitasking. Choose the iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the iPhone 18 if its specific hardware strengths better fit your budget.
iPhone 17 Pro Max wins on endurance with 4,823 mAh and 42W fast charging.
iPhone 18 provides greater sustained gaming output with its Apple A20 (2nm TSMC) and 12GB RAM.
iPhone 17 Pro Max wins photography with 48MP main imaging and 4x dedicated optical zoom.
iPhone 17 Pro Max provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $699 vs $899.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 18: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.9" | 6.3" |
| Resolution | 1320 x 2868Winner | 1179 x 2556 |
| Pixel density | 458 ppiWinner | 447 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 3000 nits | 3000 nits |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A19 Pro | Apple A20 (2nm TSMC) |
| Process node | 3 nm | 2 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 2,400,000 | 3,200,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 8900 | 10800Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Maximum storage | 2TBWinner | 512GB |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Rear cameras | 3Winner | 2 |
| Optical zoom | 4x | — |
| Ultrawide | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Selfie camera | 18 MP | 18 MP |
| Max video | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,823 mAhWinner | 3,800 mAh |
| Wired charging | 42 WWinner | 35 W |
| Wireless charging | 25 W | 25 W |
Design
| Specification | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 233 g | 172 gWinner |
| Thickness | 8.75 mm | 7.6 mmWinner |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Aluminum unibody, Ceramic Shield 2 front | Grade 5 Titanium frame, Ceramic Glass front and back |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS iOS 26 | iOS 20 |
| OS updates | 6 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 6 years | 7 yearsWinner |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $699Winner | $899 |
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is a massive 6.9-inch flagship suited for power users and mobile videographers. With its new A19 Pro 3nm chipset, 12GB of RAM, and a complete triple 48MP camera system, it delivers top-tier performance, though its 233g aluminum build makes it exceptionally heavy.
- Display
- 6.9"
- Chipset
- Apple A19 Pro
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 4,823mAh
Apple iPhone 18
The base iPhone 18 finally adopts smooth 120Hz ProMotion display technology alongside TSMC’s bleeding-edge 2nm Apple A20 chip, dual 48MP Fusion optics, and dedicated Camera Control 2.0.
- Display
- 6.3"
- Chipset
- Apple A20 (2nm TSMC)
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 3,800mAh