Ever since the iPhone X, I’ve been critical about how some of the best phones command a fortune to own. That’s why for the last few years, I’ve often recommended getting the base flagship models, like the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16, seeing that they still have features most people look for without the overpriced cost.
With the introduction of the iPhone 17 lineup, however, I’m doing a reversal after getting the chance to check them all out in person. Despite all of the big upgrades I mention in my iPhone 17 hands-on, along with the introduction of the iPhone Air and price hike of the iPhone 17 Pro, the one I’d buy with my own money is the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Yes, it still costs a whopping $1,199, but it actually has the most bang-for-the-buck value. Here’s why.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 17: biggest differences
- Separated by $400
- Battery should last longer on iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Triple cameras vs. dual-camera system
I’ll start off comparing the iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 because it has the widest price gap amongst the bunch at $400. First of all, I’m happy to see that the iPhone 17 finally gets its long overdue 120Hz refresh rate and how it adopts the same 48MP ultrawide shooter as the Pros. Both phones also get Apple's new 18MP Center Stage front camera. However, that’s where the similarities end.
First of all, the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s 6.9-inch ProMotion display is substantially larger, so it's better for watching movies and playing games (and just fitting more info on the screen at once). With its larger battery, too, it means that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will last longer on a full charge. There hasn’t been a time yet when the base iPhone model outlasted the Pro Max, so I highly doubt that’s going to change this year.
Over in the camera department, the iPhone 17 Pro Max offers more utility with its triple camera system — complete with a new 48MP telephoto camera with 4x optical zoom. The iPhone 17 offers a 2x optical zoom equivalent. The Pro Max also has richer options for video, like ProRes video recording up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording, Genlock support, 2nd-gen sensor-shift optical image stabilization, and a studio-quality four-mic array.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone Air: biggest differences
- $200 difference
- Potentially much shorter battery life with iPhone Air
- Triple cameras vs single camera
This one’s interesting because of how they’re separated by only $200. I will say that the impressively thin construction of the iPhone Air makes it compelling, but that’s about where it ends. That’s because the iPhone 17 Pro Max is still the more capable camera phone with its 48MP triple cameras, versus just the single 48MP shooter with the iPhone Air.
Although the Air is powered by the A19 Pro chip, it has one less GPU-core than the A19 Pro in the iPhone 17 Pro Max. I’m also concerned about how well the iPhone Air will maintain peak performance without overheating. This won’t be as much of a problem for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, as there's not only more space but also a new vapor chamber that’s designed to dissipate heat build up.
Finally, I’m also confident that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will last much longer with its battery. Apple claims ‘all-day battery life’ with the Air, but I’m not as optimistic. The iPhone Air is rated for 27 hours of video playback versus 39 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro: Biggest differences
- $100 difference
- Shorter battery life
Last year, there was a lot of incentive to get the iPhone 16 Pro over the 16 Pro Max because of how they shared the same exact triple cameras — whereas before, the 15 Pro Max offered the better 5x optical zoom over the 3x one in the 15 Pro. That doesn’t change this year as both the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max again have the same identical cameras.
However, the biggest difference between them is the $100 cost separating them. The gap has narrowed between their prices because Apple has opted to give the 17 Pro a $100 price hike, which does bring its starting storage capacity to 256GB.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max has the larger 6.9-inch display — versus the 6.3-inch one in the 17 Pro. I know how a larger screen makes it more suitable for watching videos, but it’s also helpful in seeing more of the stuff you’re working with on the phone.
Another incentive to get the iPhone 17 Pro Max over the iPhone 17 Pro is that it will likely offer longer battery life, which has been the universal theme for the Pro Max. In our battery drain test, the iPhone 16 Pro Max lasted 17 hours and 38 minutes before tapping out. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro reached 14 hours and 7 minutes.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is rated for 39 hours of video playback by Apple, compared to 33 hours for the Pro.
Bottom Line
The toughest challenge for the iPhone 17 Pro Max in my opinion is against the iPhone 17. Most people would probably shy away after looking at the $400 difference between them, but there’s valid reasons why the iPhone 17 Pro Max is superior.
Against the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro, I think the relatively mall price differences between them still gives the iPhone 17 Pro Max the upper hand because it's rated for longer battery life. It’s crazy for me to recommend getting the most expensive iPhone this year, but based on my time checking them all out, I’m surprised about how the iPhone 17 Pro Max is the most logical sense to buy.
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