Comparison
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the better phone, with up to 39 hours of video playback, three 48MP cameras, an 18MP Center Stage selfie camera and faster charging. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is still excellent and keeps a longer 5x optical zoom.
Buy the iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want longer battery life, a 48MP telephoto, a brighter screen outdoors and faster charging. Buy the iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want a big Pro iPhone with a 5x zoom, a titanium frame and Apple Intelligence.
You want the longest battery life
You want sharper zoom and a better selfie camera
You want faster wired and Qi2 charging
You want up to 2TB of storage
You want a big Pro iPhone
You like the 5x zoom reach
You prefer titanium and a slightly lighter phone
You still use a physical SIM card
Skip both if: you want a smaller phone. The iPhone 17 Pro has the same cameras in a 6.3-inch size.
The short version
Both phones have a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR screen at 2868 by 1320 with ProMotion up to 120Hz and an always-on display. Both have a 48MP main camera, a 48MP ultra wide, Camera Control, the Action button, USB 3, LiDAR and Apple Intelligence.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max changes four big things. Battery life jumps to up to 39 hours of video playback. The telephoto becomes 48MP, with a 4x lens instead of 5x. The front camera becomes an 18MP Center Stage camera. And the titanium frame is replaced by an aluminum unibody with a Ceramic Shield back.
What's different
See every spec side by side
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | iPhone 17 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | September 2024 | September 2025 |
| Screen | 6.9" OLED, 2868 x 1320 | 6.9" OLED, 2868 x 1320 |
| Refresh rate | Up to 120Hz ProMotion, always-on | Up to 120Hz ProMotion, always-on |
| Peak brightness (outdoor) | 2000 nits | 3000 nits |
| Chip | A18 Pro | A19 Pro |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
| Main camera | 48MP Fusion | 48MP Fusion |
| Ultra wide | 48MP | 48MP |
| Telephoto | 12MP, 5x optical (120 mm) | 48MP, 4x optical (100 mm), 8x optical-quality |
| Front camera | 12MP TrueDepth | 18MP Center Stage |
| ProRes RAW | No | Yes |
| Video playback | Up to 33 hours | Up to 39 hours |
| Fast charging (wired) | 50% in about 30 min (20W) | 50% in 20 min (40W) |
| Qi2 wireless | Up to 15W (MagSafe up to 25W) | Up to 25W (MagSafe up to 25W) |
| Port | USB-C (USB 3, up to 10Gb/s) | USB-C (USB 3, up to 10Gb/s) |
| Frame and back | Titanium, matte glass back | Aluminum unibody, Ceramic Shield back |
| Thickness | 8.25 mm | 8.75 mm |
| Weight | 227 g | 233 g |
| SIM (Canadian models) | nano-SIM and eSIM | eSIM only |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6 m, 30 min) | IP68 (6 m, 30 min) |
| Refurbished price | From $1,309.99 | From $1,123.99 |
iPhone 17 Pro Max weight and battery figures are Apple's numbers for eSIM-only models, which is what Apple sells in Canada.
Battery life: the biggest upgrade
Apple rates the iPhone 17 Pro Max at up to 39 hours of video playback and up to 35 hours streamed.
Read more
The 16 Pro Max is rated at up to 33 hours and 29 hours. That is about six more hours on paper, and it is the main reason to upgrade.
Charging is faster too. The 17 Pro Max reaches 50% in about 20 minutes with a 40W or higher adapter. The 16 Pro Max takes about 30 minutes to reach 50%. Both support MagSafe up to 25W. Qi2 is up to 25W on the 17 Pro Max and up to 15W on the 16 Pro Max.
Cameras: 48MP 4x vs 12MP 5x
This is a real trade-off, not a straight upgrade.
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The 16 Pro Max has a 12MP telephoto at 5x (120 mm). The 17 Pro Max has a 48MP telephoto at 4x (100 mm), and because of its high resolution Apple rates it for 8x optical-quality zoom.
In practice, the 17 Pro Max gives you sharper shots between 4x and 8x and better detail when you crop. The 16 Pro Max has a slightly longer native reach at 5x. For most people, the 17 Pro Max telephoto is more useful, especially for portraits, concerts and sports.
The front camera is a clear upgrade on the 17 Pro Max. Its 18MP Center Stage camera can widen the frame for group selfies without turning the phone sideways. The 16 Pro Max has a 12MP TrueDepth camera. The 17 Pro Max also adds ProRes RAW and Genlock for pro video work.
Screen
The screens are the same size and resolution, with the same ProMotion and always-on display.
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The 17 Pro Max gets brighter outdoors, up to 3000 nits against 2000 nits, and adds Ceramic Shield 2 with an anti-reflective coating. In bright sun, it is easier to read.
Chip and performance
The A19 Pro in the 17 Pro Max has a 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, and Apple's N1 wireless chip adds Bluetooth 6.
Read more
The A18 Pro in the 16 Pro Max also has a 6-core CPU and 6-core GPU, with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3.
Both are very fast. You will not feel lag in apps or games on either. The newer chip helps most with heavy video work and AI features. Both run Apple Intelligence.
Design, weight and SIM
The 16 Pro Max has a titanium frame and a matte glass back.
Read more
The 17 Pro Max switches to an aluminum unibody with a Ceramic Shield back and a camera plateau that spans the top. It is a little thicker at 8.75 mm against 8.25 mm and heavier at 233 g against 227 g.
In Canada, Apple sells the 17 Pro Max as eSIM only, with no SIM tray. Canadian 16 Pro Max models have a nano-SIM tray and eSIM. If you still use a physical SIM card, check that your provider supports eSIM before choosing the 17 Pro Max. All our phones are unlocked.
Price range
Refurbished, the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,309.99 and the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,123.99. Higher storage and better grades cost more. Prices on this page update live from our store.
Want the newest model? See the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Browse the full iPhone 16 series and iPhone 17 series. Upgrading? You can sell or trade in your current phone.
Should you buy new or refurbished?
Pro Max iPhones cost the most new, so refurbished saves the most.
Read more
Every phone we sell is inspected and tested, unlocked, and backed by up to a 1-year warranty and 14-day returns. Grades describe looks only. Read new vs used vs refurbished to learn more.
Still choosing? Our buying guides: best phones in Canada, best camera phones, best battery life and best phones for seniors.
FAQ
Is the iPhone 17 Pro Max worth upgrading to from the 16 Pro Max?
If battery life matters to you, it is the best reason to upgrade, with up to 39 hours of video playback against 33. You also get a 48MP telephoto, an 18MP Center Stage front camera and faster charging. If your 16 Pro Max still lasts the day, you can wait.
Does the iPhone 17 Pro Max have 5x zoom?
No. It has a 48MP 4x telephoto that Apple rates for 8x optical-quality zoom. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 12MP 5x telephoto.
Which is heavier, the 16 Pro Max or 17 Pro Max?
The 17 Pro Max weighs 233 g and is 8.75 mm thick. The 16 Pro Max weighs 227 g and is 8.25 mm thick.
Is the iPhone 17 Pro Max titanium?
No. The 17 Pro Max uses an aluminum unibody with a Ceramic Shield back. The 16 Pro Max has a titanium frame.
Do both support Apple Intelligence?
Yes. Both the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro Max support Apple Intelligence.
Still choosing? Read our guide to which iPhone to buy.
Skip the new-phone price
Get the iPhone 17 Pro Max pre-owned from $1,123.99, tested by real technicians with up to a 1-year warranty and 14-day returns.
