Apple’s annual iPhone refresh is usually evolutionary rather than revolutionary, and the transition from the iPhone 16 Pro Max (2024) to the iPhone 17 Pro Max (2025) follows that familiar pattern. While both models target power users who want the biggest screen, longest battery life, and best camera system, the iPhone 17 Pro Max introduces several refinements that set it apart.
Below is a breakdown of how the two generations compare.
Design and Build
iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Premium titanium frame introduced with the 15 Pro generation
- Flat edges with refined ergonomics
- Large display with minimal bezels
iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Maintains the titanium build but with subtle weight and balance refinements
- Slightly slimmer bezels, resulting in a more immersive display
- Improved durability and thermal management
Verdict:
The iPhone 17 Pro Max doesn’t radically change the design, but it feels more polished and refined in daily use.
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Spec Comparison Table
| Feature | iPhone 16 Pro Max | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | September 2024 | September 2025 |
| Frame Material | Titanium | Refined Titanium (lighter & improved thermal efficiency) |
| Display Type | ProMotion OLED | Next‑gen ProMotion OLED |
| Display Size | Large Pro Max display | Similar size with slimmer bezels |
| Refresh Rate | Up to 120Hz (adaptive) | Up to 120Hz (more efficient adaptive tuning) |
| Brightness | High peak HDR brightness | Improved outdoor & HDR brightness |
| Processor | A18 Pro chip | A19 Pro chip |
| Performance | Excellent flagship performance | Faster CPU/GPU with improved sustained performance |
| AI & Machine Learning | Advanced on‑device AI | Enhanced on‑device AI & neural processing |
| Rear Cameras | Triple‑camera Pro system | Refined triple‑camera system |
| Camera Improvements | Strong low‑light & video | Better low‑light, telephoto & video stabilization |
| Video Recording | Pro‑grade video features | Enhanced pro video tools & stabilization |
| Battery Life | All‑day battery life | Slightly longer battery life (efficiency gains) |
| Charging | Wired fast charging & MagSafe | Improved charging optimization & battery health management |
| Operating System at Launch | iOS 18 | iOS 19 |
| Software Support | Long‑term updates | Longest support window |
| Target User | Power users seeking value | Enthusiasts wanting the latest tech |
| Price at Launch | Lower than 17 Pro Max | Premium flagship pricing |
Key Takeaway
The iPhone 17 Pro Max improves on efficiency, performance, AI capabilities, and camera refinement, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max remains a powerful and more cost‑effective flagship after the newer model’s release.
Display Technology
iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Large ProMotion OLED display
- 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
- Excellent brightness and color accuracy
iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Enhanced OLED efficiency for better battery life
- Improved outdoor brightness and HDR performance
- Smoother adaptive refresh rate behavior
Verdict:
Both displays are excellent, but the iPhone 17 Pro Max offers incremental visual and efficiency improvements, especially noticeable outdoors.
Performance and Chipset
iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Powered by Apple’s A18-series Pro chip
- Excellent performance for gaming, video editing, and AI tasks
iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Introduces the next-generation A19 Pro chip
- Better sustained performance with lower heat output
- Noticeable gains in AI processing and on-device machine learning
Verdict:
Power users and gamers will benefit most from the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s faster and more efficient chipset, though the iPhone 16 Pro Max remains very capable.
Camera System
iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Advanced triple-camera system
- Strong low-light performance
- High-quality video with cinematic features
iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Improved computational photography
- Better low-light and telephoto performance
- Enhanced video stabilization and professional video controls
Verdict:
Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the refinements in the iPhone 17 Pro Max, especially for zoom and video recording.
Battery Life and Charging
iPhone 16 Pro Max
- All-day battery life with heavy use
- Fast wired and MagSafe charging
iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Slightly longer battery life due to efficiency gains
- Improved charging optimization to preserve battery health
Verdict:
Battery life improves incrementally on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, making it more reliable for power users.
Software and Longevity
iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Ships with iOS 18
- Long-term software support guaranteed
iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Ships with iOS 19
- Exclusive software features tied to newer hardware
- Longer future support window
Verdict:
The iPhone 17 Pro Max benefits from newer software capabilities and a longer lifespan.
Price and Value
iPhone 16 Pro Max
- More affordable after the release of the 17 series
- Excellent value for users upgrading from much older models
iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Premium launch pricing
- Best option for users who want the latest features and longest support
Verdict:
Choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max for value; choose the iPhone 17 Pro Max for cutting-edge performance.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
- Buy the iPhone 16 Pro Max if:
You want flagship performance at a lower price and don’t need the latest enhancements. - Buy the iPhone 17 Pro Max if:
You want the best display, camera refinements, AI performance, and the longest future-proofing.
Overall:
The iPhone 17 Pro Max refines rather than reinvents the Pro Max experience, making it the better choice for enthusiasts—while the iPhone 16 Pro Max remains a powerful and compelling option.
iPhone 16 Pro Max
The iPhone 16 Pro Max represents Apple’s latest and largest flagship smartphone. Released in September 2024, this device continues Apple’s tradition of pushing boundaries with its premium lineup. The iPhone 16 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display, making it the largest iPhone screen to date, housed in a body measuring 6.42 inches (133 millimeters) high and 3.06 inches (77.6 millimeters) wide.
For those considering an upgrade, the size increase from previous models is notable. Weighing in at 7.99 ounces (227 grams), the device maintains a substantial feel while incorporating the latest display technology. Despite its larger dimensions, Apple has continued to refine the design to maximize screen real estate without making the phone unwieldy for everyday use.
The increased display size offers practical benefits for content consumption, productivity, and gaming. The screen delivers impressive brightness levels and color accuracy, putting it on par with top competitors like the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. These improvements make visual content more immersive while maintaining the premium build quality Apple users have come to expect.
Key Takeaways
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch display in a body measuring 6.42 × 3.06 × 0.32 inches.
- Despite its larger size, the device balances screen real estate with practical usability for everyday tasks.
- The display offers exceptional brightness and color accuracy, enhancing visual content consumption and productivity.
Design and Display Innovations
The iPhone 16 Pro Max introduces several significant design and display upgrades that set it apart from previous models. Apple has refined both the form factor and screen technology while maintaining its premium aesthetic.
Larger Screen and Resolution
The iPhone 16 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch display, marking a noticeable increase from its predecessor. This expanded screen real estate doesn’t just look impressive—it provides more space for content consumption and productivity.
The borders around the display have been reduced, allowing Apple to increase the screen size without drastically changing the phone’s overall dimensions. According to search results, Apple achieved this using new display technology that routes display data under active pixels without distortion.
Some users have noted that despite the larger 6.9-inch screen, the content displayed doesn’t always show more information. In certain applications, the display scaling may actually show less content than expected compared to previous models.
Super Retina XDR and Always-On Display
The iPhone 16 Pro Max continues to use Apple’s Super Retina XDR display technology, known for its exceptional brightness, contrast, and color accuracy. The display maintains the high pixel density that ensures text and images appear crisp and clear.
The Always-On display feature returns in the iPhone 16 Pro Max, allowing users to view time, widgets, and notifications without fully waking the device. This feature works seamlessly with the Dynamic Island, which houses the front-facing camera and Face ID sensors.
The screen is measured diagonally as a standard rectangular shape at 6.9 inches, though Apple notes that the actual viewable area is slightly less due to the rounded corners and notch.
Materials and Durability
Apple continues its tradition of using premium materials for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The device features a surgical-grade stainless steel frame that provides structural integrity and a premium feel.
The front of the device is protected by Ceramic Shield, Apple’s proprietary glass covering that offers improved drop protection compared to standard smartphone glass. This technology helps prevent cracks and scratches during everyday use.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max weighs 7.03 ounces (199 grams), making it identical in weight to the iPhone 16 Plus despite its larger overall size. This shows Apple’s commitment to keeping the device manageable despite the screen size increase.
Water and dust resistance remain standard features, protecting the device from accidental spills and environmental exposure.
Performance and Features
The iPhone 16 Pro Max stands out with significant improvements in processing power and functionality. Apple has focused on enhancing the user experience through advanced hardware capabilities and software integration.
A18 Pro Chip Capabilities
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is powered by Apple’s newest A18 Pro chip, bringing substantial performance improvements over previous generations. This chip delivers up to 20% faster CPU performance and 30% better graphics processing than its predecessor.
The advanced neural engine in the A18 Pro processes AI tasks more efficiently, supporting Apple’s expanded Intelligence features in iOS 18. This enables more responsive on-device processing for complex tasks.
Users will notice improved performance when multitasking between demanding apps. The chip also manages thermal efficiency better, reducing heating during intensive gaming sessions or video editing.
For everyday tasks, the A18 Pro provides smoother app transitions and faster loading times. Professional users benefit from enhanced capabilities for video editing, 3D rendering, and computational photography.
Camera System Enhancements
The iPhone 16 Pro Max features significant camera upgrades, including a new 48MP main sensor with improved low-light performance. The ultrawide lens captures more detail with its larger aperture, while the telephoto camera offers enhanced optical zoom capabilities.
Video recording has been revolutionized with the addition of the dedicated Camera Control button. This physical button provides intuitive controls for focusing, zooming, and adjusting exposure while filming.
ProRAW and ProRes video recording options give professionals more flexibility in post-production. The camera system now supports 4K recording at 120fps for smoother slow-motion footage.
Computational photography features have been enhanced with the A18 Pro chip’s neural engine. Portrait mode photos show improved edge detection and more natural bokeh effects.
Night mode photos require less time to capture and show reduced noise in extremely dark conditions.
Battery and Charging Technology
The iPhone 16 Pro Max houses Apple’s largest battery yet, providing up to 29 hours of video playback – an improvement over previous models. The device optimizes power management through advanced hardware-software integration.
Charging options remain versatile with USB-C support, enabling faster data transfer and compatibility with a wider range of accessories. Fast charging capabilities allow the device to reach 50% battery in about 30 minutes with a compatible 20W or higher adapter.
Wireless charging continues to be supported, offering convenient powering options through MagSafe and Qi-compatible chargers. The battery health management system in iOS 18 helps extend the overall lifespan of the battery.
Power efficiency has been enhanced through optimizations in the A18 Pro chip, which intelligently manages resource allocation based on task demands.
Operating System and Software Integration
iOS 18 brings significant enhancements tailored specifically for the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s hardware capabilities. The operating system uses the device’s powerful processor to enable more sophisticated AI features without compromising privacy.
Siri has received a major upgrade, featuring more natural conversations and deeper integration with third-party apps. The voice assistant now better understands context and can perform more complex tasks across multiple applications.
The redesigned Control Center offers customizable modules that take advantage of the larger 6.9-inch display. Users can personalize their experience with widgets that provide quick access to frequently used features.
App performance has been optimized for the A18 Pro chip, with developers utilizing the additional processing power for more immersive gaming experiences and productivity enhancements. The Action Button, first introduced in the 15 Pro series, now supports additional customizable shortcuts and app-specific functions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The iPhone 16 Pro Max introduces several key changes in size and dimensions. Users have many questions about how this model compares to previous versions and what new features it offers.
What are the dimensions of the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
The iPhone 16 Pro Max features larger dimensions compared to its predecessors. While Apple hasn’t dramatically changed the overall footprint, the device has been optimized to provide more screen space within a similar form factor.
The device maintains the premium titanium frame introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro Max but with refined edges and proportions.
How does the iPhone 16 Pro Max size compare to its predecessors?
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is slightly larger than the previous generation. It maintains a similar width but has increased in height to accommodate the larger display.
Based on the search results, the iPhone 16 Pro feels substantially larger than the previous Pro model. Many users who found the standard Pro too small appreciate the new 6.3-inch size of the Pro model, suggesting the Pro Max is even more substantial.
What is the screen size of the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
The iPhone 16 Pro Max features a 6.86-inch display when measured diagonally as a standard rectangular shape. The actual viewable area is slightly less due to the rounded corners and notch.
This represents an increase from previous generations, offering users more screen real estate for media consumption, gaming, and productivity tasks.
Are there any new size options available for the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
The iPhone 16 Pro Max comes in only one size variant, continuing Apple’s tradition of offering the Max model as their largest flagship device. The standard iPhone 16 Pro now has a larger 6.3-inch display, bridging the gap somewhat between the two Pro models.
Users seeking a larger device can choose between the iPhone 16 Plus and the iPhone 16 Pro Max depending on their feature preferences.
What is the price range for the different models of the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is available in different storage configurations with corresponding price points. The base model starts with 128GB of storage.
For users planning to record a lot of high-resolution video, especially in 4K at 120FPS, the 128GB model may not provide sufficient storage. Apple recommends the 256GB or higher capacity models for heavy video users.
Has the iPhone 16 Pro Max seen any significant changes in weight or thickness?
The iPhone 16 Pro Max weight is comparable to its predecessor. According to the search results, the iPhone 16 Plus weighs 7.03 ounces (199 grams), and the standard Pro model weighs the same despite being smaller.
The Pro Max likely weighs slightly more than both due to its larger size and additional camera components. The thickness remains similar to maintain the premium feel while accommodating new technology.
