Apple
iPhone 17 Pro Max
A19 Pro · 6.9″ OLED · IP68
96
/ 100
From $1,199
VS
Apple
iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB
A18 Pro · iOS · 128GB
96
/ 100
From $1,199
Specdex verdict
Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.
In our weighted Specdex score, iPhone 17 Pro Max lands at 96 and iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB at 96. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.
Pick iPhone 17 Pro Max if…
- ✓A19 Pro chip
- ✓Up to 39 hours video playback
- ✓Up to 2 TB storage
Pick iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB if…
- ✓iOS ecosystem
- ✓Long update support
- ✓Polished hardware
iPhone 17 Pro Max 96
vs 96 iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB
Score breakdown
iPhone 17 Pro Max
96 cpu 98
gpu 96
camera 95
battery 92
display 95
design 95
iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB
96 cpu 96
gpu 94
camera 95
battery 90
display 93
design 96
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9″ OLED, 2868×1320 at 460 ppi | — |
| Chipset | Apple A19 Pro chip | A18 Pro |
| Storage | ▲ 256 / 512 GB / 1 / 2 TB | 128GB |
| Battery (video) | Up to 39 hours | — |
| Charging | 50% in 20 min with 40W adapter; MagSafe up to 25W | — |
| OS | iOS 26 | iOS 18 |
| Weight | 233 g | — |
| IP rating | IP68 (6 m, 30 min) | — |
| Release year | — | 2024 |
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Pros
- +A19 Pro chip
- +Up to 39 hours video playback
- +Up to 2 TB storage
Cons
- −Premium price
- −Weighs 233 g
- −Wired charging requires 40W+ adapter
iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB
Pros
- +iOS ecosystem
- +Long update support
- +Polished hardware
Cons
- −Premium pricing
- −Limited customization
- −Lightning/USB-C split across generations
FAQ: iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB
Which is better, iPhone 17 Pro Max or iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB? +
Both score 96 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is iPhone 17 Pro Max worth the price? +
At $1,199, iPhone 17 Pro Max delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in cpu.
Is iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB worth the price? +
At $1,199, iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in cpu.
Does iPhone 17 Pro Max or iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.