iPhone SE (2nd gen) 512GB
A13 · iOS · 512GB
iPhone 17 Pro Max
A19 Pro · 6.9″ OLED · IP68
iPhone 17 Pro Max takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, iPhone SE (2nd gen) 512GB lands at 72 and iPhone 17 Pro Max at 96. That puts iPhone 17 Pro Max ahead by 24 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick iPhone SE (2nd gen) 512GB if…
- ✓iOS ecosystem
- ✓Long update support
- ✓Polished hardware
Pick iPhone 17 Pro Max if…
- ✓A19 Pro chip
- ✓Up to 39 hours video playback
- ✓Up to 2 TB storage
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testPhotography
iPhone 17 Pro MaxStills and video quality across lenses
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on camera (95 vs 71).
Battery life
iPhone 17 Pro MaxScreen-on time and charging
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on battery (92 vs 66).
Performance
iPhone 17 Pro MaxChipset speed for gaming and heavy apps
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on cpu (98 vs 72).
Display
iPhone 17 Pro MaxPanel quality, brightness, refresh rate
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on display (95 vs 69).
Value for money
iPhone SE (2nd gen) 512GBSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
iPhone SE (2nd gen) 512GB more score per dollar ($599 vs $1,199).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPhone SE (2nd gen) 512GB | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A13 | Apple A19 Pro chip |
| Storage | ▲ 512GB | 256 / 512 GB / 1 / 2 TB |
| OS | iOS 14 | iOS 26 |
| Release year | 2020 | — |
| Display | — | 6.9″ OLED, 2868×1320 at 460 ppi |
| Battery (video) | — | Up to 39 hours |
| Charging | — | 50% in 20 min with 40W adapter; MagSafe up to 25W |
| Weight | — | 233 g |
| IP rating | — | IP68 (6 m, 30 min) |
iPhone SE (2nd gen) 512GB
- +iOS ecosystem
- +Long update support
- +Polished hardware
- −Premium pricing
- −Limited customization
- −Lightning/USB-C split across generations
iPhone 17 Pro Max
- +A19 Pro chip
- +Up to 39 hours video playback
- +Up to 2 TB storage
- −Premium price
- −Weighs 233 g
- −Wired charging requires 40W+ adapter
FAQ: iPhone SE (2nd gen) 512GB vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
Which is better, iPhone SE (2nd gen) 512GB or iPhone 17 Pro Max? +
iPhone 17 Pro Max scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 24. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is iPhone SE (2nd gen) 512GB worth the price? +
At $599, iPhone SE (2nd gen) 512GB delivers a Specdex score of 72 — strongest in cpu.
Is iPhone 17 Pro Max worth the price? +
At $1,199, iPhone 17 Pro Max delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in cpu.
Does iPhone SE (2nd gen) 512GB or iPhone 17 Pro Max 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.
Which is better for photography, iPhone SE (2nd gen) 512GB or iPhone 17 Pro Max? +
iPhone 17 Pro Max — leads on camera (95 vs 71). Stills and video quality across lenses.
Which is better for battery life, iPhone SE (2nd gen) 512GB or iPhone 17 Pro Max? +
iPhone 17 Pro Max — leads on battery (92 vs 66). Screen-on time and charging.