iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max: Is Bigger Still Better?
iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro [Apple]
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It’s been a few days since Apple’s “Awe Dropping” event, and the cat is officially out of the bag. We now know everything the new iPhones have to offer.
As always, Apple’s latest flagship devices, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, continue to push the boundaries of performance. While both models share a long list of similarities — from the A19 Pro chip to a camera system with a bulky exterior — the differences mostly boil down to size, battery life, and price.
That might sound simple, but in reality, choosing between the two new Pro models requires more thought than you might expect, especially because neither of these devices is exactly budget-friendly.
So, if you want Apple’s best smartphone, is bigger still better in 2025? Let’s break it down and see which iPhone 17 Pro model is the best one for you.
iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max: Design
Both the iPhone 17 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro Max showcase Apple’s traditional design, but with a small twist. The first thing you’ll notice is the updated camera system: instead of the familiar square bump, Apple has introduced a sleek rectangular module that stretches across the back.
Apple calls this the “plateau,” and it isn’t merely aesthetic. It helps distribute the camera hardware more evenly, reduces wobble when the device lies flat on a table, and provides more space for the antennas. It also gives the Pro lineup a fresh, new look that separates it from the standard iPhone 17 model and the sleek new iPhone Air.
Of course, this new rectangular camera system isn’t everyone’s favorite, but it appears to be here to stay, at least for the time being. If you don’t like it, you’ll literally have to go for the smaller iPhone 17.
Color options are also the same across both devices. You can choose from Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, and Silver, each finished with Apple’s advanced oleophobic coating that resists fingerprints. Believe it or not, the colors this year have also been disliked by many iPhone fans, especially the new orange color. Still, it’s a new color that definitely makes the new iPhone models stand out.
The differences start when you look at the size of both devices. The iPhone 17 Pro measures 5.91 inches tall and 2.83 inches wide, making it compact for a Pro device and the same size as the regular iPhone 17. Still, the 6.3-inch screen gives you more than enough real estate to watch movies or browse social media without any issues.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max, on the other hand, is incredibly large. Standing at 6.43 inches tall and 3.07 inches wide, it’s definitely eye-catching and, unless you have huge hands, it will require you to use two hands more often than not.
For some users, though, that’s part of the appeal; its size makes it a decent substitute for carrying a tablet. For others, it’s simply too big to fit comfortably in a pocket or hand.
Still, both iPhones feel premium, so you’ll need to determine if you want a more comfortable device to hold or prefer a larger display.
iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max: Display
When it comes to screens, Apple has ensured that both devices deliver the best possible experience, despite their significantly different sizes.
The iPhone 17 Pro features a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display, covered with Ceramic Shield 2 for better durability. Just like previous models, this new iPhone Pro gets ProMotion, which actively adjusts your screen’s refresh rate to deliver 120 Hz when you need it or drop it to 1 Hz if you aren’t using your iPhone.
Combined with an Always On display and peak brightness up to 3,000 nits, the result is a screen that looks great whether you’re using it outdoors or at home.
On the other side, the iPhone 17 Pro Max takes everything one step further with its huge 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display. Unfortunately, that’s as far as differences on the display go.
The rest of the specifications are the same: Ceramic Shield 2 protection, ProMotion, Always On display, and that same 3,000-nit brightness.
Still, the larger size changes how you interact with the iPhone. Gaming feels more immersive, and the controls are easier to use. Additionally, watching movies is almost like using an iPad mini, and productivity tasks like editing documents or spreadsheets are easier on the eyes.
The trade-off, of course, is portability. As we mentioned, using the iPhone 17 Pro Max with one hand is a stretch, both literally and figuratively. So it’ll come down to personal preference one more time.
iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max: Camera
Apple has leveled the playing field in photography. On more than one occasion, iPhone Pro Max models have offered exclusive features that would make professional photographers want the larger device. However, with the iPhone 17 generation, both the Pro and Pro Max deliver identical camera systems.
On the front, you’ll find a new 18-megapixel Center Stage camera that keeps you in frame during video calls and captures stabilized selfies. The inclusion of Dual Capture means you can shoot video while recording with both front and back cameras at the same time. Who knows how many people will use this, but it’s still a nice feature to have, especially if you’re a vlogger and content creator.
On the back of the iPhone is where things get even better — except, probably, for the rectangular camera bump.
Both phones pack a triple-lens system: a 48-megapixel Fusion main camera, a 48-megapixel Fusion Ultra Wide, and a 48-megapixel Fusion Telephoto camera. Together, they cover everything from pictures of huge landscapes to even the smallest of insects.
Optical zoom ranges from 0.5x to 1x, 2x, 4x, and 8x options, letting you capture any subject no matter how far they are. If you shoot video, Dolby Vision HDR recording at up to 4K at 60 frames per second is still available.
In short, you no longer have to choose a bigger phone to get the best camera Apple has to offer. Both the iPhone 17 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro Max give you the same professional-grade system, ensuring that size doesn’t dictate photo quality.
iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max: Performance
On the inside, you’ll find that things are still pretty much the same. Both iPhones are powered by Apple’s new A19 Pro chip, which is also powered by a 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine.
All of these components make sure you’ll have a smooth experience when you’re multitasking, playing AAA console games, or using other demanding features. The GPU, in particular, stands out as its ray tracing capabilities bring graphics closer than ever to what you’d expect from a gaming console.
The best part is that both iPhones now feature a new laser-welded vapor chamber, which allows the iPhone 17 Pro models to move the heat away from the A19 Pro chips, which means it will be harder to experience lag even in the most demanding tasks — and your iPhone will be much less likely to get too hot to handle.
The bottom line is that whether you choose the iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max, performance will feel identical. Apps will launch instantly, games will run smoothly, and even demanding features like photo editing will be a breeze.
iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max: Battery Life
This is where size truly matters. Of course, Apple doesn’t tell us how big the batteries on any iPhone really are, but on paper, the company confirms that the iPhone 17 Pro offers up to 33 hours of video playback, which is more than enough to get through even the busiest day with power to spare.
Most users will comfortably reach the end of the day without worrying about plugging in, and with optimized charging, the battery should stay healthy for years.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max, however, goes one step further with up to 39 hours of video playback. That six-hour difference may not sound huge, but it is noticeably longer during real-world use.
Hardcore users who stream content, play games, or work on their phones for long periods of time will definitely love the larger battery. Additionally, people who travel a lot will also benefit from this difference, since the Pro Max can often last through long flights without worrying about recharging it. If battery life is your top priority, the bigger device wins hands down.
iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max: Price
Ultimately, at least for some of us, price will be the defining factor when choosing one iPhone over the other. However, the price gap might not be that significant if you’re already considering a high-end device.
The iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099 for the 256 GB version and goes up to $1,499 for 1 TB of storage. That already makes it a huge investment, but it’s the usual price for Apple’s “Pro” devices; the only real change is that the more affordable 128 GB version is gone this year.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max begins at $1,199 for 256 GB and goes up to a massive 2 TB for $1,999. For those who need both storage and screen size, it’s the ultimate powerhouse, but also the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever sold.
If you’re going for the base 256 GB model, the $100 price difference might not feel like much. But in the end, these iPhones are for professionals, and if you’re a professional photographer, content creator, or movie director, you’ll probably need 1 TB of storage. If that’s the case, the price differences start to become major.
If you still want to spend as little money as possible on an iPhone Pro, the iPhone 17 Pro will be the obvious choice. You can upgrade it all the way up to 1 TB of storage, buy an external hard drive, and it would still be cheaper than getting the 2 TB iPhone 17 Pro Max.
iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max: Which One Should You Get?
The decision ultimately comes down to portability, battery life, and cost. For those who want professional-grade performance and cameras in a package that’s still manageable with just one hand, the iPhone 17 Pro is the sweet spot.
The smaller device has everything the Pro Max offers, including the same cameras, same chip, and same display quality, without many compromises. It’s also $100 cheaper at the base level, which can make a difference if you’re looking to stay within your budget.
On the other hand, the iPhone 17 Pro Max continues to be the iPhone for professionals or people who just love having Apple’s latest and greatest.
The larger screen makes gaming and media consumption feel on another level, and the larger battery life makes it ideal for travelers, professionals on the go, or anyone who hates carrying a charger.
For the right user, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is worth every penny. For most of us, however, the iPhone 17 Pro is more than enough.
Which Pro Model Will You Get?
The best part about the iPhone 17 Pro models this year is that you can choose either device without many compromises.
In previous generations, opting for the smaller Pro sometimes meant losing out on exclusive features, especially in the camera department. In 2025, that’s no longer the case, as both models are equally powerful and capable in terms of cameras, performance, and premium quality. This means that size and battery are the only big differences between the two devices (besides price, of course)
So, is bigger still better? For some, absolutely. The iPhone 17 Pro Max remains unmatched in media consumption and battery life. But for others, the iPhone 17 Pro has all the same capabilities and is still as amazing while having a smaller body.
Either way, Apple has ensured you’re getting a premium device that will hold up for years to come.
