iPhone 16 Pro Max (Unlocked) vs iPhone 17 Pro Max (Unlocked): Which one is worth it?
Side-by-side US MSRP bands, editorial scores, and strengths—then tune budget and priority to see which model fits your purchase.
A
iPhone 16 Pro Max (Unlocked)
Apple · 2024
$1,199–$1,439
Overall 86/100
Official anchorFull iPhone 16 Pro Max (Unlocked) guide →A
iPhone 17 Pro Max (Unlocked)
Apple · 2025
$1,199–$1,439
Overall 88/100
Official anchorFull iPhone 17 Pro Max (Unlocked) guide →Quick verdicts (our rubric)
- Best for camera
Tie
- Best for battery
iPhone 17 Pro Max (Unlocked)
- Best for performance
Tie
- Best value score
Tie
- Best overall rubric / for most people
iPhone 17 Pro Max (Unlocked)
Which fits you?
Set budget and top priority—we score each phone with the same personalization rules as product pages.
iPhone 16 Pro Max (Unlocked)
69
Depends on your priorities
$1,199–$1,439
iPhone 17 Pro Max (Unlocked)
69
Depends on your priorities
$1,199–$1,439
→ Dead heat for these settings—either could work.
Full comparison
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro Max (Unlocked) | iPhone 17 Pro Max (Unlocked) |
|---|---|---|
| Price band (US MSRP) | $1,199–$1,439 | $1,199–$1,439 |
| Release year | 2024 | 2025 |
| Camera | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Battery | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Performance | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Display | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Value | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Overall score | 86/100 | 88/100 |
iPhone 16 Pro Max (Unlocked) — pros
- • Flagship-class performance
- • Excellent camera system for stills and video
- • Premium display and build quality
iPhone 17 Pro Max (Unlocked) — pros
- • Flagship-class performance
- • Excellent camera system for stills and video
- • Premium display and build quality
iPhone 16 Pro Max (Unlocked) — cons
- • Price is high, so value depends heavily on budget and priorities
iPhone 17 Pro Max (Unlocked) — cons
- • Price is high, so value depends heavily on budget and priorities
iPhone 16 Pro Max (Unlocked) — best for
- • Photography
- • Gaming
- • Power users
iPhone 17 Pro Max (Unlocked) — best for
- • Photography
- • Gaming
- • Power users
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