Apple iPhone 17 vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Too close to call. The critic scores are 2 points apart, well inside the usual difference between two critics. Pick on features, not score.
Critics score the Apple iPhone 17 90 (clear consensus) and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 88 (clear consensus) out of 100, from 10 and 9 professional reviews. 5 outlets reviewed both: 1 scored the Apple iPhone 17 higher and 4 gave both the same score. On average those critics put the Apple iPhone 17 3 points ahead.
Image: AppleApple iPhone 17
10 professional reviewers tested the Apple iPhone 17, and 10 recommend it. Most praised: picture quality and battery life.
All 10 reviews of the Apple iPhone 17 →
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Image: AppleApple iPhone 17 Pro Max
9 professional reviewers tested the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, and 9 recommend it. Most praised: performance and battery life. Most common complaint: price.
All 9 reviews of the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max →
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Where every review landed
Each mark is one professional review, converted to 0–100Which one is for you?
Pick the Apple iPhone 17 if
- picture quality matters most: 10 of 10 critics praise it, against 2 of 9 for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Pick the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max if
- you care most about battery and cameras
- performance matters most: 8 of 9 critics praise it, against 2 of 10 for the Apple iPhone 17
The catch: It is heavy and expensive, with a large camera bump and a divisive design.
In our words, from what the critics praise and complain about. It never changes a score.
What critics praise and fault
How many of each product's reviews mention the topic| Topic | Apple iPhone 17 | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 5 of 10 praise 1 of 10 fault | 6 of 9 praise 1 of 9 fault |
| Picture quality | 10 of 10 praise | 2 of 9 praise |
| Performance | 2 of 10 praise | 8 of 9 praise |
| Price | not mentioned | 4 of 9 fault |
| Size and weight | 1 of 10 fault | 3 of 9 fault |
| Value for money | 2 of 10 praise | not mentioned |
Critics who reviewed both
The fairest comparison: the same reviewer, the same standards| Outlet | iPhone 17 | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Who scored higher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expert Reviews | 95 | 80 | iPhone 17 +15 |
| Tech Advisor | 90 | 90 | Same |
| TechRadar | 90 | 90 | Same |
| Tom's Guide | 90 | 90 | Same |
| WIRED | 90 | 90 | Same |
Scores converted to 0–100. Tiles with a dashed border are estimated from the verdict. Tap a score to read that review.
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Common questions
Which is better, the Apple iPhone 17 or the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?
It's too close to call on critic score: Apple iPhone 17 90 (clear consensus), Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 88 (clear consensus). 5 outlets reviewed both: 1 scored the Apple iPhone 17 higher and 4 gave both the same score. On average those critics put the Apple iPhone 17 3 points ahead.
Do critics agree about the Apple iPhone 17 and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone 17: clear consensus, scores from 85 to 95. The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max: clear consensus, scores from 80 to 92.