Apple iPhone 17 vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Critics score the Apple iPhone 17 90 and the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max 91 out of 100, from 10 and 6 professional reviews. 6 outlets reviewed both: 1 scored the Apple iPhone 17 higher, 1 scored the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max higher and 4 gave both the same score.
Image: AppleApple iPhone 17
Praised for: picture quality (10 of 10), battery life (5 of 10), performance (2 of 10)
All 10 reviews of the Apple iPhone 17 →
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Image: AppleApple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Praised for: performance (5 of 6), battery life (5 of 6)
Criticised for: size and weight (2 of 6)
The catch: It is big, heavy and pricier than last year.
All 6 reviews of the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max →
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Critics who reviewed both
The fairest comparison: the same reviewer, the same standards| Outlet | Apple iPhone 17 | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TechRadar | 90 | 95 | -5 |
| Expert Reviews | 95 | 95 | same |
| Tom's Guide | 90 | 90 | same |
| Trusted Reviews | 90 | 90 | same |
| WIRED | 90 | 90 | same |
| CNN Underscored | 89est. | 83est. | +6 |
Scores converted to 0–100. Difference is the Apple iPhone 17 minus the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max. Outlined tiles are estimated from the verdict. Each score links to the review.
Compare either one with another smartphone → · All smartphones ranked →
Common questions
Which is better, the Apple iPhone 17 or the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?
Critics rate the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max higher: 91 against 90. 6 outlets reviewed both: 1 scored the Apple iPhone 17 higher, 1 scored the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max higher and 4 gave both the same score.
Do critics agree about the Apple iPhone 17 and the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone 17: critics agree, scores from 85 to 95. The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max: critics agree, scores from 83 to 95.