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Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max clearly outperforms the ASUS ROG Phone 9 in the smartphones category, especially in display quality (2000 nits vs 1200 nits), scoring 78 vs 60. If you want the better overall smartphones, Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is the recommended choice.
Picking Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max over ASUS ROG Phone 9 means trading these off.
Scores are relative within the smartphonescategory. Percentages show each dimension's weight in the overall score. A difference of less than 0.5 points is considered a tie.
✓ Pros
✗ Cons
✓ Pros
✗ Cons
| Spec | Apple iPhone 17 Pro MaxW | ASUS ROG Phone 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9"✓ | 6.78" |
| Display Type | OLED | — |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz✓ |
| Brightness | 2000nits✓ | 1200nits |
| Chipset | Apple A19 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| RAM | 8GB | 16GB✓ |
| Storage | 256GB | 512GB✓ |
| Main Camera | 48MP | 50MP✓ |
| Front Camera | 24MP | — |
| Battery | 4685mAh | 6000mAh✓ |
| Charging | 30W | — |
| OS | iOS 19 | — |
| NFC | Yes | — |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | — |
| Weight | 228g✓ | 239g |
| Price | 1199$ | 999$ |
Buy Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max if…
Buy the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want the best performance in this comparison. It scores higher overall and is the recommended choice for most buyers.
Buy ASUS ROG Phone 9 if…
Choose the ASUS ROG Phone 9 if budget is your top priority — it offers competitive specs at a lower price point.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max clearly outperforms the ASUS ROG Phone 9 in the smartphones category, especially in display quality (2000 nits vs 1200 nits), scoring 78 vs 60. If you want the better overall smartphones, Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is the recommended choice.
Yes, Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max scores higher overall (74 vs 44).
ASUS ROG Phone 9 is cheaper at $999 vs $1199 for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Buy the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want the best performance in this comparison. It scores higher overall and is the recommended choice for most buyers.
Choose the ASUS ROG Phone 9 if budget is your top priority — it offers competitive specs at a lower price point.
ASUS ROG Phone 9 has a larger battery (6,000mAh vs 4,685mAh for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max), which generally means longer use between charges.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has the larger display (6.9" vs 6.78").
ASUS ROG Phone 9 has a higher-resolution main camera (50MP vs 48MP). Note that megapixels are one factor — sensor quality and processing also matter.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is lighter at 228g vs 239g.
ASUS ROG Phone 9 has more RAM (16GB vs 8GB), which helps with multitasking.
Reviewed by VersusMatrix Editorial Team
Last updated: April 25, 2026
Methodology: AI-powered analysis of technical specifications from manufacturer data. Scores are calculated by comparing products across multiple dimensions and normalized relative to the full category database. Our editorial process is independent and not influenced by affiliate partnerships.