Looking for an honest Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max comparison in 2026? We scored both smartphones on the same six-dimension framework — performance, battery, display, camera, design and value — using identical methodology, so the numbers below are directly comparable. In our overall scoring the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max comes out ahead 67/100 to 78/100 — a 11-point gap. The widest gap is in performance, where the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max pulls noticeably ahead. On price the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max undercuts the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max by 20% ($999 vs $1,199), which materially changes the value calculus for budget-conscious buyers.
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Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max edges out the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max in the smartphones category, especially in performance (benchmark 210 vs 162), scoring 78 vs 67. If you want the better overall smartphones, Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is the recommended choice.
Picking Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max over Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max means trading these off.
✓ Pros
✗ Cons
✓ Pros
| Spec | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 17 Pro MaxW |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7" | 6.9"✓ |
| Display Type | Super Retina XDR OLED ProMotion | OLED |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 pixels | — |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness | 2000nits | 2000nits |
| HDR |
Buy Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if…
Choose the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if budget is your top priority — it offers competitive specs at a lower price point.
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.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max edges out the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max in the smartphones category, especially in performance (benchmark 210 vs 162), scoring 78 vs 67. If you want the better overall smartphones, Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is the recommended choice.
No, Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max scores higher (78 vs 67).
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is cheaper at $999 vs $1199 for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Choose the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if budget is your top priority — it offers competitive specs at a lower price point.
Buy the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want the best performance in this comparison. It scores higher overall and is the recommended choice for most buyers.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has a larger battery (4,685mAh vs 4,422mAh for the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max), which generally means longer use between charges.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has the larger display (6.9" vs 6.7").
Reviewed by VersusMatrix Editorial Team
Last updated: May 11, 2026
Methodology: AI-powered analysis of technical specifications from manufacturer data. Scores are calculated by comparing products across multiple dimensions and normalized relative to the full category database. Our editorial process is independent and not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Scores are relative within the smartphonescategory. Percentages show each dimension's weight in the overall score. A difference of less than 0.5 points is considered a tie.
✗ Cons
| HDR10, Dolby Vision |
| — |
| Protection | Ceramic Shield | — |
| Chipset | Apple A17 Pro | Apple A19 Pro |
| CPU | Hexa-core 3.78 GHz | — |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB | 256GB |
| Storage Options | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | — |
| Main Camera | 48MP | 48MP |
| Aperture | f/1.78 | — |
| OIS | Yes | — |
| Video | 4K@120fps (ProRes) | — |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 24MP✓ |
| Battery | 4422mAh | 4685mAh✓ |
| Charging | 27W | 30W✓ |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | — |
| OS | iOS 17 | iOS 19 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | — |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| USB | USB-C (USB 3) | — |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Biometrics | Face ID | — |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm | — |
| Weight | 221g✓ | 228g |
| Price | 999$ | 1199$ |
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is lighter at 221g vs 228g.