iPhone 17 vs iPhone 18 Pro Max
6.5 mm wider, 13.8 mm taller and 72 g heavier.
Quick answer
Choosing between these models comes down to portability versus screen area and battery life. iPhone 17 weighs 177 g and measures 71.5 mm wide, making it manageable for one-handed typing in an average adult hand. iPhone 18 Pro Max weighs 249 g and measures 78 mm wide, adding substantial heft in a light jacket pocket. The 6.9-inch display on iPhone 18 Pro Max provides expansive canvas space for reading and media, compared to the 6.3-inch screen on iPhone 17. Both fit into median men's jeans pockets, but neither fits into median women's jeans pockets. For users seeking effortless carry, iPhone 17 is significantly easier to handle daily.
- iPhone 17 is 72 g lighter, pulling far less inside jacket and coat pockets.
- iPhone 18 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display, giving more viewing room than 6.3 inches.
- At 78 mm wide, iPhone 18 Pro Max demands two-handed operation for most adults.
- Neither phone fits inside median women's jeans pockets, though both fit men's pockets.
TRUE SCALE · 1.5 PX/MM
TRUE SCALE · 2.1 PX/MM
Hand: US Army ANSUR II, 2012 (sex-balanced median). Pockets: The Pudding, 2018. Card: ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1.
iPhone 17: 149.6 by 71.5 by 7.95 millimetres, 177 grams. iPhone 18 Pro Max: 163.4 by 78 by 8.75 millimetres, 249 grams.
17, 18 Pro Max shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
Height: 17 149.6 millimetres, 18 Pro Max 163.4 millimetres.Height: 17 5.89 inches, 18 Pro Max 6.43 inches.Width: 17 71.5 millimetres, 18 Pro Max 78.0 millimetres.Width: 17 2.81 inches, 18 Pro Max 3.07 inches.Depth: 17 7.95 millimetres, 18 Pro Max 8.75 millimetres.Depth: 17 0.31 inches, 18 Pro Max 0.34 inches.Weight: 17 177 grams, 18 Pro Max 249 grams.Weight: 17 6.24 ounces, 18 Pro Max 8.78 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 17 | 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 149.6 millimetres5.89 inches | 163.4 millimetres, 13.8 millimetres more6.43 inches, 0.54 inches more |
| Width | 71.5 millimetres2.81 inches | 78.0 millimetres, 6.5 millimetres more3.07 inches, 0.26 inches more |
| Depth | 7.95 millimetres0.31 inches | 8.75 millimetres, 0.80 millimetres more0.34 inches, 0.03 inches more |
| Weight | 177 grams6.24 ounces | 249 grams, 72 grams more8.78 ounces, 2.54 ounces more |
| Volume | 85.0 cubic centimetres5.19 cubic inches | 111.5 cubic centimetres, 26.5 cubic centimetres more6.81 cubic inches, 1.62 cubic inches more |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 90 percent | 91 percent, the same |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.3 inches | 6.9 inches, 0.6 inches more |
| Resolution | 1206 × 2622 | 1320 × 2868 |
| Pixel density | 458 pixels per inch | 458 pixels per inch, 1 pixels per inch less |
| Cutout | Dynamic Island | Dynamic Island |
| Rear main | 48MP | 48MP Fusion, variable aperture f/1.48-f/4.0 |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | 48MP Fusion f/2.2 |
| Rear telephoto | — | 48MP Fusion 100mm (4x optical, 8x optical-quality) |
| Front camera | 12MP | 18MP Center Stage f/1.9 |
| Chip | A19 | A20 Pro |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 30 hrs | 45 hrs |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth | 5G · Wi-Fi 7 · Bluetooth 6 · Apple C2 modem |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP68 (6m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 256 – 512 GB | 256 GB – 2 TB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 799 dollars | 1,299 dollars, 500 dollars more |
| Released | Sep 2025 | Sep 2026 |
| Status | Current | Current |
Also compared with iPhone 17
Questions about these phones
Is iPhone 18 Pro Max much bigger than iPhone 17?
iPhone 18 Pro Max stands 163.4 mm tall and 78 mm wide, while iPhone 17 measures 149.6 mm tall and 71.5 mm wide.
How much heavier is iPhone 18 Pro Max than iPhone 17?
iPhone 18 Pro Max weighs 249 g, which is 72 g heavier than the 177 g iPhone 17.
How do the screens compare between iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 Pro Max?
iPhone 17 features a 6.3-inch display, whereas iPhone 18 Pro Max provides an expansive 6.9-inch screen.
Can iPhone 18 Pro Max be used one-handed?
With a width of 78 mm, iPhone 18 Pro Max requires two hands for comfortable typing across an average adult hand.
Do iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 Pro Max fit in pockets?
Both phones fit median men's jeans pockets, but neither fits into median women's jeans pockets.
Is the upgrade from iPhone 17 to iPhone 18 Pro Max worth it for size alone?
The upgrade is only worth it if you prioritize maximum screen space and battery life over compact daily handling.