iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: What’s Different And What’s The Same? Full Features, Specs, And Price Breakdown

Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, two devices that share much of the same DNA but also carry a few key differences that could sway buyers one way or the other. Here’s a closer look at how the two models compare.

Design and Build

Both phones come with a refreshed brushed aluminium unibody, crafted from aerospace-grade alloy. Apple’s new design doesn’t just make the phones lighter — it also improves heat dissipation, thanks to an integrated vapour chamber. Ceramic Shield 2 now protects both the front and back, with better scratch resistance and reduced glare.

Image Credits: Apple

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The two models are visually identical and available in three finishes: deep blue, cosmic orange, and silver. The only major difference comes in size: the iPhone 17 Pro has a 6.3-inch display, while the Pro Max stretches to 6.9 inches.

Display

Apple continues to push brightness levels higher. Both models use Super Retina XDR panels with ProMotion up to 120 Hz, Always-On support, and a peak brightness of 3000 nits. The larger display on the Pro Max naturally offers more real estate, but otherwise, you get the same visual experience across both.

Performance and Battery

Inside, both phones run on the new A19 Pro chip paired with Apple’s custom vapour chamber cooling system. Apple claims up to 40 per cent better sustained performance compared to last year, which should especially benefit gaming and video editing.

Image Credits: Apple

Where the difference really shows is in battery life. The larger chassis of the Pro Max leaves room for a bigger battery, making it Apple’s longest-lasting iPhone yet. Apple also says it charges to 50 per cent in about 20 minutes with the new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter.

Cameras

The camera setup is identical across the two models. Each phone has a triple 48MP Fusion system: main, ultra-wide, and a new telephoto lens with up to 8x optical zoom. This is Apple’s longest optical zoom to date, reaching 200 mm. On the front, the new 18MP Centre Stage camera adds wider angles, smarter AI framing, and support for 4K HDR video recording with stabilisation.

Image Credits: Apple

For video professionals, both phones now support ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2, and genlock—features that aim squarely at serious content creators.

Storage Options

Storage is another area where the Pro Max goes a step further. While the iPhone 17 Pro maxes out at 1TB, the Pro Max is available in a massive 2TB option. Both start at 256GB as the base configuration.

Software and AI

Both models ship with iOS 26 and the new Apple Intelligence features. That includes live translation, smarter screenshot recognition, and offline AI capabilities. There’s no distinction between the two models in terms of software.

eSIM and Connectivity

Connectivity is the same across both, with Apple’s new N1 wireless chip enabling Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support. Select markets will also see eSIM-only versions of the Pro and Pro Max, which offer slightly larger batteries thanks to the removal of the SIM tray.

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Price and Availability

• Pre-orders open September 12, with general availability from September 19.
• iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099 (U.S.), In India it is for ₹1,34,900
• iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199 (U.S.). In India it Starts at  ₹1,49,900

Verdict

The iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max are closer than ever, with identical designs, displays, and camera systems. The main reasons to choose the Pro Max come down to size, longer battery life, and the new 2TB storage option. If you prefer a more manageable device that still offers the same performance and features, the iPhone 17 Pro makes more sense.

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