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| Specification | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2025 | 2026 |
| Housing | aluminum unibody | aluminum unibody |
| Dimensions | 163.4 × 78 × 8.75 mm | 163.4 × 78 × 8.75 mm |
| Weight | 231 g | 249 g |
| Display | OLED Super Retina XDR, 6.9″, 120 Hz | OLED Super Retina XDR, 6.9″, 120 Hz |
| Resolution | 2868 × 1320 px | 2868 × 1320 px |
| Processor | A19 Pro | A20 Pro |
| GPU | 6 cores | 7 cores |
| Main Camera | Fusion 48 MP, ƒ/1.78 | Fusion 48 MP, variable aperture ƒ/1.48–ƒ/4.0 |
| Telephoto lens | 48 MP, 4× | 48 MP, 4× |
| Max. digital zoom for photos | 40× | 40× |
| Dolby Vision Video | up to 4K/120 fps | up to 4K/120 fps |
| ProRes | up to 4K/120 fps | up to 4K/120 fps |
| Battery Life – Video Playback | up to 37 hours | up to 43 hours |
| Charging to 50% | approx. 20 min | about 15 min |
| Storage | 256 GB–2 TB | 256 GB–2 TB |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Apple C2 modem |
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 163.4 mm | 163.4 mm |
| Width | 78 mm | 78 mm |
| Thickness | 8.75 mm | 8.75 mm |
| Weight | 231 g | 249 g |
| Material | aluminum unibody | aluminum unibody |
| Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
In terms of dimensions, both phones are practically identical. The weight, however, has changed: the iPhone 18 Pro Max weighs 249 g, which is 18 g more. This isn’t a difference you’ll notice in a product photo, but it may be noticeable when using the phone with one hand for hours on end. Both models feature an aluminum unibody design and a layer of Ceramic Shield on the front and back.
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Diagonal | 6.9″ | 6.9″ |
| Resolution | 2868 × 1320 px | 2,868 × 1,320 px |
| Refresh Rate | up to 120 Hz ProMotion | up to 120 Hz ProMotion |
| Always-On | Yes | Yes |
| Outdoor brightness | up to 3,000 nits | up to 3,000 nits |
| Dynamic Island | Yes | Yes, smaller |
The differences here are minor. Both phones offer the same screen size, resolution, OLED technology, and a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, so switching from the 17 Pro Max to the 18 Pro Max doesn’t represent a revolutionary improvement in image quality. Apple has, however, made the Dynamic Island smaller, so it takes up less space on the screen and can display more information at once.
| Specification | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | A19 Pro | A20 Pro |
| CPU | 6 cores | 6 cores |
| GPU | 6 cores | 7 cores |
| Neural Engine | 16 cores | dual 16-core system |
| Cooling | previous-generation cooling system | larger steam chamber |
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is switching to the A20 Pro, and Apple has paired the new chip with an advanced vapor chamber cooling system. In practice, this makes a difference especially during prolonged heavy use—such as video editing, demanding games, or AI-intensive tasks. Post-launch tests indicate sustained performance improvements over a longer period, although users who primarily use messaging apps, the internet, and social media may not notice the difference as much as those performing more demanding tasks.
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | Fusion 48 MP, ƒ/1.78 | Fusion 48 MP, variable aperture |
| Main aperture | ƒ/1.78 | ƒ/1.48, ƒ/1.8, ƒ/2.8, ƒ/4.0 |
| Ultra-wide-angle | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Telephoto lens | 48 MP, 4× | 48 MP, 4× |
| Optical zoom | 8× | 8× |
| Digital zoom | 40× | 40× |
| Front Camera | Center Stage 18 MP | Center Stage 18 MP |
The most interesting change concerns the main camera. The iPhone 18 Pro Max features a 48-megapixel Fusion sensor with a variable aperture —for the first time in an iPhone, the aperture can be adjusted from ƒ/1.48 to ƒ/4.0. This provides greater control over the amount of light and depth of field, which can be particularly useful for shooting after dark, taking portraits, and creating more artistic photos.
Importantly, this doesn’t mean the 17 Pro Max’s camera has suddenly become poor. It still offers three 48 MP cameras, a 4× telephoto lens, up to 8× optical zoom, ProRAW, and extensive computational photography features. For someone who mainly shoots in automatic mode, the difference may be smaller than the sheer number of new features suggests.
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Dolby Vision 4K | up to 120 fps | up to 120 fps |
| ProRes | up to 4K/120 fps | up to 4K/120 fps |
| Apple Log 2 | Yes | Yes |
| ProRes RAW | Yes | Yes |
| Genlock | Yes | Yes |
| Video Mode | up to 4K/30 fps | up to 4K/60 fps |
| Macro Recording | Yes | Yes |
| Max. digital video zoom | 15× | 24× |
The basic video capabilities remain very similar, but the 18 Pro Max improves upon them in several areas. Video Mode can record in 4K Dolby Vision at 60 fps, and the main camera now offers additional aperture control. The new model also allows for up to 24× digital video zoom instead of 15×.
For creators who post videos or clips on social media, convenience and control may be more important than maximum resolution alone. Both models already offer a very extensive set of tools, so switching from the 17 Pro Max to the 18 Pro Max makes more sense for someone who will actually take advantage of the new recording features.
| Specification | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Video playback | up to 37 hours | up to 43 hours |
| Video streaming | up to 33 hours | up to 38 hours |
| Charging to 50% | approx. 20 min | about 15 min |
| Recommended power supply capacity | 40 W+ | 60 W+ |
The battery is one area where Apple has actually improved the new model’s capabilities. The claimed video playback time has increased from 37 to 43 hours—a 6-hour increase—and fast charging to 50% has been reduced from about 20 to about 15 minutes with the appropriate power adapter.
However, it’s important to remember that the manufacturer’s specifications do not directly correspond to battery life under normal use. In practice, battery life depends on factors such as screen brightness, signal strength, the apps you use, and how you use the camera.
| Capacity | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| 256 GB | Yes | Yes |
| 512 GB | Yes | Yes |
| 1 TB | Yes | Yes |
| 2 TB | Yes | Yes |
Apple hasn’t made any changes here. Both generations offer 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB. If you store a lot of ProRAW photos, 4K footage, or offline files, more storage can be very useful, but in this regard, the 17 Pro Max offers exactly the same options.
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 6 | 6 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| MagSafe | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Intelligence | Yes | Yes |
| Apple C2 Modem | No | Yes |
Both smartphones feature Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, USB-C, MagSafe, and support for Apple Intelligence. A new feature in the 18 Pro Max is the Apple C2 cellular modem, and the phone also runs iOS 27.
Choose the iPhone 17 Pro Max if:
Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if:
Buying a refurbished iPhone lets you spend less on a fully functional smartphone without sacrificing the features that still matter in everyday life. The refurbished iPhone 17 Pro Max is cheaper than the new iPhone 18 Pro Max, and in terms of performance, display, cameras, and video capabilities, it doesn’t lag behind to the extent that the difference would be significant for every user.
At SWOPiFY, you receive devices that have undergone technical verification, ensuring that your refurbished phone has been thoroughly inspected before being put back on the market. Instead of buying a device solely because it’s the latest generation, you can choose a refurbished iPhone 17 Pro Max and spend less on a phone that still offers very high performance and extensive capabilities.
A refurbished iPhone is also a choice that aligns with the principles of the circular economy. Functional devices are brought back into circulation and can serve another user, rather than being replaced by a new device.
No. Both models feature a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion up to 120 Hz and a resolution of 2868 × 1320 pixels.
The 18 Pro Max introduces a variable aperture in its 48 MP Fusion main camera and additional options for manual control of shooting settings. The other cameras also have 48 MP resolution, so the difference primarily concerns the capabilities of the main camera, rather than a complete overhaul of the camera system.
Apple claims up to 43 hours of video playback on the 18 Pro Max, compared to a maximum of 37 hours on the 17 Pro Max. The new model also supports faster charging—up to 50% in about 15 minutes when using the appropriate power adapter.
This could be an interesting option for someone who wants high performance and an advanced camera but doesn’t need the features introduced in the latest generation. In that case, it’s worth comparing the price of a specific refurbished unit with the price of the 18 Pro Max and checking the device’s condition and the terms of purchase.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I’m passionate about refurbished electronics – I show that you can have great equipment without overpaying and without adding more electronics junk. On the blog, I share my knowledge and experience to inspire smarter and more informed technology choices.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I’m passionate about refurbished electronics – I show that you can have great equipment without overpaying and without adding more electronics junk. On the blog, I share my knowledge and experience to inspire smarter and more informed technology choices.
