iPhone 17 vs iPhone XS Max
72.9Performance30
65.6Display29.7
53.2Camera35.3
55.1Battery23
89.3Features73.3
14 spec wins — iPhone 172 spec wins — iPhone XS Max
InnoReviews verdict
iPhone 17 wins this phone face-off, 65.6 to 33.9, pulling ahead mainly in performance (+43) and display (+36). iPhone XS Max still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the iPhone 17
- Stronger performance score: 73 vs 30
- Stronger display score: 66 vs 30
- Stronger camera score: 53 vs 35
- Stronger battery score: 55 vs 23
- Stronger features score: 89 vs 73
- Lower launch price: $799 vs $1,099
Reasons to pick the iPhone XS Max
No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.
Display
| Spec | iPhone 17 | iPhone XS Max |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.3 ″ | 6.5 ″+3% |
| Panel type | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 1206x2622 | 2688x1242 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 458 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz+100% | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 3,000 nits+380% | 625 nits |
| Screen-to-body | 90.9 % | — |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 17 | iPhone XS Max |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A19 | Apple A12 Bionic |
| AnTuTu 10 | 1,900,000+164%Top 13% | 720,000Top 68% |
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,600+227%Top 3% | 1,100Top 63% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 8,800+214%Top 7% | 2,800Top 67% |
| RAM (max) | 8 GB+100% | 4 GB |
| Storage options | 256/512GB | 64GB / 256GB / 512GB |
| Storage type | NVMe | NVMe |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 17 | iPhone XS Max |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP+300% | 12 MP |
| Main aperture | f/1.6 | f/1.8 |
| Ultra-wide | 48 MP | — |
| Telephoto | — | 12 MP |
| Optical zoom | 2 x | 2 x |
| Max video | 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps |
| Front camera | 18 MP+157% | 7 MP |
| OIS | Yes | Yes |
Battery
| Spec | iPhone 17 | iPhone XS Max |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3,692 mAh+16% | 3,174 mAh |
| Wired charging | 40 W+167% | 15 W |
| Wireless charging | 25 W+233% | 8 W |
| Active use endurance | 12 h | — |
Design
| Spec | iPhone 17 | iPhone XS Max |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 177 g+15% | 208 g |
| Thickness | 8 mm | 7.7 mm+3% |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame material | Aluminum | Stainless steel |
Connectivity
| Spec | iPhone 17 | iPhone XS Max |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | No |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | Lightning |
| eSIM | Yes | Yes |
Software
| Spec | iPhone 17 | iPhone XS Max |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 26 | iOS 12 |
| OS update pledge | 6 years | 6 years |
Audio
| Spec | iPhone 17 | iPhone XS Max |
|---|---|---|
| Stereo speakers | Yes | Yes |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |