47 people are comparing iPhone 17 Pro Max · Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max right now
ISSUE № 219 · MAY 13, 2026
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Updated April 2026 PIXLRUN · COMPARE LAB v3

Compare
anything.

A laboratory-grade side-by-side that scores phones, laptops and headphones on the things buyers actually feel — not the spec-sheet poetry manufacturers print on the box.

1,284
Devices benchmarked
38
Lab metrics per unit
94%
Reader trust score
0
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VS

The duel.
Two phones, one verdict.

Lab-tested over 14 days each. Identical conditions, identical workloads, scored on a calibrated 100-point rubric.

Apple · 2026 PixlRun pick
iPhone 17 Pro Max

iPhone 17 Pro Max

The future of iPhone, redefined for 2026.

9.4/10
From
$1,299
Apple · 2024 Worth a look
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

The Most Powerful iPhone Ever

9.4/10
From
$1,199

Where each one wins.

Six pillars tailored to Smartphone reviews — scored independently in our Victoria, BC lab. Bars animate to live values when in view.

Camera

Apple +0.2
Apple9.6
Apple9.4

Performance

Apple +0.2
Apple9.8
Apple9.6

Battery

Apple +0.2
Apple9.2
Apple9.0

Display

Apple +0.1
Apple9.6
Apple9.5

Build & feel

Apple9.6
Apple9.6

Value

Apple8.5
Apple8.5

Six dimensions, overlaid.

Radar of normalized scores across our full rubric.

CAMERA PERFORMANCE BATTERY DISPLAY BUILD & FEEL VALUE
iPhone 17 Pro Max Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Score gap
+0.0%
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max — composite lab score difference.
Fast charge
45W MagSafe USB-C vs
iPhone 17 Pro Max / Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Weight
228g vs 227g
iPhone 17 Pro Max / Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

The full spec sheet.

Grouped by what matters to use, not by alphabet. Winners highlighted with an acid dot.

Display
Display6.9in Super Retina XDR OLED 120Hz ProMotion
Display
Resolution2868 x 1320 px @ 460 ppi
Resolution2868 x 1320 (460 ppi)
Peak Brightness3000 nits (outdoor)
Peak Brightness
Size
Size6.9 inches
Technology
TechnologySuper Retina XDR OLED · ProMotion
Performance
ProcessorApple A19 Pro (3nm TSMC)
Processor
RAM12GB LPDDR5X
RAM8GB
Storage256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Storage256GB / 512GB / 1TB
Chipset
ChipsetApple A18 Pro (3nm)
Camera
Main Camera48MP Fusion, f/1.6, OIS, sensor-shift
Main Camera
Ultrawide Camera48MP, f/2.2, 120° FOV, macro
Ultrawide Camera
Telephoto Camera12MP periscope, 5x optical zoom, f/2.8
Telephoto Camera
Front Camera24MP TrueDepth, autofocus, f/1.9
Front Camera
Video8K ProRes @ 30fps, 4K @ 120fps
Video4K@120fps Dolby Vision
Main sensor
Main sensor48MP Fusion · f/1.78 · OIS
Ultra-wide
Ultra-wide48MP · f/2.2 · Macro
Telephoto
Telephoto12MP · 5x optical zoom
Battery & Charging
Battery5200mAh Li-Ion
Battery4685 mAh
Wired Charging45W MagSafe USB-C
Wired Charging
Wireless Charging25W MagSafe / 15W Qi2
Wireless Charging
Charging
Charging27W wired · 25W MagSafe
Body & Build
BuildGrade 5 Titanium frame, textured matte glass back
Build
Dimensions163.0 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm
Dimensions
Weight228g
Weight227g
ColorsBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Desert Titanium, Teal Titanium
Colors
IP RatingIP69 (dust & water resistant)
IP Rating
Material
MaterialGrade 5 Titanium
Connectivity
Connectivity5G SA/NSA, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, UWB
Connectivity
NFCYes (Apple Pay, background reading)
NFC
SatelliteEmergency SOS + Roadside Assistance via Satellite
Satellite

Pros & cons,
at a glance.

A bento grid of what each one nails — and where it falls short.

iPhone 17 Pro Max

What you'll love

The future of iPhone, redefined for 2026.

  • A19 Pro chip dominates every benchmark, Titanium design with refined aesthetics, 48MP periscope triple-camera system with AI computational photography, ProMotion 120Hz always-on display with peak 3000 nits

Watch out for

  • Premium price tag remains steep, USB-C still limited to USB 3 speeds on base model, Heavier than previous generation
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

What you'll love

The Most Powerful iPhone Ever

The verdict.

After 14 days each, in real-world use — here's how we'd actually spend the money.

PixlRun verdict · May 2026

It is a coin flip. Either picks lose nothing the other has.

iPhone 17 Pro Max takes the overall win at 9.4/10. iPhone 17 Pro Max: The future of iPhone, redefined for 2026.. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: The Most Powerful iPhone Ever.

See iPhone 17 Pro Max review See Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
PixlRun Lab Score
Composite · 14-day test cycle
iPhone 17 Pro Max9.4
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max9.4
Margin0.0
ConfidenceClose call

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