Verdict: The iPhone 17 Pro Max outperforms the iPhone SE 2024 in every core metric—its A18 Pro chip scores 30 % higher in single‑core Geekbench tests (per Geekbench), its triple‑camera system achieves a 92 % overall DxOMark rating versus the SE’s 78 % (per DxOMark), and its 6.7" OLED panel reaches 1,200 nits peak brightness compared to the SE’s 625 nits LCD (per RTINGS). However, the SE’s compact size and entry‑level price make it a far more practical daily driver for users who don’t need flagship photography or a large display. For power users, the Pro Max’s superior performance, camera versatility, and premium build justify its higher cost, while casual users will find the SE delivers ample performance at a fraction of the price.
Winner: iPhone 17 Pro Max
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 9/10
iPhone SE 2024: 6/10
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone SE 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | A18 Pro | A16 Bionic |
| Display | 6.7" OLED 120Hz | 4.7" LCD 60Hz |
| Storage | 256GB | 64GB |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh | 2,000 mAh |
Our pick: iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch 120Hz display, A19 Pro chip, and starts at $1,199, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra features a 6.8-inch 120Hz screen, Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, and begins at $1,299. The S25 Ultra wins for its superior zoom camera, S Pen, and longer software support.
The iPhone 14 Plus has a 6.7-inch 60Hz OLED, A15 Bionic chip, 48MP main camera, and up to 26 hours video playback for $699. The iPhone 17 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch 120Hz ProMotion display, A19 Pro chip, 48MP triple camera with 5x zoom, and up to 33 hours video playback starting at $1,199.
The iPhone 15 Plus has a 6.7-inch 60Hz OLED, A16 chip, 48MP main camera, and up to 29 hours video playback for $899. The iPhone 17 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch 120Hz ProMotion display, A19 Pro chip, 48MP triple camera with 5x zoom, and vastly superior performance and build for around $1,199.
The iPhone 17 Air has a 6.6-inch 120Hz OLED display and weighs 145g with a single 48MP rear camera, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch 120Hz OLED, weighs 227g, and includes a triple 48MP camera system with 5x telephoto. The Pro Max starts at $1,199 versus the Air's expected $899, delivering superior performance and zoom at the cost of added bulk.
The iPhone 12 has a 6.1-inch OLED display, A14 Bionic chip, dual 12MP cameras, and launched at $799. The iPhone 17 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch 120Hz ProMotion display, A19 Pro chip, triple 48MP cameras with 5x zoom, and starts at $1,199, delivering far superior performance, screen quality, and photography.
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