Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max / Apple iPhone 16

ProMotion adjusts the refresh rate to the content, giving 120 Hz smoothness when scrolling and lowering it on still images to save battery. The Always-On display shows the time and notifications dimmed while locked.

Typical brightness is 1000 nits, 1600 nits HDR and 2000 nits peak outdoors, with a 1-nit minimum. 2,000,000:1 contrast, P3 wide colour and True Tone. Apple does not list a refresh rate; ProMotion and always-on display are on the Pro models.

The 3,000-nit outdoor figure is a short peak in strong sunlight, not sustained full-screen white. The screen has an anti-reflective coating.

Apple notes that this resistance is not permanent and can decrease with normal wear.

The GPU supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing.

Apple says the A18, built on second-generation 3 nm technology, is up to 30% faster in CPU and 40% in GPU than the A16 Bionic and supports hardware ray tracing. The A18 Pro in iPhone 16 Pro is a different chip.

It also gives a 12 MP 2× (48 mm) image by using the centre of the sensor.

This camera is also used for 48 MP macro shots.

Using the centre of the sensor gives a 12 MP 8× (200 mm) image; Apple quotes a 16× optical-quality range and up to 40× digital zoom.

4K 100/120 fps is limited to the main camera. ProRes 4K 120 fps requires recording to external storage. Genlock syncs several cameras to the same timing with compatible hardware.

The Center Stage camera’s square sensor allows landscape or portrait selfies without rotating the phone.

No adapter in the box; only a 1 m USB-C charge cable.

Apple quotes about 50% in 30 minutes with a 30 W or higher adapter and MagSafe Charger.

10 Gb/s needs a compatible USB 3 cable; the included cable does not guarantee that speed.

Wired data transfer is limited to USB 2 speed, so moving large video files by cable is slower than on the Pro models.

Ultra Wideband availability varies by region.

Availability of satellite features varies by country.

Camera Control opens the camera and changes settings such as zoom and exposure with slide and light-press gestures.

Apple says it is 50% tougher than the first-generation Ceramic Shield. The back is colour-infused glass and the frame is aluminium.

The 2× view comes from the centre of the 48 MP sensor rather than a separate lens. There is a 4× optical zoom range and up to 10× digital zoom; the ultra-wide camera can shoot macro.

Apple says Camera Control combines a tactile switch for clicks, a force sensor for light presses and a capacitive sensor for swipes. It opens the camera, takes photos and starts video recording.

Ultra Wideband availability varies by region. Emergency SOS and Roadside Assistance via satellite are supported, with service duration and country coverage set by Apple.

SIM layout may vary by country model.

Reaching 50% in 30 minutes over MagSafe needs a 30 W or higher adapter. There is no adapter in the box, only a USB-C cable.

Measured under Apple’s test conditions; real results vary with use and settings. Apple does not publish the capacity in mAh.

Splash, water and dust resistance is not permanent and may decrease over time; liquid damage is not covered by warranty.

The high-g accelerometer is used for Crash Detection.