Here we compared two flagship smartphones: the 6.9-inch Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (with Apple A19 Pro) that was released on September 9, 2025, against the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max, which is powered by Apple A17 Pro and came out 2 years before. On this page, you will find tests, full specs, strengths, and weaknesses of each of the devices.
Price per GB – Comparison
Model
Storage Tier
Approx Price (MSRP / Retail)
Price per GB
iPhone 17 Pro Max
256 GB
US$ 1,199
≈ US$ 4.68 / GB
512 GB
US$ 1,399
≈ US$ 2.73 / GB
1 TB
US$ 1,599
≈ US$ 1.56 / GB
2 TB
US$ 1,999
≈ US$ 1.00 / GB
iPhone 15 Pro Max
256 GB
≈ US$ 1,199 at launch MSRP
≈ US$ 4.68 / GB
Price per GB – Comparison
Key Differences
Category
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
RAM
Has 50% more RAM (12GB vs 8GB) – better for multitasking and heavy apps.
–
Bluetooth
Newer Bluetooth version (v6.0) – improved connectivity and efficiency.
–
Performance (AnTuTu)
33% better performance (2112K vs 1583K) – smoother overall speed.
–
Wi-Fi
Compatible with Wi-Fi 7 – faster and more stable wireless networking.
–
Charging
Supports higher wattage charging (40W vs 23W) – quicker recharging.
–
GeekBench 6 (Single-Core)
33% faster (3895 vs 2935 points) – snappier single-core performance.
–
Camera Zoom
–
Rear camera has 5x optical zoom – better long-distance photography.
Key Differences
Tests and specifications
Comparison table of technical specifications and tests
Face ID, Proximity, Gyro, Accelerometer, Compass, Ambient, Barometer
Same
Charger Included
No
No
Other Specs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which iPhone has the better performance, the iPhone 17 Pro Max or the iPhone 15 Pro Max? The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers a big leap in performance thanks to the Apple A19 Pro chip with higher clock speeds, 12 GB RAM, and better benchmark scores (up to 33% faster in GeekBench & AnTuTu).
2. Which iPhone has a better display? The iPhone 17 Pro Max has the edge with a larger 6.9-inch OLED screen, 3000 nits brightness (vs 2000 nits), and slimmer bezels (91.6% screen-to-body ratio vs 89.8%).
3. How does the camera compare between iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max? The iPhone 17 Pro Max packs three 48 MP lenses (standard, telephoto, ultrawide), but the iPhone 15 Pro Max offers 5x optical zoom on its telephoto lens, which is better for long-distance shots.
4. Which iPhone has better battery life and charging? The iPhone 17 Pro Max comes with a larger 5088 mAh battery and faster 40W charging (50% in 20 minutes), plus 25W wireless charging. The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 4441 mAh battery with slower 23W wired and 7.5W wireless charging.
5. What are the main reasons to upgrade from the iPhone 15 Pro Max to the iPhone 17 Pro Max? You should consider upgrading if you want:
