iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: is a used 15 Pro Max the smarter buy?
Everything that changed between the 15 Pro Max and the 17 Pro Max, what it costs to have it, and whether a QDN Certified 15 Pro Max with a 15-month warranty is the better deal.
The short answer
Apple sells the iPhone 17 Pro Max new from $1,199. A QDN Certified 15 Pro Max starts at $698, so you keep about $501 in your pocket. For that you give up a newer chip, the bigger screen and the newer cameras. If none of those changes how you use a phone, the 15 Pro Max is the smarter buy; it still runs the current iOS and comes with a 15-month warranty, which is longer than Apple's standard one year on the 17 Pro Max.
iPhone 15 Pro Max
QDN Certified, 15-month warranty
from $698$1,199
6 in stock · launched at $1,199
Shop used 15 Pro MaxiPhone 17 Pro Max
New from Apple and carriers
$1,199
Apple’s launch price. Not sold by QDN.
What actually differs
Only the rows where the two phones are not identical. A tick marks the side that wins the row.
The 17 Pro Max runs the A19 Pro, a generation ahead of the A17 Pro. Day to day both feel quick; the gap shows in games, video export and how many years of iOS updates lie ahead.
17 Pro Max wins
The 17 Pro Max has the bigger screen, 6.9″ against 6.7″. Bigger is better for video and reading; smaller is easier one-handed.
17 Pro Max wins
Cameras: the 15 Pro Max has 48 MP main, 12 MP ultra wide, 12 MP telephoto; the 17 Pro Max has 48 MP main, 48 MP ultra wide, 48 MP telephoto.
17 Pro Max wins
The 15 Pro Max zooms to 5× optically; the 17 Pro Max stops at 4×. For concerts, sport and kids on a stage, the longer lens is the one you will use.
15 Pro Max wins
The 17 Pro Max adds the Camera Control button for opening the camera and adjusting exposure or zoom without touching the screen.
17 Pro Max wins
Battery: Apple rates the 17 Pro Max at up to 39 hours of video playback against 29 for the 15 Pro Max. On a used phone the listing's battery health matters as much as this number.
17 Pro Max wins
The 15 Pro Max has a titanium frame; the 17 Pro Max is aluminum.
Preference
The 15 Pro Max is lighter: 221 g against 233 g.
15 Pro Max wins
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: full spec sheet
Apple’s published specifications. Highlighted rows differ.
- Released
- 20232025
- Display
- 6.7″, 120 Hz ProMotion, Dynamic Island6.9″, 120 Hz ProMotion, Dynamic Island
- Chip
- A17 ProA19 Pro
- RAM
- 8 GB (reported; Apple does not publish it)12 GB (reported; Apple does not publish it)
- Rear cameras
- 3: 48 MP main · 12 MP ultra wide · 12 MP telephoto3: 48 MP main · 48 MP ultra wide · 48 MP telephoto
- Optical zoom
- 5× telephoto4× telephoto
- Battery
- Up to 29 h video playback (Apple's figure, new battery)Up to 39 h video playback (Apple's figure, new battery)
- Charging port
- USB-C (USB 3)USB-C (USB 3)
- Frame
- TitaniumAluminum
- Weight
- 221 g233 g
- 5G
- YesYes
- Satellite SOS
- YesYes
- Apple Intelligence
- YesYes
- Action button
- YesYes
- Camera Control
- NoYes
- Apple launch price
- $1,199$1,199
| Spec | iPhone 15 Pro Max | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2023 | 2025 |
| Display | 6.7″, 120 Hz ProMotion, Dynamic Island | 6.9″, 120 Hz ProMotion, Dynamic Island |
| Chip | A17 Pro | A19 Pro |
| RAM | 8 GB (reported; Apple does not publish it) | 12 GB (reported; Apple does not publish it) |
| Rear cameras | 3: 48 MP main · 12 MP ultra wide · 12 MP telephoto | 3: 48 MP main · 48 MP ultra wide · 48 MP telephoto |
| Optical zoom | 5× telephoto | 4× telephoto |
| Battery | Up to 29 h video playback (Apple's figure, new battery) | Up to 39 h video playback (Apple's figure, new battery) |
| Charging port | USB-C (USB 3) | USB-C (USB 3) |
| Frame | Titanium | Aluminum |
| Weight | 221 g | 233 g |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite SOS | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Intelligence | Yes | Yes |
| Action button | Yes | Yes |
| Camera Control | No | Yes |
| Apple launch price | $1,199 | $1,199 |
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iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: common questions
What is the biggest difference between the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 17 Pro Max?
The 17 Pro Max runs the A19 Pro, a generation ahead of the A17 Pro. Day to day both feel quick; the gap shows in games, video export and how many years of iOS updates lie ahead.
Is the iPhone 17 Pro Max worth the extra over the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
Apple sells the iPhone 17 Pro Max new from $1,199. A QDN Certified 15 Pro Max starts at $698, so you keep about $501 in your pocket. For that you give up a newer chip, the bigger screen and the newer cameras. If none of those changes how you use a phone, the 15 Pro Max is the smarter buy; it still runs the current iOS and comes with a 15-month warranty, which is longer than Apple's standard one year on the 17 Pro Max.
Which has the better camera, the iPhone 15 Pro Max or the iPhone 17 Pro Max?
Cameras: the 15 Pro Max has 48 MP main, 12 MP ultra wide, 12 MP telephoto; the 17 Pro Max has 48 MP main, 48 MP ultra wide, 48 MP telephoto.
Which has the better battery?
Battery: Apple rates the 17 Pro Max at up to 39 hours of video playback against 29 for the 15 Pro Max. On a used phone the listing's battery health matters as much as this number.
Do both support Apple Intelligence?
Yes, both the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 17 Pro Max support Apple Intelligence.
Does QDN sell the iPhone 17 Pro Max?
Not yet. We sell QDN Certified pre-owned iPhones from the iPhone 13 to the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Pro Max appears here so you can see exactly what a used 15 Pro Max gives up against Apple's current line-up.
Related comparisons
Used iPhone 15 Pro Max from $698
Each QDN listing is one specific phone: storage, colour and battery health shown up front. Inspected, unlocked, 15-month warranty, free US shipping.
- 15-month warranty
- Free US shipping
- Case, protector & cable included