iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 17e

The iPhone 17e is 16.7 millimetres0.66 inches shorter and 80 grams2.82 ounces lighter than the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

The iPhone 18 Pro Max on Amazon (paid link) is fresh off the press with a battery that simply outlasts the rest, but it feels substantial in the hand. The iPhone 17e (paid link) is lighter and easier to manage daily, even if it can't match that all-day stamina. Choose the Pro Max if endurance is non-negotiable, or save the money and pocket the 17e instead.

Paid link.

Easier one-handed: iPhone 17e

Pocket: iPhone 17e

Weight difference: Noticeable

iPhone 18 Pro Max
from $1,299 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
iPhone 17e
from $599 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)

Paid link.

TRUE SCALE · 1.3 PX/MM

Hand: US Army ANSUR II, 2012 (sex-balanced median). Pockets: The Pudding, 2018. Card: ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1.

iPhone 18 Pro Max
from $1,299 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
iPhone 17e
from $599 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)

Paid link.

HeightWidthDepthWeight18 Pro Max163.4 millimetres6.43 inches78.0 millimetres3.07 inches8.75 millimetres0.34 inches249 grams8.78 ounces17e146.7 millimetres, 16.7 millimetres less5.78 inches, 0.66 inches less71.5 millimetres, 6.5 millimetres less2.81 inches, 0.26 inches less7.80 millimetres, 0.95 millimetres less0.31 inches, 0.04 inches less169 grams, 80 grams less5.96 ounces, 2.82 ounces less

Height: 18 Pro Max 163.4 millimetres, 17e 146.7 millimetres.Height: 18 Pro Max 6.43 inches, 17e 5.78 inches.Width: 18 Pro Max 78.0 millimetres, 17e 71.5 millimetres.Width: 18 Pro Max 3.07 inches, 17e 2.81 inches.Depth: 18 Pro Max 8.75 millimetres, 17e 7.80 millimetres.Depth: 18 Pro Max 0.34 inches, 17e 0.31 inches.Weight: 18 Pro Max 249 grams, 17e 169 grams.Weight: 18 Pro Max 8.78 ounces, 17e 5.96 ounces.

Specifications

Specifications for iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 17e. Differences are given against iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Specification	18 Pro Max	17e

Height	163.4 millimetres6.43 inches	146.7 millimetres, 16.7 millimetres less5.78 inches, 0.66 inches less
Width	78.0 millimetres3.07 inches	71.5 millimetres, 6.5 millimetres less2.81 inches, 0.26 inches less
Depth	8.75 millimetres0.34 inches	7.80 millimetres, 0.95 millimetres less0.31 inches, 0.04 inches less
Weight	249 grams8.78 ounces	169 grams, 80 grams less5.96 ounces, 2.82 ounces less
Volume	111.5 cubic centimetres6.81 cubic inches	81.8 cubic centimetres, 29.7 cubic centimetres less4.99 cubic inches, 1.81 cubic inches less
Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure.	91 percent	86 percent, 5 percent less

Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches.	6.9 inches	6.1 inches, 0.8 inches less
Resolution	1320 × 2868	1170 × 2532
Pixel density	460 pixels per inch	460 pixels per inch, the same
Cutout	Dynamic Island	Notch

Rear main	48MP Fusion, variable aperture f/1.48-f/4.0	48MP
Rear ultra-wide	48MP Fusion f/2.2	—
Rear telephoto	48MP Fusion 100mm (4x optical, 8x optical-quality)	—
Front camera	18MP Center Stage f/1.9	12MP

Chip	A20 Pro	A19
Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity.	45 hrs	26 hrs

Port	USB-C	USB-C
Wireless	5G · Wi-Fi 7 · Bluetooth 6 · Apple C2 modem	5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth
Water resistance	IP68 (6m for 30 min)	IP68 (6m for 30 min)

Storage	256 GB – 2 TB	256 – 512 GB
Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars.	1,299 dollars	599 dollars, 700 dollars less

Released	Sep 2026	Mar 2026
Status	Current	Current

Dimensions

The iPhone 17e is 16.7 mm (0.66 in) shorter, 6.5 mm (0.26 in) narrower, 0.95 mm (0.04 in) thinner and 80 g (2.82 oz) lighter than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. The iPhone 18 Pro Max measures 163.4 × 78.0 × 8.75 mm (6.43 × 3.07 × 0.34 in) and weighs 249 g (8.78 oz). The iPhone 17e measures 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.80 mm (5.78 × 2.81 × 0.31 in) and weighs 169 g (5.96 oz).

Questions about these phones

How much smaller is the iPhone 17e than the iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The iPhone 17e is 16.7 mm shorter and 6.5 mm narrower than the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Is the iPhone 17e lighter than the iPhone 18 Pro Max?

Yes, the iPhone 17e weighs 80 g less than the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

What is the screen size difference between the iPhone 17e and iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The iPhone 18 Pro Max has a 6.9 inch display while the iPhone 17e has a 6.1 inch display.

Which phone is easier to use one-handed?

The iPhone 17e is easier to use one-handed than the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Is one phone more pocketable than the other?

The iPhone 17e is more pocketable than the iPhone 18 Pro Max due to its smaller dimensions.

Is upgrading from the iPhone 17e to the iPhone 18 Pro Max worth it for size alone?

Whether the upgrade is worth it depends on if you prioritize the larger screen and battery over the smaller size and weight.

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 17e

Quick answer

Specifications

Dimensions

Also compared with iPhone 18 Pro Max

Questions about these phones