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iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Unlocked

Buy the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want the newest hardware: A20 Pro chip, 3,000-nit outdoor screen, IP68 to 6 meters, and up to 45 hours of video playback. Buy the iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want to spend far less and still get a 6.9-inch 120Hz-class Pro Max with strong cameras and battery. The price gap is enormous: the 17 Pro Max shows $38.89 at Best Buy as of November 3, 2026, while the 18 Pro Max is $1,549.00 at Amazon as of November 3, 2026. Treat the $38.89 figure with caution and confirm the listing before you buy.

Today the iPhone 17 Pro Max costs $1,510.11 less at its best price.

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Apple
iPhone 17 Pro Max

iPhone 17 Pro Max

$38.89at Best BuyObserved Nov 3, 2026, 1:19 AM
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Choose the iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want Pro Max size and cameras at a fraction of the price and can verify the $38.89 Best Buy listing as of November 3, 2026.

Pros
  • Far cheaper on the listed price: $38.89 at Best Buy as of November 3, 2026
  • 6.9-inch OLED display at 2868 x 1320
  • 48 MP rear camera with ultra wide and telephoto lenses
  • 5,088 mAh battery and 12 GB RAM
  • Dual SIM with nano SIM and eSIM support
Cons
  • Chip generation and brightness are not stated in the listing
  • Water resistance rating is not specified
  • Price history is wild: $11.75 low on October 31 and $1,134.97 high on November 1, 2026
  • Only one store lists it new, so stock is thin
  • The $38.89 price is far below the recent high and needs verification
Apple
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Unlocked

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Unlocked

$1,549.00at AmazonObserved Nov 3, 2026, 1:22 AM
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Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want the newest chip, the brightest outdoor display, the longest battery life, and a factory-sealed unlocked phone at $1,549.00 at Amazon as of November 3, 2026.

Pros
  • A20 Pro chip with vapor chamber cooling
  • 3,000-nit peak outdoor brightness on a 6.9-inch 120Hz display
  • Up to 45 hours of video playback and 30 hours of typical use
  • IP68 rated to 6 meters for 30 minutes
  • 48 MP Pro Fusion triple camera with variable aperture and up to 8x optical-quality zoom
Cons
  • $1,549.00 at Amazon as of November 3, 2026 is a big outlay
  • eSIM only, single SIM, no nano SIM tray
  • Power adapter not included in the box
  • Only two stores price it new

What separates them

iPhone 17 Pro MaxApple iPhone 18 Pro Max Unlocked
ChipA-series Pro chip (generation not stated in the listing)A20 Pro with vapor chamber cooling
Peak outdoor brightnessNot stated3,000 nits
Water resistanceWater resistant (rating not stated)IP68, 6 meters for 30 minutes
Battery life5,088 mAh capacityUp to 45 hours video, 30 hours typical use
SIMDual SIM, nano SIM and eSIMSingle SIM, eSIM only
Rear cameras48 MP with ultra wide and telephoto lenses48 MP Pro Fusion triple camera, variable aperture, up to 8x optical-quality zoom
Price$38.89 at Best Buy as of November 3, 2026$1,549.00 at Amazon as of November 3, 2026
Storage options256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB (2 TB listed in specs)256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB

Price history

$1,549.00$11.75
Oct 28Nov 3
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max: lowest $11.75 on Oct 31 at Walmart; $38.89 on Nov 3.
  • Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Unlocked: lowest $1,549.00 on Nov 3 at Amazon.

Prices at every store

iPhone 17 Pro Max

  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $38.89Free shippingObserved Nov 3, 2026, 1:19 AM
    Visit store
  • AmazonRefurbished

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $1,119.99Free shippingObserved Nov 3, 2026, 1:19 AM
    Visit store

Also available at

  • Total WirelessCheck price at Total Wireless
  • eBayCheck price at eBay
  • Mint MobileCheck price at Mint Mobile
All 2 stores and price history →

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Unlocked

  • ESolutionsNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $1,549.99Observed Nov 3, 2026, 4:47 PM
    Visit store
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $1,549.00Free shippingObserved Nov 3, 2026, 1:22 AM
    Visit store
All 2 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpeciPhone 17 Pro MaxApple iPhone 18 Pro Max Unlocked
Operating SystemiOSiOS
SIM SupportDual SIMSingle SIM
ColorBlue, Silver, Deep Blue, Cosmic OrangeBurgundy
With OLED DisplayYesYes
Broadband Generation5G5G
SIM Card TypeNano SIM, eSIMeSIM
Lens TypeUltra Wide Angle, TelephotoUltra Wide Angle
Screen Size6.9″6.9″
Rear Camera Resolution48 MP rear camera48 MP rear camera
RAM12 GB RAM12 GB RAM
Resolution2868 x 13202868‑by‑1320-pixel resolution at 460 ppi
Weight8.22 oz8.78 ounces (249 grams)
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpeciPhone 17 Pro MaxApple iPhone 18 Pro Max Unlocked
CarrierAT&T, Verizon, Unlocked—
Display Resolution2868 x 1320—
Connector TypeUSB C—
Cellular NetworkGSM—
Water ResistantYes—
SecurityFacial Recognition—
With Wireless ChargingYes—
With Fast ChargingYes—
Storage Capacity256 GB storage, 512 GB storage, 1 TB storage—
Front Camera Resolution

What reviewers say

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Reviewers consistently praise the iPhone 17 Pro Max for fast, smooth performance, excellent cameras, strong battery life and a premium feel. The bold redesign and orange color draw positive attention.

Pros
  • Fast, smooth performance with no lag
  • Excellent camera quality, including low-light shots
  • Strong battery life
  • Premium, eye-catching design, especially in orange
Cons
  • Large size is unwieldy for some
  • High price
Reviews
  • The Best Unlocked Phones for 2026
  • I've tried every iPhone 17 model, and my golden rule for upgrading is changing in 2025 - ZDNET - Skip to content
  • iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max Review: Part Midlife Crisis, Part Battery King
  • google.com

Questions and answers

Which has the better camera?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max has the edge on paper: a 48 MP Pro Fusion triple camera with variable aperture and up to 8x optical-quality zoom. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 48 MP rear camera with ultra wide and telephoto lenses, which is still a full Pro setup.
Which lasts longer on a charge?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is rated for up to 45 hours of video playback and 30 hours of typical use. The iPhone 17 Pro Max lists a 5,088 mAh battery but no runtime figures, so the 18 Pro Max is the safer bet for long days.
Is the iPhone 18 Pro Max worth the extra money?
At $1,549.00 at Amazon versus $38.89 at Best Buy as of November 3, 2026, the gap is huge. The 18 Pro Max buys you the A20 Pro chip, a 3,000-nit screen, IP68 to 6 meters and longer battery life. Verify the 17 Pro Max price first, because its recent history swung from $11.75 to $1,134.97.
Can I use a physical SIM?
The iPhone 17 Pro Max supports dual SIM with nano SIM and eSIM. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is eSIM only with single SIM support, so check your carrier supports eSIM before buying.
Which is better for outdoor use?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max, with 3,000 nits peak outdoor brightness and IP68 water resistance to 6 meters for 30 minutes. The iPhone 17 Pro Max lists water resistance but no rating or brightness figure.
Which should I buy for resale?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is factory sealed and unlocked for all major carriers, which suits resale. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is cheaper to source, but its price swings make margins hard to predict.

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  • iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 16
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro
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18 MP front camera
—
BrandApple—
Mobile OSiOS—
Model nameiPhone 17 Pro Max—
HD capacity2 TB—
Battery capacity5088 mAh—
Ram memory12 GB—
FeaturesWireless Charging—
WirelessWi-Fi 7, 5G, Bluetooth 6—
Service providerVerizon—
Cellular service planPostpaid—
Rear cam mpx48 MP—
Front cam mpx18 MP—
Proc. brandApple—
DisplayOLED—
Color categorySilver—
Series17—
Device typeContract Cell Phones—
ModelMFXR4LL/A—