QUESTION
Best pick: iPhone 17 Pro Max. If you want top-tier performance and iOS, it’s the strongest choice because it’s cited as a top overall phone for 2026 and is the highest-end iPhone option in the current lineup.
Best for ios power users
Maars picked this for iOS power users who want the strongest all-around iPhone: it is the best fit when performance is the priority.
At a glance
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 17 | iPhone 16 Pro Max | iPhone 16 Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best reason to buy | Top iOS pick for maximum performance and a large flagship experience | Strong iOS performance in a more mainstream model | Large Pro iPhone that may be a better-value buy if discounted | Smaller Pro iPhone with strong performance |
| Best for | Power users who want the best iPhone | Most iPhone buyers | Deal hunters who want a big Pro model | People who want Pro performance in a smaller size |
| Main tradeoff | Likely the most expensive choice | Not the highest-end Pro Max model | Older generation than the iPhone 17 line | Smaller screen and battery than the Pro Max |
Also compared
Best for most iPhone buyers
Maars picked this for most iPhone buyers who want fast iOS performance without automatically stepping up to the biggest Pro Max model.
Best for large-screen deal hunters
Maars picked this for shoppers who want a large Pro iPhone and may find a better deal by choosing the previous generation.
Best for smaller-phone pro users
Maars picked this for people who want Pro-level iOS performance in a smaller phone than the Pro Max models.
Choose this if you want iOS, strong performance, improved design, and better battery life without necessarily buying the largest Pro Max model.
iPhone 17
It is described as offering top-tier performance and better battery life.
Choose this if you find a good deal and still want a large, high-performance iPhone.
iPhone 16 Pro Max
It appears in 2026 benchmark listings and remains a relevant Pro Max iPhone option.
Choose this if you want a smaller Pro iPhone with strong performance.
iPhone 16 Pro
It appears in 2026 benchmark listings alongside other high-performance phones.
Found this helpful?
Best for ios power users
Maars picked this for iOS power users who want the strongest all-around iPhone: it is the best fit when performance is the priority.
At a glance
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 17 | iPhone 16 Pro Max | iPhone 16 Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best reason to buy | Top iOS pick for maximum performance and a large flagship experience | Strong iOS performance in a more mainstream model | Large Pro iPhone that may be a better-value buy if discounted | Smaller Pro iPhone with strong performance |
| Best for | Power users who want the best iPhone | Most iPhone buyers | Deal hunters who want a big Pro model | People who want Pro performance in a smaller size |
| Main tradeoff | Likely the most expensive choice | Not the highest-end Pro Max model | Older generation than the iPhone 17 line | Smaller screen and battery than the Pro Max |
Also compared
Best for most iPhone buyers
Maars picked this for most iPhone buyers who want fast iOS performance without automatically stepping up to the biggest Pro Max model.
Best for large-screen deal hunters
Maars picked this for shoppers who want a large Pro iPhone and may find a better deal by choosing the previous generation.
Best for smaller-phone pro users
Maars picked this for people who want Pro-level iOS performance in a smaller phone than the Pro Max models.
Choose this if you want iOS, strong performance, improved design, and better battery life without necessarily buying the largest Pro Max model.
iPhone 17
It is described as offering top-tier performance and better battery life.
Choose this if you find a good deal and still want a large, high-performance iPhone.
iPhone 16 Pro Max
It appears in 2026 benchmark listings and remains a relevant Pro Max iPhone option.
Choose this if you want a smaller Pro iPhone with strong performance.
iPhone 16 Pro
It appears in 2026 benchmark listings alongside other high-performance phones.
Found this helpful?
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