Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Alternatives

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is one of our top smartphones picks of 2026 ($1198.68 · 4.9/5), but it is not the right buy for everyone. Below are the closest comparables in the same category, ranked by how strong a case they make against the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max for typical buyers.

By The Tech Showdown Editorial TeamUpdated April 26, 2026How we research

#1The budget-conscious pick

OnePlus 13

$899.99★ 4.6/5

At $899.99 the OnePlus 13 costs $298.69 less than the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max while still scoring 4.6/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Compare Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs OnePlus 13 →Read full OnePlus 13 review →

#2The budget-conscious pick

Apple iPhone 16

$799.00★ 4.6/5

At $799.00 the Apple iPhone 16 costs $399.68 less than the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max while still scoring 4.6/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Compare Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 16 →Read full Apple iPhone 16 review →

#3The budget-conscious pick

Google Pixel 9 Pro

$999.00★ 4.5/5

At $999.00 the Google Pixel 9 Pro costs $199.68 less than the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max while still scoring 4.5/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Compare Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 9 Pro →Read full Google Pixel 9 Pro review →

#4The budget-conscious pick

Nothing Phone 2a Plus

$399.00★ 4.3/5

At $399.00 the Nothing Phone 2a Plus costs $799.68 less than the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max while still scoring 4.3/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Compare Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Nothing Phone 2a Plus →Read full Nothing Phone 2a Plus review →

#5A premium alternative

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

$1295.86★ 4.8/5

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra sits $97.18 above the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max at $1295.86 and earns a 4.8/5 rating. Justifiable only if its specific strengths line up with your use case — see the spec breakdown on its review page.

Compare Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra →Read full Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review →

#6A premium alternative

Xiaomi 14 Ultra

$1499.00★ 4.5/5

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra sits $300.32 above the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max at $1499.00 and earns a 4.5/5 rating. Justifiable only if its specific strengths line up with your use case — see the spec breakdown on its review page.

Compare Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra →Read full Xiaomi 14 Ultra review →

#7A premium alternative

ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro

$1199.99★ 4.5/5

The ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro sits $1.31 above the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max at $1199.99 and earns a 4.5/5 rating. Justifiable only if its specific strengths line up with your use case — see the spec breakdown on its review page.

Compare Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro →Read full ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro review →

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