iPhone 17 Pro Max Substantially Outshines iPhone 16 Pro Max in Brightness Tests
CUPERTINO, CA – New testing reveals the iPhone 17 Pro Max boasts a substantially brighter screen than the iPhone 16 pro Max, particularly in outdoor conditions. While both models promise notable display capabilities, a recent analysis demonstrates a significant performance gap when exposed to direct sunlight, perhaps impacting user experience for those frequently using thier devices outdoors.
Apple launched the iPhone 16 Pro and 17 Pro in September, touting improvements including a new rear design, the A19 Pro chip, and enhanced battery life. A key advertised upgrade was screen brightness, with Apple claiming a jump from 2000 nits for the iPhone 16 Pro to 3000 nits for the 17 Pro.A recent test by a videographer sought to verify these claims by measuring the brightness of both generations in controlled indoor and outdoor environments.
The tests showed a surprising result indoors: with brightness manually set to 100% and True Tone/automatic brightness disabled, the iPhone 16 Pro Max actually outperformed the 17 Pro max, achieving 875 nits compared to 867 nits. This means in typical indoor use, there’s no discernible brightness difference between the two models.
However, the dynamic shifted dramatically when auto-brightness was activated and the phones were exposed to strong light. The iPhone 17 Pro Max reached 3269 nits – exceeding Apple’s stated 3000-nit target – while the iPhone 16 Pro Max topped out at 2717 nits. This difference translates to improved readability of messages and easier photo framing in direct sunlight, offering a noticeable comfort advancement for outdoor users.
