iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Pura 80 Ultra
Few matchups in the flagship smartphone class come up as often as the iPhone 17 Pro Max against the Pura 80 Ultra. The numbers lean one way: the Pura 80 Ultra comes out ahead in 3 of the 4 areas we compared, with its clearest lead in the camera category.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Memory & Storage Pura 80 Ultra wins
- Camera Pura 80 Ultra wins
- Battery & Charging Pura 80 Ultra wins
- Display6.2
- Memory & Storage6.4
- Camera3.2
- Display6.2
- Memory & Storage8.1
- Camera5.5
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Pura 80 Ultra has 9.4× optical zoom versus 4×
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 9.4× for the Pura 80 Ultra versus 4× for the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Higher optical zoom lets you frame distant subjects tightly without losing detail to digital cropping.
-
The Pura 80 Ultra has 512 GB of base storage instead of 256 GB
The iPhone 17 Pro Max lists 256 GB; the Pura 80 Ultra comes in at 512 GB. That’s not a rounding error. If you shoot a lot of video or keep music and maps offline, base storage is one of the specs you’ll feel most over the years.
-
The Pura 80 Ultra has an extra rear camera
At 4 versus 3, this is a decisive lead for the Pura 80 Ultra, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
-
The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a bigger top storage option
If max storage is one of your priorities, this settles it: the iPhone 17 Pro Max leads clearly with 2 TB to the Pura 80 Ultra’s 1 TB. Heavy video shooters and people with large offline libraries benefit from the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s bigger maximum.
-
The Pura 80 Ultra has faster 80 W wireless charging
The numbers aren’t close. The Pura 80 Ultra lists 80 W for wireless charging, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max lists 25 W. Faster wireless charging makes a pad or stand more practical as your main way to top up.
Design & Size
- iPhone 17 Pro Max 6.43 in × 3.07 in × 0.34 in
- Pura 80 Ultra 6.42 in × 3 in × 0.33 in
If you already know the size you like, the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Pura 80 Ultra should suit you equally. Heft is not where these two differ. Thickness goes to the Pura 80 Ultra, with an advantage of 0.02 in.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Pura 80 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.43 in | 6.42 in |
| Width | 3.07 in | 3 in |
| Thickness | 0.34 in | 0.33 in (winner) |
| Weight | 8.22 oz | 8.24 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68/IP69 (winner) |
| Frame | Aluminum | N/A (not specified) |
Display
Too close to call
You can skip ahead if display was your deciding factor: the two are evenly matched here. Neither phone gives you a reason to choose it on display.
Memory & Storage
Pura 80 Ultra leads
This section belongs to the Pura 80 Ultra. In memory & storage, it leads the iPhone 17 Pro Max by a margin that’s hard to ignore. The Pura 80 Ultra has the edge with 512 GB of base storage instead of 256 GB. Base storage is what you get without paying extra. Photos, videos and apps add up quickly, so more space at the entry price is real value. The iPhone 17 Pro Max comes with a bigger top storage option. So if memory & storage tops your list, lean toward the Pura 80 Ultra.
Base storage
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 256 GB Pura 80 Ultra: 512 GB The Pura 80 Ultra starts with more room, which means fewer “storage full” warnings and less time deleting old videos.
Max storage
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 2 TB Pura 80 Ultra: 1 TB The top storage option only matters if you plan to buy a high-capacity version, but it caps how much you can ever keep on the phone.
Camera
Pura 80 Ultra leads
If camera is high on your list, the Pura 80 Ultra makes the stronger case by a wide margin. The Pura 80 Ultra adds 9.4× optical zoom versus 4×. Digital zoom can fake reach, but optical zoom is where the detail actually comes from. On its side, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has a sharper 18 MP selfie camera. If camera is your priority, the Pura 80 Ultra is the phone to pick.
Optical zoom
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 4× Pura 80 Ultra: 9.4× The Pura 80 Ultra reaches further with real optics, which pays off for wildlife, stages and sports from the stands.
Rear cameras
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 3 Pura 80 Ultra: 4 The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the Pura 80 Ultra gives you more lenses to choose from.
Battery & Charging
Pura 80 Ultra leads
Slight edge to the Pura 80 Ultra on battery & charging. Most buyers could live happily with either. Here the Pura 80 Ultra offers faster 80 W wireless charging. If you rely on a wireless pad at your desk or bedside, the Pura 80 Ultra refills quicker there. That makes the Pura 80 Ultra the natural choice for buyers focused on battery & charging.
Wireless charging
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 25 W Pura 80 Ultra: 80 W Wireless charging is usually slower than a cable, so this edge matters mainly to people who value the convenience.
Software & Updates
The software & updates comparison is about what’s inside rather than how much. See the table for the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s and the Pura 80 Ultra’s entries.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Pura 80 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.9 in | 6.8 in |
| Panel type | OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz (Super Retina XDR) | LTPO OLED |
| Resolution | 2868 x 1320 | 2848 x 1276 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 3,000 nits | N/A (not specified) |
| Always-on display | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Pura 80 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A19 Pro | N/A (not specified) |
| CPU cores | 6 | N/A (not specified) |
| Process node | 3 nm | N/A (not specified) |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 16 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Pura 80 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 256 GB | 512 GB (winner) |
| Max storage | 2 TB (winner) | 1 TB |
| microSD slot | No | N/A (not specified) |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Pura 80 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 48 MP (winner) | 40 MP |
| Telephoto camera | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Optical zoom | 4× | 9.4× (winner) |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 4 (winner) |
| Front camera | 18 MP (winner) | 13 MP |
| Max video | 4K120 Dolby Vision | 4K |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Pura 80 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 5,170 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 39 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 100 W |
| Wireless charging | 25 W | 80 W (winner) |
| Port | USB-C (USB 3, 10 Gb/s) | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Pura 80 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 26 | EMUI 15 (global) / HarmonyOS 5.1 (China) |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Pura 80 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.43 in | 6.42 in |
| Width | 3.07 in | 3 in |
| Thickness | 0.34 in | 0.33 in (winner) |
| Weight | 8.22 oz | 8.24 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68/IP69 (winner) |
| Frame | Aluminum | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Pura 80 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $1,199 | N/A (not specified) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 17 Pro Max if…
- you plan to buy a high-capacity version (2 TB vs 1 TB maximum)
- you take a lot of selfies or video calls (18 MP vs 13 MP front camera)
- you want the sharper ultra-wide camera (48 MP vs 40 MP)
Choose the Pura 80 Ultra if…
- you shoot concerts, sports or wildlife from a distance (9.4× vs 4× optical zoom)
- you want more storage without paying for an upgrade (512 GB vs 256 GB)
- you like switching between focal lengths (4 vs 3 cameras)
- you use a wireless charging pad every day (80 W vs 25 W)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Pura 80 Ultra?
We’d point most buyers to the Pura 80 Ultra. The main exception is if you need a bigger top storage option, which only the iPhone 17 Pro Max offers.
Is the iPhone 17 Pro Max bigger than the Pura 80 Ultra?
Size is essentially a tie. The official dimensions of the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Pura 80 Ultra differ only marginally.
Which has the better camera, the iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Pura 80 Ultra?
The Pura 80 Ultra has the edge for photography, offering 9.4× optical zoom versus 4× and an extra rear camera.
Is the iPhone 17 Pro Max lighter than the Pura 80 Ultra?
The difference between the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Pura 80 Ultra is too small to notice, so call it a tie.
Which has more storage, the iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Pura 80 Ultra?
The Pura 80 Ultra offers more, with 512 GB against 256 GB.
Executive Summary
The iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Pura 80 Ultra are aimed at each other, and I think the gaps between them are more interesting than the headlines. Practically speaking, the Pura 80 Ultra’s biggest advantage is 9.4× optical zoom versus 4×. Secondary, but worth mentioning: the Pura 80 Ultra has 512 GB of base storage instead of 256 GB. I’ll admit the iPhone 17 Pro Max has a point with a bigger top storage option.
A quick self-test: do you care more about storage or memory & storage? The first answer means the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the second means the Pura 80 Ultra.
My pick: the Pura 80 Ultra, unless you specifically want a bigger top storage option, where the iPhone 17 Pro Max has the edge, in which case the iPhone 17 Pro Max earns its place.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.