
iPhone 17 Pro Max Prices in the UK: Buying Guide and FAQs

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The iPhone 17 Pro Max is no longer Apple’s newest flagship, but it is still one of the best phones you can buy. It’s also getting cheaper, though the window for good deals is closing. This guide covers what you get, what it costs now, and where to buy.
The short version
- Launch price: £1,199 (256GB), £1,399 (512GB), £1,599 (1TB), £1,999 (2TB).
- Current status: Apple no longer sells it directly since the iPhone 18 Pro Max launched. You can still buy it from retailers while stock lasts, or refurbished.
- Best for: people who want a big screen, top-tier cameras and battery life without paying iPhone 18 prices.
What you get
- Display: a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR screen with 120Hz ProMotion.
- Chip: A19 Pro, designed to sustain performance better than earlier Pro chips.
- Design: an aluminium unibody with a vapour-chamber cooling system, replacing the titanium frame of the 16 Pro generation.
- Cameras: a triple 48MP rear system with long-range zoom, plus an 18MP Center Stage selfie camera.
- Battery: the longest-lasting iPhone of its generation.
- Colours: Silver, Cosmic Orange and Deep Blue.
- Software: it has been updated to iOS 27, and Apple typically supports iPhones for around six or seven years.
How much does it cost now?
Prices have shifted a lot since the iPhone 18 launch:
- Retail discounts: in late August, Amazon UK cut the 256GB model to £1,049 and John Lewis sold it for £1,099. Currys and John Lewis have kept it £100 below launch price at £1,099.
- Discounts are fading: Amazon UK now sells only the 2TB Pro Max directly, and the Pro models won’t be restocked once retailers sell out.
- Wider price rises: Apple raised prices on its older iPhones when the iPhone 18 launched, so the market is moving up, not down.
Stock and prices change daily, so check each retailer before you buy.
Buying guide
Step 1: Choose your storage
- 256GB: enough for most people who use iCloud and don’t shoot much 4K video.
- 512GB: the sweet spot if you film a lot, download games or keep offline media.
- 1TB and 2TB: only for heavy video shooters and professionals. The jump in price is steep.
Step 2: Decide how to pay
- SIM-free (outright): the best value over time. You can pair it with a cheap SIM-only plan and keep your options open.
- Contract: Uswitch listings show 256GB deals ranging from £36 a month with a £349 upfront cost to £51 a month with £69 upfront, over 24 months. Watch for mid-contract price rises. Several of those deals include annual April increases.
- Instalments or finance: convenient, but compare the total cost against buying outright.
Step 3: Pick where to buy
- Currys, John Lewis, EE and Amazon UK: the most likely places to find remaining new stock at a discount. John Lewis includes a two-year guarantee as standard.
- Mobile networks (EE, Vodafone, Three, O2): good for bundled deals, but check the total cost and any upfront fee.
- Refurbished (Apple Certified Refurbished, Back Market, Backmarket-style resellers): likely the best route now that new stock is running down. Look for a battery health guarantee and a warranty of at least 12 months.
Step 4: Maximise the price
- Trade in your old phone. Apple raised trade-in values by up to 30% ahead of the iPhone 18 launch, and retailers and networks run their own schemes.
- Compare total cost, not just the monthly price. Add upfront cost plus the full contract term.
- Check the model and condition if you’re buying second-hand: unlocked, not blacklisted, and no iCloud lock.
Should you buy the 17 Pro Max or the iPhone 18 Pro Max?
Buy the iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want to save money and the design and performance are already more than enough for you. Pay more for the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want the newest chip and camera hardware and the longest software support. A big discount on the 17 Pro Max usually makes the older phone the better deal.
FAQs
Is the iPhone 17 Pro Max still on sale in the UK?
Not from Apple. Apple no longer sells it directly since the iPhone 18 Pro Max launched, but some retailers still have stock, and refurbished units are widely available.
What was the UK launch price?
It started at £1,199 for the 256GB model and went up to £1,999 for 2TB.
Is it worth buying now that the iPhone 18 is out?
For many people, yes, especially at a £100 discount or from a good refurbished seller. It will keep getting iOS updates for years.
Will prices drop further?
Probably not by much. Discounts are disappearing as stock runs out, and IDC has warned that smartphone prices are unlikely to return to previous levels even after the memory shortage eases. If you see a good price, don’t wait too long.
Which storage size should I choose?
256GB suits most people. Choose 512GB if you shoot lots of video or keep lots of media on the phone.
Should I buy SIM-free or on contract?
SIM-free plus a cheap SIM-only plan usually costs less overall. Contracts are simpler, but check for annual price rises.
Is a refurbished iPhone 17 Pro Max a good idea?
Yes, if the seller offers a warranty, a tested battery and a return window. Apple’s own refurbished store is the safest choice when it has stock.
How does the 17 Pro Max compare with the 17 Pro?
They share the same chip and cameras. The Pro Max has a bigger screen and bigger battery, and costs more. Choose the Pro if you want something easier to carry.
Does it work with my current accessories?
It uses USB-C, so most modern cables, chargers and power banks work. Cases made for older iPhones won’t fit.
What should I check before buying second-hand?
Check that it’s unlocked, not reported lost or stolen, not locked to someone’s Apple account, and that battery health is reasonable.