Apple MacBook Pro 14 M5 vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 512GB: Which Is Better?

The quick verdict

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 512GB takes it on buyer ratings — 4.6/5 against 4.5/5. But the ratings alone don't settle it, because these two suit different buyers.

Apple MacBook Pro 14 M5

The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch with M5 chip combines a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU with 16GB of unified memory and a 1TB SSD. Its Liquid Retina XDR display, all-day battery life and Apple Intelligence features make it a powerful choice for creative work, development and everyday productivity.

Amazon UK buyers currently rate the Apple MacBook Pro 14 M5 4.5 out of 5 across 54 ratings.

• •M5 chip with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU
• •16GB unified memory and 1TB SSD storage
• •14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
• •Up to 24 hours of battery life
• •Three Thunderbolt 4 ports, MagSafe 3, HDMI and SDXC slot

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 512GB

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max in Deep Blue is Apple's biggest and longest-lasting iPhone, pairing a 6.9-inch ProMotion display with the A19 Pro chip, a 48MP Pro Fusion camera system and 512GB of storage. With the best battery life ever in an iPhone, a heat-forged aluminium unibody and Ceramic Shield protection, it is built for power users, creators and anyone who wants the largest screen Apple offers.

Amazon UK buyers currently rate the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 512GB 4.6 out of 5 across 214 ratings.

• •6.9-inch ProMotion display up to 120Hz
• •A19 Pro chip with vapour-cooled sustained performance
• •48MP Pro Fusion camera system with 8x optical-quality zoom
• •18MP Center Stage front camera with Dual Capture
• •Best battery life in any iPhone ever with fast charging

Where the Apple MacBook Pro 14 M5 wins

Its clearest advantages:

• •M5 chip is fast and efficient for creative and dev work
• •Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display
• •Excellent all-day battery life
• •Great selection of ports including Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI

Where the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 512GB wins

And what it does better:

• •Huge 6.9-inch ProMotion display is stunning
• •Best battery life ever in an iPhone
• •A19 Pro delivers top-tier sustained performance
• •Versatile 48MP cameras with excellent zoom

Our pick

We'd take the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 512GB. Battery life is genuinely the best of any iPhone to date, comfortably stretching into a second day for lighter users. It is big and expensive, but if you want the ultimate iPhone, this is it.