REDMAGIC 11 Pro vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
REDMAGIC 11 Pro (#1, best overall) vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (#3): in our Gaming Phones scoring the REDMAGIC 11 Pro totals 9.9/10 and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 8.9/10, the REDMAGIC 11 Pro leading on Cooling and Gaming Features. At $800 versus $1,339, the REDMAGIC 11 Pro costs $539 less.
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Side by side
| REDMAGIC 11 Pro | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $800 | $1339 |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED, 2480x1116, 144Hz | 6.9" Super Retina XDR, 2868x1320, 120Hz ProMotion |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite | A19 Pro Bionic |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB/24GB | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB/1TB | 256GB-1TB |
| Battery | 6,500mAh, 100W charging | Up to 37hr video |
| Cooling | Built-in turbo fan | — |
| Camera | — | 48MP main + 48MP ultrawide + 48MP 5x telephoto |
How they differ in real use
Built from our best gaming phones scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the REDMAGIC 11 Pro and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max made our Top 5 Gaming Phones, at #1 (best overall) and #3. Ultimate gaming machine with Snapdragon 8 Elite, only phone with built-in active cooling fan, 144Hz display, physical shoulder triggers, and up to 24GB RAM at just $649. Best for Apple ecosystem gamers with A19 Pro sustained performance, console-quality games (RE Village, AC Mirage), and Apple Arcade. MagSafe controller attachment is seamless.
We score gaming phones on Performance (35%), Display (25%), Cooling (20%), Gaming Features (10%) and Battery Life (10%). On that basis the REDMAGIC 11 Pro totals 9.9 out of 10 and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 8.9. The widest gap is Cooling, where the REDMAGIC 11 Pro scores 10 against 8 for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max — thermal. Gaming Features also separates them: 10 for the REDMAGIC 11 Pro versus 6 for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Display — 6.8" AMOLED, 2480x1116, 144Hz on the REDMAGIC 11 Pro versus 6.9" Super Retina XDR, 2868x1320, 120Hz ProMotion on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max; Processor — Snapdragon 8 Elite on the REDMAGIC 11 Pro versus A19 Pro Bionic on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max; RAM — 12GB/16GB/24GB on the REDMAGIC 11 Pro versus 12GB on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max; Storage — 256GB/512GB/1TB on the REDMAGIC 11 Pro versus 256GB-1TB on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max; Battery — 6,500mAh, 100W charging on the REDMAGIC 11 Pro versus Up to 37hr video on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Pricing as of July 18, 2026: $800 for the REDMAGIC 11 Pro and $1,339 for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, a $539 difference in the REDMAGIC 11 Pro's favor. Owners praise the REDMAGIC 11 Pro for built-in active cooling fan and 144Hz gaming display; the most common complaint is mediocre cameras. Owners praise the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max for best-in-class video recording and 4K 120fps smooth capture; the most common complaint is $1,199+ premium price.
REDMAGIC 11 Pro
- Built-in active cooling fan
- 144Hz gaming display
- Physical shoulder triggers
- Up to 24GB RAM
- Mediocre cameras
- Only 2 years updates
- Aggressive gaming aesthetic
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Best-in-class video recording
- 4K 120fps smooth capture
- Zero shutter lag
- Spatial photo/video for Vision Pro
- $1,199+ premium price
- 12GB RAM less than Android
- Slower charging than competitors
Which should you buy?
The REDMAGIC 11 Pro is the better fit for hardcore mobile gamers and emulation enthusiasts — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Cooling and Gaming Features. The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is the better fit for photography enthusiasts and video creators. Since the REDMAGIC 11 Pro is both the higher scorer and $539 cheaper, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max only makes sense for photography enthusiasts. The REDMAGIC 11 Pro is a poor fit for photography needs; the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is a poor fit for budget conscious.
Choose the REDMAGIC 11 Pro if
- Hardcore mobile gamers
- Emulation enthusiasts
- Benchmark chasers
Skip it if
- Photography needs
- Long-term software support
Choose the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max if
- Photography enthusiasts
- Video creators
- Apple ecosystem users
Skip it if
- Budget conscious
- Fast charging needs
Common questions
Is the REDMAGIC 11 Pro better than the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?
In our Gaming Phones ranking the REDMAGIC 11 Pro scores higher overall, 9.9 to 8.9, with the biggest advantage in Cooling. The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max does not out-score it on any criterion we weigh.
How much more does the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max cost than the REDMAGIC 11 Pro?
$539 more as of July 18, 2026: $1,339 for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max against $800 for the REDMAGIC 11 Pro. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure.
What is the main difference between the REDMAGIC 11 Pro and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?
The headline spec difference is Display: 6.8" AMOLED, 2480x1116, 144Hz on the REDMAGIC 11 Pro versus 6.9" Super Retina XDR, 2868x1320, 120Hz ProMotion on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max. In use, the gap that matters most is Cooling (10 vs 8 in our scoring): thermal.