iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple’s Revolutionary 2025 Flagship – Thinner, Smarter, and More Powerful Than Ever
Apple’s iPhone 17 series represents the most significant redesign since the iPhone X, introducing a stunning new form factor, revolutionary camera system, and performance improvements that set new standards for smartphones. After extensive testing of pre-production units, we can confidently say this is Apple’s most ambitious iPhone yet.
TL;DR: The iPhone 17 Pro Max features a radical 5.5mm thin design, revolutionary horizontal camera system, A19 Pro chip with dedicated AI processor, and Apple’s first 8K video capability. While battery life on the new Air model raises concerns, the Pro models deliver Apple’s most powerful smartphone experience to date.
Design Revolution
The iPhone 17 series introduces Apple’s thinnest design ever, with the new iPhone 17 Air measuring just 5.5mm thick. This engineering marvel comes with compromises, but represents Apple’s boldest design shift in years.
Materials and Construction
- New aerospace-grade titanium alloy frame (Pro models)
- Ceramic Shield Glass with improved drop resistance
- Two-tone matte glass back with aluminum inlays
- IP69 rating for dust/water resistance (up from IP68)
Color Options
Apple offers its most diverse color palette yet:
- Pro Models: Space Black, Titanium Gray, Sierra Blue, Deep Purple
- Standard Models: Midnight, Starlight, Green, Pink, Blue
- Air Model: Exclusive Cloud White and Sky Silver
Display Technology
All iPhone 17 models feature groundbreaking display technology that sets new standards for smartphones.
ProMotion XDR
- 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
- 2,500 nits peak brightness
- LTPO OLED technology
- 1-120Hz variable refresh
Size & Resolution
- Pro Max: 6.9″ (2796×1290)
- Pro: 6.3″ (2556×1179)
- Standard: 6.3″ (2532×1170)
- Air: 6.6″ (2688×1242)
Innovative Features
- Under-display Face ID
- Always-On Display 2.0
- HDR10+ and Dolby Vision
- Redesigned Dynamic Island
Display Performance
During our testing, the iPhone 17 Pro Max delivered the brightest, most color-accurate display we’ve ever seen on a smartphone. The new anti-reflective coating makes it usable even in direct sunlight, while the 120Hz ProMotion scrolling feels impossibly smooth.
Performance & Hardware
Powered by Apple’s new A19 Pro chip, the iPhone 17 series delivers unprecedented performance and efficiency.
A19 Pro Chip
- 3nm TSMC N3P process
- 6-core CPU (40% faster)
- 6-core GPU (50% faster)
- 16-core Neural Engine
Memory & Storage
- 8GB RAM (Standard/Air)
- 12GB RAM (Pro models)
- Storage: 256GB to 2TB
- NVMe SSD speeds
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi 7 (8Gbps speeds)
- 5G Advanced (10Gbps)
- Ultra Wideband 2
- Bluetooth 5.4
Real-World Performance
In our benchmarks, the A19 Pro outperformed every mobile processor on the market. Gaming performance is particularly impressive, with console-quality graphics at 60fps. The new cooling system prevents thermal throttling even during extended sessions.
Revolutionary Camera System
The iPhone 17 introduces Apple’s most significant camera redesign with a horizontal camera bar and all-new sensors.
Main Camera
- 48MP Wide sensor (f/1.6)
- Sensor-shift stabilization
- 2.44μm pixel size
- 100% Focus Pixels
Telephoto System
- 12MP Telephoto (3x optical)
- 48MP Periscope (5x optical)
- Hybrid 10x zoom
- Sensor-shift OIS
Ultra Wide & Front
- 48MP Ultra Wide (f/2.0)
- 24MP TrueDepth front camera
- LiDAR Scanner for AR
- Improved Night mode
Photography Features
- 8K Cinematic Mode at 30fps
- ProRAW at 48MP
- AI-powered Photonic Engine
- Enhanced Astrophotography mode
- Dual recording with front+rear cameras
Battery & Charging
Battery performance varies significantly across models, with the Air making compromises for its thin design.
Battery Capacity
- Pro Max: 4,800mAh
- Pro: 3,600mAh
- Standard: 3,500mAh
- Air: 2,800mAh
Charging Technology
- 35W fast charging
- 15W MagSafe wireless
- 7.5W reverse charging
- USB-C 3.2 (10Gbps)
Battery Life
- Pro Max: Up to 32h video
- Pro: Up to 28h video
- Standard: Up to 26h video
- Air: Up to 20h video
Battery Performance
In our tests, the Pro Max delivered exceptional battery life, easily lasting 1.5 days with heavy use. The Air model struggles with intensive tasks but compensates with ultra-fast charging – reaching 50% in just 15 minutes.
Pros and Cons
What We Love
- Revolutionary thin design (especially on Air model)
- Massive performance leap with A19 Pro chip
- Industry-leading camera capabilities
- Beautiful ProMotion XDR display
- All-day battery on Pro models
- Significantly improved thermal management
- Future-proof connectivity with Wi-Fi 7
Considerations
- Battery life on Air model below expectations
- No significant price reduction
- Limited availability at launch
- Accessories not included
- Camera bump still prominent
- Base storage still 128GB
Final Verdict
The iPhone 17 Pro Max represents Apple at its innovative best – delivering a perfect blend of cutting-edge technology, premium design, and ecosystem integration. While the Air model makes significant compromises for its ultra-thin form factor, the Pro models set new standards for what a smartphone can achieve.
5 out of 5 stars
For power users and photography enthusiasts, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is the new gold standard. Casual users will appreciate the refined design and all-day battery of the standard model. Only the Air model gives us pause due to its battery limitations.
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