Apple introduced the iPhone 17 Pro Max on September 9, 2025. This was during its annual fall event. This release set a new benchmark for smartphone technology.
The device features a sleek aluminum unibody design. It also boasts a groundbreaking 48MP triple-camera system. The powerful A19 Pro chip enhances its performance.
It also offers enhanced battery life. This device is tailored for creators, professionals, and tech enthusiasts.
Design and Build: A Modern Masterpiece
The iPhone 17 Pro Max redefines premium design with its aluminum unibody construction. This marks a departure from the titanium frames of previous models.
Available in Silver, Cosmic Orange, and Deep Blue, the device exudes sophistication. It features Ceramic Shield 2 on both the front and back. This offers three times the scratch resistance of its predecessors. It also provides improved drop protection.
Weighing 8.22 ounces (233 grams), the iPhone 17 Pro Max maintains a familiar yet refined form factor. It features a new horizontal “plateau” rear camera bump.
This design enhances heat dissipation and component spacing. The phone retains its IP68 rating. It resists water up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. The phone includes a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating.
In select regions, Apple has replaced the physical SIM slot with eSIM-only support. This allows for a larger battery in those variants.
Display: The Largest and Brightest Yet
The iPhone 17 Pro Max boasts a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display—the largest ever on an iPhone. With a resolution of 2868 x 1320 pixels at 460 ppi, it delivers crisp visuals.
The display supports ProMotion with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate. It can adjust down to 1Hz for Always-On functionality. It also supports HDR10, Dolby Vision, and True Tone.
Brightness peaks at 1000 nits (typical). It reaches 1600 nits for HDR and an impressive 3000 nits for outdoor use. This ensures readability in any lighting.
Features like Wide color (P3), a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, Dynamic Island, and an anti-reflective coating enhance the viewing experience. The rounded corners and Ceramic Shield 2 protection make the display both durable and immersive.
Performance: A19 Pro and Apple Intelligence
At the heart of the iPhone 17 Pro Max is the A19 Pro chip, built on TSMC’s 3nm process. It features a 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores.
There is a 6-core GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing. The 16-core Neural Engine is optimized for Apple Intelligence. The device has 12GB of RAM.
It delivers up to 40% better sustained performance than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. This improvement is thanks to a new vapor chamber cooling system.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max runs on iOS 26. It introduces advanced AI capabilities through Apple Intelligence. These capabilities enable on-device features like live translation, visual search, and call screening.
Storage options range from 256GB to 2TB. The base model starts at 256GB. There is no price increase despite the higher starting capacity.
Camera System: A Creator’s Dream
The iPhone 17 Pro Max’s triple 48MP Fusion camera system redefines mobile photography. Each rear lens—Main, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto—is 48MP, a first for Apple. The details are as follows:
- Main (Fusion): 48MP, 24mm equivalent, f/1.78 aperture, second-generation sensor-shift OIS, 100% Focus Pixels; supports 24MP/48MP super-high-res photos and 12MP 2x telephoto.
- Ultra Wide (Fusion): 48MP, 13mm equivalent, f/2.2 aperture, 120° field of view, hybrid focus pixels, macro photography.
- Telephoto (Fusion): 48MP, 100mm equivalent (4x optical zoom), f/2.8 aperture, 3D sensor-shift OIS, tetraprism design; supports 12MP 8x telephoto (200mm, longest zoom ever on an iPhone).
The camera system offers an 8x optical zoom-in, 2x optical zoom-out, and up to 40x digital zoom. Video capabilities include 4K Dolby Vision at 120 fps, ProRes up to 4K at 120 fps (with external recording), ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2, Genlock support, Cinematic mode (4K at 30 fps), Action mode (2.8K at 60 fps), and Spatial video (1080p at 30 fps).
The 24MP front camera, upgraded from 12MP, supports Center Stage and 4K video.
Additional features include Photonic Engine, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 5, Portrait mode, Night mode, ProRAW, and customizable Photographic Styles. A sapphire crystal lens cover and advanced red-eye correction further elevate the system.
Battery Life: All-Day Power and Beyond
The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers exceptional battery life. It provides up to 39 hours of video playback. It also supports 33 hours of streamed video. This is 3 to 4 hours more than its predecessor.
While Apple doesn’t disclose exact capacity, estimates suggest a battery of around 4832–5000 mAh. The device supports fast charging.
You can charge up to 50% in 20 minutes with a 40W USB-C Dynamic Power Adapter, max 45W. It also supports Qi2 wireless charging at 15W. MagSafe is supported at 25W. Additionally, it offers reverse wireless charging.
Efficiency improvements come from the A19 Pro, iOS 26, and LDTEE (Low-dielectric Transparent Electrode Encapsulation) technology. These elements ensure optimal power management for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing.
Connectivity and Additional Features
The iPhone 17 Pro Max supports 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave), Gigabit LTE with 5×5 MIMO, Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and an Ultra Wideband chip for precise spatial awareness. It includes stereo speakers with spatial audio.
It also has Face ID. The phone features sensors like a barometer, three-axis gyro, accelerometer, proximity, and ambient light.
New features include customizable default lens settings, enhanced thermal management, and Apple Intelligence for smarter, privacy-focused interactions.
The device is also environmentally conscious, using recycled materials and carbon-neutral packaging.
Iphone 17 Pricing and Availability
The iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199 for the 256GB model in the US. It is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB configurations.
Pre-orders began on September 12, 2025, with official availability starting September 19, 2025. Check Apple’s official website for regional pricing and availability details.