The iPhone 17 Pro Max: A significant leap forward or just another incremental update? This in-depth review delves into the key improvements and shortcomings of Apple's latest flagship, focusing on whether it justifies an upgrade, particularly for those frustrated with previous models.
For years, the annual iPhone refresh felt iterative. However, the iPhone 17 Pro Max delivers a more substantial overhaul than its predecessors, boasting a redesigned chassis, a switch from titanium to aluminum, and a striking new color palette. While aluminum offers improved thermal conductivity, potentially mitigating past overheating issues, its susceptibility to scratches is a notable drawback. Apple's new Cosmic Orange, while visually appealing, seems particularly prone to damage, highlighting the importance of case usage. We recommend considering the silver/white option if you plan to use your device without a protective case. Recommended cases include the Nomad Modern Case, Spigen Nano Pop Magfit, and Apple's TechWoven Case.
The most significant internal change is the introduction of a vapor chamber cooling system. This addresses a major criticism of the iPhone 15 Pro Max and 16 Pro Max—their tendency to overheat under demanding tasks like high-resolution video recording or prolonged use in direct sunlight. Our testing revealed a significant improvement in thermal management. While the iPhone 17 Pro Max still showed signs of overheating in extreme conditions (like prolonged filming in Florida's summer heat), it performed considerably better than its predecessors, recovering from heat quickly. This improved thermal efficiency also directly impacts battery life, resulting in enhanced performance.
Beyond the cooling system, the iPhone 17 Pro Max shines with camera upgrades. The front-facing camera, a long-standing weakness, now boasts an 18MP ultrawide sensor with a square design and intelligent “Center Stage” capabilities. This new design offers automatic rotation between vertical and horizontal orientations, enhancing group selfies. This is a truly impressive camera upgrade with impressive AI capabilities. The rear telephoto lens has also received a significant boost, increasing from 12MP to 48MP with a new 4x zoom and a crisp 8x zoom option. Initial impressions suggest a significant leap in image quality, although further testing is needed for a comprehensive evaluation.
Apple has also addressed battery concerns. With a massive 5,088mAh battery (US version, no SIM), the iPhone 17 Pro Max offers significantly extended battery life – Apple quotes 39 hours of video playback – compared to 33 hours for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. This improvement, combined with the efficient A19 Pro chip, provides a more consistent, all-day performance. In mixed real-world use, expect around 15 to 20 hours of battery life—placing it on par with top Android competitors like the Samsung S24 and S25 Ultra.
However, the iPhone 17 Pro Max isn't without its flaws. The camera bump, now larger than ever, remains a design annoyance, affecting pocketability and overall aesthetics. Furthermore, while iOS 26 introduces a visually appealing Liquid Glass design, it suffers from readability issues, requiring users to adjust transparency settings. The biggest disappointment? The absence of fully realized AI integration despite the phone's hardware capabilities. Apple could leverage its flagship device's processing power to enhance Siri and offer more seamless AI functionality, and this is a missed opportunity.
Our Recommendation: Should you upgrade? If you suffered from significant overheating issues with the iPhone 15 Pro Max or 16 Pro Max, the upgrade is strongly recommended. The improved thermal management alone justifies the cost. If you're satisfied with your iPhone 14 Pro Max or earlier and battery life isn't a major concern, hold off for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, which might even offer a foldable design. Consider exploring different carrier options if your current provider makes the upgrade unnecessarily expensive.
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Originally published at: https://www.zdnet.com/article/apple-iphone-17-pro-max-review/
