All You Need to Know About the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

The release of the new iPhone 17 range is less than a month away! And while there aren’t yet many confirmed details, we do know that there will be at least four devices in the lineup: the standard iPhone 17, the 17 Pro, an ultra-slim Air model that could replace the Plus, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max. We may even see a budget-friendly 17e early next year!

Apple’s Pro Max devices are known for their premium hardware and software features, from better camera capabilities to a longer battery life, plus a larger, higher-quality display. This year’s 17 Pro Max looks set to continue this pattern, featuring upgraded camera lenses, an antireflective screen, and a new A19 Pro chipset.

What else can we expect from Apple’s premium flagship this year? Keep reading as we take an in-depth look at the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max rumors and insider information.

Release Date

Before we explore some of its key software and hardware features, you may be wondering when you can get your hands on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max. 

The 16 Pro Max was announced during the “It’s Glowtime” event at Apple Park on September 9, 2024, with pre-orders beginning on September 13. This follows the same pattern as previous years, with new iPhones typically launching on the first Tuesday of September after Labor Day.

Apple’s iPhone event this year could be pushed back to either Wednesday September 3 or Tuesday September 9, since the first Tuesday is the day after Labor Day. The 17 Pro Max could therefore be available to purchase from September 12 or 19!

Rumors suggest that this will be the last iPhone series to launch exclusively in the fall, with releases from 2026 being split to help Apple rival competitors like Samsung. The more affordable and standard iPhone devices would launch in the spring, while the Pro and Pro Max models could be sold later in the year.

Design 

Apple almost always adds new color options to its iPhone lineup, and this year’s should be no different.

Dark Blue and Orange are the new rumored shades for the 17 Pro series. Gray should be similar to the 16 Pro Max’s Natural Titanium, while last year’s classic Black and White shades remain. The White edition could be related to the liquid glass design offered by iOS 26, which displays  a variety of visual effects in different lighting conditions.

The Titanium color options may have been ditched this year for a reason: the iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to feature aluminum rather than the traditional titanium frame.

Audio quality may also improve thanks to longer earpieces, while an 8.725mm thickness could make room for a bigger battery.

Display

Both 17 Pro models are expected to keep the same 6.3 and 6.9-inch displays as their predecessors this year. A scratch-resistant, antireflective display on the iPhone 17 Pro Max has also been rumored for some time. However, previous reports have ruled this out due to mass production issues.

But if recent sources are to be believed, this new display may now be going ahead, marking a significant upgrade from Apple’s fingerprint-resistant Ceramic Shield. This would bring the 17 Pro Max in line with the display of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which features Gorilla Glass Armor technology that reduces reflections by up to 75%.

Camera Setup

Leaked CAD renders of the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max show a horizontal camera bar with lenses stacked in a pyramid arrangement, similar to the 16 series. But while the layout may remain the same, we could see significant improvements to the cameras themselves.

This includes a 48MP Telephoto rear camera, upgraded from 12MP on the 16 Pro Max. All three rear cameras, including the Ultrawide and Wide-angle, would therefore feature 48MP lenses! All models, including the iPhone 17 Pro Max, could also include a 24MP front-facing camera. This doubles the megapixels of the 16 Pro Max for even higher quality selfies.

A built-in video feature exclusive to the Pro models would allow you to record on the front and rear cameras at the same time. Users could overlay a shot of their faces over an outward-facing video, without any editing software required!

Performance

Apple is continually making improvements to its on-device artificial intelligence software, from Genmoji to Visual Intelligence. Many of these upgrades will feature on the latest iPhone lineup, including the 17 Pro Max.

However, for Apple to create more useful, advanced Apple Intelligence features, large amounts of RAM are required — and the 8GB currently available on the iPhone 16 Pro Max doesn’t quite cut it. That’s why we could see a big step up to 12GB of RAM on the 17 Pro Max.

This may also be supported by a new A19 Pro chip, featuring a 6-core GPU for better graphics and video rendering. Conflicting information makes it difficult to tell whether the standard device will keep the same A18 chip as the iPhone 16 or receive a new A19 model. But when it comes to the Pro Max, insiders seem pretty certain about the A19 Pro.

Another benefit of the upgraded chipset is battery life. Rumors suggest that the 17 Pro Max will receive the biggest battery ever seen in an iPhone, which could last significantly longer than current models. It could also include a vapor chamber cooling system to stop the larger battery from overheating. 

Price

Every iPhone Pro Max released in the past 5 years has remained the same price, starting from $1,199 for the 256GB model. However, many Apple experts point out that iPhone is overdue a price hike, which could come with the 17 Pro Max.

With the introduction of a completely new iPhone 17 Air device and upgraded features, this price hike could be inevitable. Another contributing factor is 25% Trump-imposed tariffs on smartphones manufactured outside of the US, which would be reflected in the cost you’ll pay for the 17 Pro Max.

Final Thoughts: Should You Buy the iPhone 17 Pro Max?

To stay on top of the latest Apple Intelligence features and software, we’d always recommend upgrading to a newer model if yours is more than two generations old. 

And if the rumors we’ve covered are true, the iPhone 17 Pro Max could be the best premium flagship yet — and a worthwhile investment for you. A larger battery and better battery life, upgraded camera lenses, and an even more durable display are just some of the new capabilities that Apple could have up its sleeve this year.

If you can’t wait to upgrade, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is still a great choice with its new Camera Control button and impressive camera setup. You’ll also find plenty of deals and discounts on this model when the 17 series finally launches!