iPhone 17 Pro Max: the year Apple finally fixed battery life
Two weeks of intensive use, gaming, and video shoots. Here's what changed compared to last year's Pro Max and whether the upgrade is worth it.
Independent, hands-on reviews and buying guides. We test every model in real-world conditions — camera, battery, gaming, day-to-day use — and share honest recommendations.
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Two weeks of intensive use, gaming, and video shoots. Here's what changed compared to last year's Pro Max and whether the upgrade is worth it.
We break down every model from the base iPhone 17 to the Pro Max — who each phone is for, and where you can save money without regretting it.
A blind test with 40 identical shots — night portraits, cityscapes, indoor events. The result surprised us more than once.
A snapshot of the differences that actually matter for most buyers.
| Feature | iPhone 17 | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1″ OLED | 6.3″ ProMotion | 6.9″ ProMotion |
| Chip | A19 | A19 Pro | A19 Pro |
| Main camera | 48MP | 48MP + tele | 48MP + 5× tele |
| Storage from | 128GB | 256GB | 256GB |
| Battery (typical use) | ~1 day | ~1 day+ | ~1.5 days |
| Starting price | $799 | $1,099 | $1,299 |
Practical, no-fluff explainers for common questions.
Tips for portrait mode, cinematic video, ProRAW, and simple techniques for sharper shots in tricky lighting.
How charging habits actually affect your battery, when it's time for a replacement, and settings that stretch each charge.
A checklist to lock down your iPhone in 15 minutes — Face ID, iCloud, app permissions, and safe browsing habits.
How to pick the right storage tier, back up locally vs to iCloud, and free space without deleting anything important.
Real frame-rate data for the latest AAA titles running on iPhone — what runs great and where you'll want to lower settings.
Everything you need to bring over — contacts, chats, photos, subscriptions — with the fewest headaches possible.
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