Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Review
TechCompare Team
Updated Recently
The Verdict
Editor's ChoiceThe Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is a powerhouse of a smartphone that offers an unparalleled user experience, with its stunning 6.9-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display and Dolby Vision support, making it a great option for those who want the best of the best, similar to how the Samsung Galaxy S24 series offers top-notch displays, but the iPhone 17 Pro Max takes it a step further with its 120Hz refresh rate and 1000 nits of typical brightness, allowing for silky-smooth scrolling and vibrant visuals even in bright sunlight. With its Apple A19 Pro chipset and 12GB of RAM, this phone can handle even the most demanding tasks with ease, such as 4K video editing and 3D gaming. Additionally, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has an advanced triple-camera setup with a 48MP primary sensor, 48MP periscope telephoto lens, and 48MP ultrawide lens, allowing for exceptional photography capabilities, including 4x optical zoom and sensor-shift OIS. However, when compared to the Google Pixel 10 Pro, the iPhone 17 Pro Max's camera capabilities are on par, but the Pixel's Gemini Advanced 2026 AI features give it a slight edge in terms of image processing. The iPhone 17 Pro Max also has a large battery with fast charging capabilities, allowing you to get 50% charge in just 20 minutes, which is perfect for a quick top-up during a busy day. Overall, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is a great choice for those who want a premium smartphone experience, but it may not be the best option for those on a budget, as it is priced similarly to other high-end devices like the Motorola Edge 60.
check_circle Pros
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max features a stunning 6.9-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, allowing for silky-smooth scrolling and vibrant visuals even in bright sunlight, making it perfect for watching videos or browsing social media on the go.
- The advanced triple-camera setup with a 48MP primary sensor, 48MP periscope telephoto lens, and 48MP ultrawide lens provides exceptional photography capabilities, including 4x optical zoom and sensor-shift OIS, allowing you to capture stunning photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
- The large battery with fast charging capabilities allows you to get 50% charge in just 20 minutes, which is perfect for a quick top-up during a busy day, and the wireless MagSafe charging support adds an extra layer of convenience.
cancel Cons
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max is a relatively expensive device, with a starting price that may be out of budget for many users, especially when compared to other high-end devices like the Samsung Galaxy A56, which offers similar features at a lower price point.
- The Apple A19 Pro chipset, while powerful, may not be as energy-efficient as some other chipsets on the market, which could lead to slightly shorter battery life in certain scenarios, such as heavy gaming or video streaming.
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max does not have a headphone jack, which may be a drawback for some users who prefer wired audio, and the lack of a microSD card slot may limit storage expansion options for some users.
Technical Specifications
NETWORK
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66 - A3526 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3526 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
LAUNCH
| Announced | 2025, September 09 |
|---|---|
| Status | Available. Released 2025, September 19 |
BODY
| Dimensions | 163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in) |
|---|---|
| Weight | 233 g (8.22 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum alloy frame, aluminum alloy back/ glass back (Ceramic Shield) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International) · eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA) · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China) |
DISPLAY
| Type | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak) |
|---|---|
| Size | 6.9 inches, 115.6 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1320 x 2868 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) |
| Protection | Ceramic Shield 2, Mohs level 5 |
PLATFORM
| OS | iOS 26, upgradable to iOS 26.3 |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) |
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x4.26 GHz + 4xX.X GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (6-core graphics) |
MEMORY
| Card slot | No |
|---|---|
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 2TB 12GB RAM |
MAIN CAMERA
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 48 MP, f/2.8, 100mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 4x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) |
|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 120fps), ProRes, ProRes RAW (up to 120fps), Apple Log 2, 3D (spatial) video/audio, stereo sound rec. |
SELFIE CAMERA
| Single | 18 MP multi-aspect, f/1.9, 20mm (ultrawide), PDAF SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) |
|---|---|
| Features | HDR, Dolby Vision HDR, 3D (spatial) audio, stereo sound rec., ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2 |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
SOUND
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers |
|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No |
COMMS
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, hotspot |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 6.0, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| NFC | Yes |
| Radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort |
FEATURES
| Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
|---|
BATTERY
| Type | Market-dependent versions: · Li-Ion 4823 mAh - Nano SIM model · Li-Ion 5088 mAh - eSIM only model |
|---|---|
| Charging | Wired, PD3.2, AVS, 50% in 20 min 25W wireless MagSafe/Qi2, 50% in 30 min (15W - China) 4.5W reverse wired |
MISC
| Colors | Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue |
|---|---|
| Models | iPhone18,2, A3526, A3257, A3527, A3525 |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.49 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) |
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
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