Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Review: Big Upgrades, Bigger Expectations

When Apple revealed the iPhone 17 Pro Max^[1] at its “Awe-Dropping” event on September 9, 2025, expectations were high. Priced from US$1,199 for the 256GB version, this flagship promises not just incremental upgrades but a noticeable leap in key areas: camera zoom, display brightness, battery life, and heat management. With rivals like Samsung pushing aggressively forward, Apple had to raise the bar, and in many respects it has.

Design, Build, and Display

Apple’s most striking change this year is the switch to an all-aluminum unibody using aerospace-grade 7000-series aluminum. The company moved away from titanium and stainless steel, not just for weight savings but because aluminum better conducts heat, a useful property now with higher performance demands. The phone weighs 233 g, making it the third heaviest Pro Max in Apple’s lineup, yet it feels more balanced, thanks to the material switch and slightly larger physical dimensions.

The display is a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel with ProMotion support (120 Hz), always-on capability, and peak outdoor brightness of 3,000 nits, a big jump over the 2,000 nits of last year. Apple coated it with Ceramic Shield 2, now both on the front and back, with claims of 3× better scratch resistance and 4× greater resistance to cracking. Combined with an anti-reflection coating, this makes the screen far more readable in bright sunlight.

Colors this year are Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, and Silver, each with a matte aluminum finish after Apple’s experiments with titanium and polished steel in recent years. The full-width camera plateau on the back is wider than before, which gives room for the bigger sensors and telephoto lens, but also adds more “wobble” when placed on a flat surface, something users will want to try firsthand.

Performance, Cameras, Battery, and Charging

The A19 Pro chip is built with improved power efficiency and thermal headroom. Apple also added a vapor chamber just above the chipset, laser-welded into the aluminum body. The combination reportedly gives about 40% better sustained performance than the previous generation, especially under heavy load or long video recording sessions.

Camera upgrades are substantial this year. All three rear lenses use 48MP Fusion sensors. The telephoto lens still offers a true 4× optical focal length (100 mm equivalent), but because of the higher resolution telephoto sensor, Apple now supports an 8× optical-quality zoom via sensor crop. The ultrawide and main wide cameras have better low-light performance and sharper detail generally. The front camera is 18 MP with Center Stage for auto framing, supporting better selfies and video calls.

The battery is another highlight. The Pro Max includes Apple’s largest battery ever. In testing, it outlasted last year’s Pro Max and the Galaxy S25 Ultra in many real-use scenarios. Wired charging speeds are improved, up to 40W in certain markets with a suitable adapter, though wireless and MagSafe speeds remain more modest.

Software ships with iOS 26, bringing Apple Intelligence tools, improved video features (ProRes RAW, dual capture, and genlock), and smoother system performance. As expected, Apple claims long-term support with updates for many years.

Samsung vs Apple: Social Media Showdown

When Apple^[2] launched the iPhone 17 series, Samsung did not stay silent. Shortly after Apple’s event, Samsung took to X (formerly Twitter) and retweeted a three-year-old post that said, “Let us know when it folds,” adding, “#iCan’t believe this is still relevant.” It was a direct jab at Apple’s continued absence of a foldable phone in its portfolio.

#iCant believe this is still relevant. 💀 https://t.co/s6SFaLTRSJ^[3][4]

— Samsung Mobile US (@SamsungMobileUS) September 9, 2025^[5]

Samsung^[6] also mocked Apple’s incremental upgrades. While Apple highlighted improvements in brightness, camera resolution, and battery, Samsung framed the conversation around “actual innovation vs. hype,” pointing to its leadership in foldable devices. Fans on both sides jumped in: #TeamSamsung argued this proved Apple was falling behind in new form factors, while #TeamApple defended the brand’s focus on reliability, camera performance, and ecosystem stability.

A few days later, Apple fired back with its own post on X, declaring that Samsung and Google “aren’t even close,” while spotlighting the iPhone 17 Pro Max as the best smartphone yet. Apple’s pushback reminded its audience that dominance isn’t just about experimental designs but about consistent delivery of premium hardware and software that millions rely on.

iPhone 17 Pro Max is the BEST PHONE IN THE WORLD.. Samsung Google aren’t even close anymore

– Console level gaming
– Best for videos
– 5088 mAh battery + iPhone optimisation = gonna smoke S25 Ultra and Pixel 10 Pro XL
– Fastest smartphone
– Way better social media apps and it’s… pic.twitter.com/0uCZBw467j^[7]

— Apple Design (@TheAppleDesign) September 11, 2025^[8]

The online clash revealed more than brand rivalry. It exposed different philosophies: Apple doubling down on incremental but reliable improvements, Samsung pushing novelty (foldables), and using social media to highlight where Apple has yet to catch up. For many observers, Samsung’s quips helped frame Apple’s launch not just as a showcase of hardware specs, but as a moment to question what “innovation” means.

iPhone 17 Pro Max Price Across Key Markets

Conclusion

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is more than a minor refresh. It delivers visible upgrades in display, camera, battery, and thermal performance. For photographers, creators, and longtime iPhone users, the jump makes sense. If you value durability, excellent video tools, and long-term software support, this is Apple’s best Pro Max yet.

However, its weight, price, and lack of radical innovation may make the choice tougher for people who already own recent Pro or Pro Max models. The social media sniping from Samsung will not change things for most buyers, but it points to shifting expectations; features like foldables and radical design shifts are increasingly part of the comparison for flagship buyers.

If you want maximum power, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is a top-tier phone. If your priorities are more moderate, lightweight, lower price, or something radically different, there are strong alternatives. Either way, Apple has delivered a package that makes a strong case for the future of its Pro line.