An iPhone 17 Pro Max render. | Image credit – Wylsacom
What we know so far
The iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro will be the best that Apple has to offer in terms of a 2025 phone. As you can expect, the Pro duo will be released alongside the vanilla model, the iPhone 17, but this year – if rumors prove true – a newcomer will be welcomed to the stage: the alleged iPhone 17 Air. This one will replace the Plus model.
Back to the Pro duo. The largest of them all – the iPhone 17 Pro Max – and its smaller sibling, the iPhone 17 Pro, are expected to boast expansive 6.9-inch and 6.3-inch LTPO OLED displays, complete with ultra-thin bezels and potentially even higher peak brightness for a more immersive experience.
The handsets' displays will support a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate and may incorporate a new anti-reflective coating.
Adding to the refinement, both models are rumored to feature a smaller Dynamic Island, made possible by an advanced "metalens" design that could shrink the space needed for the front camera and Face ID. These devices are also expected to introduce new technology aimed at boosting durability and battery efficiency.
Under the hood, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will likely be powered by the Apple A19 Pro chip, paired with 12 GB of RAM and multiple storage options starting at 256 GB. While nothing is confirmed, many are hoping for a maxed-out 2 TB option.
Battery life should see a decent boost, with the iPhone 17 Pro expected to house a 3,700 mAh battery, while the Pro Max could pack a 4,700 mAh cell. The camera system is shaping up to be just as impressive, featuring a 48 MP main sensor, a 48 MP ultra-wide lens, a 48 MP telephoto lens with 5x zoom, and a 24 MP selfie camera.
The biggest and most powerful iPhones will launch alongside the vanilla iPhone 17 and the rumored newcomer to the team (the iPhone 17 Air) at a point in September.
So far, Cupertino hasn't point to a change in the schedule, so it's safe to assume these will be the dates:
Device family
Announcement
Market release
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
September, 2025*
September, 2025*
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
9 September, 2024
20 September, 2024
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Sept 12, 2023
Sept 22, 2023
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Sept 7, 2022
Sept 16, 2022
* - probable dates
First, there will be a short period for pre-orders and then, the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max will hit shelves.
iPhone 17 Pro Max price and deals
Apple iPhone model
Starting price, regardless of storage
iPhone 17 Pro Max
$1,199-$1,399*
iPhone 16 Pro Max (and iPhone 15 Pro Max)
$1,199
* - anticipated prices
The iPhone Pro could be priced at $1,099 (or $1,199?) and up – a notable jump from the $999 price tag of the 16 Pro and the 15 Pro.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max will likely keep the current starting price of $1,199. Or not? Could it be that the biggest and baddest iPhone of 2025 sees a $200 price hike? Let's hope not, but don't be surprised if prices go up.
iPhone 17 Pro Max deals to expect:
Apple: It's unlikely that Apple will abandon its iPhone Upgrade Program, which allows users to get a new iPhone every 12 months by making 12 payments and trading in their current device. The program includes AppleCare+ coverage, with past monthly costs starting at $49.91 for an iPhone Pro, and $58.25 for a 256 GB iPhone Pro Max. Users can sign up online, through the Apple Store app, or at any Apple Store, making it a convenient option.
Verizon: If current trends hold, the iPhone 17 Pro might be offered with no upfront cost, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max could require only $200 upfront. Not bad, but do read the fine print multiple times before signing anything.
T-Mobile: Similarly, T-Mobile is expected to offer the iPhone 17 Pro probably for free – but with an eligible plan and qualifying trade-in. Customers may also receive discounts in the $600-$700 off any iPhone 17 model when choosing the Magenta MAX plan, if that's a thing in 2025. Additionally, given that the telco's strategy doesn't change, a buy-one-get-one (BOGO) deal could allow you to get up to $700 off a second iPhone 17 when adding a line to almost any T-Mobile plan.
AT&T: AT&T is expected to roll out enticing deals for the iPhone 17 lineup. The iPhone 17 Pro might be offered for free with an eligible plan and the trade-in of a phone in any condition.
Keep in mind that it's all predictions and wishful thinking at this point, so these offers might or might not materialize.
iPhone 17 Pro Max camera
Having better camera hardware (larger sensors, more megapixels, better lenses) is not to be neglected.
What to expect: 48 MP main, 48 MP ultra-wide, 48 MP telephoto (5x), 24 MP selfie
A custom sensor
The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max could get what the iPhone 16 Pro didn't – a custom 48 MP IMX903 sensor for the main camera, larger than the previous in size (1/1.14" vs 1/1.28"). Bigger sensors are preferable because they gather light easier and render the background better (as in: the separation between the subject and the background is more pronounced).
Also, the new sensor for the main camera will potentially feature a stacked design, 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion for lossless image quality, and Digital Gain Control for improved dynamic range and reduced noise.
Updated ultra-wide?
The new 48 MP ultra-wide camera (0.7µm pixel size and a 1/2.6" sensor) that arrived on the iPhone 16 Pros should also be transferred to the iPhone 17 Pros. This camera is a significant upgrade from the 12 MP ultra-wide camera used previously.
However, the best thing about the iPhone 17 Pro is what made the 16 Pro great – the tetraprism telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom, first introduced in the iPhone 15 Pro Max. For this one, the sensor might be updated from 12 MP (that's what the iPhone 16 Pro duo offers) to 48 MP, as a renowned leaker hinted early in 2025.
Finally, the ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) anti-glare coating (suggested for the iPhone 16 Pro cameras) should also be found on the iPhone 17 Pro duo. The ALD coating is great for reducing lens flare, enhancing night photography.
Ever wondered why your photo is suddenly full of odd, artificial lights when you try to take a shot of a street lamp at night, for example? It's precisely because of poor lens coating. This should address it!
8K video
As of now, no iPhone can do what many Android phones can do – namely, record video in 8K resolution. The 17 Pro duo might be the one to debut this! In 2024, 8K was rumored to arrive for the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max models, but that didn't happen.
iPhone 17 Pro Max storage
Nothing is confirmed at this moment, so the numbers could change. For example, there might not be a 2 TB model in the iPhone 17 Pro duo. The iPhone 16 Pro does not offer it.
This looks like a... budget-friendly Poco phone – because of its camera island. The three lenses are arranged in a triangular layout within a new rectangular camera bar with rounded edges.
Unlike previous leaks suggesting a horizontal alignment similar to Google's Pixel phones, new renders show a taller camera bar with lenses on the left and an LED flash, microphone, and LiDAR Scanner stacked vertically on the right. While it's unclear if Apple will finalize this design, the changes indicate a fresh approach to the iPhone's rear camera aesthetics.
There's even that video which shows some dummy units (but take them with a pinch of salt):
In terms of thickness, the iPhone 17 Pro Maxcould grow to 8.725mm, which is a bit more than the 8.25mm of the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Earlier, we got some more renders and metal molds:
The renders of the iPhone 17 Pro Max reveal a new horizontal rear camera bar, resembling recent Pixel models, marking the first major redesign since the iPhone 11 Pro.
Lots of goodies are expected for the iPhone 17 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro Max, like a sturdy titanium frame and an improved Ceramic Shield that Apple claims makes the 16 Pro two times more durable against drops. The IP68 water and dust protection rating is not yet confirmed, but it's expected nevertheless on the iPhone 17 Pro duo.
The Camera Control button, placed below the power key, should be here as well. Some have mixed feelings about it. As a shutter button to quickly start the camera, it's a nice little convenience, but some report that it's not that easy operating it.
Colors
The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max could come with some interesting color options.
Noted leaker Majin Bu leaked on X not one or two, but three alleged hues for the Pro duo. They claim the possible colors are with codes #004349 (Teal Titanium), #4f00b7 (Green Titanium), and #003800 (Dark Green Titanium).
There are some image renders that are jolly colorful:
Image credit – Majin Bu on X
We could also get these Professional (and a bit mundane) hues – it's what the iPhone 17's Pro predecessors came in:
Black Titanium
White Titanium
Natural Titanium
Desert Titanium
No more titanium?
Could the iPhone 17 Pro duo come without a titanium option? Certain rumors claim that Apple may adopt significant design changes for the iPhone 17 Pro in 2025, replacing the titanium frames with aluminum and introducing a new part-aluminum, part-glass back design featuring a larger aluminum camera island.
These changes could address issues like overheating linked to titanium and create uniformity across the lineup while possibly accommodating larger camera sensors, including a rumored 48 MP telephoto lens.
Then, a supportive claim popped up: China's dominance as the world's largest titanium producer means that escalating trade tensions with the US could further drive up the material's cost. This, combined with titanium's already higher price compared to stainless steel and aluminum, may be influencing Apple's rumored shift to aluminum for its future iPhone Pro models.
According to the claim, titanium will remain in use. Citing Apple's emphasis on titanium's high strength and lightweight properties in recent models, the leaker argues that abandoning the material so soon after its promotion would be illogical, though Apple may still be finalizing design decisions.
There's a concept video as well, but take everything with a pinch of salt. It's still too early for final prototypes.
iPhone 17 Pro Max display
The bigger 6.3-inch display of the (16 Pro) and the 6.9-inch display (of the iPhone 16 Pro Max) will be on the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. This is a notable departure from the 6.1-inch display of the 15 Pro and the 6.7-inch display of the 15 Pro Max.
PhoneNema
Screen size
Brightness
iPhone 17 Pro Max
6.9-inch*
2,000 nits (peak)
iPhone 16 Pro Max
6.9-inch
2,000 nits (peak)
* - anticipated size
iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max owners could get larger LTPO OLED displays with ultra-thin bezels. Like all Pro models since the iPhone 13, these displays will support a smooth 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, enhancing the scrolling experience. Additionally, there's speculation that these displays might offer significantly higher peak brightness.
Now the screen dims down to a single nit in the dark, which is great for the eyes – it's a thing fans have been begging Apple for years.
It's rumored that the iPhone 17 Pro duo will feature Samsung Display's M14 display panels and we're hoping that this time around, they'll show their brightness capability to its fullest extent (3,000 nits).
Dynamic Island upgrades?
There are also upgrades that are kind of expected for the Dynamic Island and the Face ID hideout that was unchanged in 2024.
A report from tech analyst Jeff Pu, known for his accurate Apple predictions, suggests that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a smaller Dynamic Island. Notably, this change is expected to be exclusive to the Pro Max, with no adjustments planned for the other iPhone 17 models.
The reason behind this could be Apple's use of a "metalens", a new type of lens that could reduce the space needed for the front camera and Face ID. Unlike traditional lenses, which use a curved design to direct light, a metalens is flat and incorporates tiny etchings to focus light more precisely.
As hinted again recently, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to introduce a redesigned front alongside the metalens technology that's set to shrink the Dynamic Island.
In the last few days of 2024, a leak from the Far East claimed that the iPhone 17 Pro will also feature a smaller Dynamic Island and tinier bezels.
Dynamic Island, for those unfamiliar, is Apple's feature that adapts the display around the front cutout to show extra information.
The freshest rumor as of now has to do with a claim that says the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max could get new 'Low-Dielectric TEE' technology. In essence, 'Low-Dielectric TEE' promises enhanced durability, better power efficiency, faster response times, and improvement in battery efficiency is expected.
iPhone 17 Pro Max battery
It's expected for the duo to arrive with a ~3,700 mAh and ~4,700 mAh capacity, respectively.
New goodies
Apple's new battery adhesive, first seen in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, could be used across all four iPhone 17 models next year. The technology uses an electric current to weaken the adhesive, allowing the battery to be removed with minimal force.
After removal, a fresh layer of adhesive is applied for the new battery. This method replaces the traditional use of heat and tools like crowbars. Testing the adhesive on this year's non-Pro iPhones gives Apple valuable feedback from Genius Bar employees before rolling it out across all iPhone 17 models.
It's safe to say that the iPhone 17 models will benefit from the stacked battery technology that debuted in 2023.
Back in 2023, Apple announced that the battery performance of the iPhone 15 models has exceeded initial expectations. Originally, it was estimated that the battery would retain 80% of its original capacity after 500 full charge cycles. However, Apple revised its estimates for the entire iPhone 15 lineup.
That's thanks to larger cells using the “stacked” battery production method, similar to the technology used in electric vehicles. Traditional lithium-ion batteries are often produced using the "winding" method, where materials are folded into a cylindrical or prismatic shape. Each method has its own benefits and applications.
The stacked battery method creates a more uniform and stable internal structure, which can potentially enhance the battery's energy density and stability.
The winding battery (also known as wound or spiral-wound battery) method involves folding battery materials into a cylindrical or prismatic shape. Wound batteries are typically easier and less expensive to produce at scale and are known for their robustness and good mechanical stability. However, they may have slightly lower energy density due to the space taken up by the winding process.
In summary, the advantages of stacked batteries include:
Potentially higher energy density due to more efficient use of space.
Improved temperature regulation thanks to their uniform internal structure.
iPhone 17 Pro Max features and software
Expect iOS 19: it should be overall better than iOS 18
In 2025, Apple was set to close the gap in artificial intelligence, finally catching up with what other brands have been delivering for years. But that's now postponed for 2026 (at the earliest), as it turns out.
So, we'll have to wait another year for the iPhone to showcase advanced AI capabilities, enabling it to perform tricks and features that have long been staples of its competitors.
At the June 2024 WWDC, Apple unveiled iOS 18, highlighting its strong focus on AI for the iPhone. In a move that’s typical of Apple, the company introduced "Apple Intelligence" – their humble term for their own set of AI features – but limited its availabilityto only a handful of iPhones.
These are:
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 16 series
The delay includes the revamped Siri, which is a total bummer.
iOS 19
While iOS 19 is still far off, we can expect some familiar features with slight changes, but essentially, the core experience will remain the same.
With iOS 18, we get to see new features such as free-form app icon placement, deeper icon customization (including resizing and adding color tints), customizable lock screen shortcuts, and a redesigned Control Center. These areas could be enhanced further in iOS 19, giving users even more control over their iPhone's appearance.
Until recently, 12 GB of RAM for an iPhone seemed absolutely unnecessary, but AI is a thing now. Besides the increased RAM, the main star here is the A19 Pro chip, the "brain" of the iPhone 17 Pro duo – and it's expected to be really good.
A recent leak claimed that the Pro models could finally offer reverse wireless charging – something that Android phones offer for years now. The Cupertino giant is reportedly testing 7.5W reverse wireless charging, so don't expect anything too crazy.
Good news arrived in March when rumors hinted at the implementation of an advanced vapor chamber cooling system to handle heat from demanding tasks like gaming. The vapor chamber, a liquid cooling system, helps prevent thermal throttling by absorbing and dissipating heat, which is essential as mobile processors become more powerful and generate more heat.
Should I wait for the iPhone 17 Pro Max?
You should wait for the iPhone 17 Pro Max if you need the very best Apple has to offer in the smartphone product category – regardless of the price. If you have an iPhone 14 (or even the 14 Pro), maybe it's time to change things and get something (far) better.
You should not wait for the iPhone 17 Pro Max if you're an iPhone 16 Pro user or if you're on a budget. Also, if the rest of your gadgets run on Android, I wouldn't advice you to start your Apple journey with the Pro models.
Sebastian, a veteran of a tech writer with over 15 years of experience in media and marketing, blends his lifelong fascination with writing and technology to provide valuable insights into the realm of mobile devices. Embracing the evolution from PCs to smartphones, he harbors a special appreciation for the Google Pixel line due to their superior camera capabilities. Known for his engaging storytelling style, sprinkled with rich literary and film references, Sebastian critically explores the impact of technology on society, while also perpetually seeking out the next great tech deal, making him a distinct and relatable voice in the tech world.
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