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iPhone 17 Pro Max: A19 Pro Delivers, But That Aluminium Frame is Sparking Debate

iPhone 17 Pro Max: A19 Pro Delivers, But That Aluminium Frame is Sparking Debate

Posted about 1 month ago

Created At: 6 Oct 2025,

Updated At: 6 Oct 2025

iPhone 17 Pro Max review: A19 Pro benchmarks. Compare vs S25 Ultra & 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 17 Pro Max Review: A Powerful Evolution with a Controversial Twist

Another September, another iPhone. But this year feels a little different. The launch of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max hasn't just been about incremental spec bumps; it's been about a fundamental shift in design philosophy, a doubling-down on pro features, and a battery that simply refuses to quit.

After spending the better part of a week with the stunning new Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro Max, I've been digging into what makes it tick. Apple has delivered a device that is, in many ways, the most capable smartphone it has ever produced. The A19 Pro chip is a monster, the camera system is more versatile than ever, and the battery life is genuinely game-changing.

Yet, there's a debate simmering beneath the surface. The move away from titanium back to an aluminium frame has divided opinion, and the redesigned camera bump is, shall we say, a statement. So, is this the Pro iPhone we've all been waiting for, or a curious side-step? Let's dive in.

Design and Build: Aluminium's Big Comeback

The first thing you notice about the iPhone 17 Pro isn't what's there, but what isn't: the cool, brushed feel of titanium. Apple has returned to an aluminium unibody design for its Pro line, and the reaction has been mixed. On one hand, the new models feel noticeably lighter and cooler to the touch, which is a welcome relief during intensive tasks. On the other, some critics, particularly in the German tech press, have argued it feels less premium and may be more susceptible to scuffs over time.

iPhone 17 Pro

Dimensions: 150 x 71.9 x 8.75 mm
Weight: 204 grams

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Dimensions: 163.4 x 78 x 8.75 mm
Weight: 231 grams

The most visually striking change is the camera housing. It's no longer a simple square island but a raised 'forged plateau' that blends more organically into the chassis. Apple says this was necessary to accommodate the larger sensors, improved cooling, and a bigger battery. It's a bold choice that certainly makes the phone stand out.

The front is protected by a new Ceramic Shield 2, with the back also using Ceramic Shield, promising improved scratch and crack resistance. The available finishes this year are Silver, Deep Blue, and the instant fan-favourite, Cosmic Orange. Early demand suggests the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro Max is the one to get, with backorders already piling up in the US.

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Display: So Bright, You'll Need Shades

Apple's displays are rarely a point of contention, and this year is no exception. The Super Retina XDR OLED screen is, in a word, spectacular. While the core ProMotion technology (with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz) and the Dynamic Island remain, the real story is the brightness.

A new peak outdoor brightness of 3000 nits makes the screen effortlessly visible even in the harshest direct sunlight. Combined with a new anti-reflective coating, it's a tangible quality-of-life improvement. HDR content pops with incredible punch thanks to a 1600-nit peak, and for those late-night scrolling sessions, the display can dim all the way down to a single nit. It's a brilliant, versatile screen that continues to set the standard.

Performance and Thermals: The A19 Pro Era

At the heart of the new iPhones beats the A19 Pro, a new 6-core CPU and 6-core GPU powerhouse built for speed. In day-to-day use, the phone is flawlessly smooth, but it's under heavy load where the real improvements shine. A common search query last year was about overheating, but initial tests suggest the iPhone 17 Pro Max overheating concerns are a thing of the past.

The secret? A new vapour chamber cooling system. This finally allows the chip to sustain its peak performance for longer without throttling. In benchmarks, the A19 Pro chip is posting Geekbench multi-core scores around 9970, placing it comfortably ahead of the competition. For mobile gamers, videographers, and anyone pushing their device to the limit, this is a huge leap forward. The vastly better thermals are one of the most praised, if unseen, upgrades this year.

Camera System: More Megapixels, More Power

Apple has gone all-in on the camera this year, making significant upgrades across the board. The system is built around three incredibly capable rear cameras and a much-improved front-facing camera.

Rear Cameras

For the first time, both the Main and Ultra-Wide cameras boast 48-megapixel sensors. This brings a stunning level of detail and flexibility, especially when shooting in ProRAW. The 48MP Ultra-Wide now doubles as a fantastic macro lens, and the Main camera's second-generation sensor-shift stabilisation keeps everything rock-steady.

The telephoto lens is where the Pro and Pro Max diverge. Both feature a 12MP sensor with a sophisticated tetraprism design and 3D sensor-shift OIS.

iPhone 17 Pro: 5x optical zoom (120mm equivalent)
iPhone 17 Pro Max: Market insights suggest an enhanced system allowing up to 8x optical zoom

The iPhone 17 Pro Max camera zoom is a massive improvement, delivering crisp, detailed shots at long distances. While it still can't quite match the extreme 10x optical zoom of its main rival in the iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S25 Ultra debate, the quality within its range is exceptional.

Front Camera

The 12MP TrueDepth front camera has also received a major boost with the addition of autofocus and, surprisingly, Center Stage. This makes for sharper, more engaging selfies and video calls, a feature that has drawn rave reviews.

For the pros, the video capabilities are astounding, with support for ProRes recording up to 4K at 120fps, Log video, and the Academy Colour Encoding System (ACES). As one videographer put it, "the ProRes RAW and Log2 profiles are a dream. USB-C 10Gb/s makes offloading painless."

Battery and Charging: The Two-Day iPhone is Here

If there's one reason to upgrade, this is it. The iPhone 17 Pro Max battery life is, simply put, phenomenal. Thanks to the larger capacity and the A19 Pro's efficiency, Apple is quoting up to 37 hours of video playback.

In the real world, this translates into a genuine two-day device for many users. One early adopter upgrading from an iPhone 13 Pro Max said, "battery life is insane, two full days for me." This is the best battery performance we've ever seen in an iPhone, and it addresses the number one pain point for most smartphone users.

Charging has also seen a speed boost:

Wired: Up to 40W, reaching 50% charge in just 20 minutes
Wireless: A faster 25W for both MagSafe and the open Qi2 standard, a move celebrated by accessory makers

Connectivity: Faster Everything

The iPhone 17 Pro series is ready for the future of wireless. It's equipped with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0, powered by a Snapdragon X80 modem and Apple's custom N1 wireless chip. This ensures faster, more reliable connections across the board.

The USB-C port, now in its second generation on the Pro models, supports USB 3 speeds up to 10Gb/s. For professional photographers and videographers, this is a massive win, drastically cutting down the time it takes to offload large files. The satellite features for Emergency SOS and Roadside Assistance also return, offering peace of mind when you're off the grid.

Software and Features: Meet Apple Intelligence

Shipping with iOS 26, the iPhone 17 Pro is the launch vehicle for Apple Intelligence, the company's long-awaited suite of on-device AI features. From smarter text suggestions to advanced photo editing and Live Translation, the new capabilities are deeply integrated and privacy-focused.

The OS also sports a new "Liquid Glass" design language, which feels fresh and modern. However, it hasn't been a flawless launch. Early users have reported a few bugs, including issues with Calendar search and some residual heat during the initial setup process, though the latter seems to dissipate quickly. The customisable Action button and the new Camera Control button also make a welcome return.

Pricing and Availability

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max launched on September 19th, 2025.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max price starts at £1,099 for the new 256GB base model, going all the way up to £1,899 for the gargantuan 2TB option. In the UK, buyers are watching prices closely due to VAT, but demand remains high.

Competitor Comparisons

So, how does it stack up?

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S25 Ultra

This remains the flagship battle of the year. The iPhone clearly wins on raw performance, video quality, and sheer battery endurance. However, Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra still holds the crown for extreme telephoto zoom and has a slightly more feature-rich suite of AI tools baked directly into its camera app.

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Pixel 10 Pro

Google's Pixel continues to be the champion of computational photography, often producing stunning still images with a single click. It's also likely to be more affordable. The iPhone, however, is the superior choice for video, overall hardware polish, and its seamless integration into the broader Apple ecosystem.

When considering an upgrade, the iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max debate is also crucial. For last year's owners, this might feel like an S-year update unless you desperately need the extra battery life or professional video features. When looking at the full line-up, the choice between the iPhone 17 Air vs Pro Max will come down to whether you prioritise the Pro camera system and performance over the Air's likely lower price point.

Regional Reactions

Global sentiment is strong but nuanced. The US market is seeing robust sales, driven by the Cosmic Orange colour, though some still lament the lack of a physical SIM tray. Asian markets, especially China and Japan, are buzzing with excitement over the camera and battery upgrades. In the EU, while the pro features are appreciated, the switch back to aluminium has been a point of contention for some reviewers.

Final Thoughts / Verdict

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is a formidable device. It's an iterative update, but the improvements it makes are in the areas that matter most: performance that doesn't throttle, a camera system that's more versatile than ever, and a battery that redefines expectations.

Pros:

Class-leading performance with the A19 Pro chip
Exceptional, two-day battery life
A brighter, anti-reflective display perfect for outdoor use
Significant camera upgrades, especially the 48MP Ultra-Wide
Faster wired and wireless charging

Cons:

Aluminium frame feels like a step back in premium feel for some
The large 'plateau' camera bump is a divisive design choice
Samsung still leads in the extreme zoom department
Some minor launch bugs in iOS 26

So, who is this phone for? If you are coming from an iPhone 14 Pro or older, this is a monumental upgrade that you will feel every single day. The gains in speed, camera quality, and especially battery life are staggering. For videographers and creative professionals, the new recording formats and faster data transfer speeds make it an essential tool.

However, if you're holding an iPhone 16 Pro, the decision is tougher. It's a fantastic refinement, but perhaps not a revolutionary leap. As one user aptly put it, "feels like an S-year upgrade. If you have a 16 Pro, not much reason unless you need that zoom."

For everyone else, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is Apple at the top of its game: a powerful, reliable, and ridiculously long-lasting flagship that sets a new high bar for 2025.