Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Review: Not Even the Best iPhone

Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max 2025 is finally here. With its large 6.9-inch display, upgraded cameras, and impressive battery life, it promises to be the ultimate iPhone for those who love big phones. But is it really the best iPhone you can buy in 2025? In this review, we’ll break down everything you need to know — from design and display to cameras, performance, and battery life — so you can decide if it’s worth your money.

What you need to know about the iPhone 17 Pro Max

The iPhone 17 Pro Max continues Apple’s tradition of offering top-of-the-line features for those willing to pay the premium. Here’s a quick overview of what sets it apart from the smaller iPhone 17 Pro:

• Display: 6.9-inch OLED Super Retina XDR screen with ProMotion technology

• Processor: Apple A19 Pro chip with 12GB RAM

• Storage: Options up to 2TB — a first for any iPhone

• Cameras: Upgraded 48MP telephoto camera and 18MP Center Stage selfie camera

• Battery: Apple’s longest-lasting battery ever — up to 37 hours video playback

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6

While it boasts these high-end specs, the iPhone 17 Pro Max isn’t without its quirks. Its large size and hefty weight may not be for everyone, and its price can feel steep compared to some Android competitors.

Price and competition

The iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at £1,199 SIM-free for the 256GB model. That’s £100 more than the iPhone 17 Pro and significantly higher than the iPhone 17 Air or standard iPhone 17.

When compared to Android phones, Apple’s flagship is no longer the value king:

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: £999, 6.9-inch display, four cameras, S Pen stylus

• OnePlus 13: £800, fast charging, bright display, triple 50MP cameras

• Honor Magic 7 Pro: £650, 200MP telephoto, 50MP main, 100W charging

Apple delivers premium performance, but Android alternatives provide similar or better features for less money.

Design and build quality

Apple has stuck with the two-tone aluminum-and-glass design for the 17 Pro Max. While the build is sturdy, the huge camera bump, or “plateau,” is hard to ignore.

Pros of the design

• Slightly softer, rounded frame feels good in the hand

• Ceramic Shield 2 glass adds durability

• Premium feel for a flagship device

Cons of the design

• Large and heavy — 233g, which may feel bulky in pockets

• Camera bump protrudes nearly 4.55mm

• Some users report scuffing on sharp corners over time

Overall, the design balances style with function, but it’s not the most comfortable for everyone.

Display: Big, bright, and brilliant

The iPhone 17 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch OLED display with 2,868 x 1,320 resolution, TrueTone, P3 wide color, and adaptive ProMotion refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz.

Brightness and color accuracy

• Peak brightness up to 3,000cd/m² (HDR content)

• Day-to-day brightness averages around 1,072cd/m²

• Night mode goes as low as 1cd/m² — perfect for low-light reading

• Color accuracy is excellent with a Delta E of 0.67

PWM dimming

Apple’s screen uses 480Hz PWM dimming, which may cause flicker for sensitive eyes, especially at lower brightness levels. If you’re prone to screen fatigue, this is something to consider.

Cameras: Solid, but not unbeatable

Apple has upgraded the telephoto camera to 48MP, making all three cameras equal in resolution. The selfie camera also jumps to 18MP with Center Stage for auto-framing.

Rear cameras

• Telephoto: 48MP, 4x optical zoom (slightly less than previous 5x)

• Wide: 48MP main camera

• Ultra-wide: 48MP with enhanced low-light performance

Selfie camera

• 18MP, f/1.9, Center Stage for auto-framing and video

• Works well for calls, selfies, and dual-capture video mode

While cameras are strong, Android competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or Honor Magic 7 Pro offer higher megapixels, better zoom, and variable apertures, which may appeal to photography enthusiasts.

Performance and battery life

The A19 Pro chip with 12GB RAM makes the iPhone 17 Pro Max extremely fast. Single-core performance edges out top Android phones, while multi-core and GPU performance remain competitive.

Vapor-chamber cooling

A new vapor-chamber cooling system keeps the phone cooler under heavy workloads, maintaining peak performance longer than the smaller iPhone 17 Pro.

Battery life

• Video playback test: 37 hours 57 minutes

• Beats iPhone 17 Pro (31 hours 31 minutes) and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

• Supports fast charging and wireless charging

In short, if you want a long-lasting iPhone for media consumption or gaming, the Pro Max is unmatched in the Apple lineup.

Software and features

The iPhone 17 Pro Max ships with iOS 26, offering all new Apple features, including:

• Dynamic Island system

• Full-screen always-on display

• Enhanced Face ID and privacy controls

• Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support

Apple continues to lead in ecosystem integration, security, and software updates — something Android competitors struggle to match.

Pros and cons of the iPhone 17 Pro Max

Pros

• Longest battery life of any iPhone

• Big and bright display

• Strong camera system

• Center Stage selfie camera is smart

• Powerful A19 Pro chip with 12GB RAM

Cons

• Heavy and bulky

• Expensive compared to Android alternatives

• Camera bump is huge and intrusive

• Design may not appeal to everyone

Verdict: Not the best iPhone, but still excellent

The isn’t perfect. Most Android phones offer better value, and the large size and high price make it less accessible. However, it delivers fast performance, a stunning display, capable cameras, and unbeatable battery life.

If you’re an Apple fan who prefers a larger phone and the latest features, the Pro Max will impress. But for most users, the iPhone 17 Pro provides nearly the same experience in a more compact and affordable package.

Final thoughts

• For Apple enthusiasts: Go for the Pro Max if you want the biggest screen and longest battery

• For value-conscious buyers: The iPhone 17 Pro or top Android alternatives may be better

• For photography lovers: Consider Android devices with higher zoom and megapixels

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Review 2025 an excellent phone — just not the absolute best iPhone for everyone.

Read More: Samsung Galaxy A17 Review