A phone's success or failure can't be fully decided after just a day or two of use. So as I've just hit the four-week mark of using a Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro Max, I thought it was about time to put the phone back under a critical lens.
Fortunately for Apple, the latest pro iPhone hasn't outstayed its welcome. Far from it, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is as capable and enjoyable to use as any new iPhone has ever been. It features noticeable upgrades in some critical areas that Apple really hasn't changed in recent years.
If you're curious about what it's like spending an extended period of time with the iPhone 17 Pro Max, then read on. And let me know in the comments if you'd be interested in further updates about my experience down the line.
Apple's best cameras yet
Now that Apple has given all the iPhone 17 Pro models' rear cameras high-resolution 48MP sensors across the board, and the selfie camera receives a megapixel and sensor size upgrade, there's not much dividing it from the latest Android phones. Combined with Apple’s already strong photo processing systems, we've wound up with another leap ahead for iPhone photography.
Most of my photos are of London's green or historic spaces, and nice coffees that I've drank while visiting said spaces. While the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra remains our overall preferred camera phone due to its extra telephoto lens and 200MP main camera, I still love taking photos with the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and am more than happy having it as my primary camera phone on a daily basis.
A battery that inspires confidence
I knew that Apple had added even more capacity into its new iPhones’ battery, but the longevity of the iPhone 17 Pro Max has surprised me. Even on a busy day, I've yet to get the phone to drop below 30%. And our full iPhone 17 battery test results back that up —these are the longest-lasting iPhones yet.
Batteries degrade over time of course, and I know that there are busier days ahead in my work and social calendars that will likely require even more battery from my iPhone. But for the time being I can be confident that the iPhone 17 Pro Max won't leave me in the lurch.
Design looks and feels great
The new unibody aluminum design Apple used for the iPhone 17 Pro models has certainly been a departure from previous versions. But I’ve quickly grown to like it for two big reasons.
First off, it is definitely lighter than earlier Pro Max iPhones, making this massive phone feel quite easy to handle even one-handed. And second, the new glass/metal back design with the wider camera plateau at the top, makes the phone feel different even at the slightest glance or touch. It does a surprising amount to make the phone feel new and special.
…but maybe I got the wrong color
I picked Cosmic Orange for the color of this iPhone 17 Pro Max, since I tend to go for the "hero" color of every iPhone generation so my phones look distinct in photos next to other models. But I think these bright orange might be too distinct for me.
Walking around with a phone the same color as a hi-vis jacket feels very conspicuous. And anyone who asks me about the phone will inevitably mention something about the risk of theft.
Perhaps some of this is due to the small choice of colors Apple offers for this generation. Three options is the most limited selection available on a Pro iPhone to date. I am crossing my fingers that this at least changes by the iPhone 18, if not before. It's been a while since Apple did a new color drop for current iPhone models in the spring — perhaps that should come back.
The display is noticeably brighter
All of this year's iPhones received a screen brightness boost, and it's easy to notice. While even the iPhone 17 Pro Max is not quite as bright as the class-leading Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, the iPhone display is still bright enough for easy use out in the sun. And this may have been consideration during my first month of use, my iPhone's going to be close to its half-year anniversary before it's sunny in the U.K. again.
The new anti-glare layer in the iPhone 17 Pro Max screen helps with readability along with the increased brightness. The Galaxy S25 Ultra remains the top phone for this, reducing light spots on the glass more than the iPhone. But by hitting a middle ground between the S25 Ultra's anti-glare tech and the Pixel 10 Pro's brightness, the iPhone still performs brilliantly.
So very fast — and the heat isn't as bad any more
While you can argue how much differences in benchmark results matter for flagship phones, it's safe to say that the A19 Pro chip in the iPhone 17 Pro Max is mighty powerful. Playing Destiny Rising on new Android phones feels great, but it's even smoother on the iPhone, which is capable of displaying the game at max graphics settings and 90fps with the greatest of ease.
Now that Apple has finally added a vapor chamber cooling system to its Pro models, the phone's comfortable to play for long periods of time, too. The phone still gets warm, but the heat is spread across the surface of the phone, ensuring my iPhone remains comfortable to hold and doesn't cause the chip to throttle its own performance. Another benefit of the new aluminum body in action.
Still waiting on Apple Intelligence's next big update
I don't use a lot of genAI tools in my day-to-day life, but the options available to me on a phone like the Galaxy S25 Ultra or Pixel 10 Pro XL are still far wider than those offered on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Of course, installing the Gemini or ChatGPT app on the iPhone gives you basically every feature you're likely looking for, but not having them available as an overlay by default does hurt the smoothness of the experience.
Apple's apparently aiming to get its long-awaited Siri Apple Intelligence upgrade in spring 2026, so perhaps when we reach the six-month retrospective point with the iPhone 17 series, AI fans will be able to forgive Apple's slow start here. Right now though, the iPhone 17 Pro Max feels like a good phone, just not a super smart one like a new Galaxy or Pixel.
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