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.
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.
