After spending the past weekend with the iPhone 17 Pro Max, I can confidently say this is Apple’s most powerful and creator-friendly phone yet. Between the new A19 Pro chip with vapor cooling, a brighter anti-reflective display, and the versatile triple-camera system, it delivers in almost every area that matters. Still, there are a couple of small design choices that keep it from perfection.

Design and Durability

The Pro Max feels premium in the hand with its squared-off edges and familiar heft, but I noticed one glaring issue: the anodized finish around the camera bump scratches far too easily. After a few days of casual use, I saw small scuffs forming on those sharp corners. The flat surfaces held up fine, but those edges are vulnerable. If you’re investing in this phone, a case is absolutely non-negotiable.

Display

The display is a standout. Outdoors, it’s the easiest iPhone screen I’ve ever used. The anti-reflective coating makes a big difference in direct sunlight, and the brightness spikes to nearly 1,900 nits when needed. Colors look accurate, text is sharp, and watching HDR video feels like a mini cinema experience. This is hands down the best smartphone display I’ve tested for outdoor readability.

Performance and Thermals

The A19 Pro chip paired with the new vapor chamber cooling is a dream. I pushed it hard with gaming, video editing, and AI tasks, and the phone stayed smooth and cool. Frame rates didn’t dip the way they used to after extended sessions, and exporting 4K video was faster than any iPhone I’ve owned. It’s the kind of performance that makes you wonder if laptops are even necessary for certain workflows.

Battery and Charging

Battery life has been outstanding. On heavy days (shooting video, navigating with GPS, messaging constantly), I was still ending with 25–30% left. On lighter days, I easily stretched it to two full days. Charging is quicker now too: I hit 50% in about 20 minutes with a 40W charger, which makes quick top-ups painless.

Cameras

Apple finally gave all three rear sensors a 48 MP treatment, and the results are incredible. The zoom system feels much more flexible, with clean transitions at 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, and even 8x. Low-light performance is better, portraits are razor sharp without looking artificial, and stabilization is rock solid. But it’s in video where this phone shines most, clips are crisp, fluid, and cinematic in a way no other phone matches. For creators, this camera setup is a beast.

Software and Support

Out of the box, iOS 26 feels familiar but with some welcome refinements, especially in the camera app and on-device intelligence features. Paired with Apple’s long software support, this phone will stay relevant for years. If you’re coming from anything earlier than an iPhone 15, the difference is night and day.

Verdict

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is easily the most capable iPhone I’ve used. It nails performance, display quality, battery life, and video capture. The only real drawbacks are cosmetic the fragile finish around the camera bump, and the sheer size which won’t be comfortable for everyone. If you want the ultimate iPhone experience and don’t mind using a case, this is the phone for you. It sits right up at the top with other powerhouse smartphone such as the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro.

Overall Score: 8.8 out of 10