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iPhone 17 Pro Max Review: Apple’s Boldest iPhone Yet
Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max is a confident step forward: striking anodised finishes, revised materials, a genuinely pro camera trio, and the A19 Pro delivering cool, sustained speed. For UK buyers, it’s the most complete iPhone experience so far.
Price & Availability
- From £1,199 / $1,199 / AU$2,149
- Pre-orders from 12 September; retail and deliveries from 19 September
- New 2TB tier (Pro Max only) aimed at creators
Apple keeps base pricing steady while adding an ultra-high storage tier for pro workflows.
Design
Aluminium replaces titanium to unlock bolder anodised colours—Cosmic Orange leads the line—and to spread heat more effectively. The near full-width rear “plateau” is purposeful, housing upgraded optics and new thermal hardware. At 163 × 78 × 8.75 mm, 233 g, it’s marginally larger than last year, but the softened edges and Ceramic Shield 2 curve make it comfortable.
Display
The 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED keeps the 1–120 Hz ProMotion fluidity and 460 ppi clarity, now peaking at 3,000 nits with a fresh anti-reflective layer. Sunlight legibility is markedly better. Dynamic Island still pulls its weight for glanceable info while hosting the new Centre Stage camera.
Cameras
A true 48 MP trio at last:
- Main 48 MP f/1.78
- Ultra-wide 48 MP f/2.2
- Telephoto 48 MP f/2.8 with 4× optical and 8× sensor-crop (~200 mm)
Apple’s pipeline leans on the extra pixels to produce crisp 24 MP images by default with excellent stabilisation and low-light performance. The 8× crop looks shockingly clean for a phone. The 18 MP Centre Stage selfie camera widens for groups and steadies video; Dual Capture records front and rear simultaneously for reaction shots.
Performance
A19 Pro + 12 GB RAM handles console-grade gaming and 4K edits without drama. A long, narrow vapour-chamber spreads heat so performance stays consistent rather than spiky—useful for both creators and gamers.
Battery & Charging
- Comfortable day-and-a-half runtime for most users
- Qi2 wireless charging supported
- ~0–50% in ~20 minutes with Apple’s higher-wattage adapter (sold separately)
iOS 26 & Apple Intelligence
The Liquid Glass visual refresh looks modern and polished; occasionally the transparency is a touch heavy. Apple Intelligence adds pragmatic wins (Live Translation upgrades, tighter calendar/image hooks) while the bigger Siri overhaul is still incoming.
Verdict
A bolder design, brighter display, cooler sustained performance, and the most versatile iPhone camera yet. Price—especially at 2TB—remains premium, but if you want Apple’s best today, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is it.
DealsToUK Score Card
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Value | More power, fresher design and better camera while holding the line on base price. | 4 / 5 |
| Design | Aluminium, bold colours, cohesive build; still undeniably iPhone. | 4.5 / 5 |
| Display | 3,000-nit peak with anti-reflection improves outdoor use. | 4.5 / 5 |
| Software | Liquid Glass polish; Apple Intelligence adds practical features. | 4.5 / 5 |
| Camera | Three 48 MP lenses with excellent 4×/8× reach; class-leading results. | 5 / 5 |
| Performance | A19 Pro + vapour-chamber delivers sustained speed for games and edits. | 5 / 5 |
| Battery | Reliable longevity; faster wired and Qi2 wireless options. | 4.5 / 5 |
Also Consider
- Google Pixel 10 Pro — clean Android, clever AI; superb stills; performance/battery a step behind Apple.
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra — 200 MP main camera, titanium build, powerhouse specs.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 — multitasking beast with two displays; expensive but uniquely versatile.
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