Two months remain before the latest iPhone 17 models are shown, but speculation about their features, appearance, and specifications is already rampant. I usually wait to see what Apple really announces, but I’ve been interested in a few leaks about the iPhone 17 Pro Max in particular. Additionally, now looks like a good moment to get in since people are starting to consider their autumn finances and if their current iPhone will last till new ones arrive. Ultimately, two months will pass more quickly than we anticipate. (This further supports the idea that purchasing a new iPhone at this time is not a good idea.)
I’m very intrigued by what I’ve seen so far. I’m already anticipating September for more than just hot drinks and colder temperatures. Here is a summary of some of the things that I’m most interested in seeing on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Expanding the argument
In comparison to the rest of the lineup, the iPhone Pro Max versions are formidable; in fact, they lack the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro’s degree of durability, so maybe they are more akin to sturdy midsize SUVs. However, they stand out for having bigger displays, larger bodies, and—most importantly—more space for everything in an iPhone.
And a bigger battery is part of it. According to a May article by 9to5Mac, the iPhone 17 Pro Max may wind up being over half a millimeter thicker, at 8.725 mm, even though the Max variants already have more battery capacity than previous models. Has there ever been a request for a larger iPhone? Indeed, yes, yes, and yes.
We could see an increase in daily usage before grabbing a charger if we include the new Adaptive Power feature in iOS 26, which utilizes AI to distribute power more effectively when demand is high. (On the other hand, adaptive power may be a software solution that extends battery life while maintaining the same physical battery size.)
If you’ve already made the decision to carry a bigger iPhone, a little more thickness and weight won’t be too hard to bear.
There are also rumors that the Apple logo will move from its present position on the rear of the iPhone 17 Pro cover. Since the logo will be placed inside the MagSafe region, it should reassure those who decide to install a transparent MagSafe shell, even if it doesn’t look like a significant functional improvement. It’s impossible to claim that Apple doesn’t care about design.
It’s unclear whether the iPhone 17 Pro case in a recent leak on X from Majin Bu is a hand-assembled item that matches rumored specifications or if it’s a copycat of the iPhone.
Turn on all the camera improvements.
It would be impossible to discuss the case without bringing up the camera hump, which, based on Majin Bu’s CAD models, may expand into a bigger camera island (or maybe, on the larger iPhone 17 Pro Max, more like a camera continent) that spans the whole of the iPhone rear.
An improved 48-megapixel telephoto camera, which seems long overdue for a high-end camera system, would be part of that expanse. As is the case with the existing primary Fusion camera in the iPhone 16 Pro models, where pictures are “pixel-binned” with multiple pixels combined together to boost light collecting potential, it will likely need additional procedures to shoot shots at the full 48-megapixel quality. However, considering the excellent performance of the 48-megapixel camera in the current models—the iPhone 16E primarily relies on that resolution with its single rear-facing camera—their extension to the telephoto camera would undoubtedly benefit photographers.
Speaking of quality, it is anticipated that the front-facing camera will have 24 megapixels instead of 12 megapixels, which might improve the appearance of my selfies. It’s probably to improve the next rumored feature.
Video capture advances
According to reports, the built-in Camera app will enable dual video recording with both cameras on each side. This feature is useful for conducting interviews or creating response movies when you want to capture all sides of a discussion. Although it hasn’t been an option by default, third-party programs have been able to use this capacity for a while.
MacRumors hypothesized that the iPhone 17 Pro Max would feature 8K video recording following rumors that 8K was tested for the iPhone 16 Pro. This is intriguing from the standpoint of pushing the state of the art, but it’s not as significant for daily usage. With features like 28 Years Later and specialized cameras made using iPhone technology in the Formula One film, the iPhone is quickly becoming into a professional video camera.
A better cooling mechanism
It takes a lot of power to record video in 4K quality, much alone 8K, and this causes heat buildup. It may even cause the iPhone to overheat and momentarily shut down in heated settings. I’m becoming a bit excited about the possibility of a new internal cooling design, even if iPhone users won’t notice it.
The iPhone 17 Pro variants will include a “vapor chamber” cooling method, according to Majin Bu and others. A little quantity of liquid in the chamber evaporates and condenses in cooler regions as the processor warms up, then returns to the heated regions.
Fast cellular and Wi-Fi 7 using a new Apple modem
Although this is more specialized and less apparent to regular phone users, it is also somewhat the purpose. Apple’s C1 cellular modem, which was included with the iPhone 16E, was the company’s first attempt at developing its own cellular hardware in an effort to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm, who supplied the modem hardware for earlier iPhone models.
Despite being more power-efficient (and still performing well), the C1 lacks a faster millimeter wave cellular network and does not support Wi-Fi 7, which is a reasonable trade-off for the lowest-priced phone in Apple’s portfolio.
However, we’re discussing the next professional versions with the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and an iPhone Pro in 2025 cannot be released without the newest and fastest wireless technology. Although I believe a C2 is on the horizon, it would be more practical for Apple to continue with Qualcomm for the Pro line rather than incorporate the C1.
MacRumors claims that a distinct, specialized chip created by Apple may provide Wi-Fi 7 compatibility.
Although we’re keeping tabs on other iPhone 17 Pro rumors, these are the ones that have me checking my calendar and hoping September would come a little sooner.