Mikah Sargent's Review of the iPhone 17 Pro Max

AI-generated, human-reviewed.

Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max brings major hardware and design changes, but does it deliver where it counts in daily life? After living with the device for a week, the verdict is clear: it sets a new bar for iPhone features and user experience, but isn’t a must-have upgrade for everyone.

What’s New in the iPhone 17 Pro Max

On Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent explored the significant changes Apple introduced with this generation:

• New brushed aluminum unibody design with a distinctive camera plateau for improved aesthetics and more battery space.
• Ceramic Shield glass on both front and back for improved scratch resistance—surviving Mikah’s daily pocket wear and tear without a mark.
• Bright 6.9-inch display (up to 3000 nits) for phenomenal outdoor visibility, aided by effective anti-reflective coating.
• Redesigned antenna system seamlessly integrated for stronger, more reliable signal, even in challenging reception spots.
• A19 Pro chip with vapor chamber cooling—drastically minimizes heat, even under heavy load like gaming or device setup.
• True two-day battery life for moderate users, plus rapid charging (up to 50% in 20 minutes with a 40W adapter).
• Triple 48MP camera system, including a telephoto lens with 8x optical zoom, best-in-class low light performance, and smart selfie tech.
• Enhanced iOS 26 experience with smoother animations, improved spam call filtering, and familiar, fluid usability.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Dramatic camera improvements, especially in zoom and low-light selfies.
• Noticeably better battery endurance—up to two full days for average use.
• Beautiful, durable new design with practical enhancements.
• Fast charging and persistent performance without device heat-up.
• Display readability in bright conditions outclasses previous iPhones.
• Pro-level video features for content creators.
• iOS 26 brings meaningful updates without a learning curve.

Cons:

• High price tag: Starts at $1199 (256GB), tops out at $1999 (2TB).
• Minor iOS 26 setup bugs, notably with CarPlay and Apple Watch pairing (likely to be patched soon).
• Accessories like cases and straps are pricier than before.
• Upgrading from 16 Pro Max offers only subtle performance gains (camera aside).

Who Should Consider Upgrading?

• iPhone 14 or Older Users: The leap in camera, battery, speed, and design is dramatic—this upgrade will feel transformative.
• iPhone 15 Pro Max Owners: Notable camera gains (especially zoom) and battery improvements make the upgrade worthwhile if photography is a priority.
• iPhone 16 Pro Max Users: Unless you’re chasing the latest zoom or design, skipping this cycle is perfectly reasonable.
• Content Creators/Enthusiasts: Those needing pro video features or sustained gaming and editing performance will benefit most.

Key Takeaways

• Camera innovation stands out, especially with the 8x optical zoom and Center Stage low-light selfies.
• The new ceramic shield and solid build resist wear and feel premium.
• Battery anxiety is nearly erased—even after heavy use, most users have plenty left at day’s end.
• Early iOS 26 bugs are minor and expected to be fixed in routine updates.

The Bottom Line

If you want the best iPhone Apple has ever made and are using a device from two or more generations back, this is a strong buy. The iPhone 17 Pro Max isn’t revolutionary, but it delivers across the board—design, battery, camera, and performance—without gimmicks. For owners of recent Pro Max models, weigh the camera and battery improvements against the high cost.

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