Apple unveiled the iPhone 17 Pro Max today in Cupertino, where the aluminum frame hides a vapor chamber for cooling that would be the envy of supercomputers. With a 6.9-inch display that shines like the midnight sun (up to 3,000 nits) and a camera that captures 8x zoom like it's child's play, this is a device for those who want it all - and pay for it. The irony? Your old iPhone will now look like an ancient artifact, while the new one promises a future where AI is your best friend. But for 1,199 euros ($1,310), we ask: is this an upgrade or just another layer of aluminum around the same apple?
Instead of bombarding us with promises of an infinite battery, Tim Cook took to the stage today and reminded us that iPhone 17 Pro Max like that friend who always comes up with a new story—and a little more expensive each time. At the “Awe Dropping” event at the Steve Jobs Theater, there were no tears of happiness, but a better feeling that Apple had finally heard our complaints about overheating: a vapor chamber, laser-welded into aluminum, that dissipates heat like morning mist. This 6.9-inch behemoth isn’t just bigger; it’s as if Apple took the old Pro Max, wrapped it in a new frame, and added room for a battery that could power a small village. But as we enthusiastically tap the screen, we wonder: is this aluminum unibody really a game-changer, or does it just add another layer of irony in a world where, just months ago, we were praising titanium as the pinnacle?
Design: Brushed aluminum that hides more than it shows – and melts like butter in the sun
What if I told you that the iPhone 17 Pro Max is the first iPhone that won't melt while you're gaming? The new brushed 7000-series aluminum unibody isn't just feather-light (though it weighs as much as your heaviest wallet after shopping); it's also a thermal marvel. A "forged plateau" on the back—yes, that's what they call that camera bump—makes room for a larger battery and antennas integrated around the edge that promise signals stronger than your basement Wi-Fi. Ceramic Shield on the back for the first time, which is 4x more resistant to cracks, and Ceramic Shield 2 on the front, with 3x better scratch resistance and less glare. Colors? Cosmic orange, which will remind you of a desert sunset, deep blue like the ocean on the vacation you'll never take, and classic silver for those who like to blend in with the crowd.
The irony here? While Apple touts the eco-friendly feel of 30% recycled materials, including 100% recycled cobalt in the battery, this phone will still end up in your drawer in two years when the iPhone 18 arrives. Or in the hands of your successor. And that new shape? Slightly thicker because of the larger battery, but still thinner than your ego after your first selfie with it.
Screen and performance: The A19 Pro that would win a battle with your computer desk
The 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display isn't just beautiful; it's like Apple stole the sun and put it in glass - 3000 nits of brightness, 2x better outdoor contrast, ProMotion up to 120Hz, and Always-On to keep you awake longer than your coffee. But the heart of this behemoth is the A19 Pro, which, with a 6-core CPU and GPU enhanced with Neural Accelerators, promises 40 % better sustained performance. Couple that with a vapor chamber, and you've got a device that plays AAA games like Arknights: Endfield with ray tracing without melting like chocolate in a car. 12GB of RAM? It's like Apple finally admitting that we're all multi-tasking lunatics, switching between TikTok and work like there's nothing else.
The new N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread means connections faster than your morning run. Irony? While the competition is touting 144Hz, Apple is sticking with 120, promising that “quality” is more important—like saying a slow jog is better than a marathon. If you’re a gamer or an editor, this will be your new throne; otherwise… well, at least it won’t lie while scrolling through Instagram.
Camera: Triple 48 MP that sees further than your binoculars
The camera isn't just upgraded; it's like Apple took three pro lenses and shrunk them into a pocket. The main 48MP Fusion, an ultra-wide 48MP, and a new 48MP telephoto lens with a 56 % sensor that's 16 times larger than the iPhone 8 Pro, and a tetraprism for 8x optical zoom—the longest ever on an iPhone. That means 100mm portraits and a 200mm reach that would make the paparazzi jealous. The front-facing Center Stage camera? An 18MP square sensor for portrait or landscape selfies, with AI that automatically widens the angle for group shots, and ultra-stabilized 4K HDR video. What's new? ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2, and genlock for multi-camera sync—for those who shoot movies, not just TikTok vlogs.
Fun irony: Apple says “eight lens equivalent,” but your gallery will still be full of blurry cats and overflowing coffee cups. Digital zoom up to 40x and new Photographic Styles with “Bright” for vibrant skin will make your images look like works of art, but 8K files will fill your storage faster than a potato chip mat at a party.
Battery and durability: 39 hours of video – is it enough to survive the apocalypse?
The battery is the star: up to 39 hours of video playback in eSIM-only models (in the US and elsewhere), where the SIM card slot has become part of a larger whole. Around 5000 mAh is a huge leap, with A19 Pro efficiency and iOS 26 management that will keep you without a plug for longer than your longest meeting. 50 % in 20 minutes with a 40W adapter, Qi2.2 for 25W wireless and MagSafe faster for 20 %. Eco-friendly? 40 % of renewable electricity in production, 100 % of recycled gold in the circuits – Apple is trying, but the irony: this “sustainability” will still cost more resources than your annual carbon footprint from flying to Paris.
eSIM-only models add another two hours, but if you're in a country with a physical SIM, you'll still be looking for a charger - albeit less often.
TL;DR: Key information about the iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Design and size: Aluminum unibody frame with vapor chamber cooling, 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR LTPO OLED display (120 Hz ProMotion, up to 3000 nits brightness, Ceramic Shield 2 front and back for better resistance). Colors: cosmic orange, deep blue, silver. Thicker for a larger battery, IP68 protection.
- Capacity: A19 Pro chip (6-core CPU/GPU with Neural Engine for AI), 12GB RAM, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 via N1 chip. Support for AAA games with ray tracing and up to 40 % better sustained performance.
- Camera: Triple 48 MP Fusion (main, ultra-wide, telephoto with 8x optical zoom via tetraprism and 56 % larger sensor), front 18 MP Center Stage (square sensor for selfies in all orientations, AI wide angle). Features: 8K video, ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2, genlock, Photographic Styles with “Bright” style, digital zoom up to 40x.
- Battery: Around 5000 mAh (up to 39 hours of video in eSIM-only models), 50 % charge in 20 minutes with 40W adapter, Qi2.2 wireless 25W, MagSafe faster by 20 %. Eco-friendly: 30 % recycled materials, 100 % recycled cobalt in battery.
- Storage and price: Starting at 256GB (up to 2TB), priced from €1,199 ($1,310) for 256GB; 512GB: €1,399 ($1,530); 1TB: €1,599 ($1,750); 2TB: €1,799 ($1,970). Pre-orders from September 12, 2025, available from September 19.
- Software: iOS 26 with Apple Intelligence (Live Translation, visual intelligence), eSIM-only in selected countries for larger battery. Accessories: TechWoven Case (59 EUR), Clear Case (49 EUR), Crossbody Strap (59 EUR).
Price and availability: €1,199 to start – is it worth its weight in aluminum?
Here's the pain: The iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at €1,199 ($1,310) for 256GB, the same as last year, with double the storage and 12GB of RAM. 512GB is €1,399 ($1,530), 1TB is €1,599 ($1,750), and the new 2TB is €1,799 ($1,970). Pre-orders start September 12, available September 19 in over 63 countries, including Europe. Trade-in up to $700, but irony: for that price you could buy three Androids and save the rest for beer. If you're in the ecosystem, it's worth it; otherwise, consider that your old iPhone is still good enough for scrolling memes.
Conclusion: iPhone 17 Pro Max – where aluminum meets ambition, but asks for the wallet
This iPhone isn't just a phone; it's proof that aluminum can become a superhero if you laser weld it right. With all the tricks—from vapor chambers to genlock—your world will be faster, sharper, and longer, but as always with Apple, desire trumps necessity. If you're willing to shell out the cash for this adventure, head to an Apple Store; if not, wait for a discount—or for the iPhone 18, which will probably have wings.