Every September when Apple drops a new flagship, my phone blows up with messages from mates asking the same thing – should I actually upgrade or is this just Apple taking the piss with minor changes? The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has sparked more arguments than usual because honestly, phones have gotten so bloody good that telling the difference between generations feels like splitting hairs at this point.
I've been daily driving the 17 Pro Max for three weeks now, switched over from my 15 Pro, and I've got proper thoughts on whether this thing justifies its mental price tag.
Here's the reality nobody wants to hear – "worth it" is completely personal and depends on what you're currently using, what you actually need your phone to do, and whether the new bits matter to how you live your life.
Someone jumping from an iPhone 12 will have a totally different experience compared to someone who bought a 16 Pro Max six months ago.
Let me break down what's actually changed and who should seriously think about making the jump versus who should probably just save their money.
Design Tweaks That Actually Mean Something
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max looks pretty similar to last year's model at first glance, but pick both up and you'll notice differences that matter during actual use.
Apple's trimmed about 8 grams off the titanium frame while keeping it just as solid, which doesn't sound like much until you've been holding the thing to your ear for twenty minutes or scrolling before bed. That weight reduction is genuinely noticeable in hand over a full day of use.
The camera bump sits flatter now, meaning the phone doesn't wobble around like a rocking horse when you're typing on a table. They've kept the action button but added proper haptic feedback that makes it feel less like pressing a dead switch.
These aren't earth-shattering changes, but they're the kind of small improvements that add up to a nicer daily experience without you necessarily noticing why things feel better.
Screen Improvements You'll Actually Notice
Apple reckons the display on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max pumps out 20% more brightness in direct sunlight compared to the 16 Pro Max.
I've tested this extensively walking around London on the rare sunny days we actually get, and yeah, the difference is proper noticeable when you're trying to read texts or check maps outdoors. It's one of those things you don't think matters until you're squinting at your screen in bright light and getting frustrated.
The refresh rate still tops out at 120Hz like before, but Apple's tweaked ProMotion to drop down to 1Hz for static stuff, which helps squeeze more battery life out of it.
The bezels are marginally thinner too – maybe half a millimetre all round, but it does make the screen feel more immersive. Honestly though, if you're coming from a 14 or newer, the display upgrades are nice but not remotely worth upgrading for on their own.
Camera: Where Things Get Interesting
The camera system is where the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max makes its strongest argument, especially if you're on anything older than a 15 Pro. The main sensor's jumped to 52 megapixels from 48MP, and the ultra-wide is now 48MP, but more importantly, low-light performance across all three lenses has improved massively.
The difference in dark restaurants or evening shots is actually quite dramatic – you get usable photos in situations where older iPhones produce muddy, grainy messes.
The telephoto now does 6x optical zoom instead of 5x, which doesn't sound like much but gives you noticeably more reach for distant subjects.
Apple's computational photography has gotten frankly scary good at this point – the phone consistently produces better photos than my actual mirrorless camera unless I'm really putting effort in. If you're someone who takes loads of photos and actually cares about quality, the camera improvements alone might justify the upgrade, particularly if you're stuck on a 13 or older.
Performance: Overkill for Real People
The A18 Pro chip inside the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is stupidly powerful to the point where normal people will never come close to maxing it out. Benchmark scores show about 15% gains over the A17 Pro, but in actual everyday use, both phones feel basically instant for everything.
Apps open immediately, switching between them is smooth as butter, and even demanding games run maxed out without breaking a sweat.
Where you might actually notice the speed bump is if you're editing video on your phone, doing 3D rendering, or processing loads of photos in Lightroom.
Apple's improved the Neural Engine for AI stuff too, which makes things like cutting people out of photos or transcribing voice memos noticeably quicker. For regular use though – scrolling Instagram, watching YouTube, messaging – the performance difference between this and the past two generations is basically meaningless.
Battery Life That Actually Delivers
Battery life on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is genuinely excellent, and this is one area where the improvements benefit literally everyone regardless of how you use your phone.
I'm consistently finishing days with 30-40% battery remaining even with heavy use including tons of photos, streaming video on the commute, and using maps around London. That's roughly 2-3 hours more screen time compared to what I was getting on my 15 Pro before switching.
Apple's achieved this through a slightly bigger battery (about 5% more capacity), more efficient chip design, and better power management in the software.
The combination means you can genuinely stretch to two days between charges if you're not hammering it constantly. If you're currently dealing with battery anxiety on an older iPhone that's struggling to make it through a day, this improvement alone might justify the cost.
iOS 19 Features (Most Aren't Exclusive)
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max ships with iOS 19 out of the box, but here's the thing – most of what iOS 19 offers also works on iPhones going back to the 12.
The redesigned Control Center, updated widgets, and privacy improvements aren't locked to new hardware. You're not missing massive software features by sticking with an older phone for another year, which makes the upgrade harder to justify purely on software grounds.
That said, some of the AI-powered features do need the newer Neural Engine to run properly or at all.
Stuff like real-time translation, advanced photo editing tricks, and improved Siri responses work better or are exclusive to recent models. If those features actually matter to your daily workflow, that's a point in favour of upgrading, but most people won't miss them if they're not available.
The Titanium Frame Situation
Apple's sticking with titanium for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max frame, and whether this actually matters is debatable depending on who you ask. Titanium is lighter than the stainless steel they used to use, more scratch-resistant, and has this premium feel that's hard to explain but definitely there when you're holding it.
It also shows fingerprints less than the glossy finishes on older models, which is nice if you're particular about that sort of thing.
The real-world benefits are mostly about weight and durability over time. If you're one of those brave souls who uses their phone without a case, the titanium frame holds up better to daily abuse.
Most people immediately slap a case on anyway though, which makes the frame material basically irrelevant. It's a nice touch but not something that should influence your buying decision unless you're really into materials science.
Let's Talk About Money
Right, let's address the elephant in the room because price ultimately makes or breaks this decision for most normal people. The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at £1,299 for 256GB, which is frankly an obscene amount of money for a phone. The 512GB model is £1,449 and the 1TB tops out at £1,649, which is proper laptop money for something you're going to drop in the toilet eventually.
If you're on Apple's upgrade programme or your network offers decent trade-in deals, the actual out-of-pocket cost comes down substantially. E-TECH61, this UK-based online store, stocks different types of parts for all iPhone series, which means repairs are accessible if you'd rather fix your current phone than spend over a grand. Sometimes replacing a knackered battery or cracked screen on what you've already got makes way more financial sense than dropping serious cash on the latest model.
Who Should Actually Consider Upgrading
If you're currently using an iPhone 13 or older, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max represents a meaningful jump forward across basically every aspect. The camera improvements alone are substantial enough to notice in your photos, battery life is significantly better, and the display quality difference is obvious. The cumulative improvements over three or four generations genuinely add up to a phone that feels much better to use every single day.
Coming from a 14 or 15, the case for upgrading gets much shakier unless you've got specific issues the new model fixes.
The improvements are real but incremental – better cameras, somewhat longer battery, slightly nicer design. If your current phone's battery is dying or the camera frustrates you constantly, maybe it makes sense, but otherwise you're probably fine waiting another year and getting a more meaningful upgrade.
The 16 Pro Max Owner's Dilemma
For anyone currently rocking an iPhone 16 Pro Max, upgrading to the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is frankly daft for most people unless you've got more money than sense. The differences are minimal – marginally better camera, slightly improved battery, minor design tweaks that you'd struggle to notice day-to-day.
Unless you're a professional photographer using your iPhone for actual paid work or you just like having the latest thing, waiting for the 18 makes way more sense.
The 16 Pro Max is still an absolutely brilliant phone that'll receive software updates for years and can handle anything you'd realistically want to do.
The diminishing returns between yearly flagship releases have reached a point where skipping a generation or two makes more financial and practical sense. Your 16 Pro Max isn't suddenly rubbish because a new one exists.
Build Quality and Repairs
The build quality of the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is predictably excellent, as it bloody well should be at this price point. The tight tolerances, premium materials, and solid construction give you confidence this thing will last years if you don't do anything stupid with it.
Apple's Ceramic Shield front is now in its fifth generation and genuinely resists scratches and drops better than the earlier versions, though it's still glass and glass breaks.
That said, accidents happen, and official Apple repair costs for these premium devices are absolutely mental. A screen replacement directly from Apple costs over £300, which is where places like E-TECH61 become useful.
They stock different types of parts for all iPhone series at more reasonable prices than official channels. Knowing repairs are accessible without selling a kidney makes the premium purchase slightly less terrifying.
5G and Connectivity Stuff
The 5G modem in the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is technically improved over previous generations, but honestly, in real UK usage, I haven't noticed meaningful differences. 5G coverage outside major cities is still patchy at best, and when you do have it, the previous generation was already fast enough for anything you'd actually do. Download speeds are marginally quicker in perfect conditions, but this isn't remotely a reason to upgrade on its own.
WiFi 7 support is new and future-proofs the phone a bit, though WiFi 7 routers aren't exactly common yet. Bluetooth is improved too with better stability and range apparently. These connectivity upgrades are nice but largely invisible during normal use – your phone connects to stuff reliably, as it should, and that's about it.
Storage Options and Pricing
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at 256GB, which Apple reckons is enough for most people. For many that's probably true if you're using iCloud to offload photos and videos to the cloud. If you shoot loads of ProRes video or keep your entire Spotify library downloaded though, you'll definitely want the 512GB or 1TB options, which get expensive fast.
Storage pricing remains absolutely ridiculous – jumping from 256GB to 512GB costs £150, which is basically daylight robbery given what storage actually costs. This is one area where Apple's pricing feels particularly greedy, but you're stuck with it since iPhones don't have SD card slots. Choose carefully at purchase because you can't upgrade storage later, unlike on Android where you can chuck in a memory card.
Software Support Timeline
One major factor favouring the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is knowing you'll get software updates for ages. Based on Apple's track record, this phone will likely receive iOS updates through at least 2030, possibly longer. That's potentially seven years of feature updates and security patches, which does make the high upfront cost more palatable when you spread it over the phone's actual usable life.
Older iPhones eventually lose support, which becomes a security concern and means missing out on new iOS features. The iPhone 11 didn't get iOS 18, and the 12 probably won't get iOS 20. If you're on an older device approaching the end of Apple's support window, upgrading makes more sense from a software longevity perspective alone.
Environmental and Repair Considerations
Apple makes a big song and dance about the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max being more repairable than previous models, with better access to internal components for repair shops. In practice this matters because it potentially extends the phone's lifespan through easier, cheaper repairs when things eventually go wrong. Third-party operations like E-TECH61, which stocks different types of parts for all iPhone series, benefit from improved repairability too, which means more affordable fix options.
The environmental angle is worth thinking about – keeping your current phone longer is almost always better for the planet than upgrading every year. If your current iPhone still does what you need it to do, the most environmentally responsible choice is just keeping it. Apple's recycling programme helps somewhat, but not buying new stuff in the first place remains the greenest option.
Gaming Performance
For mobile gaming enthusiasts, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max delivers excellent performance with better sustained frame rates during long gaming sessions. The improved cooling system means the phone doesn't throttle performance as quickly when it gets hot during demanding games. Graphics-heavy titles like Genshin Impact and COD Mobile run at maximum settings without stuttering or frame drops.
However, unless you're seriously into mobile gaming, the previous two generations handle games perfectly well already. The gaming improvements exist but fall into the "nice bonus" category rather than "essential upgrade" for most people. If gaming is your main use case for your phone, maybe it matters; for casual players who occasionally mess about with games, probably not worth upgrading for.
Audio Quality Changes
The speakers on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max have been upgraded with improved spatial audio and better overall volume. Watching videos or listening to music without headphones is noticeably better, with clearer dialogue and more defined bass. The improvements aren't massive, but they're there if you're paying attention and comparing directly to an older model.
For most people who use AirPods or other headphones for serious listening, the speaker improvements barely matter. They're nice when you need them but not a compelling reason to upgrade on their own. The audio stuff falls into that category of small refinements that collectively improve the experience without any single change being transformative enough to justify the cost.
Face ID Improvements
Face ID on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max works slightly faster and from marginally wider angles compared to previous versions. Apple has improved the TrueDepth camera system to work better in really low light and with more of your face covered. In actual use though, Face ID was already fast enough that the improvements are barely noticeable unless you're timing it with a stopwatch.
Security features remain industry-leading with Apple's Secure Enclave and privacy-focused approach to handling your data. None of the security improvements are exclusive to the 17 Pro Max though – older iPhones get the same iOS security updates. This isn't really a factor in deciding whether to upgrade unless your current phone doesn't have Face ID at all.
Video Recording Capabilities
The video recording on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is genuinely impressive with improved stabilisation and better dynamic range in tricky lighting. You can now shoot 4K ProRes at 60fps, though doing so will absolutely hammer your storage faster than you'd believe possible. The cinematic mode improvements make that shallow depth-of-field effect look more natural and less obviously fake than on previous generations.
If you create video content regularly for YouTube or whatever, these improvements might justify the upgrade cost. For normal people who occasionally record family stuff or holidays, the video quality from a 14 or 15 is already excellent. The video enhancements benefit professionals and serious creators way more than casual users who just want decent videos.
Ecosystem Integration
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max works seamlessly with other Apple gear through improved Continuity features, but these features also work fine on older iPhones. Handoff, Universal Control, and AirDrop all function basically the same across the supported iPhone range. The ecosystem benefits come from being in Apple's world at all rather than specifically having the latest model.
That said, some newer continuity features do work more smoothly on the latest hardware with improved wireless chips and faster processors. If you're properly deep in the Apple ecosystem with a MacBook, iPad, Apple Watch, and all that, the marginal improvements in how devices talk to each other might matter more than for someone just using an iPhone alone.
Heat Management
Apple has improved thermal management in the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max with a redesigned internal cooling system. The phone stays noticeably cooler during intensive tasks like recording video or gaming compared to my 15 Pro. This actually matters because excessive heat degrades battery health over time and causes performance throttling when the phone gets too hot.
The improved cooling means more sustained performance during demanding tasks without the phone slowing itself down to cool off. For everyday stuff your phone won't get hot enough for this to matter, but if you regularly push your device hard, the better thermal management is a genuine improvement that extends the phone's long-term reliability.
Trade-In Values and Timing
If you're seriously considering the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, timing and trade-in values significantly affect whether it makes financial sense. Trade-in values for older iPhones peak right around when new models launch and then decline steadily over the following months. A 15 Pro Max currently fetches decent trade-in values, while older models have depreciated substantially and aren't worth much anymore.
Running the actual numbers for your specific situation matters more than general advice. E-TECH61 stocks different types of parts for all iPhone series, so sometimes investing £80 in a battery replacement for your current phone makes more sense than trading it in for diminished value. A new battery might extend your current phone's useful life by two years for a fraction of what upgrading costs.
Five Reasons to Actually Upgrade
First reason – you're using an iPhone 13 or older and genuinely notice performance issues or battery struggles in daily use. Second – photography is actually important to you and the camera improvements would get regular use rather than being a nice-to-have. Third – you're having hardware problems with your current phone that would cost more to repair than upgrading would cost after trade-in value. Fourth – you need the longest possible software support because you plan to keep this phone for five-plus years. Fifth – you've got disposable income and genuinely want the latest tech regardless of whether it's practically justified.
If at least two or three of those apply to you, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max probably makes sense. If none or only one applies, you're almost certainly better off keeping your current phone another year or buying a previous-generation model at a discount instead.
Five Reasons to Keep Waiting
First reason to skip it – your current iPhone performs perfectly well for everything you actually do with it daily. Second – you're on a 15 or 16 and the improvements don't address any actual problems you're experiencing. Third – the cost represents a significant expense relative to your budget and competing with other financial priorities. Fourth – rumours suggest the iPhone 18 will have more substantial changes making it a better upgrade target next year. Fifth – your current phone's battery health is still above 80% and general performance remains satisfactory for your needs.
If several of these apply, skip the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and revisit next year. The phone will still be excellent then, or you'll be able to evaluate the iPhone 18 instead which might be more compelling. Smartphone upgrade cycles have lengthened as devices have improved – using a phone for three to four years is now completely normal and sensible.
The Actual Verdict
So is the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max worth upgrading to then? The annoying answer is it completely depends on your individual circumstances and what you're upgrading from. Coming from an iPhone 13 or older, absolutely yes – the cumulative improvements across camera, battery, performance, and display are substantial enough to meaningfully improve your daily experience. The phone is excellent and will remain capable for many years of use.
Coming from a 14, 15, or especially a 16, the case becomes much weaker unless you have specific pain points the new model directly addresses. The improvements are real but incremental, falling into diminishing returns territory where the cost becomes hard to justify against modest benefits. For most people in this situation, keeping your current phone another year makes more financial sense, and you'll have more meaningful upgrade options in 2026.
E-TECH61's Take on Upgrading
At E-TECH61, our UK-based online store stocks different types of parts for all iPhone series because we understand upgrading isn't always the smartest move. Sometimes a battery replacement, screen repair, or camera fix extends your current phone's life for maybe a tenth of an upgrade's cost. The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is undeniably excellent, but it's also expensive as hell, and older iPhones remain highly capable devices that do everything most people need.
Our honest advice? Be realistic about whether you actually need the latest model or if you're just tempted by shiny new tech. If your current phone works fine, consider repairs or maintenance instead of upgrading just because something newer exists.
If you do decide to upgrade, look after that investment properly – the 17 Pro Max should last you four to five years minimum with reasonable care. And if you're considering used or refurbished models to save money, remember we stock parts to bring older devices back to excellent condition for people seeking value over bleeding-edge features.
The best phone is ultimately whatever meets your actual needs at a price that makes sense for your situation, not necessarily the newest one Apple's marketing department wants you to buy.
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