The reveal of the next iPhone 17 models is still two months away, but rumors of their features, looks, and specs are in full bloom right now. Normally, I’d wait to see what Apple actually announces, but several leaks about the iPhone 17 Pro Max in particular have caught my attention. As people start to think about fall budgets and whether their current phone can last until new ones are here, it seems like a good time to dive in. After all, two months will zip by faster than we think. (And this also reinforces that now is not the time to buy a new iPhone.)
What I’m seeing so far has me very interested indeed. Now I’m looking forward to September for more than simply cooler weather and hot beverages. Here’s a rundown of some of the rumored features for the iPhone 17 Pro Max that I’m most curious about.
Making the Case to Go Larger
The iPhone Pro Max models are tanks compared to the rest of the line—more like solid midsize SUVs than the durability of the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro. They’re notable for their larger screens, bigger bodies, and especially for having room for more of everything in an iPhone.
And that includes a larger battery. The Max models already have more battery space than other models, but the iPhone 17 Pro Max could end up being almost half a millimeter thicker, at 8.725 mm, according to a May post by 9to5Mac. Has anyone ever asked for a bulkier iPhone? Actually, yes, yes, and yes.
Add the new Adaptive Power feature in iOS 16, which uses AI to distribute power more efficiently when demand is high, and we could see a boost in daily use before reaching for a charger. If you’re already committed to carrying a larger iPhone, a tad more thickness and heft isn’t too much to shoulder.
The back of the iPhone 17 Pro case is also rumored to shift the Apple logo down from its current perch. That may not seem like a big functional change, but it should help soothe folks who choose to add a clear MagSafe case, since the logo will be centered within the MagSafe area. You can’t say Apple doesn’t sweat the design details.
Bring on All the Camera Upgrades
It’s impossible to discuss the design without mentioning the camera bump, which could become a more expansive camera island—maybe on the larger iPhone 17 Pro Max, it will be more like a camera continent stretching across the width of the iPhone back, according to CAD renders by Majin Bu.
This may include an upgraded 48-megapixel telephoto camera, which feels long overdue for a top-tier camera system. Sure, it’ll likely require extra steps to capture photos in the full 48-megapixel resolution, similar to the main Fusion camera in the current iPhone 16 Pro models, where images are “pixel-binned” to enhance light-gathering ability. But extending that resolution to the telephoto camera would be a win for photographers.
On the topic of resolution, a 24-megapixel front-facing camera is expected, up from 12 megapixels, potentially upgrading selfie quality significantly. More likely, it’s to support the next rumored feature.
Video Recording Makes a Leap
Cameras on both sides will reportedly work together with dual video recording in the built-in Camera app—this is a boon for conducting interviews or making reaction videos where both sides of a conversation are visible. Third-party apps have managed to tap into this for some time, but it’s exciting to see it become a default option.
Not as critical for daily use, but certainly intriguing in terms of advancement, the iPhone 17 Pro Max could support 8K video recording, as speculated by MacRumors after reports of 8K tests for the iPhone 16 Pro. The iPhone is rapidly evolving into a production video camera, showcasing features like 28 Years Later and custom camera setups for film.
An Improved Cooling System
Recording video at high resolutions like 4K, especially 8K, is a demanding, power-hungry task that can lead to overheating. So, the prospect of a new internal cooling architecture, while invisible to the user, is quite exciting.
According to Majin Bu and others, the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature a “vapor chamber” cooling system. As the processor heats, a small amount of liquid in the chamber evaporates and condenses in cooler areas, allowing heat to be efficiently redistributed.
Wi-Fi 7 and Fast Cellular via a New Apple Modem
This might be more tech-savvy and less obvious to everyday phone users, but Apple’s plan to use their C1 cellular modem marks a shift in the company’s hardware direction. While it’s well-suited for the iPhone 16E, it lacks support for faster millimeter wave cellular and Wi-Fi 7.
For the iPhone 17 Pro Max, however, it’s crucial for a professional phone to ship with the latest wireless technology. Most likely, we could see Apple stick with Qualcomm for the Pro line, but rumors suggest that a C2 is on the way.
According to MacRumors, compatibility with Wi-Fi 7 may come from a separate dedicated chip designed by Apple.
These aren’t the only iPhone 17 Pro rumors we’re tracking, but right now, they’re the ones that have me looking at my calendar and wishing September could arrive just a little faster.