iPhone 17 Pro Max review: More is more

By Hannah Geremia

Last updated 08 October 2025

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Our verdict

The iPhone 17 Pro Max brings more to the table than outlandish orange. It holds its own with a battery for days, maximised thermal efficiency, and a camera bump. It's the best of the best, and it knows it.

From $1,899 RRP

What we love

Excellent battery life
Design overhaul
Upgraded cameras

What could be improved

Aluminium frame is prone to scratches

The essentials

Performance

Upgraded A19 Pro processor, handles demanding games and energy-sucking apps well.

Battery

Around nine hours of screentime.

Screen

120Hz ProMotion display with Ceramic Shield screen.

Camera

48MP telephoto with up to 8x zoom

View on Shopee

The iPhone 17 Pro Max always seemed like overkill. The Plus model was my sweet spot. Not as expensive or as big as the Pro Max model, even if that meant forgoing some of the more premium features. After all, what's an extra 0.2 inches and an upgraded telephoto lens? It wasn’t until I gave in that I realised sometimes ‘less is more’ doesn’t always ring true.

While the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s upgrades might seem incremental, they coalesce to form a top-of-the-line phone that genuinely performs like one. Now that I’ve got a taste of the Pro Max life, I don’t think I can go back.

iPhone 17 Pro Max plans Singapore

In the market for a new iPhone plan? Here's how much the iPhone 17 Pro Max will set you back on a plan through Singtel, StarHub, and M1.

#1	Singtel	Singtel Enhanced XS 5G+ 80GB data Singtel 5G network Contract (24 mths) 100 Minutes 100 Messages Deal: Enjoy up to $685 OFF this device including device discount, and other special offers $62/mth + $1,202.70 Upfront Min. cost $2,690.70 Go	$62/mth + $1,202.70 Upfront Min. cost $2,690.70	Go
#2	M1	M1 50GB Bespoke Contract 50GB data M1 5G network Contract (24 mths) 300 Minutes 300 Messages Deal: M1 Exclusive Accessories Gift Pack (worth $351) with new/port-in sign ups + $100 off any device on new Bespoke Contract Plan $62.95/mth + $1,037 Upfront Min. cost $2,547.80 Go	$62.95/mth + $1,037 Upfront Min. cost $2,547.80	Go
#3	StarHub	StarHub Medium 5G SIM Only 150GB data StarHub 5G network Device Payments (24 mths) 1000 Minutes 500 Messages Deal: Trade in for extra $200 bonus cashback $101.13 Min. cost $1,921.12 Go	$101.13 (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,921.12	Go

What we like about the iPhone 17 Pro Max

Extended battery life. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is a tank. Battery life is usually on the list of features Apple chooses to bolster with every new release, so you can get more out of your smartphone. You can expect the iPhone 17 Pro Max to last around nine hours with moderate to heavy usage. A full day in the city, using battery-sucking apps and snapping pictures around town, still left me with about 35%. The iPhone 17 Pro Max charges faster, too, taking you from flat to 50% in just 20 minutes with a 40W charger, or 30 minutes with a 30W charger.

Upgraded camera. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has received several camera upgrades. The telephoto lens, which was previously 12MP, has received a nice bump to 48MP. If you’re a budding photographer (or just snap-happy), you’ll notice the increased detail in every zoom range, particularly the new 8x zoom. Colours also seem sharper and more contrasting. Unfortunately, that means darker photos when you’re out in low-light environments.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max also features the new 18MP Center Stage front camera. The lens is wider and the square sensor is larger, so you can easily reframe your selfies in portrait or landscape orientation. You’ll get the perfect group selfie, without having to rotate your phone or adjust your arm placement.

iPhone 17 Pro Max camera samples

Check out these camera samples taken on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Click or tap on any photo to see a larger version.

Vibrant, new design. For years, the design of the iPhone Pro Max model has remained largely unchanged. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the biggest departure from the signature Pro style since the iPhone 11 Pro. The vibrant orange unibody design is sleek, and the ceramic shield back is covered by a two-toned panel insert. The frame is made of heat-forged aluminium, which allows for better heat distribution and dissipation, so your phone won’t get hot in your hands. After 8+ hours of frolicking around town and pushing it to the max, the iPhone 17 Pro Max didn’t inch past warm.

It’s also got a vapour chamber casing to keep things cool, nicely complementing the upgraded performance from the A19 Pro processor with some much-needed heat management and power efficiency.

What we dislike about the iPhone 17 Pro Max

Aluminium frame is more prone to scratches.The aluminium frame is a sleek choice that’s better at keeping your phone cool. However, the downside is that it’s not as scratch-resistant as Apple’s previous titanium iterations. After a week, I’ve managed to get some very minor scratches on the edges, mostly from the occasional drop and from removing the clear case. Fortunately, the frame is protected by Ceramic Shield, which is more scratch and crack-resistant than the previous model.

iPhone 17 Pro Max - Final thoughts

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is a thermally efficient powerhouse. It’s larger than life, with a battery life to match. The upgraded telephoto lens and new selfie camera are a welcome addition, and the overhauled design feels like a breath of fresh air. As a (former) loyal Plus user, I’ve been converted. While the iPhone 17 Pro Max might seem like overkill, its features come together to create a genuinely high-end upgrade.