iPhone 17 Pro Max: Specifications, Price, Trade-In Values You Should Know

Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the crown jewel of its 2025 smartphone family. Launched at the “Awe Dropping” event on September 9, the device delivers a major leap in design, performance, and artificial intelligence.

Positioned at the top of the lineup, alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, and iPhone 17 Pro, the Pro Max is targeted at professionals, creators, and gamers who need uncompromising specifications.

Design and Build

The iPhone 17 Pro Max introduces a new unibody design crafted from heat-treated aluminum, offering more strength, reduced weight, and better thermal efficiency than last year’s titanium frame. A laser-welded vapor chamber enables sustained performance during gaming and AI-heavy tasks.

The back panel blends glass and aluminum, while Ceramic Shield 2 protects both sides, three times more scratch resistant at the front and four times more crack resistant at the back.

• Dimensions & Weight: 163.0 × 77.6 × 8.8 mm; 233g

• Colors: Deep Blue, Cosmic Orange, Silver

• Durability: IP68 water and dust resistance (up to 6m for 30 minutes)

• SIM Support: eSIM-only in most markets, including the UAE

Apple describes this as its most ambitious design evolution since the iPhone 4, maximizing space for components while keeping a premium aesthetic.

Display

The 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display is the largest ever on an iPhone, with slimmer bezels for a nearly edge-to-edge experience.

• Resolution: 2868 × 1320 pixels at 460 ppi

• Brightness: Up to 3,000 nits HDR; 2,000 nits outdoor

• Technology: ProMotion adaptive refresh (1–120Hz)

• Features: Always-On Display, HDR, True Tone, narrower Dynamic Island, nano-texture matte finish

The panel integrates deeply with Apple Intelligence, supporting enhanced visual effects and on-device AI processing.

Performance and Software

At its core, the iPhone 17 Pro Max runs on the A19 Pro chip, manufactured on TSMC’s 3nm process. Improved cooling ensures a 40% boost in sustained performance compared to the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

• CPU/GPU: 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU

• Neural Engine: 16-core for AI workloads

• RAM: 12GB (up from 8GB)

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and a first-ever 2TB option

The device ships with iOS 26, optimized for Apple Intelligence. Features include on-device writing tools, AI-powered image generation, and a smarter Siri, with support for up to eight years of software updates.

Camera System

The iPhone 17 Pro Max debuts Apple’s most advanced camera array yet, a triple 48MP setup with unmatched versatility.

• Main Wide: 48MP Fusion sensor, f/1.78, sensor-shift OIS, 2x zoom

• Ultra Wide: 48MP, 120° field of view, macro mode

• Telephoto: 48MP tetraprism lens, 8x optical zoom, 35x digital zoom

• Front Camera: 24MP with enhanced low-light and Center Stage

• Video: 8K at 30fps, 4K at 120fps Dolby Vision, spatial video/audio

New features include Bright Photographic Style for natural tones and Audio Mix for pro-level sound editing. The camera bar adopts a horizontal layout that integrates seamlessly into the unibody.

Battery and Charging

Apple has fitted the largest battery yet in an iPhone, a 5,088 mAh unit, enhanced by iOS 26’s Adaptive Power Mode.

• Battery Life: 39 hours video playback; 33 hours streamed video

• Charging: 50% in 20 minutes with 40W USB-C; Qi2 wireless up to 15W; MagSafe up to 25W

• New Feature: Reverse wireless charging for accessories

Battery life is extended by 3–4 hours over last year’s Pro Max.

Pricing in the UAE

Apple confirmed official UAE pricing through its website and partners like eXtra and Sharaf DG:

• 256GB – Dh5,099

• 512GB – Dh5,949

• 1TB – Dh6,799

• 2TB – Dh8,499

Trade-in offers can cut up to Dh2,500 off the price for eligible devices such as iPhone 12 or later.

Availability and Accessories

• Pre-orders: Start September 12, 2025

• Release: September 19, 2025 in the UAE

• Retailers: Apple Stores (Dubai Mall, Apple Avenues), Etisalat, du

Accessories include MagSafe cases, chargers, and Apple’s new Crossbody Strap. AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss is available for Dh549 (two years).

Sustainability Promise

Apple continues its green drive with:

• 95% recycled lithium in the battery

• 100% recycled gold in connectors

• 40% renewable energy used in manufacturing

The iPhone 17 Pro Max balances top-tier performance with Apple’s carbon-neutral goals.

Bottom Line

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is Apple’s boldest smartphone in years. With its expansive OLED screen, A19 Pro chip, triple 48MP camera system, and expanded storage options, it sets a new standard for professional-grade smartphones.

For users who want unmatched performance, superior cameras, and advanced AI integration, the Pro Max stands as the ultimate iPhone of 2025.