I've always been on team Regular Size when it comes to iPhone Pro models, even in years when the larger Pro Max models have gained exclusive features, like the 5x telephoto "tetraprism" camera in the iPhone 15 Pro Max (which expanded to both models in the iPhone 16 Pro). Despite the more expansive screen size, the Max has always seemed too bulky to carry around all day.
But a host of rumored features and design changes for the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max has me weighing the benefits of embracing Apple's biggest phone.
I know it might seem silly to be thinking about the next iPhone models in the heat of the summer, but here's the thing: September is just two months away, which means now is the time when people start thinking about fall budgets and whether the iPhone they've been holding onto can make it through one more year.
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 features rumored 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 -- well, they're not on the toughness level of the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro, so maybe they're more like solid midsize SUVs. But 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 more bulky iPhone? Actually, yes, yes and yes.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max could get thicker. Apple/Lily Yeh/CNET
Add the new Adaptive Power feature in iOS 26, 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. (Then again, Adaptive Power could be a software workaround that could mean longer life using the same physical battery size.)
If you're already committed to carrying a larger iPhone, a tad more thickness and heft isn't too much more to shoulder.
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