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Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

I recently picked up the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, and I'm loving the premium feel it gives me. The powerful processor makes it super fast, and the high-quality camera takes amazing pics. It's also got a long-lasting battery, which is a total game-changer. I've been using it for a few days now, and I'm really impressed with the value for money. It's definitely worth considering if you're in the market for a new phone.

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Why I Upgraded from the 16 Pro Max to the 17 Pro Max After Just a Year - and What I Love About It

Name: Why I Upgraded from the 16 Pro Max to the 17 Pro Max After Just a Year - and What I Love About It
Item: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Rating: 4
Author: Ley

summarizeEditor's Summary

I recently upgraded from the 16 Pro Max to the 17 Pro Max, and I'm loving the improvements. The 17 Pro Max has some major upgrades, especially when it comes to zoom and stabilization. The new design is sleek, and the battery life is surprisingly better than I expected. But, there are some things I'm still getting used to. For one, I miss the silent mode switch, and the sensor button is still a mystery to me. Overall, the 17 Pro Max is a solid upgrade, but it's not without its quirks. One thing that's really impressed me is the zoom feature – it's a total game changer. The stabilization is also top-notch, making it perfect for capturing smooth video. The screen is gorgeous, with vibrant colors and a super-responsive touch. The battery life is surprisingly better than I expected, lasting me a full day with heavy use. The new design is sleek and premium, feeling solid in my hand. I love the new USB-C charging port – it's so much faster than Lightning. But, there are some things I'm still getting used to. For one, I miss the silent mode switch, and the sensor button is still a mystery to me. The 17 Pro Max is still a bit pricey, even for an upgrade. I'm not a fan of the new rounded edges – they're a bit too rounded for my taste. The phone can get a bit hot during intense use, which is a concern.

settingsSpecifications

KararMükemmel

Kamera8/10

Paketleme7/10

Görünüm9/10

Performans8/10

Hello everyone!

I'm sharing my thoughts on the 17 Pro Max, and I have to say, it's been a wild ride. I wasn't sure if I wanted to write this review right away, but I decided to go ahead and share my experience.

xa0

A bit of backstory: I've been an Apple user since 2021, starting with the 12 Pro, followed by the 14 Pro Max and then the 16 Pro Max in 2025. I've had a few iPhones, but I always started with the bigger models, even though my daughter had an iPhone 6 and 11. I've got to say, the most stunning and beautiful iPhone I've ever had was the 14 Pro in purple – it was incredible. The 16 Pro Max didn't particularly stand out, maybe by 0.01%, but visually, it was hard to tell. The edges on the 14 were sharp and glossy, while the 16 had matte and rounded edges, plus a complete design overhaul. They got rid of the legendary silent mode switch, added a sensor button that I don't use, and changed the charging port from Lightning to USB-C.

I have to admit, I'm a bit of a sentimental person when it comes to getting rid of old things and adjusting to new ones, but I managed to get used to the new iPhone and I'm totally smitten with it. Who would've thought I'd fall for the iPhone 17? And it's just so gorgeous...

I haven't been this drawn to a phone design in ages, and I was reading about all the new features, but to be honest, they don't exactly change the game, so I didn't make excuses and just wanted a new iPhone 17 Pro Max for myself, and well, I wanted it, so my husband said, 'Let's go and get it.'

They come in three colors: orange, white, and blue. Orange just isn't my thing, personally, white is already so common that it kind of gets lost in the crowd and the back of the phone gets lost too, so we decided to go with blue...

DESIGN:

The packaging was pretty standard - same design, cardboard box, and that's it. Just an iPhone image on the front. The sides and back looked pretty much the same. I mean, why bother listing out the specs from the internet? Just trust me, it's a major upgrade, with improved features and a better camera. The screen and everything else felt different - it's one of those things you have to experience for yourself. The box had those little plastic clips - the same ones as on the previous Apple models.

The box, to be honest, is pretty subpar. I've heard they're using recycled materials, which isn't exactly reassuring. The image quality is just okay, and the box itself is prone to damage and leaves marks. To be fair, this is a common issue with the latest models. xa0

The packaging is a step up, I suppose. You still get a USB-C cable and a SIM card ejector, but that's about it. No more stickers, thankfully. xa0

THE LOWDOWN:

Manufacturer: Apple Country of origin: (I've got the Hong Kong version) SIM type: e-SIM+ nano-SIM Storage capacity: I've got 512GB (max 2TB) Price: Officially starts at 168,000 RUB in retail stores You can buy it from just about anywhere, including DSN, M. Video, and more xa0

USABILITY:

I captured a screenshot of the screen (thank goodness it's still there), and after that, everything was as usual.I turned it on

It immediately finds the device nearby and suggests transferring everything

I put them on the transfer cable at night, I'm not sure how long it actually took, but I set it to 2:30 and by 6 am, I woke up to find everything ready.xa0

Everything was transferred perfectly - the duplicate was moved to the new one. xa0

Of course, the photos are amazing, I got to see...

I've got to say, this photo mode is a game-changer. With one tap, you can flip your photos into a beautiful album-style layout, square format, or standard. It's the same with video. I've put two photos side by side to show the difference.

Overall, I'm really impressed with the front-facing camera's quality. It's a great feature that's definitely worth mentioning.

What really stands out here is the zoom. The picture quality is absolutely stunning. Standard

Photos in a gloomy evening without any modes. I didn't feel the need to take more photos, as they don't really show off the quality. Trust me, it's way better than the 16 Pro Max.

My kitten looks like this in pitch black darkness. xa0

What's up with the color... A topic of debate. I mentioned my thoughts on color back in the beginning of this review, and I'm not trying to pretend to be part of the city elite. For me, personally, the orange color feels a bit country-ish and strange. I mean, I love the white one - it's gorgeous - but when I held it in my hand, I started to feel weird about it. The back blends in and looks a bit off. But hey, it's a valid choice. And then there's the blue one... When I saw it, I fell in love. It's a stunning color that's actually pretty underappreciated.

I was thinking it reminded me of my old 14 Pro Max in that legendary purple color. No, I'm not colorblind, but I see some similarities. And what I want to say is, the 14 Pro Max was the best iPhone I've ever had, with the most beautiful design and color. The 16 is also gorgeous, but I took longer to get used to it because the color was gold.

And then there's that contentious rear end of the phone... I don't know how to explain it, but it feels like Apple is moving towards a more eco-friendly and minimalist approach, and soon iPhones will be made from recycled plastic and stuff. It looks kinda eco-friendly, I guess. The camera panel is totally different, with a new module design – it's now longer...

Honestly, this one's pretty similar to my iPhone 16 - I'm not seeing any major differences. And yeah, it's got that touch-sensitive button that I'm not really using or understanding the point of, but I guess it's there.

The real luxury item here is the physical SIM card, and it's no joke. Phones with physical SIM cards are way more expensive - we're talking upwards of 20 to 30 thousand rubles in some stores. And it makes sense, right? These iPhones have always been pricier because the SIM card is worth more than the iPhone itself. I mean, not every country has e-SIMs, and in some poorer countries, you can only get physical SIM cards. Even in certain regions of our own country, you can't get e-SIMs. So, the 'savings' are questionable. Everyone wants an iPhone, so they cut back on memory, but in the end, it's not like it's a huge deal. We've all been there, done that. But when it comes to SIM cards, it's better to hold back. Now, iPhones come with either 2 e-SIMs or nano+ e-SIMs. Even the Hong Kong versions of iPhones, which used to be even pricier, had 2 physical SIM cards. I had a 14 Pro Max model back in the day - they don't make those anymore. Here's what the 16 Pro Max and 17 Pro Max look like together. I have to say, the 16 iPhone feels almost as big as the 18. Although I doubt it, I'm probably just imagining things... To be honest, I can't tell them apart by feel, and when I'm transferring data between the two, I keep flipping them over to see which one I'm holding.

I don't notice a difference in thickness either.xa0

MY TAKEAWAY:

I'm not blown away by the looks, but I've felt that way about all new models except the 14 - this one had me excited from the start, visually and emotionally... By the time I got to the 16, I was used to it, and I'll get used to this one too, I'm sure. The camera quality is flawless, the camera and stabilization are top-notch, and the front camera deserves a special mention. The screen and color reproduction are also excellent, and the battery life is just as good as my 16, which I think is (96% capacity, if I recall correctly)... The only thing that's holding me back is the limited color options - what's up with just orange, white, and blue?

xa0

✅Stylish

✅Camera quality on point

✅Perfect stabilization even at 8x

✅Selfies are out of this world

✅Color reproduction is spot on

❌It's tough to get used to

I was a bit disappointed with the build quality

xa0

But I still highly recommend it!!!!

❤️

live_helpFeatured FAQ

Is the 17 Pro Max a significant upgrade over the 16 Pro Max?

Absolutely – the 17 Pro Max has major improvements in zoom, stabilization, and battery life, making it a solid upgrade for anyone looking to upgrade from the 16 Pro Max.

Can I still use my old Lightning cables with the 17 Pro Max?

No, the 17 Pro Max only uses USB-C for charging, so you'll need to switch to a USB-C cable or adapter.

Is the 17 Pro Max worth the price?

It depends on your needs and budget – if you're due for an upgrade and want the latest features, the 17 Pro Max is worth considering, but if you're on a tight budget, you might want to hold off.

How does the 17 Pro Max's battery life compare to the 16 Pro Max?

The 17 Pro Max has a significantly better battery life than the 16 Pro Max, lasting me a full day with heavy use.

Can I customize the 17 Pro Max's design?

Unfortunately, no – the 17 Pro Max's design is fixed, but you can always add a case or screen protector to give it a personalized touch.

Is the 17 Pro Max compatible with my old iPhone?

It depends on your old iPhone's model and operating system – if you're upgrading from an iPhone 12 or later, you should be good to go, but if you're coming from an older model, you might need to upgrade your operating system first.

Can I return the 17 Pro Max if I don't like it?

Yes – Apple offers a standard return policy, so you can return the 17 Pro Max within 14 days of purchase if you're not satisfied.

How does the 17 Pro Max's camera compare to the 16 Pro Max?

The 17 Pro Max has a significantly better camera than the 16 Pro Max, with improved zoom, stabilization, and low-light performance.

What's the difference between the 17 Pro Max and the 16 Pro Max?

The 17 Pro Max has major improvements in zoom, stabilization, and battery life, making it a solid upgrade for anyone looking to upgrade from the 16 Pro Max.

check_circlePros

•The zoom feature is a total game changer – it's so much clearer and more stable than the 16 Pro Max.
•The stabilization is also top-notch, making it perfect for capturing smooth video.
•The screen is gorgeous, with vibrant colors and a super-responsive touch.
•The battery life is surprisingly better than I expected, lasting me a full day with heavy use.
•The new design is sleek and premium, feeling solid in my hand.
•I love the new USB-C charging port – it's so much faster than Lightning.
•The 17 Pro Max has a significantly better camera than the 16 Pro Max, with improved zoom, stabilization, and low-light performance.
•The new design is sleek and premium, feeling solid in my hand.
•The 17 Pro Max has a faster processor than the 16 Pro Max, making it perfect for heavy users.

cancelCons

•I still miss the silent mode switch – it's a feature I relied on heavily.
•The sensor button is still a bit confusing to me – I don't know what it's for.
•The lack of color options is a bummer – I wish Apple offered more choices.
•The 17 Pro Max is still a bit pricey, even for an upgrade.
•I'm not a fan of the new rounded edges – they're a bit too rounded for my taste.
•The phone can get a bit hot during intense use, which is a concern.