The author, once an Apple critic, now recommends the iPhone 17 Pro Max due to its upgrades.

The iPhone Pro Max with 256 GB storage has been priced at $1,199 for quite some time.

The iPhone 11 Pro Max from 2019, the first of its kind, had a price of $1,249 for the 256 GB version. Since then, the price has remained at $1,199.

It's worth considering that $1,200 had greater purchasing power in 2019 than it will in 2025, due to inflation.

While $1,199 is a significant amount, there are excellent Android options available for around $700.

However, the focus here is the iPhone 17 Pro Max and its features for the price of $1,199.

Battery life is a key consideration for many.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max already performed well in tests, and the 17 Pro Max is expected to improve even further. Apple does not publicly release mAh figures, but the iPhone 17 Pro Max may come in two versions:

iPhone 17 Pro Max – 4,823 mAh

iPhone 17 Pro Max (eSIM) – 5,088mAh

For the best battery performance, the eSIM-only model is recommended.

While some Chinese phones offer larger batteries, a 5,000 mAh iPhone battery is notable, given Apple's focus on power efficiency.

Faster charging is also anticipated. It may not reach the 100W speeds of some competitors, but any improvement is welcome.

The rear cameras will all utilize 48 MP sensors.

Although phones like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra or the Oppo Find X8 Ultra have larger camera sensors, the iPhone 17 Pro Max appears to be a capable camera phone.

While not necessarily the best overall, it should be the best iPhone camera to date.

Compromises are inevitable, but they should be less significant than with previous iPhone models.

The dedicated 48 MP camera will have a 56% larger sensor compared to the iPhone 16 Pro Max's 12 MP telephoto lens.

The new model will feature an updated 4x zoom lens (100mm equivalent) and an 8x zoom (200mm) using sensor cropping. The 4x zoom is suitable for portraits, while the 8x zoom is better for distant subjects.

The front camera has been updated with a new feature that allows landscape selfies to be taken while holding the phone vertically.

The updated Center Stage functionality utilizes a square sensor that supports both portrait and landscape orientations.

Apple is introducing a custom vapor chamber for improved thermal management. Deionized water will circulate within an aluminum chassis, drawing heat from the A19 Pro chip and distributing it across the device to maintain optimal temperatures.

This system allows the A19 Pro chip to operate at its full potential, providing up to 40% better sustained performance than the A18 Pro.

The A19 Pro features a 6-core CPU, which Apple claims is the fastest in any smartphone, along with a 6-core GPU that includes Neural Accelerators, additional cache, and more memory. The chip also supports demanding AI tasks, advanced graphics, and gaming with hardware-accelerated ray tracing.

The new design includes a large camera island on the back, which Apple calls a "plateau."

The new design provides a fresh look.

If you're in the market for a new iPhone, the 17 Pro Max is a solid option. The battery life is reliable, the telephoto camera is high-quality, and the device shouldn't overheat.

The price is high, but $1,200 in 2025 has less value than it did in 2019.

The smaller iPhone 17 Pro is not recommended, as the larger screen of the Pro Max is worth the extra $100.

The author states they have no particular brand loyalty.

They simply evaluate products critically, and Apple provides ample material for both praise and critique.

"Iconic Phones: Revolution at Your Fingertips," a book about memorable phones, will be released soon.

The book covers the stories of over 20 phones and explores the technological advancements that have transformed our lives. Sign up to receive an early discount.

"Iconic Phones: Revolution at Your Fingertips," a book about memorable phones, will be released soon.

The book covers the stories of over 20 phones and explores the technological advancements that have transformed our lives. Sign up to receive an early discount.