iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Pro: Apple's Key Differences Revealed

Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup will be unveiled in early September, just over two months from now. And one question on many shoppers’ minds each year involves the Pro models: what’s different between the two? Here’s how Apple plans to differentiate the iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro this year.

What to expect from iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Pro

Sometimes Apple differentiates its Pro models through a special camera feature. The Pro Max model, at times, gets a new camera capability a year or more ahead of its smaller sibling. For example, the iPhone 15 Pro Max offered 5x telephoto zoom, but the smaller Pro model only had 3x until Apple upgraded it a year later on the iPhone 16 Pro.

So far this year, there have been no rumors about the iPhone 17 Pro Max getting an exclusive camera feature. And initial rumors about a smaller Dynamic Island on the Pro Max now seem less certain. However, there’s an even bigger change coming that will give the Pro Max a strong lead in one key area: battery life.

Apple’s Pro Max model always has better battery life than its Pro sibling, but that’s set to be even more true this year.

iPhone 17 Pro Max will extend its lead in offering best battery life

In a unique move, this year the iPhone 17 Pro Max is reportedly getting even thicker for the purpose of fitting more battery. Leaked product dimensions have confirmed the size increase, which hands-on videos have shown off. Here’s the year-over-year change:

• iPhone 16 Pro Max: 8.25mm thick
• iPhone 17 Pro Max: 8.725mm thick

Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro isn’t changing size at all. Aside from a larger camera bump ‘island’ design on the back, the new Pro model will have the same basic dimensions as last year’s iPhone 16 Pro. Which means the Pro Max’s battery life advantage—which was already significant—is growing even more.

Here are current Apple benchmarks:

iPhone 16 Pro Max

• Up to 33 hours video playback
• Up to 29 hours streamed video playback
• Up to 105 hours audio playback

• Up to 27 hours video playback
• Up to 22 hours streamed video playback
• Up to 85 hours audio playback

Expect to see iPhone 17 Pro Max boast higher battery life estimates than any iPhone has before. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro should offer about the same runtime as last year. On the positive side, iPhone 17 Pro should still have much better battery than what’s found in the ultra-thin new iPhone 17 Air.

Will the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s battery advantage vs 17 Pro make a difference to you? Let us know in the comments.

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