Apple iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max
Announced September 9, 2025
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max represent a significant shift for the series, pairing a new vapor-chamber-cooled aluminum design with improved battery life and a versatile 48MP triple-camera system. That said, some users may find the aluminum chassis prone to dings and the overall size and weight less refined than previous titanium models.
Weighted from 32 reviewer scores
Pros
- Exceptional battery life and fast charging
- Powerful A19 Pro chip with efficient vapor chamber thermal management
- Highly versatile camera system with improved selfie and zoom capabilities
- Bright, high-contrast display with anti-reflective coating
- Durable Ceramic Shield 2 protection
Cons
- Aluminum exterior is softer and more prone to scratches or dents
- Software limitations and lack of mature AI features
- Increased size and weight compared to previous generations
- Ergonomic issues with camera bump and button placement
- High price point and steep cost for base storage upgrades
- Launch price $999–$1,199 (USD)
- Main camera 48MP f/1.78 + 48MP Ultrawide + 48MP 4x Telephoto
- Video 4K 120p
- Display 6.3-inch / 6.9-inch OLED 120Hz
- Chipset Apple A19 Pro 12GB
What the Reviewers Say
All 32 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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I think that when it comes to like Apple's Pro devices, as as much as they like to like blow smoke and hype things up, I really think that this is amazing year for the Pro devices.
- The Verge 8/10
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are the best iPhones if you’re after the longest battery life, best cameras, and the most power from Apple’s 2025 lineup. They’re also the top options if you want orange. However, most people should consider the more affordable iPhone 17.
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Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max is a productivity powerhouse that's worth the high price of entry for content creators who want the phone with the most capable cameras and category-leading battery life.
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The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the phone to get if you love iOS and you want a big screen and the longest battery life possible. The iPhone 17 Pro is also great, though, if you prefer a design that’s more compact.
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This year's iPhone lineup is forcing me to re-think the idea of a Pro phone. Is it one that looks and feels expensive or is it one that's slightly more durable and maybe doesn't appear as stylish?
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With the iPhone 17 Pro and 70 Pro Max, Apple has taken what is arguably some of the best cameras you can get on a phone and made them even better.
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Three months in, I'm loving the iPhone 17 Pro. It feels like one of the biggest leaps ever for the iPhone.
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[T]his feels like the most refined and complete Pro Max Pro models just in general that Apple has ever made.
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I’ve only had the thing for a few hours, but so far, it’s an easy recommendation.
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I think if you are using an iPhone 15 or older, you're going to you should upgrade to this and you're not going to have any regret.
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Make no mistake — Apple has packed a ton of new stuff into this year’s iPhone 17 Pro Max. [...] Still, I would not typically recommend people with either of the last two generations of the Pro Max upgrade for any of these features.
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We always want more options, more versatility. This just pushes the category forward." And if you're really saying, "I want a pro phone." This is as pro of a phone as we have ever seen.
- IGN 8/10
While it's still very recognizable as an iPhone, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is probably the biggest change to Apple’s flagship devices in a few years.
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I highly recommend the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
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Now, if you're wondering if you should buy an iPhone 17 Pro or 17 Pro Max now, I would definitely say wait. We're not far away from the iPhone 18 launch. So, wait to see what Apple has to offer there.
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All in all, I am quite happy that there are more upgrades to the iPhone 17 Pro Max than what I expected, such as the overall speed and fluidity, the extra display brightness, and the surprise camera processing improvements.
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For the actual performance though, like I said, this is the best iPhone naturally that they've made. It has the new chip, the A19 Pro, coupled with that heat management. I think this will be the best experience that you're going to get.
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[I]n general, yes, I do recommend the iPhone 17 Pro Max for a select group of people.
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If you've been waiting for the right year to pull the trigger, this is it. This iPhone is worth the hype.
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[T]he iPhone 17 Pro is peak pro iPhone.
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Apple didn't just make a phone faster and add an extra lens. They rethought the fundamentals of a pro iPhone should be. And the result is a phone that generally feels like a significant step forward.
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The iPhone 17 Pro Max is still incredibly good for anybody who wants really strong standby time, social media cameras or just cameras in general [...] the [...] photo and video quality.
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In totality, the 17 Pro Max is excellent. Apple seems to have regained its balance a little bit after 2 years of touting things like Titanium and built for Apple Intelligence as main selling points.
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I think that Apple actually killed it, and I'm really looking forward to what's on the horizon.
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The iPhone 17 Pro series does feel like one of the more enjoyable iPhones that Apple's released in recent years.
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The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the most mature, capable, and confident iPhone Apple has ever built.
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[I]f you're a content creator, YouTuber, vlogger, and you just want the brightest, smoothest, longest-lasting iPhone, then I feel like this is a yes.
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In short: for new Pro users — go for it. For last year’s Pro users — consider your priorities.
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I think it does live up to the hype. I don't think Apple overhyped it. I don't think there was anything blown out of proportion. I think it is perfectly hyped.
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Just overall, I feel like this iPhone 17 Pro Max is pretty much the iPhone perfected.
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Now, the question is, should you upgrade? If you're someone who's inclined to use the telephoto lens a lot, and especially if you live in warmer climates, then I think this is an upgrade that you would appreciate.
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This feels like the most complete iPhone yet, and I'm especially looking forward to traveling with it in the summer and really pushing the cameras and the performance to its limits.
