Highlights
- A hands-on video reveals that the iPhone 17 Pro Max is noticeably bulkier than its predecessor.
- The extra size could allow Apple to include a bigger battery, improving battery life.
- While the Pro Max gets thicker, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to be Apple’s thinnest model yet.
Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup is expected to launch this fall and a new hands-on video just gave us a close look at the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max. Interestingly, it is noticeably thicker and heavier than the current Pro Max model.
Thicker Design Hints at Bigger Battery in iPhone 17 Pro Max
A new 33-second hands-on video posted on X (formerly Twitter) by leaker Majin Bu shows a dummy unit based on the leaked dimensions of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The clip offers different angles of the phone, highlighting its increased thickness.
iPhone 17 Pro is beautiful pic.twitter.com/d2osFRSVDS
— Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) May 28, 2025
To give you all an idea, iPhone 16 Pro Max is 8.25mm in thickness and iPhone 17 Pro Max is 8.725mm.
Caption – iPhone 17 Pro Max dummy unit hands-on video. (Image credit – Majin Bu on X)
That’s about half a millimetre more. It may not sound like much, but it shows Apple isn’t only chasing thin and light designs. For comparison, the 17 Air is nearly 3.2mm thinner.
When Apple reveals its next-generation iPhones in September, much of the attention will likely be on the iPhone 17 Air. This new model is set to replace the Plus variant in Apple’s lineup and is expected to become the thinnest iPhone ever, measuring just 5.6mm thick.
While we know iPhone 17 Air is all about going ultra-thin, Apple is going in the complete opposite direction with the Pro Max model. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is getting bulkier than before, both thicker and heavier than the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Meanwhile, buyers of the Pro Max typically go for its large screen and top-tier features, so a slightly bulkier build probably won’t be a dealbreaker. The extra space could let Apple fit in a larger battery, which would mean longer battery life, something users always appreciate.
Even though Majin Bu has a fairly reliable leak history, they previously correctly revealed the iPhone 16e name change, this is still unofficial information. As always, it’s best to take leaks with a grain of salt until Apple confirms things.
We’re likely to get the full details in September when Apple is expected to announce the entire iPhone 17 lineup.
FAQs
Q1. How thick is the iPhone 17 Pro Max compared to the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
Answer. The iPhone 17 Pro Max measures 8.725mm in thickness, making it about half a millimetre thicker than the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which is 8.25mm thick.
Q2. What could be the reason behind the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s thicker design?
Answer. The increased thickness might allow Apple to fit a larger battery, leading to improved battery life, which is something users of the Pro Max model typically value.
Q3. How does the iPhone 17 Air differ from the iPhone 17 Pro Max?
Answer. While the iPhone 17 Pro Max is getting bulkier, the iPhone 17 Air is designed to be Apple’s thinnest model ever, measuring just 5.6mm thick and replacing the Plus variant.
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