Highlights
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max may feature a superior telephoto lens compared to the iPhone 17 Pro.
- The Pro Max could be 5% thicker to house a larger 5,000mAh battery, while both models may switch to aluminium frames.
- Both phones are expected to feature the A19 Pro chip, 12GB RAM, and 256GB base storage.
- In India, the Pro may start at ₹1,45,000 and the Pro Max at ₹1,64,990, with colour options including White, Black, Dark Blue, Orange and Grey.
Caption – iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max previously leaked renders. (Image credit – 9to5Mac)
Apple is just weeks away from unveiling the iPhone 17 lineup. And a fresh leak from Weibo suggests the iPhone 17 Pro Max might come with a special camera advantage not shared by the iPhone 17 Pro. Here’s what we know so far..
iPhone 17 Pro Max May Get a Unique Telephoto Upgrade
Each year, Apple introduces subtle differences between its two Pro models. Sometimes the only difference is size, while in other years one model gains a standout feature.
According to the leak, the iPhone 17 Pro Max may get a superior telephoto lens compared to the smaller iPhone 17 Pro, though the reason wasn’t specified.
Caption – Weibo post with recent tip on iPhone 17 Pro Max camera upgrade. (Translated via Google Translate)
Both Pro models are expected to receive a telephoto camera upgrade to 48MP, up from the current 12MP lens, bringing all three rear cameras (wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto) to 48MP.
While Apple is unlikely to restrict this upgrade to just the Pro Max, the leak hints that Apple may introduce an additional telephoto enhancement exclusive to the larger model.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro – What To Expect?
Design –
Both Pro models may switch from the titanium frames used in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 to aluminium. The rear design could also change with a rectangular camera island in the top-left corner housing three lenses, while the Apple logo may shift slightly from its current placement.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to be around 5% thicker than the iPhone 16 Pro Max to accommodate a bigger battery, which could also make it marginally heavier. In contrast, the iPhone 17 Pro is expected to keep similar dimensions to the iPhone 16 Pro.
Display
Both models are likely to retain ProMotion OLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates. No major upgrades in brightness or resolution have been reported for either phone.
Battery and Performance
Battery life is where the Pro Max may outshine the Pro. Reports indicate the iPhone 17 Pro Max could come with a 5,000mAh battery, an upgrade from the 4,676mAh cell in the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Pro, however, is unlikely to get the same capacity bump, which could result in a noticeable difference in runtime.
Both devices are rumoured to feature Apple’s A19 Pro chipset, manufactured on TSMC’s advanced 3nm process. They may also be equipped with 12GB of RAM, the most ever on an iPhone alongside a base storage option of 256GB. The additional RAM should help with Apple Intelligence features, enabling quicker AI task processing.
Camera Setup
This year, Apple seems to be unifying the camera system across both Pro models, with each expected to feature three 48MP sensors for wide, ultra-wide, and periscope telephoto lenses. This setup would give both phones equal zoom and low-light performance. A front camera upgrade to 24MP is also expected, bringing sharper selfies and better video calls.
While in the past the Pro Max occasionally introduced new camera features ahead of the Pro, for 2025 no such clear advantage has been confirmed yet, aside from the rumoured telephoto improvement.
Pricing in India and Colours
Industry insiders suggest Apple could announce the iPhone 17 series on 9 September 2025, with pre-orders starting shortly after.
In India, the iPhone 17 Pro is expected to start at around Rs. 1,45,000, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max may be priced near Rs. 1,64,990. Both models may launch in White, Black, Dark Blue, Orange, and Grey colour options.
FAQS
Q1. What is the key camera difference between the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max?
Answer. While both models are expected to feature upgraded 48MP sensors for wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses, the iPhone 17 Pro Max may receive an exclusive telephoto enhancement, giving it a potential edge in zoom or low-light performance.
Q2. How does the battery capacity differ between the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max?
Answer. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is rumoured to include a 5,000mAh battery, up from the 4,676mAh in the previous model, whereas the iPhone 17 Pro is not expected to receive a similar capacity bump, resulting in longer runtime for the Pro Max.
Q3. What are the expected prices and colour options for the iPhone 17 Pro series in India?
Answer. The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to start at ₹1,45,000, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max may be priced around ₹1,64,990. Both models could be available in White, Black, Dark Blue, Orange and Grey colour variants.
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