Where the iPhone 17 and 17 air will have a very different technical sheet from other models, the Pro and Pro Max will be very similar. But some notable differences would remain between these two high -end variations, enough to influence the choice of users. Here are the three key points to know!
A much more compact design for the iPhone 17 Pro
While the photo module would adopt a new identical design between the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max, the format of the two models would be very different for this year. This concerns more precisely one element: thickness.
Indeed, Apple would abandon the 8.25 mm finesse of the iPhone 16 pro and 16 pro max to rise to 8.725 mm on the Pro Max model of this year. A decision that would make this declination even more imposing, far from the projects of its 2026 competitor, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
According to rumors, the reason for this evolution on the iPhone 17 Pro Max would be very simple: autonomy.
Improved autonomy: the iPhone 17 Pro Max keeps the advantage, and still progresses
Apple would not plan to integrate MoDem C1 – introduced with the iPhone 16th – on all 2025 models. Only the iPhone 17 Air would be concerned in order to offer sufficient autonomy to users despite its extreme finesse.
De facto, the autonomy of future Pro and Pro Max models could only be improved by three elements:
- Better energy efficiency thanks to the A19 PRO chip
- Better software optimization with iOS 26
- A larger battery
The last solution would also be on the program, but that for a single model: the iPhone 17 Pro Max. It would logically arise from its new thicker design, thus making it possible to integrate a battery of greater capacity.
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According to rumors, it would go up to 5,000 mAh, or +234 mAh or a gain of +10 % compared to the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Enough to make an ever more enduring variant, cut for the most demanding users and wishing to the maximum passage through the recharge box.
Small bonus, this time for the autonomy of the two iPhone 17 pro: the potential arrival of a wireless load up to 80 % faster than on the iPhone 16-just to recover autonomy in no time.
Two still effective screens, with a small revolution
Finally, and without big surprise, the size of the screens would always be a differentiating element between the iPhone 17 pro and 17 pro max, with a respective 6.3 inch and 6.9 inch diagonal. The opportunity to offer two very different formats, between compactness and large viewing area.
However, the display is still entitled to a novelty of size on its two models: an anti-reflection glass. Already present on the Galaxy S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra, this component really makes the difference when looking at content.
Indeed, the slab makes it possible to considerably reduce parasitic reflections, logically offering much better reading comfort in full sun. As a bonus, this makes it possible to take advantage of visually more marked contrasts in everyday uses.
By the way, the screen of the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max is also entitled to better scratch resistance – enough to make the two new premium models of Apple much more durable.
When will the iPhone 17 pro and 17 pro be announced by Apple are announced?
As a reminder, the iPhone 17, 17 air, 17 pro and 17 pro max are expected for the week of September 8, 2025. So there is still some time to make rumors specify new differences between models as well as other major new features.
