iPhone 17 Pro Max vs 15 Pro Max: First Impressions & Real-World Comparison

I never planned on switching phones, but a while back, my iPhone 15 Pro Max took an unfortunate tumble—and the back glass paid the ultimate price. So, here I am, upgrading! My wallet definitely isn’t thanking me. 😮‍💨

I picked up the new device around 10 a.m. this morning and have been putting it through its paces ever since. Here are my first impressions compared to the 15 Pro Max (just my personal take!):

✍️ Looks: The biggest visual change this year is hands-down the back design—it screams “new model.” I went with silver, the timeless classic that pairs effortlessly with any case. The orange is undeniably bold and eye-catching, but it’s trickier to match. In person, the orange actually looks pretty slick—it definitely stands out. Silver is more low-key, though the back is almost *too* white. The deep blue? Let’s just say it’s a fingerprint magnet.

✍️ Weight: The 17 Pro Max feels a tad heavier than its predecessor, which might make one-handed use a bit more of a workout for some. After a full afternoon of use, though, it’s still manageable.

✍️ Cooling: Apple swapped titanium for aluminum alloy this year, and wow—does it make a difference in heat management! The moment that really sold me was right after data transfer: the phone was warm, but cooled down completely within two minutes. Seriously impressive. Other scenarios? I’ll need more time to test. (My 15 Pro Max used to get crazy hot—like, uncomfortably so!)

✍️ In-hand Feel: Both the 15 and 17 feature rounded edges, so the grip doesn’t feel drastically different.

✍️ Camera Upgrades: This is where the Pro model truly shines. All three rear cameras now deliver uniform pixel quality, and the front camera got a major boost. Distance shooters, rejoice! There are new telephoto options—4x and 8x zoom. But the real game-changer is the front camera: it now has a square sensor, so no more awkward horizontal selfies, and it even includes an ultra-wide-angle lens!!! How cool is that?!?!?!?!

✍️ Cases: This year’s official cases are… a bit basic. The silicone ones come in muted tones except for the vibrant yellow and orange. The new woven tech fabric cases are reportedly super scratch-resistant. The clear case? Just alright—nothing to write home about.

✍️ iOS 26: My favorite feature has to be the lock screen wallpaper—it gives off major flash poster vibes from a certain popular game. So stylish and unique!

✍️ Battery: I’ll report back on battery life after a few days, but early word is this might be Apple’s best battery performance yet.

All in all, moving from the 15 Pro Max to the 17 Pro Max brings clear upgrades in performance, smoothness, photography, and heat control—though the core experience remains familiar. As some have noted, this year Apple made the Pro even more “Pro,” sharpening its focus! [smirking] —Apple fan @Apple