iPhone 17 Pro Max or Air leaked: Will it redefine smartphones?

Quad-lens to feature a 200MP sensor, boost low-light action, with AI- driven photography

Last updated:
Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor
3 MIN READ
The rumoured iPhone 17 Pro Max, Pro, Slim/"Air" and the regular iPhone 17, with Apple CEO Tim Cook. Apple's leaked flagship smartphone is expected in the fall. Photo for illustrative purposes only.
The rumoured iPhone 17 Pro Max, Pro, Slim/"Air" and the regular iPhone 17, with Apple CEO Tim Cook. Apple's leaked flagship smartphone is expected in the fall. Photo for illustrative purposes only.
X | @theapplehub | Ice Universe (on Weibo)

Apple has reportedly pushed the boundaries of digital gear, as per leakers of the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max flagship, with a supposedly lighter version a.k.a. iPhone 17 "Air".

Apple's flagship range of iPhones is coming this autumn, as per Forbes. Tech media leaks also claim that one model, the iPhone 17 Pro Max, has a thicker body than the iPhone 16 Pro Max it will replace.

That could mean room for a bigger battery.

"We know quite a bit about what's coming," claims MacRumors. "2025 could bring one of the biggest updates to the iPhone's design that we've seen since the 2017 iPhone X," it stated.

The all-new iPhone 17 "Air" will also have "a much thinner design, a new display size, a different look for the camera, and more," it added.

The leaksite @theapplehub also speculated on the possible release of iPhone 17 "Slim", citing Ice Universe (on Weibo).

Display and design

The iPhone 17 Pro Max, as per Forbes, is expected to introduce a 6.9-inch Ultra Retina XDR 3.0 display, featuring ProMotion 2.0 for an adaptive refresh rate of up to 240Hz.

Packed with cutting-edge advancements in performance, display, and camera capabilities, leak sites claim that the latest offering from the tech giant will set a "new standard" for premium mobile devices.

Leakers claim new Ceramic Shield Pro will ensure durability, while the Titanium 2.0 body makes it lighter yet sturdier than its predecessors. Apple is also known to have minimised bezels further, delivering a nearly edge-to-edge immersive experience.

Price?

We don't have this information yet.

Currently, the iPhone 16 Pro (1 TB) is priced at Dh5,769 ($1,570) on Amazon Prime, the 126 GB version goes for Dh3,865 ($1,052).

No iPhone 17 Plus

MacRumours also claimed there will be no iPhone 17 Plus, as Apple does away with the "Plus" lineup, because it has not proven popular with customers.

"The slimmed down iPhone 17 won't be a direct replacement for the iPhone 17 Plus, instead making a debut as a new device option in the lineup. Rumors suggest that the upcoming device will have a display that's around 6.6 inches, and a chassis that's 6mm thick or less."

For photography enthusiasts, the quad-lens camera system featuring a 200MP main sensor could offer a fresh thrill, an upgrade that enhances low-light performance and clarity, with AI-enhanced computational photography optimising shots.

Moreover, the rumoured 10x periscope telephoto lens is designed to deliver superior zooming capabilities.

A dedicated "Astrophotography Mode" also captures stunning celestial images with exceptional detail. Leaker-sites like from Apple Club have outlined some "expected features" since October, already viewed by nearly 3 million X users.

Powered by the A19 Bionic chip, the iPhone 17 Pro Max delivers lightning-fast processing speeds with 3nm+ architecture for enhanced efficiency. The Neural Engine 3.0 further accelerates AI-driven tasks.

The device boasts an industry-leading 48-hour battery life, supported by MagSafe 2.0 for faster wireless charging and USB-C 2.1 for ultra-fast wired charging. The integration of solar-assisted charging technology ensures users stay powered up in any environment.

AI-Powered iOS 18

One report claims it will run on iOS 18, allowing the iPhone 17 Pro Max to leverage Apple Intelligence, an advanced AI-driven assistant that personalises user experiences. Features like Live Translate, AI Summarisation, and Smart Widgets enhance usability, while Dynamic Island 2.0 provides real-time, AI-powered notifications are expected.

6G Connectivity, security

The iPhone 17 Pro Max reportedly supports 6G connectivity, ensuring blazing-fast data speeds. Note: the International Telecommunications Union is still finalising the 6G standards, though it is understood that certain features had been adopted in advance by major phonemakers.

Apple has also introduced Quantum Secure Face ID, making facial recognition more secure than ever. The new Privacy Core chip enhances data protection, ensuring top-tier security for users.

Ground-breaking tech

With groundbreaking technology, exceptional performance, and an advanced camera system, the iPhone 17 Pro Max stands as Apple’s most impressive smartphone to date. For those seeking unparalleled innovation and luxury, this device is a game-changer.

iPhone 17 Pro Max features: What we know so far

  • Display: 6.9-inch Ultra Retina XDR 3.0, 240Hz ProMotion

  • Processor: A19 Bionic chip with 3nm+ architecture

  • Camera: 200MP main sensor, 10x periscope zoom, 48MP ultra-wide

  • Battery Life: 48 hours with solar-assisted charging

  • OS: iOS 18 with AI-powered Apple Intelligence

  • Build: Titanium 2.0 with Ceramic Shield Pro

  • Connectivity: 6G, USB-C 2.1, MagSafe 2.0

  • Security: Quantum Secure Face ID, Privacy Core chip

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