The iPhone 17 Pro Max expected this autumn will be 5% thicker than the current version, according to a noted tipster.
But that’s not bad news. The extra bulk supposedly is to allow Apple to build a larger battery into its top-of-the-line iOS handset.
iPhone 17 Pro Max rumor: An increase in thickness
The role of the iPhone Pro Max models is to pack in “everything but the kitchen sink.” They have all the features, including the largest screen plus the best cameras, with this year’s getting even better. They also have the longest battery life of any iOS handset.
But Apple seemingly isn’t content with that. It’s going to increase the battery in the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max. By exactly how much isn’t yet known, but the change will cause the thickness of the device to grow from 8.25 mm to 8.725 mm, according to a post on Friday from tipster Ice Universe on Weibo.
Ice Universe is best known for Android leaks. The leaker’s record with Apple remains mixed.
Speaking of additional thickness, the iPhone Pro Max might also have an extra-wide camera hump.
Versus iPhone 17 Air
Numerous leaks point to Apple’s slimmest handset yet, the iPhone 17 Air, launching this autumn. On Friday, Ice Universe claimed (according to a machine translation):
“The length, width, screen size and black edges of iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 17 Pro Max are exactly the same. Only the thickness is different. The thickness of iPhone 17 Air is 5.5 mm, and the thickness of iPhone 17 Pro Max is 8.725 mm.”
For comparison, the “basic” iPhone 16 measures 7.8 mm.
But to get its svelte shape, the iPhone 17 Air will give up one of its rear cameras. And it will allegedly include a smaller display.
So it seems those looking for a slim handset this autumn can opt for the iPhone 17 Air, but those who want more features should go with the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
