I’ve all the time been on staff Common Measurement in the case of iPhone Professional fashions, even in years when the bigger Professional Max fashions have gained unique options, just like the 5x telephoto “tetraprism” camera within the iPhone 15 Professional Max (which expanded to each fashions within the iPhone 16 Pro). Regardless of the extra expansive display screen measurement, the Max has all the time appeared too cumbersome to hold round all day.
However a number of rumored options and design modifications for the upcoming iPhone 17 Professional Max has me weighing the advantages of embracing Apple’s largest telephone.
I do know it might sound foolish to be excited about the subsequent iPhone fashions within the warmth of the summer season, however here is the factor: September is just two months away, which suggests now’s the time when individuals begin excited about fall budgets and whether or not the iPhone they have been holding onto could make it by way of another yr.
What I am seeing to date has me very certainly. Now, I am trying ahead to September for greater than merely cooler climate and scorching drinks. This is a rundown of a number of the options rumored for the iPhone 17 Professional Max that I am most inquisitive about.
Making the case to go bigger
The iPhone Professional Max fashions are tanks in comparison with the remainder of the road — properly, they are not on the toughness degree of the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro, so possibly they’re extra like strong midsize SUVs. However they’re notable for his or her bigger screens, larger our bodies and particularly for having room for extra of every little thing in an iPhone.
And that features a bigger battery. The Max fashions have already got extra battery house than different fashions, however the iPhone 17 Professional Max may find yourself being nearly half a millimeter thicker, at 8.725 mm, in response to a May post by 9to5Mac. Has anybody ever requested for a extra cumbersome iPhone? Truly, yes, yes and yes.
The iPhone 17 Professional Max may get thicker.
Add the brand new Adaptive Power characteristic in iOS 26, which makes use of AI to distribute energy extra effectively when demand is excessive, and we may see a lift in every day use earlier than reaching for a charger. (Then once more, Adaptive Energy might be a software program workaround that would imply longer life utilizing the identical bodily battery measurement.)
In the event you’re already dedicated to carrying a bigger iPhone, a tad extra thickness and heft is not an excessive amount of extra to shoulder.
The again of the iPhone 17 Professional case can also be rumored to shift the Apple logo down from its present perch. That does not look like an enormous purposeful change however it ought to assist soothe people who select so as to add a transparent MagSafe case, for the reason that brand will likely be centered inside the MagSafe space. You possibly can’t say Apple would not sweat the design particulars.
There are additionally rumors that the iPhone lineup will embrace a brand new sky blue shade, about which I have opinions.
Convey on all of the digicam upgrades
We will not discuss concerning the case with out mentioning the digicam bump, which may turn into a extra expansive digicam island (or possibly on the bigger iPhone 17 Professional Max, will probably be extra like a digicam continent) that stretches throughout the width of the iPhone again, in response to CAD renders by Majin Bu.
That expanse could embrace an upgraded 48-megapixel telephoto camera, which feels overdue for a top-tier camera system. Granted, it would in all probability take further steps to seize images within the full 48-megapixel decision, as is the case with the present principal Fusion digicam within the iPhone 16 Professional fashions, the place pictures are “pixel-binned” with a number of pixels grouped collectively to reinforce gentle gathering capability. However given the good outcomes we have seen from the 48-megapixel digicam within the present fashions — the iPhone 16E leans closely on that decision utilizing its sole rear-facing digicam — extending it to the telephoto digicam would undoubtedly be a win for photographers.
Will the format and configuration of the cameras change from the iPhone 16 Professional proven right here within the new iPhone 17 Professional Max?
Talking of decision, a 24-megapixel front-facing digicam is predicted, up from 12 megapixels, so maybe my selfies will look higher. Extra seemingly, it is to spice up the subsequent rumored characteristic.
Verify Out the iPhone 16 Professional Max’s Cameras, Show and Colours
Video recording makes a leap
Cameras on each side will reportedly work along with twin video recording utilizing the built-in Digicam app, a boon for conducting interviews or making response movies the place you need to see each side of a dialog. Third-party apps have been in a position to tap into this capability for some time, however have not been accessible as a default choice.
Not as essential for on a regular basis use, however attention-grabbing by way of advancing the state-of-the-art, the iPhone 17 Professional Max may assist 8K video recording, as speculated by MacRumors after reviews that 8K was tested for the iPhone 16 Pro. The iPhone is swiftly turning right into a manufacturing video digicam, from options comparable to 28 Years Later to customized cameras constructed from iPhone tech in the F1 movie.
An improved cooling system
Recording video in 4K decision, a lot much less 8K, is a demanding, power-hungry activity that results in warmth construct up. In already heat environments, it might probably even overheat the iPhone and quickly shut it down. So the prospect of a brand new inner cooling structure, whereas being invisible to iPhone homeowners, has me nerding out just a bit.
Based on Majin Bu and others, the iPhone 17 Professional fashions will characteristic a “vapor chamber” cooling system. Because the processor heats up, a small quantity of liquid within the chamber evaporates and condenses in cooler areas, then will get handed again to the recent areas.
Wi-Fi 7 and quick mobile by way of a brand new Apple modem
That is extra geeky and fewer apparent to on a regular basis telephone homeowners, however that is additionally form of the purpose. The iPhone 16E shipped with Apple’s C1 mobile modem, Apple’s first homebrew mobile {hardware} it has been making an attempt to construct so as to wean its dependence on Qualcomm, which has offered the modem {hardware} in earlier iPhone fashions.
Nevertheless, the C1 lacks a sooner millimeter wave mobile community and doesn’t assist Wi-Fi 7, despite the fact that it is extra conservative about energy utilization (and still performs well), a suitable tradeoff for the finances telephone in Apple’s lineup.
The C1 is Apple’s first mobile modem. We may see a extra succesful C2 chip within the iPhone 17 Professional fashions.
However for the iPhone 17 Professional Max, we’re speaking concerning the subsequent skilled fashions, and an iPhone Professional in 2025 cannot ship with out the newest, quickest wi-fi expertise. It could be extra real looking to see Apple stick to Qualcomm for the Professional line than embrace the C1 — however I believe a C2 is coming.
Based on MacRumors, the Wi-Fi 7 compatibility might be offered by a separate dedicated chip designed by Apple.
These aren’t the one iPhone 17 Pro rumors we’re monitoring, however proper now they’re those which have me taking a look at my calendar and wishing September may arrive just a bit sooner.
