Other iPhone 17 Pro vs. Pro Max - Which One Are You Picking?

[Christopher Kim]

The 15PM was my first larger iPhone, after having gone normal Pro size for all my previous iPhones... During the Stainless Steel generations (12 - 14), the Pro Maxes were too heavy for me. With the 15s and the move to Titanium, the 15PM just passed the "subjective line" for me where it felt "light enough".... I've absolutely loved my 15PM for the past almost 2 years, and really like the larger screen.

I don't need to upgrade this year (I've typically gone 2 or 3 years between iPhones), but I might if the 17s look compelling. I will almost certainly not be a Day 1 pre-order buyer, but will go into the store to feel both the 17 PM and 17 Air in hand myself, and make a decision (which might be to wait until next year for the 18s).

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

I prefer the screen real estate of the pro max and will stick with that. I am decent sized, 6'7", so the phone fits in my hands better than most and makes it a one handed device for me. Rumors make it sound like Apple intends to differentiate the Pro and Pro Max models once again so that could impact some decisions as well.

 

[Tdude96]

I've not committed to getting a new phone this year, but definitely leaning towards it. If I do, it'll absolutely be the pro max. The PM is worth the cost of admission for the battery alone.

 

[lazygolfer666]

I have a 15 PM and I think I'll get a Pro.. got used to PM size but still not as comfortable to use as the Pro and also the PM size increased by 0,2 last year. I may consider if the battery and camera are way better.

I said I was getting the 17 Air as soon as this was 'announced' but I see so many compromises now I'm not considering it anymore.

 

[4sallypat]

Why didn’t you buy the normal 16 in the first place ?

Never thought about the base 16 until now - and it makes a lot more sense.

Didn't expect the 16 Pro combined weight as I also carry a 14PM (work) daily.

Since I don't use any of the Pro features, I figure switching back from the Pro to 17 Air would be a good idea even though it's not my normal upgrade routine (every other year due to Apple fianancing).

Hoping the 17 Air will be good to switch from the 16 Pro and maybe I'll have 2 17 Air on my belt....😅

 

[noobinator]

I used the largest model up until 16 and went for the standard Pro. I am 100% going back to Pro Max on the 17. I miss the size and battery life.

 

[Yuuuki]

Battery life is the only reason I would consider a Max again but the size is really annoying imo. (for a woman with small hands even more so - shout out to all the ladys out there rocking a Max lol)

 

[Stiille]

My first Pro Max was the 15 and I sold it today before the prices fall after the iPhone event and will buy a 17 PM - because I can’t get little ones again.
I am now on the 16e to build a bridge between now and then when iPhones are delivered.
Will sell it too after I got the new iPhone

 

[ignitedvelocity]

17 Air.

Unless of course they fumble the specs, at which point I’ll stick to the Pro Max.

…or maybe just replace the battery on my 12PM and tough it out another year for the anniversary edition.

 

[Stiille]

17 Air.

Unless of course they fumble the specs, at which point I’ll stick to the Pro Max.

…or maybe just replace the battery on my 12PM and tough it out another year for the anniversary edition.

if you want to wait for tue anniversary edition it’s in two years not next year

 

[VineRider]

If I update this year, it will be to the 17 Pro. The Max is nice when looking at the screen, but larger than what I want to carry. Battery life is not a concern for me as I end the day with well over 50% on my current 16 Pro

 

[space220]

If I update this year, it will be to the 17 Pro. The Max is nice when looking at the screen, but larger than what I want to carry. Battery life is not a concern for me as I end the day with well over 50% on my current 16 Pro

Same here. I have never (personally) had that wish for that much of a bigger screen or bigger keyboard on my phone. I upgrade every year through T-Mobile and have never had a pro max iPhone before though, so maybe this year I might change it up to keep things interesting

 

[ignitedvelocity]

if you want to wait for tue anniversary edition it’s in two years not next year

You’re right… Looks like I’m getting a new phone in a few weeks.

 

[mathiasinthe314]

I have a 16PM and have had every PM since the 12PM. After shoulder surgery earlier this year prevented me from using my right arm/hand for 8 weeks, one handed usability has become very important to me. The weight and sheer size is impossible to wield effectively with one hand, especially your non-dominant hand. For that reason, I am heavily leaning towards the standard Pro as long as there aren't other major feature differences between the Pro and PM. Obviously, I know I will have to adjust to the battery life being significantly less, but if that's it - I'll manage.

 

[jz0309]

size of the screen, so the PM.
don't care about the weight

 

[dizmonk]

I have a 15 PM and I think I'll get a Pro.. got used to PM size but still not as comfortable to use as the Pro and also the PM size increased by 0,2 last year. I may consider if the battery and camera are way better.

I said I was getting the 17 Air as soon as this was 'announced' but I see so many compromises now I'm not considering it anymore.

Basically ditto.... I stopped in Best Buy and the Apple store this week to mess with the 16 Pros just to get a sense of the size difference (and yes, I know the 17's will be basically the same). I have gotten used to the 15 PM, but it's at the edge of being too big. I don't want to downsize but I cannot use an even slightly bigger phone.

 

[ToddH]

Well I thought about getting one, but I bought a Samsung S25 Ultra instead because of the cameras are so much better for my needs. I still have a 16 pro max that I'll hang on to, but I've really been impressed with the 200mp camera & expert raw. The 17 pro max looks ok, but the only camera they are upgrading is the 5x to a 48mp from 12mp. All of these minor updates to the iphone are getting old. I'll probably move to Samsung fully soon. I had an iPhone since 2009 when I got a 3Gs. Moving to Android/ Samsung has been a nice change. I'm not trolling here, just giving my opinion. I'll watch the keynote and see what Apple unveils, but I'm guessing the update will be minor like the 15 PM to 16PM. If it's good enough, maybe I'll trade in my 16 PM for the 17 and use both brands of mobile phones. I rarely take photos with my iPhone anymore, all S25 Ultra now.

 

[dizmonk]

Well I thought about getting one, but I bought a Samsung S25 Ultra instead because of the cameras are so much better for my needs. I still have a 16 pro max that I'll hang on to, but I've really been impressed with the 200mp camera & expert raw. The 17 pro max looks ok, but the only camera they are upgrading is the 5x to a 48mp from 12mp. All of these minor updates to the iphone are getting old. I'll probably move to Samsung fully soon. I had an iPhone since 2009 when I got a 3Gs. Moving to Android/ Samsung has been a nice change. I'm not trolling here, just giving my opinion. I'll watch the keynote and see what Apple unveils, but I'm guessing the update will be minor like the 15 PM to 16PM. If it's good enough, maybe I'll trade in my 16 PM for the 17 and use both brands of mobile phones. I rarely take photos with my iPhone anymore, all S25 Ultra now.

I thought there was a rumor (yes I know it's a rumor) that the 5x on the PM was going to be bumped up to 8X?

 

[ToddH]

I thought there was a rumor (yes I know it's a rumor) that the 5x on the PM was going to be bumped up to 8X?

I've heard that as well. But I bet it's going to be 48mp full and 8x at 12mp with crop much like the 1x camera at 48mp and 2x at 12mp crop. But I could be wrong.

 

[UltimateSyn]

I've been on Pluses / Maxes since the 6 Plus but am kind of tiring of the size and weight. Have been planning to get the Pro... only way they could get me to go PM again is if there's a significant weight reduction. Even then I really just think they have gotten too large. Would love to get the Air if it weren't for the single camera and presumably shorter battery life.

 

[Pezimak]

Probably have to stick with Max, not sure but my eyes really appreciate the bigger screen, my hands not so much lol. But hopefully the new ones will be lighter. One day when my iPad battery has become EOL I will most likely get a foldable then and replace both phone and tablet. But that will be a few years off yet and depend on Apples pricing….

 

[Stiille]

Probably have to stick with Max, not sure but my eyes really appreciate the bigger screen, my hands not so much lol. But hopefully the new ones will be lighter. One day when my iPad battery has become EOL I will most likely get a foldable then and replace both phone and tablet. But that will be a few years off yet and depend on Apples pricing….

They will likely be more heavy, but we will see soon

 

[Barbareren]

Too bad they’re not releasing an iPhone 17 Plus. I’ll stick to my 15 plus.

 

[trife]

Every year I have the internal debate between the Pro Max and Pro. I borrow my wife’s Pro for a few minutes and mess around on it, say to myself “I could work with that” and then I inevitably end up ordering the Pro Max. Every. Single. Time. 😆

My old ass eyes need the bigger screen. Or maybe I just need glasses? Either way, it’s hard to give up the battery capacity on the PM. I really do wish it wasn’t so heavy though.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Always Pro Max.