iPhone 17 Pro Max Upgrade: 5 Key Takeaways
▼ Summary
– The author upgraded from an iPhone 13 Pro Max to an iPhone 17 Pro Max, primarily due to a dramatic improvement in battery life that easily lasts a full day of heavy use.
– They find the new phone’s physical design less comfortable, describing it as slippery, bloated, and bulkier despite being slightly lighter than their old model.
– The camera quality is a major upgrade, with a very noticeable improvement, especially in low-light photography, making them regret not switching sooner.
– While appreciating the new camera button for quick access, they dislike the always-on display feature and have turned it off to reduce cognitive load.
– Other observations include that Apple Intelligence features feel clunky, screen size gains are minimal in daily use, and the Dynamic Island is an improvement over the notch but still obstructs full-screen content.
After holding onto my iPhone 13 Pro Max for four long years, a recent trip to New York finally pushed me to upgrade to the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The decision came after considerable hesitation, given the premium cost in my home country, but the experience has been largely transformative. While the leap forward is undeniable, the transition hasn’t been without its personal quirks and adjustments.
The single most impactful change is the remarkable battery life. My old phone had reached a point where a weekend outing demanded a portable charger. In stark contrast, the new device feels limitless. Even during heavy use in New York for navigation and photography, I struggled to drain it below 85% by evening. While battery degradation is inevitable, this level of endurance alone makes the upgrade feel completely justified for anyone reliant on their phone throughout a long day.
As a dedicated user who prefers a caseless phone, the physical design and feel have been a surprising point of contention. Despite being slightly lighter, the iPhone 17 Pro Max feels bulkier and less substantial in my hand. The finish is surprisingly slippery, and the rounded edges contribute to a sensation that’s less refined than the solid, heavy-duty feel of my older model. This is likely just an adjustment period, but the difference is noticeable every time I handle the two devices side-by-side.
The photographic improvements are, expectedly, dramatic. Camera quality gains compound over several generations, and the difference is night and day, quite literally. Scrolling through my photos, the upgrade is instantly obvious, especially in challenging low-light conditions. I immediately regretted not having the new phone sooner for my trip, as the clarity and detail are on another level entirely.
A welcome surprise has been the dedicated Camera Control button. I initially dismissed it, but I’ve come to prefer it over swiping on the Home Screen or using Control Center. A quick press launches the camera app instantly, while a press-and-hold activates Visual Intelligence. It’s a more intuitive and natural point of control than I gave it credit for, though I keep the more complex gesture controls disabled to avoid confusion.
One feature I promptly disabled is the always-on display. For my personal workflow, which prioritizes minimizing distractions, having the screen persistently illuminated feels unnecessary, even in its current dimmed state. I may revisit this setting later, but for now, it’s switched off.
A few additional observations round out the experience. Apple Intelligence features, while promising, still feel somewhat clunky compared to performing tasks directly on my Mac. The increase in screen real estate from smaller bezels is less noticeable in daily use than I anticipated, though the Dynamic Island is a significant visual and functional upgrade over the old notch, elegantly managing live activities like timers and delivery tracking. Still, I look forward to a future where the display is completely uninterrupted.
Overall, the upgrade has been overwhelmingly positive. The phenomenal battery and exceptional camera are standout features that redefine daily usability. If history is any guide, this phone should reliably power me through the next several years, potentially all the way to an iPhone 21, perhaps on that legendary single charge.
(Source: 9to5Mac)
