As of early 2026, many people are waiting for Apple’s next big phone. The name most leaks point to is the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Apple has not shared any official details yet, so nothing is confirmed. Still, reports from factories and supply partners give a strong idea of what may come.
Design Changes
The front design may see the biggest update in many years. Apple may finally move Face ID under the display. This means the screen may look more clean and open. For a long time, iPhones used a notch and later the Dynamic Island. Now most Face ID parts may sit below the screen layer. Only a small camera hole may remain at the top.
This change may give more usable screen space. Watching movies may feel more wide and open. Reading and scrolling may feel less crowded. The phone body is still expected to use Grade 5 titanium. This material is strong and light. It also feels premium in hand.
Apple may change the surface finish this year. Instead of a soft matte look, the phone may look more shiny. This helps it stand out from older models.
Display Quality
The iPhone 17 Pro Max may use a 6.9-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR display. This is a very large screen. It is made for clear text and sharp images. The screen may support a refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz. This means the screen can slow down when not needed. It saves battery during simple tasks.
When gaming or scrolling, the screen may feel very smooth. Motion may look natural and clean. This makes daily use more enjoyable. A new hard anti-reflective coating is also rumored. This layer may protect the screen from scratches. It may also reduce reflections in bright places. Brightness levels may also increase. Outdoor brightness may go beyond 3000 nits. This helps a lot under direct sunlight.
A20 Pro Chip
The phone may be powered by the new A20 Pro chip. This chip may use a 2nm manufacturing process. This is a big jump in chip technology. Smaller chip size usually means better power use. The phone may stay cooler during heavy tasks. Heat control may improve during gaming.
Battery use may also become more efficient. Simple tasks may use less power. This helps the phone last longer in a day. Performance may also increase. CPU speed may rise by 15 to 20 percent. Apps may open faster than before. The Neural Engine may also get stronger. It is built for AI tasks. Many smart features may work directly on the phone.
Camera System
Cameras may be a major focus this year. The phone may use three 48MP rear cameras. This brings equal quality across all lenses. The main camera may use a larger sensor. A larger sensor can catch more light. This helps a lot in low light photos.
Night photos may look brighter and clearer. Colors may look more natural. Noise in dark photos may reduce. The ultra-wide camera may also be 48MP. This improves detail in wide shots. Macro photos may also look sharper. The telephoto camera may also move to 48MP. It may use a tetraprism lens design. This allows long zoom without losing clarity.
Zoom levels like 5x or even 10x may stay sharp. Distant objects may look clear. This helps in travel and outdoor photos. The front camera may also get a big upgrade. It may move from 12MP to 24MP. Selfies may look more detailed. Video calls may also look clearer. Skin tones may look more natural. This helps users who use video often.
Memory And Network
Apple may increase RAM to 12GB this year. The last model used 8GB RAM. This is a clear upgrade. More RAM helps when many apps are open. Apps may stay active in the background. Reloading may happen less often. Switching between apps may feel smoother. Heavy tasks may feel easier. This also helps future software updates.
Network features may also improve. The phone may support Wi-Fi 7. This allows faster speeds on supported routers. Apple may also use its own 5G modem. This may improve battery efficiency. It also gives Apple more control over performance.
Battery And Charging
Battery size may increase a little. Even a small increase can help. Combined with the A20 Pro chip, battery life may improve. Daily use may feel more relaxed. Users may worry less about charging. Screen time may increase.
Charging speed may also improve. Apple may move closer to 45W wired charging. This reduces charging time. Fast charging helps busy users. A short charge may give many hours of use. This is useful during travel. MagSafe charging may also get faster. Wireless charging users may benefit. Charging may feel more practical.
Feature Comparison
Below is a simple comparison with the older model. It shows only key rumored changes. This helps see what may improve.
Here is the same data converted into a clean table:
| Feature | iPhone 16 Pro Max | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 24MP |
| Telephoto Camera | 12MP | 48MP |
| Chipset | A18 Pro 3nm | A20 Pro 2nm |
| Face ID | Dynamic Island | Under Display Hole |
Official Status
Apple has not confirmed any of these details. All information comes from leaks and analyst reports. Final features may change. The official launch is expected in September 2026. Until then, this information should be seen as early data. Only the launch event will confirm everything.
FAQs
Is Face ID under the display?
Leaks suggest most Face ID parts may move under the screen.
What is the display size?
The iPhone 17 Pro Max may have a 6.9-inch display.
Which chip will it use?
It is expected to use the A20 Pro 2nm chipset.
Are cameras upgraded?
Yes, all rear cameras may use 48MP sensors.
Is Apple confirmed this?
No, all details are based on leaks and reports.
