• Source:JND
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iPhone 17 Pro Max: The iPhone 17 Air is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about smartphones of the year — and not just because of its sleek design or rumoured features. According to leaks, Apple may be quietly flipping the script on what premium smartphones should prioritise. Instead of chasing thinner and lighter devices, Apple seems to be embracing something users have wanted for years: better battery life.

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Industry insiders suggest the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max will be thicker than its predecessor, jumping from 8.25 mm on the iPhone 16 Pro Max to 8.725 mm. It may sound like a small tweak, but the change is intentional. This added depth reportedly makes room for a larger battery — a major shift for Apple, which has long favoured slimmer profiles even at the cost of battery endurance. In fact, this would be the first notable increase in battery volume for a Pro Max model since the iPhone X era, where sleekness often overshadowed practicality.

Interestingly, while the Pro Max model is getting the battery boost, the iPhone 17 Pro is expected to retain the same physical dimensions as last year’s version — a move that sets a clearer distinction between the two Pro models beyond just screen size and price.

Apple’s design philosophy has always leaned toward minimalism and slim profiles, even if it meant trade-offs in thermal management or battery life. But this time, it looks like the company is adjusting its approach. By going slightly thicker with the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple may be directly addressing one of the most persistent criticisms from power users — battery longevity.

The battery isn’t the only design tweak being rumoured. The camera bar on the iPhone 17 Pro models is also said to be expanding, which could significantly alter the visual identity of the devices. According to @kanedacane on X, this larger camera area may not be tied to major hardware upgrades — at least, not this year.

In fact, 2025 might be the first time in a while that the Pro Max doesn’t get an exclusive camera upgrade. Recent Pro Max models have typically stood apart with features like better zoom or stabilisation. This time around, the selling point may not be the camera — but the sheer power and practicality.

Apple's current battery benchmark for the iPhone 16 Pro Max sits at up to 33 hours of video playback and 105 hours of audio. If leaks are accurate, the iPhone 17 Pro Max could push those numbers even higher — potentially offering the best battery performance in iPhone history and maybe even across the premium smartphone segment.

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If these leaks hold true, Apple’s next big thing may not be about breaking design moulds — but rather, reshaping its priorities. In a sea of featherweight flagship phones, the iPhone 17 Pro Max could mark the beginning of a new era — one where power, endurance, and day-long usability trump the race to be the slimmest in the room.