Hands-On Tech 235: iPhone 17 Pro Max Review

Host: Micah Sargent
Date: September 28, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Micah Sargent delivers an in-depth, real-world review of the iPhone 17 Pro Max after using it for a full week. He explores design changes, display improvements, battery life, camera innovations, performance upgrades, and iOS 26 enhancements. Micah provides honest insights into what truly sets this iPhone apart, who should consider upgrading, and the few rough edges he encountered.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. First Impressions & Design

• Redesign: The iPhone 17 Pro Max features a bold new brushed aluminum unibody with a "camera plateau" instead of the old camera bump.
  • "Apple completely redesigned this thing and the first time you pick it up, you notice this new brushed aluminum unibody with that camera plateau on the back. Frankly, I think it's a statement. The statement is basically, we're done with the camera bump conversation." (00:34)
• Colors: Deep blue color shifts beautifully under different lighting; Micah calls it "sophisticated" compared to recent iPhones.
• Durability: Ceramic shield is now on both front and back, boasting 3x better scratch resistance.
  • "After a week of tossing this in my pocket with keys, sliding it across tables, general daily abuse, not a single micro scratch." (01:33)
• Display: Massive 6.9-inch display with 3000 nits peak brightness for better outdoor viewing.
  • "Taking this thing outside in direct sunlight, it's legitimately easier to see than my laptop screen indoors." (01:52)
• Antennas: Redesigned, now integrated around the perimeter for improved signal—especially notable in challenging locations.

2. Performance & Cooling

• A19 Pro Chip: Delivers ultra-smooth daily performance; even under heavy loads, the phone remains cool.
  • "This phone doesn't really get hot, like at all." (02:35)
• Vapor Chamber Cooling: Prevents the typical heat-ups during setup and gaming, aiding sustained performance.
• iOS 26 Experience: Described as "like butter”—animations, haptics, and app switches feel more refined.

3. Gaming & Everyday Performance

• Gaming: Handles demanding titles flawlessly, maintaining consistent frame rates with no throttling or heat.
  • "Everything runs at max settings without breaking a sweat...not really any heat." (03:13)
• Performance Jump: Noticeable if you push the device, but feels more like future-proofing than an immediate leap for casual users.

4. Battery Life & Charging

• True Two-Day Battery: Legitimate two-day battery life for moderate users, thanks to a larger battery (especially on the US eSIM model).
  • "I’m ending my day with 30 to 40% left...seven hours of screen time, including streaming video, navigation, tons of photos, and I went to bed with 35% remaining. That’s genuinely impressive." (04:04)
• Fast Charging: 40W adapter charges to 50% in 20 minutes; 25W MagSafe is also quicker.

5. Camera System & Features

• Triple 48MP Camera System: Main, ultrawide, and all-new telephoto.
• 8x Optical Zoom: 200mm lens sets a new iPhone record, enabling crisp shots for sports, wildlife, and concerts—no digital artifacts.
  • "Game changer. This is the longest optical zoom ever on an iPhone." (05:02)
• Front Camera (‘Center Stage’): Exceptional low-light performance and dynamic field of view for group selfies.
  • "I took a selfie in an almost completely dark room...and it pulled out a beautiful usable photo." (05:23)
• Photographic Styles: New "Bright" style—like Instagram filters, but more natural; improved color accuracy, especially with skin tones.
• Videography: 4K at 120fps, Dolby Vision HDR, simultaneous front/back recording, and advanced stabilization.
• Pro Features: ProRes, RAW log 2, GenLock support for professional workflows.

6. iOS 26 Enhancements

• Liquid Glass Design: Feels more fluid and visually modern.
• Call & Message Screening: Drastically reduces spam interruptions, reliably lets through important contacts.
  • "My spam call interruptions have dropped to nearly zero and it’s smart enough to let through important calls..." (08:57)
• Bugs: Minor issues with CarPlay connectivity and Apple Watch pairing (likely early iOS 26 bugs, not hardware flaws).

7. Upgrade Recommendations

• From iPhone 16 Pro Max: Not essential unless you crave the new zoom or design—but improvement is evolutionary.
  • "If you're coming from an iPhone 16 Pro Max, honestly, probably not. Unless you really need that 8 times optical zoom or you're obsessed with having the latest design." (09:35)
• From 15 Pro Max or Older: Well worth the jump. Camera, battery, and performance are transformative from iPhone 14 or earlier.
  • "The jump in camera quality, display brightness, battery life, overall performance, it's going to feel transformational." (10:08)
• Enthusiasts: Praises the vapor chamber cooling, pro camera system, and meaningful design step forward.

8. Price & Value

• Pricing: Starts at $1199 (256GB), up to $1999 (2TB). Accessories remain costly.
  • "The new tech woven case, well, that's $59. The crossbody strap, oh, that's another $59. But the build quality is there." (11:54)
• Value Retention: iPhones’ resale and trade-in value remain industry-leading, with Apple providing over 6 years of software support.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On living with the device:
  "You don't really know a phone until you've actually lived with it..." (00:11)
• On the anti-reflective display:
  "The anti reflective coating is doing some real work here." (01:56)
• On the 8x optical zoom:
  "This is the zoom iPhone users have been waiting for." (05:12)
• On practical battery life:
  "This is legitimate two day battery life for moderate users." (04:23)
• On everyday satisfaction:
  "The battery life means you're not thinking about charging during the day. The camera means you're getting professional looking shots without thinking about settings. The performance means everything just works instantly each time you go to do something." (10:30)
• Final verdict:
  "It’s not revolutionary, but it certainly is evolutionary. The design is mature, it's sophisticated, the performance is overkill in the best way. ... The iPhone 17 Pro Max isn't just iterating anymore. It’s setting a new standard for what we expect from a smartphone." (12:39)

Final Thoughts & Listener Takeaways

• The iPhone 17 Pro Max delivers Apple’s most sophisticated design yet, tangible improvements in battery life, and a leap forward in camera technology.
• The vapor chamber cooling and iOS 26 enhancements make for a reliably smooth, cool, and fast experience.
• Priced squarely in the premium tier, the phone’s value is preserved by long-term support and strong resale potential.
• The upgrade makes the most sense from the iPhone 15 Pro Max and especially from older models.
• Minor iOS bugs are present but likely to be fixed soon.

Important Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------------------|------------| | Design, durability, display | 00:20-02:10| | Performance, A19 chip, vapor cooling | 02:32-03:10| | Gaming & general performance | 03:11-03:49| | Battery life & charging | 03:53-04:41| | Camera systems & features | 04:45-06:17| | iOS 26 highlights & bugs | 08:54-09:26| | Upgrade recommendations & value | 09:31-12:39| | Closing verdict and reflections | 12:40-13:55|

Summary in the Host's Tone

Micah’s take is clear: the iPhone 17 Pro Max is Apple’s most polished device yet, balancing refined design, incredible battery, and truly meaningful camera upgrades. Not revolutionary, but truly no longer just another "spec bump." Those craving the best iPhone experience or coming from older devices will not be disappointed.

Host:
"Let me know. And if you found this review helpful after living with the device for a week, please do be sure to share it with anyone you know who's still considering the upgrade. Until next time, I'm Micah Sargent and I'll see you in the next episode of Hands On Tech." (13:55)