iPhone 17 Pro Max Reviews: Experts Praise Bold Design, Cameras, and Durability

The iPhone 17 Pro Max has received positive reviews from tech experts, with many praising its bold new design, improved durability, and enhanced camera capabilities. The controversial aesthetic, featuring a large camera bar and orange color options, has been met with mixed reactions. However, critics have largely praised the device's performance, battery life, and innovative features. Overall, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has been deemed a significant upgrade over its predecessor.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max has been receiving positive reviews from tech experts, with many praising its bold new design, improved durability, and enhanced camera capabilities. The controversial aesthetic, featuring a large camera bar and orange color options, has been met with mixed reactions. However, critics have largely praised the device's performance, battery life, and innovative features. Overall, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has been deemed a significant upgrade over its predecessor.

The latest data from Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at TF Securities International, indicates that pre-orders for the iPhone 17 series, including the Pro Max, have outpaced those of the iPhone 16 series iPhone 17 Series Outpaces iPhone 16 in Demand While iPhone 17 Pro Max Tops Pre-Orders, Analyst Says^[1]. This trend is particularly notable in China, where hundreds of people lined up at Apple's flagship Sanlitun store to pre-order the iPhone 17 Pro Max iPhone 17 sparks strong demand in China: Pro Max popularity boosts Apple’s recovery hopes^[2]. The Pro Max model, priced at 9,999 yuan ($1,406), was highlighted as the most popular model, with many buyers citing its longer battery life as a key feature.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max's early success in China is significant for Apple, which has been under pressure from rivals like Huawei and Xiaomi. Despite a 6% decline in shipments in the first eight weeks of the third quarter, analysts at Omdia forecast iPhone shipments in China to rise 11% year-on-year in the second half of 2024, driving 5% full-year growth in 2025 iPhone 17 sparks strong demand in China: Pro Max popularity boosts Apple’s recovery hopes^[2]. The company's latest design changes are expected to be a key factor in reversing the negative shipment trend.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max's success is also evident in its production numbers. According to Kuo, Apple produced around 60% more units of the Pro Max in Q3 2025 compared to the iPhone 16 Pro Max in Q3 2024, with shipping times remaining similar, highlighting strong demand iPhone 17 Series Outpaces iPhone 16 in Demand While iPhone 17 Pro Max Tops Pre-Orders, Analyst Says^[1].

In conclusion, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has shown promising signs of success in the market, with strong pre-order demand and positive reviews. Its early success in China is particularly noteworthy, as it signals Apple's ability to compete with local smartphone makers and regain market share. The device's bold design, improved performance, and innovative features are likely to contribute to its continued success.