![Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (512 GB) - Deep Blue [6.9-inch Display with Promotion, A19 Pro Chip, Best Battery Life in Any iPhone Ever, Pro Fusion Camera System, Center Stage Front Camera]](https://i.shopsavvy.com/https://x.shopsavvy.com/https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71BngpNwU1L._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Apple switched from the titanium frame used in iPhone 15 and 16 Pro models to aerospace-grade aluminum for the iPhone 17 Pro Max. This change prioritizes thermal performance over material prestige.
Why Apple Made the Switch
The primary reason is thermal management. Aluminum conducts heat significantly better than titanium, enabling more effective cooling. This directly addresses complaints about the iPhone 15 Pro overheating during gaming, video recording, and heavy camera use.
With the aluminum frame and new vapor chamber cooling system, the A19 Pro chip can run at peak performance longer without throttling.
Material Specifications
Apple uses aerospace-grade 7000-series aluminum, the same alloy found in aircraft construction. It offers high strength, excellent thermal conductivity, and a brushed finish for a premium appearance.
Trade-offs to Consider
Advantages of aluminum:
- Better thermal conductivity
- Maintains peak performance longer
- Effective heat dissipation
Disadvantages:
- More prone to visible scratches than titanium
- Slightly heavier
- Less prestige as a material
Durability Features
Despite the frame change, durability is maintained through:
- Ceramic Shield back (4x more crack-resistant than previous glass)
- Ceramic Shield 2 front (3x more scratch-resistant)
- Unibody aluminum construction for structural integrity
Should You Be Concerned?
The aluminum frame shows scratches more easily than titanium. Users who prioritize cosmetic appearance should consider using a case.
The 7000-series alloy remains extremely strong and durable. Any scratches are purely cosmetic and do not affect performance.
Bottom Line
Apple chose to prioritize thermal performance over material marketing. The aluminum frame enables better sustained performance, which benefits daily use more than titanium's scratch resistance advantage.
How we researched this
Where this comes from: This answer is based on ShopSavvy's product database, real-time pricing from thousands of retailers, and a look at hundreds of user reviews to give you a well-rounded picture.
Considering the ?
Here's our "TLDR" Review
Download ShopSavvy App
Compare prices for anything in real-time, set price alerts, watch for deals by keyword, and much more
Install ShopSavvy Browser Extension
Compare and track prices automatically while you shop online at thousands of websites.
More Answers
If you're still curious about the , here are some other answers you might find interesting:
iPhone 17 Pro Max Display Specifications
The iPhone 17 Pro Max features Apple's most advanced display. Here are the complete specifications.
Core Specs
| Spec | Detail | |------|--------| | Size | 6.9 inches (diagonal) | | Resolution | 2868 x 1320 pixels | | Pixel Density | 460 ppi | | Technology | Super Retina XDR OLED | | Refresh Rate | 1Hz - 120Hz (ProMotion) |
Brightness Levels
| Condition | Brightness | |-----------|------------| | Indoor | 1,000 nits | | HDR content | 1,600 nits | | Outdoor peak | 3,000 nits |
Outdoor brightness is 50% higher than iPhone 16 Pro Max, significantly improving visibility in direct sunlight.
Key Features
ProMotion: Adaptive 1Hz-120Hz refresh rate. Smooth scrolling when active, battery saving when static.
Always-On Display: Shows time, widgets, and notifications without fully waking the screen.
Dynamic Island: Expands to show live activities like music, timers, navigation, and more.
True Tone: Adjusts color temperature to match ambient lighting.
HDR: Supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG.
Color: P3 wide color gamut.
Display Protection
Ceramic Shield 2: 3x better scratch resistance than original Ceramic Shield.
Anti-Reflective Coating: Seven-layer coating reduces reflectance to ~2%.
Water Resistance: IP68 (6 meters, 30 minutes).
Size Comparison
The 6.9-inch display matches the iPhone 16 Pro Max dimensions while adding improved brightness and anti-reflective properties.
How Much Does the iPhone 17 Pro Max Cost?
Here's the complete pricing breakdown for the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
US Pricing by Storage
| Storage | Price | Monthly (24 mo) | |---------|-------|-----------------| | 256GB | $1,199 | $49.96 | | 512GB | $1,399 | $58.29 | | 1TB | $1,599 | $66.63 | | 2TB | $1,799 | $74.96 |
Each storage tier adds $200.
Better Value Than Last Year
The iPhone 16 Pro Max started at $1,199 for 128GB. The 17 Pro Max starts at the same price with 256GB. Double the base storage at no extra cost.
UK Pricing
| Storage | UK Price | |---------|----------| | 256GB | £1,199 | | 512GB | £1,399 | | 1TB | £1,599 | | 2TB | £1,999 |
Trade-In Values
Apple trade-in offers (device in good condition):
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: Up to $650
- iPhone 14 Pro Max: Up to $500
- iPhone 13 Pro Max: Up to $370
Third-party services sometimes offer more.
Financing Options
Apple Card: 0% APR over 24 months
iPhone Upgrade Program: Annual upgrades with AppleCare+ included, starting at $69.91/month
Carrier financing: Varies by carrier
Carrier Promotions
AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile frequently offer bill credits, trade-in bonuses, or family plan deals. Check current promotions when purchasing.
Will My iPhone 16 Pro Max Case Fit the iPhone 17 Pro Max?
No. The iPhone 17 Pro Max requires a new case due to significant design changes.
Why Cases Don't Fit
Redesigned camera system: The iPhone 17 Pro Max features a horizontal "plateau" camera bump spanning the top of the phone, replacing the square camera module. No previous case accommodates this shape.
Slightly larger dimensions:
| | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPhone 16 Pro Max | |-|-------------------|-------------------| | Height | 163.4mm | 163.0mm | | Width | 78.0mm | 77.6mm | | Thickness | 8.75mm | 8.25mm |
Different front camera placement: The Center Stage camera positioning affects sensor cutouts.
What Still Works
MagSafe accessories: Wallets, battery packs, chargers, and car mounts with MagSafe alignment remain compatible. The magnetic system is unchanged.
USB-C accessories: All USB-C cables and accessories work normally.
What Needs Replacing
- Phone cases (due to camera redesign)
- Screen protectors (slightly different dimensions)
Available Cases
Major manufacturers released iPhone 17 Pro Max cases at launch:
- Apple Clear Case, Silicone Case, Fine Woven Case
- OtterBox, Spigen, Casetify, RhinoShield, ESR
All new cases accommodate the plateau camera design while maintaining MagSafe compatibility.
🔥 Trending Deals
Loading trending deals...
Footer 1
Get ShopSavvy
Subscribe for Updates
Get the latest news, and updates on ShopSavvy. You'll be glad you did!