iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: 5 Key Upgrades in September 2025

Apple is gearing up for the iPhone 17 series launch in September 2025, and all eyes are on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the crown jewel of the lineup. With multiple hardware and design upgrades, the upcoming flagship is expected to be a significant leap over last year’s iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Here’s a look at the 5 biggest changes Apple is expected to announce with the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

1. Triple 48MP Cameras and a 24MP Front Shooter

One of the standout upgrades will be in the camera department. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is rumored to feature three 48MP rear sensors, including a new telephoto lens, enhancing optical zoom and low-light performance.

On the front, the TrueDepth selfie camera is expected to jump from 12MP to 24MP, offering sharper FaceTime calls and more detailed selfies.

2. New Anti-Reflective Display Coating

Apple may finally address visibility issues under sunlight by introducing a new anti-reflective display coating on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. This new layer will offer better scratch resistance and significantly improve outdoor readability, going a step beyond the current Ceramic Shield found on previous iPhones.

3. A19 Pro Chip with 12GB RAM for AI Performance

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to debut Apple’s next-gen A19 Pro chip, promising enhanced performance, battery optimization, and improved AI processing capabilities.

In addition, Apple is expected to upgrade RAM from 8GB to 12GB, enabling smoother multitasking, better background task handling, and future-ready performance for iOS 19 and beyond.

4. Aluminium Frame & Redesigned Camera Bump

In a surprising shift, Apple may replace the titanium frame used in the iPhone 16 Pro Max with a lighter aluminium frame on the 17 Pro Max. This change could help reduce overall weight while still maintaining durability.

The rear camera bump is also getting a makeover. Leaks suggest Apple will move away from the square layout to a sleeker rectangular design, giving the phone a more seamless and modern look.

5. Price Hike Expected: iPhone 17 Pro Max May Start at ₹1,54,999 in India

With upgraded internals and new design changes, Apple is likely to increase the starting price of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Sources suggest the new model will launch between September 11–13, with India pricing expected to start at ₹1,54,999, up from ₹1,44,900 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The price jump is reportedly driven by increased component costs and global trade tariffs.

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: Key Differences

Feature iPhone 17 Pro Max (Expected) iPhone 16 Pro Max

Rear Cameras 48MP (Triple Setup) 48MP main + lower-res sensors

Front Camera 24MP 12MP

Chipset A19 Pro A18 Pro

RAM 12GB 8GB

Frame Aluminium Titanium

Display Anti-reflective AMOLED Ceramic Shield OLED

Starting Price (India) ₹1,54,999 ₹1,44,900

Verdict: Worth the Upgrade?

For power users, creators, and iPhone loyalists, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is shaping up to be the most complete iPhone experience yet — combining power, style, and next-gen hardware. If you’re still using the iPhone 14 or 15 series, this may be the perfect time to upgrade.

Stay Tuned

The Apple iPhone 17 launch event is expected in the second week of September, and we’ll bring you all the official specs, prices, and availability details as they unfold.