iPhone 17 Pro Max review: is it worth it in 2026?
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is Apple’s most expensive and most powerful smartphone in 2026. It features an A19 Pro chip, a 6.9-inch display with 2,800 nits, a telephoto lens with 8x optical zoom, a 37-hour battery life and a titanium chassis. But does it justify the €1,399 price tag in Tenerife? Is it worth upgrading from the 16 Pro Max? This review gives you the answer, free from marketing hype.
The key point in a sentence
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the the most comprehensive development in years compared to the 16 Pro Max: larger screen (6.9 vs 6.7 inches), an 18 MP Centre Stage front-facing camera with autofocus, a significantly larger battery (37 hours of video playback), 40W fast charging and an A19 Pro chip with a 16-core Neural Engine optimised for Apple Intelligence. If you’re upgrading from the 15 Pro Max or an earlier model, the improvement is substantial. If you’re upgrading from the 16 Pro Max, the improvement is incremental but real.
Price at Macys Digital Tenerife: from €1,399 (256GB, in stock in Silver, Dark Blue and Cosmic Orange)
iPhone 17 Pro Max specifications
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|
| Screen | 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR, ProMotion 120Hz, 2,800 nits HDR |
| Chip | A19 Pro (3nm, 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine) |
| RAM | 12 GB unified |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB |
| Rear camera | Triple Fusion: 48 MP main camera + Ultra-wide-angle + 48 MP telephoto lens (8x optical zoom) |
| Front camera | 18 MP Centre Stage with autofocus |
| Battery | Up to 37 hours of video playback |
| Charge | 40W with cable (50% in 20 mins), MagSafe wireless |
| Material | Titanium chassis |
| Protection | Ultra-durable Ceramic Shield, IP68 |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, UWB |
| System | iOS 18 with Apple Intelligence |
| Colours | Silver, Dark Blue, Cosmic Orange |
| Weight | ~227 g |
What the iPhone 17 Pro Max does better than any other mobile phone
1. A professional video camera in your pocket
The 17 Pro Max’s camera system records in ProRes 4K at 120fps directly from the device. The 48 MP tetraprism telephoto lens with 8x optical zoom captures distant subjects with true sharpness — not grainy digital zoom. Optical sensor-shift stabilisation keeps video steady even when filming handheld whilst on the move.
For content creators, journalists, freelance videographers and anyone who shoots professional-quality video on their mobile, there’s nothing else like it on the market. Neither Samsung nor Google – nor anyone else – comes close in terms of video quality.
2. 37-hour battery life
Apple made a huge leap forward in battery life with the 17 Pro Max. The 37 hours of video playback isn’t just marketing hype — in real-world mixed use (social media, web browsing, camera, calls, music), you’ll easily get one and a half to two days without having to charge it. For travellers in Tenerife who spend the day out and about taking photos, going on excursions and sailing, not having to worry about the battery is a game-changer.
Fast charging of 40W It charges the 50% in 20 minutes. It’s not the fastest charging on the market (Xiaomi goes up to 120W) but it’s enough for a quick coffee – half a charge.
3. Built-in Apple Intelligence
The A19 Pro, with its 16-core Neural Engine, performs functions such as Apple Intelligence directly on the device: text summaries, writing tools, image generation, an enhanced Siri with contextual understanding, automatic transcriptions and natural language processing.
These features improve with every iOS update and are optimised for the hardware of the 17 Pro Max. They work on the 16 Pro Max, but are slower; on earlier models, some are not available.
4. Software longevity
Apple continues to support iOS for 7+ years. An iPhone 17 Pro Max bought today will receive updates until around 2033. No Android phone offers that — Samsung promises four years of system updates and five years of security updates, whilst Xiaomi promises two to three years.
If you spread the cost of the iPhone over 7 years: €1,399 / 7 = €200 a year. A €300 Xiaomi that lasts three years works out at €100 a year. The iPhone is more expensive per year, but the user experience is consistently better for longer.
5. The Apple ecosystem
AirDrop, Continuity, Handoff, Universal Clipboard, iMessage, FaceTime, Find My, Apple Watch — everything works better with an iPhone. If you already have a Mac or an iPad, the iPhone 17 Pro Max completes the seamless ecosystem.
What it doesn’t do quite so well
1. Slow loading compared to the competition
40W is fine, but slow compared to Xiaomi (120W, fully charged in 19 minutes) or Samsung (45W). Apple prioritises battery health over charging speed — a deliberate decision, but frustrating if you’re coming from Android with its ultra-fast charging.
2. Price
€1,399 for a mobile phone is a lot of money. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 512GB costs 1.149€ at Macy’s with comparable specifications (and a slightly larger screen, S Pen included, 200 MP camera). The €250 difference buys you the Apple ecosystem, the longevity of iOS and the video quality — but it’s a real premium.
3. USB-C without Thunderbolt
Despite using USB-C, the iPhone 17 Pro Max does not support Thunderbolt speeds. Transferring large files is slower than on a MacBook or iPad Pro.
4. Limited customisation
iOS is still iOS. If you value Android’s extensive customisation options (launchers, default apps, sideloading, advanced widgets), the iPhone will frustrate you. Apple Intelligence enhances the experience but does not change the system’s closed philosophy.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: is it worth upgrading?
| Feature | iPhone 16 Pro Max | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 6.7″ | 6.9″ |
| HDR brightness | 2,000 nits | 2,800 nits |
| Chip | A18 Pro | A19 Pro |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 18 MP Centre Stage |
| Optical zoom | 5x | 8x |
| Battery | Up to 33 hours of video | Up to 37 hours of video |
| Fast charging | 27W | 40W |
| Material | Titanium | Titanium |
Should I upgrade from the 16 Pro Max? Only if the improved front-facing camera, 8x zoom, extra battery life and larger screen are important to you in your day-to-day use. If your 16 Pro Max works well and you don’t create professional content, wait for the 18.
Should I upgrade from an iPhone 15 Pro Max or earlier? Yes. The leap in camera quality (8x vs 5x), battery life (37h vs 29h), the chip and Apple Intelligence is a generational one. If your mobile is 2+ years old, the 17 Pro Max is an upgrade you’ll notice every day.
Should I update from an iPhone 14 or earlier model? Absolutely. There’s a huge difference in the camera, screen, battery and performance.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 6.9″ LTPO OLED, 2,800 nits | 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 3X, 2,600 nits |
| Chip | A19 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP |
| Optical zoom | 8x | 5x |
| Front camera | 18 MP | 12 MP |
| Battery | 37 hours of video | ~28 hours of video |
| Charge | 40W | 45W |
| S Pen | ❌ No | ✅ Included |
| Embedded AI | Apple Intelligence | Galaxy AI |
| Updates | 7+ years | 4-year system warranty + 5-year security warranty |
| Price at Macy’s | 1.399€ (256GB) | 1.149€ (512GB) |
The iPhone comes out on top in: video quality, optical zoom (8x vs 5x), battery life, software longevity, the Apple ecosystem, resale value.
Samsung comes out on top in: megapixels (200 vs 48 MP), price (€250 cheaper with double the storage), S Pen included, Android customisation, slightly wider screen.
The decision: ecosystem. If you’re an Apple user, go for the 17 Pro Max. If you’re on Android or starting from scratch and price is a factor, the S25 Ultra offers more for less.
Who is the iPhone 17 Pro Max for?
It’s perfect if:
- You’re already part of the Apple ecosystem and you want the best iPhone on the market
- You record a lot of video — ProRes 4K/120fps quality, 8x zoom, best-in-class stabilisation
- You value longevity — 7+ years of iOS updates
- You need a massive battery — 37 hours, one and a half to two full days
- You are a content creator — the best video camera on any smartphone
- Shopping in Tenerife — you save up to €480 compared to the UK
It is NOT for you if:
- You’re on a tight budget — For €1,399, you can buy a MacBook Air M4 laptop (€969) + a Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro (€319) and still have money left over
- You don’t need the Pro features — the standard iPhone 17 or the iPhone 17 Air cover 80% of use cases
- Do you prefer Android? — if customisation and an open ecosystem are your priority, the S25 Ultra is the better option for less money
- Do you update it every year? — The upgrade from the 16 Pro Max to the 17 Pro Max isn’t worth €1,399 if you already own the previous model
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB?
256GB (€1,399): Enough for 70% users. It handles photos, apps, music and casual video without any problems. It may be limiting if you record a lot of ProRes video.
512GB (€1,609): The balanced choice. Ideal for anyone who regularly records videos, downloads a lot of music offline or has a large collection of apps. +€210 for double the storage space.
1TB (€1,949): For professionals who shoot ProRes 4K on a daily basis. If you’re not sure whether you need it, you don’t.
2TB (€2,469): The no-frills model. Designed solely for intensive recording of professional content. There is no practical reason for users to choose the 95%.
Recommendation for most people: 256GB if you’re a standard user, 512GB if you take lots of videos or photos.
The advantage of buying an iPhone in Tenerife
The Canary Islands charge 7% IGIC, compared with 21% mainland VAT or 20% UK VAT. For high-end iPhones, the difference is staggering:
| Model | Apple Store ES | Apple UK (including VAT) | Macy's Tenerife | Savings vs the UK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Pro Max 256GB | 1.499€ | £1.599 (~1.880€) | 1.399€ | ~480€ |
| 17 Pro Max 512GB | 1.749€ | £1.799 (~2.115€) | 1.609€ | ~506€ |
| 17 Pro Max 1TB | 2.249€ | £2.199 (~2.585€) | 1.949€ | ~636€ |
For British tourists: Buying an iPhone 17 Pro Max in Tenerife saves you between €480 and €636 compared to the price in the UK including VAT. That saving pay for a return flight to Tenerife during the off-season.
Customs duty exemption: An iPhone 17 Pro Max exceeds the €430 excess per person. Use the relationship strategy(claim the purchase under your travelling companion’s allowance) or declare the excess when you get home — the charge for the excess is still less than the total savings.
Is this a genuine iPhone with a warranty? Yes. Macys Digital sells genuine iPhones with a 2-year Apple worldwide warranty. The same models as in the Apple Store. They work in any country with any mobile network operator.
Colours available at Macy's Digital
Silver: The classic. An elegant and timeless finish. Dark Blue: the most understated and professional. Cosmic Orange: the most eye-catching. The star colour of this generation.
The three 256GB models are in stock at €1,399. The 512GB models are also in stock at €1,609. The 1TB and 2TB models have limited availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do iPhones from Tenerife work in the UK, Germany and France?
Yes. They are global models (A3526) compatible with all European networks. They come with Apple’s worldwide warranty. There is no difference in functionality compared to an iPhone purchased from an Apple Store in any country.
Can I activate the iPhone straight away in the shop?
Yes. Macys Digital will help you with the initial set-up, transferring data from your old mobile and activating your eSIM if you need it.
Does it come with a charger?
No. Apple hasn’t included a charger in the box since the iPhone 12. Just a USB-C cable. At Macy’s, you can buy a 20W Apple charger (~€25) or use any USB-C charger you already have.
Is the iPhone 17 Pro Max worth it compared to the iPhone 17 Pro (not the Max)?
The Pro Max has: a larger screen (6.9 vs 6.3″), a significantly larger battery (37h vs ~27h of video playback) and superior optical zoom (8x vs 5x). If the screen and battery life are important to you, then yes. If you prefer a more compact phone, the Pro is fine.
Is the 17 Pro Max too big?
At 6.9 inches and ~227g, it’s one of the largest smartphones on the market. If you’re switching from an iPhone 14 (6.1″) or an iPhone mini, you’ll definitely notice the difference. If you’re already using an iPhone 15 or 16 Pro Max, it’s only slightly bigger.
How long does it last before the battery needs changing?
Apple designs its batteries to retain 80% of capacity after 1,000 charge cycles (~3 years of daily use). After that, the battery continues to work but with reduced battery life. An official battery replacement costs around €120 and extends the phone’s life by a further 3–4 years.
Verdict
iPhone 17 Pro Max — 9.5/10
The best iPhone ever made and, quite possibly, the best smartphone of 2026 in absolute terms. The combination of a professional-grade video camera, a 37-hour battery, the A19 Pro chip, a 6.9-inch display and an iOS lifespan of 7+ years makes it an investment that pays for itself over years, not months.
It only loses half a point because of the price (€1,399 is a lot of money for a mobile phone) and the slow charging speed compared to the competition (40W versus Xiaomi’s 120W).
At €1,399 at Macys Digital Tenerife — up to €480 cheaper than in the UK — it’s the best iPhone deal in Europe for tourists.
iPhone 17 Pro Max (256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB) in all colours is available at Macys Digital, in the Parque Santiago 3 shopping centre (Playa de las Américas, Tenerife). For comparisons, read iPhone vs Samsung and the A comprehensive guide to the best mobile phones of 2026. See also our A guide to buying electronics in Tenerife to understand the benefits of the IGIC.