A Thicker Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max? Powerful Benefit Likely Coming

In the latest claim about the iPhone 17 series, which Apple is expected to release in September, one of the models in the lineup could be quite "thicker" from its predecessor. We are referring to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and this could well be very good news for users. According to reports, the iPhone 17 Pro Max will be slightly beefier than the predecessor it will replace, the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Considering that Apple is gung-ho about a really thin smartphone, the iPhone 17 Air, why would Apple target a thicker iPhone 17 Pro Max. How will it benefit users? Well there is a powerful benefit - it may pack a larger battery. This is a new development and hasn't been part of analyst claims and reports about the iPhone 17 series.

This latest leak originates from tipster Ice Universe, who wrote on X that the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max will have an 8.725mm thickness, which is about 0.5 mm more than the 8.25mm thickness of the current iPhone 16 Pro Max.

While this may not appear prominent, it might be enough to house a bigger battery inside. At the same time, the relatively less enhanced thickness will probably go unnoticed and not affect the comfort of holding the device.

Ice Universe also wrote on Weibo, “The iPhone 17 Pro Max looks so strong, and the increase in the thickness of the body means that the battery must have increased.”

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is also expected to pack some other key upgrades. According to case designs supplied by Apple “insider” Sonny Dickson, the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have a bigger camera module. Its appearance has changed with the addition of a separate flash and sensor area on the back.

According to this report, it could be a larger new camera bar that runs across the back of the smartphone. New hardware is probably possible with the revamped camera island, and Apple’s AI-powered features may result in even better photographic experiences.

Apple might also launch new lens technology, like the iPhone 16e's "two in one" lens, for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which means enhanced image quality.

It is also possible that the phone’s back would be part aluminium rather than the nearly all-glass design of the iPhone 16 Pro Max.