Why the iPhone 17 Pro Max May Be Apple's Most Priced Phone to Date.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is looking to be Apple's most ambitious launch to date—but this ambition may be accompanied by an eye-watering price tag. With speculation about revolutionary new features, high-end materials, and innovative tech, analysts say it will be the most pricey iPhone to date—here's why.
In this in-depth analysis, we'll discover the main factors that may lead to the iPhone 17 Pro Max being more expensive, a comparison of previous models, and whether the speculated upgrade is worth the price.
1. Apple's Increasing iPhone Prices: A Cause for Concern?
Let's consider the progression of iPhone prices first:
iPhone 12 Pro Max (2020): $1,099
iPhone 13 Pro Max (2021): $1,099
iPhone 14 Pro Max (2022): $1,099
iPhone 15 Pro Max (2023): $1,199 (a $100 bump)
iPhone 16 Pro Max (2024 est.): $1,199 (projected to keep the same)
iPhone 17 Pro Max (2025 est.): $1,299+ (possible $100+ bump)
If these estimates pan out, the iPhone 17 Pro Max would be a new record-high price for Apple—but why?
2. 5 Big Reasons the iPhone 17 Pro Max May Be More Expensive
1. Under-Display Face ID & All-Screen Design
Apple has been trying to make a notch-less, hole-punch-less iPhone for years. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is tipped to finally succeed with:
Under-display Face ID sensors
Under-display front camera
Slimmer bezels than ever
Cost Impact: Producing and manufacturing these embedded components costs a lot. Apple's new display technology is said to cost just $50-$100 in addition to production costs, according to early reports.
2. Titanium-Aluminum Hybrid Frame
While the iPhone 15 Pro Max had a titanium frame, the iPhone 17 Pro Max will likely employ a lighter yet harder titanium-aluminum alloy for increased durability without increased weight.
Cost Implication: High-quality materials = more expensive to make.
3. Periscope Lenses on All Cameras
The iPhone 16 Pro Max will receive a sole periscope zoom lens, but the 17 Pro Max might add this to all of the rear cameras (telephoto, wide, and ultra-wide).
Cost Impact: Multiple periscope modules will add a huge cost to production.
4. A19 Pro Chip (3nm+ Process) & AI Features
A19 Pro chip will most probably be developed using TSMC's future-proof 3nm+ (N3P) process, with the following features:
40% improved performance compared to A17 Pro
Exclusive AI hardware for in-device big language models (LLMs)
Improved energy efficiency
Cost Impact: State-of-the-art semiconductor technology doesn't come inexpensively.
5. Possible Foldable Variant (iPhone 17 Pro Max Fold?)
Rumors go around about Apple testing a foldable iPhone, which might come out as a Pro Max model. If it's true, that would very easily set prices beyond $1,500.
Cost Impact: Foldable screens and hinges remain costly to make.
3. How Much More Expensive Could It Be?
On the basis of leaks available now, here's a realistic price breakdown forecast:
Model\tStarting Price (Est.)\tTop Storage Tier (Est.)
iPhone 16 Pro Max\t$1,199\t$1,599 (1TB)
iPhone 17 Pro Max\t$1,299\t$1,699 (1TB+)
Potential Price Hikes:
Base model: $100 increase (from $1,199 to $1,299)
1TB model: Could reach $1,699
Foldable version (if real): $1,799+
4. Will Customers Pay More? The Value Debate
Arguments FOR the Price Increase:
✅ Revolutionary design (true all-screen iPhone)
✅ Best iPhone camera system ever (periscope on all lenses)
✅ A19 Pro chip could be years ahead of Android
✅ Foldable option would justify premium pricing
Arguments AGAINST the Price Increase:
❌ $1,300 is already too much for a phone
❌ Android flagships provide comparable specs at a lower cost
❌ People retain phones for 3-4 years nowadays
❌ Financial uncertainty could cut back on expenses
5. How Apple Might Justify the Premium Price
If Apple needs people to embrace a pricier iPhone 17 Pro Max, it might:
Package new AI-driven software features (limited to the 17 series)
Provide additional warranty/support (4-5 years' worth of updates?)
Package Apple One subscriptions (free Apple TV+, Arcade, etc.)
Push trade-in offers harder (higher values for older iPhones)
6. Will This Make Older iPhones Less Expensive?
In the past, when Apple increases prices on newer models, older iPhones get price reductions. If the 17 Pro Max begins at $1,299:
iPhone 16 Pro Max might fall to $999
iPhone 15 Pro Max might hit $799
Refurbished market would explode
This would make last-gen Pro models much more attractive to price-conscious buyers.
7. Final Verdict: Is the iPhone 17 Pro Max Worth the Premium?
Worth It If You Want:
- The first real all-screen iPhone
- The newest smartphone camera
- State-of-the-art AI & performance
- A possible foldable design
Not Worth It If You:
- Love your iPhone 15/16 Pro Max
- Don't require the latest technology
- Believe $1,300+ is too expensive for a phone
Conclusion: Apple's Pushing the Limits
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is proving to be a technological wonder, but there's a price to pay for that innovation. With under-display technology, ultra-premium construction, and potentially even a foldable model, this can quickly become Apple's priciest iPhone yet.
Will you pony up the premium, or will this price tag steer you to older iPhones or Android competition? We want to hear from you in the comments!
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs 16 Pro Max vs 15 Pro Max Design
Apple is reportedly ditching the titanium frame used in the iPhone 16 Pro Max in favour of aluminum in the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The back will also see a shift to a hybrid part-glass, part-aluminium panel, which should improve durability while continuing to support wireless charging. In contrast, the iPhone 15 Pro Max and 16 Pro Max featured all-glass backs.
The camera housing is also getting a redesign. While the previous Pro Max models had a square camera bump, the iPhone 17 Pro Max could sport a larger rectangular aluminium camera module. The phone is said to be slightly thicker (8.725mm), likely to accommodate a bigger battery. The Camera Control button introduced with the iPhone 16 Pro Max is expected to be retained.Apple is reportedly ditching the titanium frame used in the iPhone 16 Pro Max in favour of aluminum in the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The back will also see a shift to a hybrid part-glass, part-aluminium panel, which should improve durability while continuing to support wireless charging. In contrast, the iPhone 15 Pro Max and 16 Pro Max featured all-glass backs.
The camera housing is also getting a redesign. While the previous Pro Max models had a square camera bump, the iPhone 17 Pro Max could sport a larger rectangular aluminium camera module. The phone is said to be slightly thicker (8.725mm), likely to accommodate a bigger battery. The Camera Control button introduced with the iPhone 16 Pro Max is expected to be retained.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs 16 Pro Max vs 15 Pro Max Camera
The biggest camera upgrade could come in the form of a 48MP Telephoto lens, replacing the 12MP one found in the 16 Pro Max. This would make the iPhone 17 Pro Max the first in the series to feature three 48MP rear lenses – Main, Ultra-Wide, and Telephoto.
The front camera is also expected to double in resolution, moving from 12MP in previous models to a 24MP shooter with a six-element lens for sharper selfies and better video calls.
iPhone 17 Pro Max Launch Date (Expected)
Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17 Pro Max between September 11–13, 2025. For comparison, the iPhone 16 Pro Max was launched on September 10, 2024, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max made its debut on September 12, 2023.
iPhone 17 Pro Max Price in India (Expected)
iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to launch in India with a price tag of Rs 1,64,900. For reference, the iPhone 16 Pro Max was introduced at Rs 1,44,900, which was a price drop from the iPhone 15 Pro Max's Rs 1,59,900 launch price.
