After four years with an iPhone 13 Pro Max, the author upgraded to the iPhone 17 Pro Max and immediately noticed major changes. The most dramatic improvement is battery life, with the new device easily lasting a full day of heavy use, including navigation and photography during a New York trip.

While the camera system delivers a clear leap in quality, especially in low-light shots, the physical design proved divisive. The author found the iPhone 17 Pro Max surprisingly slippery and bulky-feeling compared to its predecessor, despite being slightly lighter. The new Camera Control button, however, emerged as a welcome and intuitive addition.

Software features like the Always-on display were promptly disabled, feeling unnecessary for this user's workflow. Apple Intelligence integration remains clunky but shows promise. Ultimately, the author is satisfied with the upgrade, citing the battery and camera gains as justifying the jump after a long wait.