Even though it’s only February, rumors about the next major iPhone—particularly the iPhone 17 Pro—are already circulating. Fortunately, some leaks suggest that this time, we might finally see a completely new design, marking a departure from the years of incremental updates.
That said, there are a few key areas where the iPhone 17 Pro, especially the iPhone 17 Pro Max, needs to see improvement. The Max version is much larger than the standard Pro, and we believe it should offer more to justify the size difference. We’ve seen other brands, like Samsung with its Ultra models—such as the Galaxy S25 Ultra—introduce a wealth of features that aren’t available in the base models. Apple should consider adopting a similar approach, equipping the Max variant with even more advanced hardware.
With that in mind, here are the key upgrades we’d love to see in the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Keep in mind, these are purely wishlist items and not confirmed features.
1. A better telephoto camera, possibly with an extra lens
Samsung’s Ultra models, including the Galaxy S25 Ultra, have consistently come with four cameras, two of which are dedicated telephoto lenses. But why are two telephoto lenses so crucial? Unlike zoom lenses on DSLR and mirrorless cameras, smartphone cameras use fixed focal lengths—such as 24mm, 28mm, 75mm, or 125mm—based on the manufacturer’s design. This means that unless Apple adds an intermediate telephoto lens, any zoom between 1x and 5x is purely digital.
Apple’s ‘Fusion Camera’ technology lets the main sensor crop in for optical-quality zoom, but let’s be honest—it doesn’t fully replace a dedicated optical lens. For example, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has a 3x telephoto lens, which fills the gap between 1x and 5x zoom.
We’d love to see Apple take a similar approach by adding an additional telephoto lens, which would enhance overall zoom quality and help reduce noise in low-light conditions.
Additionally, we’d like to see improvements to the 5x telephoto camera on the iPhone. While it performs well, it tends to struggle in tricky lighting situations and doesn’t quite match up to competitors like the Vivo X200 Pro, which excels at capturing sharp, detailed nighttime portraits.
2. A much larger battery
Don’t get us wrong—the iPhone Max variant already offers some of the best battery life in any smartphone. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, for example, is a two-day device for most users. However, despite its impressive efficiency, its battery capacity—reportedly 4,685mAh—still has room for improvement.
Considering the size of the Pro Max, Apple could easily fit, say, a 5,500mAh battery inside, paired with its highly optimized A-series chip and iOS. Throw in faster charging, and we’d have an absolute battery powerhouse.
3. Software optimisations for the larger screen
So far, the main benefit of the Pro Max’s larger 6.9-inch display is a more immersive media experience. Otherwise, the software experience is identical to the smaller 6.3-inch Pro model—just scaled up. Apple could take a page from Samsung’s book, which offers extra multitasking features on its larger-screen devices.
4. A fresh new design
Since the iPhone 12 Pro, Apple’s Pro models have looked almost identical. If you compare an iPhone 13 Pro to an iPhone 15 Pro in the same color, it’s nearly impossible to tell them apart at first glance. The symmetrical camera layout, flat sides, and overall design have remained largely the same.
While the current design still feels premium, it’s beginning to feel a bit stale. Luckily, leaks suggest that the iPhone 17 Pro models may feature a Google Pixel 9-style camera visor, with the camera module extending horizontally across the back. This could give the iPhone lineup a fresh visual identity, making the device feel more distinctive and exciting.
