iPhone 17 Pro Max Holds Best-Phone Crown at $1,199 After 9 Months

3 articles · Updated · Popular Mechanics · May 11

Nine months after launch, a long-term review still ranks Apple’s $1,199 iPhone 17 Pro Max as the best overall phone, ahead of newer rivals including Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Three 48-megapixel rear cameras, including a telephoto lens that delivers up to 8x optical zoom, were cited as the standout reason, alongside an upgraded 18-megapixel front camera across the iPhone 17 lineup.
Apple’s A19 Pro chip and improved cooling kept the phone smooth under heavy multitasking, video editing and gaming, while the Pro Max also delivered roughly two days of mixed-use battery life.
Counterpoint data cited in the review said the 17 Pro Max was the most popular iPhone 17 model in 2025, though the standard iPhone 17 has since moved ahead this year as Apple still holds the top three spots.

Samsung's S26 Ultra promises seven years of updates. Can the iPhone 17 Pro Max's hardware truly outlast its rival?

As the iPhone 18 nears, is the nine-month-old 17 Pro Max still the smarter purchase for long-term value?