This is the English edition of a video from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan.
Quick take
I moved from the iPhone 16 Pro Max to the 17 Pro Max and used it for a little over two weeks. In everyday use, performance felt about the same; the 16 already ran games smoothly. The one change that matters is the front camera: you can now hold the phone upright and still shoot a wider, landscape selfie. If you want to be in your own family photos, that alone is a reason to upgrade. Otherwise, there is no rush.
What I tested
- iPhone 17 Pro Max (Cosmic Orange), after about two weeks of daily use
- Compared with the iPhone 16 Pro Max I used for the previous year
- The new front camera in portrait grip, for photos and video
What I found
| Area | After two weeks |
|---|---|
| Design | The camera area looks very different |
| Cameras | Improvements such as a higher-resolution ultra wide |
| Heat | Better heat dissipation on paper. I started using it as the weather cooled, so I can’t judge summer heat yet |
| Everyday speed | No real difference from the 16 |
| Front camera | Shoots landscape while you hold the phone upright, with a wider view |
The front sensor is now square, which is what makes this possible. Before, I had to rotate the phone sideways and stretch my arm out to fit everyone in. As the one who usually takes the family photos, I am finally in some of them. The switch to iOS 26 at the same time actually felt like a bigger change than the hardware.
How I upgrade every year
- Sell, don’t trade in. I sell my one-year-old iPhone on a second-hand marketplace. In Japan, once the new Pro launches, Apple stops selling last year’s Pro Max and the new model is often hard to get, so used prices hold up. That is usually the best time to sell, so I keep the phone in good condition.
- No AppleCare+. It costs 30,000–40,000 yen here. I use the phone within Apple’s standard one-year warranty and sell it.
- Insurance instead. I use a low-cost mobile device insurance plan (around 300 yen a month in Japan, with a yearly payout cap such as 100,000 yen). Some even cover a lost earbud.
- Migration is quick now. Moving to a new iPhone takes a day at most. This year eSIM took a little extra effort.
One catch: AppleCare+ gets you a replacement fast, but with your own insurance you have no phone while it is being repaired. Keep an older iPhone or a second phone, or be ready for two or three difficult days.
Who it’s for
Upgrade if you want to appear in group or family shots, or you like shooting landscape selfie video without rotating the phone. If you are happy with your 16 and rarely use the front camera, you can skip this year.
Watch the video
The video is in Japanese. Useful points: 1:25 the front camera, 4:15 how I upgrade every year, 7:00 insurance.
Limitations
This is after about two weeks, in autumn, so heat performance in summer is untested. The resale and insurance details reflect the Japanese market and my own situation, not a recommendation for everyone. Check prices and plans where you live.
More reviews in English
All Phones (10) →Browse all English reviews →
This review is also available in Japanese.