The iPhone 17 Pro Max is rumored to have a thicker design compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, with an increase from 8.25mm to 8.725mm in thickness. This increase is speculated to accommodate a larger battery, which could potentially enhance battery life. However, the exact increase in battery life is not yet confirmed.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max already boasts an impressive battery life, with tests showing it can last around 18 hours and 6 minutes on a single charge[3][5]. If the additional thickness of the iPhone 17 Pro Max is used to increase the battery capacity, it could potentially offer even longer battery life. The increase in thickness of 0.5mm could allow for an additional 400mAh of battery capacity, which is about an 8% increase over the iPhone 16 Pro Max's 4685mAh battery[4].
Assuming this additional capacity translates directly into longer battery life, and considering the efficiency of Apple's power management systems, the iPhone 17 Pro Max might see an increase in battery life. However, the actual increase in battery life will depend on various factors, including the efficiency of the new hardware and software, as well as how the battery is utilized by the device's components.
For example, if the iPhone 16 Pro Max lasts for about 18 hours, an 8% increase in battery capacity could theoretically add around 1.44 hours (8% of 18 hours) to its battery life, potentially extending it to nearly 19.5 hours. However, this is speculative and actual results may vary based on real-world usage patterns and device optimizations.
Citations:
[1] https://www.yahoo.com/tech/iphone-17-pro-max-rumor-175719296.html
[2] https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/iphones/iphone-17-pro-max-this-new-rumor-could-push-people-towards-iphone-17-air
[3] https://forums.appleinsider.com/discussion/237781/iphone-16-pro-max-beats-all-comers-in-battery-life-test
[4] https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/03/07/iphone-17-pro-may-get-thicker-than-the-iphone-16-pro
[5] https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/iphones/iphone-16-battery-life-results-are-in-and-we-can-hardly-believe-our-eyes
[6] https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/iphones/iphone-17-pro-max-vs-iphone-16-pro
[7] https://www.macrumors.com/2025/03/07/iphone-17-pro-max-thicker-larger-battery/
[8] https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/iphones/iphone-16-pro-max-battery-life-is-so-unbelievable-we-tested-it-3-times-heres-the-results
[9] https://www.apple.com/iphone/compare/
[10] https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255774663
[11] https://reboxed.co/blogs/outsidethebox/the-best-iphones-for-battery-life-ranked-reboxed