A recent leak from Weibo user Instant Digital suggests that this fall’s Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a battery capacity of around 5,000mAh, surpassing the current largest iPhone battery. This would be a significant increase over the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s 4,676mAh capacity.
The new design is expected to be slightly thicker than its predecessor, with an estimated thickness of 8.725mm. Although this slight increase may not have a major impact on comfort in hand, it could affect battery life. The leak corroborates rumors that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will utilize some of the extra space for increased battery size.
While new features and processor upgrades could also impact battery life, a bigger battery is often seen as the most effective way to extend device usage. Apple users have consistently ranked battery life as one of their top concerns, as even the latest devices can struggle to last throughout the day.
According to reports, the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s battery capacity increase could result in around a 10% boost in capacity. However, it’s essential to note that battery capacity doesn’t always translate directly to improved battery life.
Analysts predict varying capacities for the new battery, with some estimates suggesting an additional 300mAh of capacity resulting in approximately 35 hours of battery life. Others, like Apple Insider, believe the actual impact may be minimal due to potential offsetting design features, such as vapor chamber cooling and other new technologies.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidphelan/2025/07/05/apple-iphone-17-pro-max-new-leak-confirms-major-design-upgrade