Highlights:
- Alleged CAD renders suggest the iPhone 17 Pro Max could feature a larger 5,000mAh battery.
- Some leakers question the authenticity of the design images, calling them unreliable.
- A separate leak points to a new telephoto camera with up to 8x optical zoom and 48MP resolution.
- Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 17 range at its September launch event.
Disputed design leak
Recent leaks have sparked speculation about the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max, though not all reports agree on what Apple’s flagship device will deliver.
One set of images, shared on the Korean platform Naver by tipster yeux1122, claimed to show CAD renders of the phone’s internal structure. The visuals suggested a larger, potentially 5,000mAh battery, solid aluminium construction and a relocated MagSafe coil, possibly to accommodate new hardware such as a vapor-chamber cooling system.
However, several well-known Apple insiders dismissed the renders. Leaker Unknownz21 said they were not genuine Apple CADs, while ShrimpApplePro described them as poorly made and unreliable.
More credible camera claims
A separate leak from Instant Digital on Weibo is being treated with more credibility, given the source’s stronger track record. According to their report, the iPhone 17 Pro Max could introduce a redesigned telephoto camera with up to 8x optical zoom — a significant increase from the 5x zoom on the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
The camera is also expected to feature a moving lens system, allowing users to switch between focal lengths for more versatile photography and improved image quality. In addition, Apple may increase the telephoto lens resolution to 48MP, a step that would align with recent trends in iPhone camera upgrades.
These changes could explain rumours of a larger, redesigned camera array on Apple’s next Pro Max model.
Conflicting rumours remain
Despite these leaks, some earlier reports suggested more conservative upgrades, including only a 3.5x zoom option. Until Apple’s official reveal, the full details of the iPhone 17 Pro Max remain uncertain.
Launch expected in September
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 line-up at its September launch event, where the company typically introduces its latest smartphones and hardware updates.
