I had been looking at an upgrade for my wife for a long time. She’s been using her iPhone 15 Plus since 2024, and everything was pointing toward having to wait until fall for the new iPhone 18 Pro Max. But the more leaks I read, the more doubts I had. We had already compared the 17 Pro Max and 18 Pro Max, and after that comparison a simple question crept into my mind: is there even any point in overpaying for the newer model? In the end, I couldn’t wait any longer and bought my wife the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Below, I’ll honestly explain why I consider this decision completely justified.
In person, the smartphone looks truly premium, and you can’t take that away from it
Why the eSIM Version of the iPhone 17 Pro Max Is Better Than the Regular One
The first reason people go for the Pro Max is battery life. And here I had an ace up my sleeve. I specifically chose the eSIM version rather than the one with a physical SIM tray. The reason is simple: without the tray, space is freed up inside the body, and Apple fits a slightly larger battery in there. The regular iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 4,823 mAh battery, while the eSIM model has 5,088 mAh. The difference seems small, but an extra hour without a charger will definitely come in handy for my wife.
I also saved a decent amount of money. eSIM models usually come from the US, UAE, or Japan, and they typically cost less than versions with a SIM tray. It turned out to be a two-in-one deal: lower price and bigger battery. Giving up a physical SIM card is no problem for us at all — the carrier sets up eSIM via QR code in just a couple of minutes.
The display here is bigger than on the 15 Plus, and you can really feel it
Now about the rest of the hardware. The display here is huge — 6.9 inches — watching shows and scrolling through feeds is a pure pleasure. The A19 Pro processor handles absolutely everything without the slightest hint of lag, and I won’t even go on about the camera: it shoots so well that my wife has already flooded my gallery with photos from our dacha and a trip to the mountains. All in all, this is that flagship you won’t want to replace for the next several years.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs. iPhone 18 Pro Max Comparison
Now about the iPhone 18 Pro Max that everyone is waiting for. I carefully studied the leaks and came to the conclusion that there will be no revolution. The design repeats its predecessor almost identically. Moreover, the new device will be noticeably thicker due to a larger camera module, and to me that’s more of a downside than an advantage. I much prefer the thin and familiar body.
Performance will reportedly increase by about 10-15% thanks to a fresh 2-nanometer chip. Sounds impressive, but in real life you simply won’t feel that boost. Launching apps, heavy games, video recording — all of this already flies on the A19 Pro. There are also promises that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will become the most power-efficient iPhone in history, but the current Pro Max is far from disappointing in terms of battery life either.
The updated colors of the new lineup will be incredibly dull
If you strip away the marketing, the new model has only two real differences: a smaller Dynamic Island cutout and updated colors. Everything else is minor nuances that don’t matter in everyday life. Personally, I see no point in waiting almost a year and paying extra just for a slightly more compact cutout.
Which iPhone 17 Pro Max Color to Choose
The color choice turned out to be a separate story that decided a lot. My wife wanted specifically orange — that bold shade Apple introduced in the iPhone 17 Pro lineup. And this became the main argument in favor of the current generation. In the iPhone 18 Pro, the palette will change again: orange will be replaced by a cherry shade, meaning my wife’s favorite color simply won’t exist in the new lineup.
It’s a stunner
It’s a funny situation when you think about it. If we had waited for the new model, we risked not getting the desired color at all. So why wait? We got exactly what we wanted, and right away — not after six months of agonizing indecision.
How Much Does the iPhone 17 Pro Max Cost in 2026
And, of course, the price. In recent weeks, the price of the iPhone 17 Pro Max has been noticeably climbing as units are being snapped up quickly. But I got lucky: I managed to grab one for 95,000 rubles. Finding that price now is nearly impossible, so I consider my purchase an excellent deal — one that’s almost impossible to find on the market today.
Price played the main role in the decision
Now some simple math on the new model. The iPhone 18 Pro Max, with minimal real changes, will come out roughly $100-200 more expensive. The numbers are quite uncomfortable. Paying a significant premium for a slightly smaller cutout and a new shade my wife doesn’t even want would be a strange decision.
So I don’t regret it for a second. My wife got a big display, a powerful processor, a top-tier camera, and an extended battery — all in her favorite orange color and at a reasonable price. And those who will wait for the iPhone 18 Pro Max will most likely pay noticeably more for practically the same smartphone. Sometimes the best purchase is the one you make at the right time, not the one you chase for a couple of extra lines in the spec sheet.
