iPhone 17 Pro Max to Feature First-Ever 5,000mAh Battery in Apple History

A new leak out of China suggests the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max will finally break past a major barrier for Apple: a 5,000 mAh battery. This would be the largest battery ever in an iPhone and a noticeable upgrade over the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s 4,685 mAh cell.

While Android flagships have long standardized on 5,000 mAh batteries, Apple has consistently delivered great efficiency with smaller cells. But with increasing demands from high-refresh displays, AI features, and camera enhancements, a larger battery may now be necessary.

Historically, every iPhone Pro Max model has seen small year-on-year battery increases, with the exception of the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which slightly downgraded from its predecessor. The iPhone 17 Pro Max may mark a turning point in Apple's approach to raw battery capacity.

As flagship Android rivals explore silicon-carbon (Si/C) battery tech and push well beyond 5,000 mAh, Apple’s move would align it more closely with consumer expectations for longer battery life in premium smartphones.

Meanwhile, pricing for the current iPhone 16 Pro Max remains premium:

256GB / 8GB RAM – $1,152.09

512GB / 8GB RAM – $1,279.00

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to launch in **late