In what could be a welcome shift for iPhone fans tired of living near a charger, Apple appears to be gearing up for a meaningful battery boost with next year’s flagship. According to a new leak, the iPhone 17 Pro Max may finally surpass the 5,000mAh barrier — a milestone that would mark a significant leap forward for Apple’s battery technology.
According to the tipster, Instant Digital on Weibo shared that the iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to get the biggest battery jump. While we’ve seen modest improvements in battery life over the years, this jump, if accurate, would represent one of the most dramatic increases yet in the Pro Max line. To put things in perspective, the current iPhone 16 Pro Max carries a 4,676mAh cell, while its predecessor, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, comes in at 4,422mAh. Reaching 5,000mAh would be the largest battery ever packed into an iPhone.
This isn’t just a numerical upgrade either. For everyday users, that extra capacity could spell real-world freedom: fewer low-battery warnings, more time for snapping photos, endless social media scrolling, longer Netflix binges, and extended gaming sessions, all without desperately searching for a charging cable before bedtime.
Of course, raw battery size isn’t the only metric that matters. Apple has always leaned heavily on its A-series chips and iOS optimisations to squeeze out maximum efficiency. The combination of a beefier battery and Apple’s expected next-gen chip, likely the A19 Bionic, could offer a sweet spot of power and endurance.
It’s also worth noting that larger batteries often go hand-in-hand with larger devices. The Pro Max, already known for its expansive display, is the natural candidate for such an upgrade. That extra chassis space allows Apple’s engineers a bit more wiggle room to fit in a chunkier cell — something standard and even Pro models often miss out on.