In a review of the iPhone 17 Pro Max published on September 25, 2025, ZDNET reported that a single new feature provides a compelling reason for a year-over-year upgrade. The publication noted this is a departure from its usual advice, which generally does not recommend that owners of the previous year's flagship model purchase the new device. The review is based on a hands-on test of the phone.
The article’s description highlights a “particularly hot factor” as the main driver for its recommendation to upgrade in 2025. However, the provided source material does not contain the full review and therefore does not specify what this feature is, its technical specifications, or how it improves upon the previous model. The ZDNET review is positioned to explain why this one factor is a primary consideration for potential buyers.
