New shape, new design, same Pro Max power. The refurbished 17 Pro Max has a design like nothing before it. Buying refurbished gets you that new look, minus the new phone price tag. Get it SIM-free, with 85% battery health and upgradable 12 month warranty
At a glance
Refurbished iPhone 17 Pro Max Summary
The refurbished iPhone 17 Pro Max is Apple's biggest and most capable iPhone from 2025. It suits anyone who wants the absolute best iPhone experience: the largest screen, the most advanced camera, the longest battery life and years of iOS and security updates likely to come. At refurbished prices, you get all of that for significantly less than it cost new.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max gives you a 6.9-inch ProMotion OLED display, the A19 Pro chip, an impressive three-camera system and up to 37 hours of video playback.
If you are comparing iPhone 17 Pro Max deals, the main difference is testing and aftercare. A professionally refurbished iPhone from The Big Phone Store gives you clear grading, battery checks, warranty cover and support after purchase.
Best for: Professionals, serious photographers, anyone who wants Apple's best phone
Performance: A19 Pro chip
Camera: 48MP quad camera with 4x optical zoom, 8x optical-quality zoom, and macro photography
Battery: Up to 37 hours video playback
Software: iOS 26, still receiving updates
Consider other models if: you want a smaller or cheaper phone and don't need Pro video tools
About The iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple launched the iPhone 17 Pro Max in September 2025 as the flagship of its 2025 lineup. Apple marketed it around three things: the A19 Pro chip, the most advanced camera system Apple had ever put in an iPhone, and a dramatic leap in battery life at 37 hours of video playback, a figure that genuinely set it apart from any iPhone before it.
The camera was the main headline. The iPhone 17 Pro Max gives you a much stronger zoom, so you can take photos of people, pets, buildings or events from further away without the image falling apart. Reviewers and professionals loved this camera, but they loved the battery life even more.
Tech media site CNET ranked the iPhone 17 Pro Max as the longest-lasting phone out of 35 smartphones tested, giving buyers another strong reason to choose Apple’s biggest Pro model. No wonder it was the best-selling smartphone in Q4 of 2025, according to research firm Counterpoint.
In 2026, the iPhone 17 Pro Max remains the most capable iPhone you can buy, and at refurbished prices, you can make a huge saving.
How The iPhone 17 Pro Max Compares
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
The iPhone 17 Pro Max improves on the iPhone 16 Pro Max most clearly in camera range, battery life and video capability.
Feature | Technical Upgrade | What You Notice Day to Day |
|---|---|---|
Battery | Up to 37 hours video playback | A dramatic improvement in battery life, with the phone genuinely lasting all day for many users, although demanding use can drain it sooner. |
Telephoto | Tetraprism 100mm, 4x optical, 8x optical-quality | Zoomed-in photos taken from a distance are much more usable and don’t lose as much quality. |
Video | 4K at 120fps ProRes, ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2 | Professional-grade video tools for advanced editing and production. |
Chip | A19 Pro with 6-core GPU | Faster performance, better on-device AI and stronger graphics make using the device for a long time feel easier. |
Front camera | 18MP Center Stage with autofocus | Sharper selfies, better video calls and more editing flexibility for front-facing portraits. |
Zoom range | 16x optical-quality range, 40x digital | More flexibility for shots from distance, including sports, wildlife, concerts and architecture. |
Fast charging | 50% in 20 minutes with 40W adapter | Quicker charging top-ups. 50% battery in the time it takes you to wake up and eat breakfast! |
ProRes RAW | Front and rear cameras | Maximum editing flexibility for professional photographers and filmmakers. |
Size note: The iPhone 17 Pro Max is large and heavy, at 231g and 163.4mm tall. That’s about as tall as a postcard, and a little lighter than the average block of butter. It's one of the biggest iPhones Apple has made.
The Big Phone Store Team Summary: The iPhone 17 Pro Max is for buyers who want the best of everything and don't want to compromise. Being newer, it’s pricier than the 16 Pro Max, so you should make sure that these new features would actually be useful to you before buying. If it suits your needs, it's the best iPhone in our refurbished range.
Some of the YouTubers I watch actually use the 17 Pro Max as their main vlogging camera. I assumed they were using a GoPro or something, that’s how good the camera quality is. I was genuinely surprised to find out they were using a phone.
This is one of the newest and greatest iPhones on the market right now, and the price reflects that. I’m super jealous of anyone who can afford it. It’s an impressive phone, especially if you make use of all the professional photo and video features it offers. I just know that concert videos on this phone would look amazing.
That being said, I think this is a phone you have to be sure about. For the average person, it’s too expensive to justify right now. For professionals, it’s a very good option.
— Charlie Ingram, Content Writer
Find a cheap iPhone 17 Pro Max deal across our grades, colours and storage options.
Grades: Like New, Pristine, Very Good, Good
Colours: Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
Every grade (condition) of device we sell at The Big Phone Store is fully working. The grade describes cosmetic condition only, and all devices go through a 90+ point check before dispatch.
Like New includes 100% battery health. All other grades include a minimum 85% battery health, which can be upgraded to 100% with a new battery at checkout.
Feature | Technical Details | Why it Matters |
|---|---|---|
Screen | 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868 x 1320 resolution, ProMotion up to 120Hz, Always-On, Dynamic Island, 460ppi | One of Apple's largest and sharpest iPhone displays. It remains smooth during busy gaming, videos and scrolling, and it can also manage battery use when the screen is showing something less intense. |
Camera | 48MP Pro Fusion three-camera system: 24mm Wide (f/1.78), 13mm Ultra Wide (f/2.2), 100mm Telephoto (f/2.8, 4x optical, tetraprism), 8x optical-quality zoom — ProRAW, ProRes, macro photography | One of the most capable camera systems Apple has made. You can film videos for social media, take professional photos of people and nature, and edit videos without losing as much detail. |
Battery Life | Up to 37 hours video playback, up to 33 hours streamed — 50% charge in 20 minutes with 40W adapter | One of the longest battery life in iPhone history. It will genuinely last all-day for most users. If battery life is your priority, you can add a brand-new battery at checkout. |
iOS | Supports iOS 26; Apple Intelligence fully supported. Still receiving updates. | This is a phone that will stay up to date for years, so you won’t miss out on the latest compatible features and security updates. |
Dimensions | 163.4 x 78 x 8.75mm, 231g | This is a large phone, best suited to two-handed use. The large screen is perfect for gaming, doodling and video editing. |
Every iPhone 17 Pro Max from The Big Phone Store comes with at least 85% battery health, well above Apple’s 80% replacement threshold. Like New devices have 100% battery health guaranteed.
Try the iPhone 17 Pro if you want the same powerful camera and performance in a smaller, lighter body.
Try the iPhone 17 if you want Apple Intelligence and ProMotion at a lower price without the Pro camera system.
Try the iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want a very similar flagship experience at a lower refurbished price.
Try the iPhone Air for a thinner and lighter iPhone experience.
Battery and Camera
The main reason to buy the iPhone 17 Pro Max is the combination of battery life and camera. It’s impossible to choose just one, because whilst the camera is most impressive from a professional standpoint, the battery life is most useful for the average user. Thirty-seven hours of video playback is a number that changes how you use your phone, making it particularly appealing to buyers who want fewer charging top-ups.
Pair that with a camera that delivers 8x optical-quality zoom and ProRes RAW video, and you have a phone that can be used for professional content creation, and the strong battery life is better suited to longer filming sessions than earlier models. It's not just one of Apple's best iPhones. It's one of the best phones on the market, full stop.
If you're still undecided, we have dozens of other iPhone models available. See our range or get in contact!
How We Test the iPhone 17 Pro Max
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is defined by its camera and battery, so both get particular attention. We test all three camera lenses as well as checking the charging and battery.
We use a trusted diagnostics platform called Phonecheck to perform 90+ checks on every device.
85%+ battery health confirmed and charging tested
Display brightness, colour and full-screen touch response
Face ID — tested, not assumed
Speakers, microphones, cameras and video
All buttons and sensors, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile signal
IMEI and network history check via CheckMEND
Previous owner’s data fully erased
Account locks removed
Lost, stolen and blacklist status checked
Only devices that pass every required check are approved for sale. If a device doesn’t meet our standards, it won’t be sold. Each reconditioned iPhone 17 Pro Max we sell is tested, cleaned and graded in-house before dispatch.
From years of working with used phones, we know that problems often start before the phone reaches you. There is a big difference between a second-hand iPhone 17 Pro Max and a refurbished one, but in both cases it's important to be careful. The main issues are weak battery health, unclear grading, hidden faults, poor replacement parts, blocked phones and sellers listing stock they do not actually have.
Before you buy a refurbished or used iPhone 17 Pro Max, watch out for these common pitfalls.
Risk to Watch Out For | The Issue | What it Means for You |
|---|---|---|
Non-UK or imported models | Some phones may not be intended for the UK market. | You'll pay marginally less upfront, however the phone may sell for as little as 10-20% of its original value later on. Whilst you'll make a small saving to start with, you'll take a huge hit when it's time to dispose of the device, because imported devices are seen as a risk for buyers. |
Phones that are not actually in stock | Some sellers list phones before they physically have them ready to send. | Your phone is your lifeline, and we understand this well. Do you really want to purchase from a company who has a reputation of taking your money and then making you wait for weeks, or in some cases months for your device? |
Weak battery health | A phone can look clean but still have a worn battery. | Many of our competitors don't even mention battery life, and the battery you get is left up to chance. Who wants to spend good money on a device that only turns on for a few hours? Our minimum battery health is 85%, and you can upgrade to 100% at checkout for much cheaper than a high-street battery replacement would cost. |
Hidden faults | Camera, Face ID, sensors or charging port issues may not show in photos. | Many sellers cut costs by not testing your device properly, or in some cases not at all. We believe that every customer deserves a fully functional device from day one, which is why our return rate is one of the lowest in the industry. |
Poor-quality replacement parts | Cheap screens, batteries or camera parts can affect how the phone feels and performs. | Mobile phones are precisely built and sensitive devices. Some sellers use cheap phone parts that are more likely to break or become faulty. We use genuine Apple parts in 95% of the iPhones we repair. On the rare occasion that third-party parts are used, these will be of the highest quality possible, and only for screens and batteries. See our quality charter. |
Blocked, locked or finance-flagged phones | Risky sellers may list phones that later turn out to be blocked, iCloud locked, finance-flagged or not fully reset. | What might seem like a good deal initially could cost you further down the line when the phone is blacklisted from use. We check that your phone hasn't been reported stolen, isn't on the police register, doesn't belong to another company, isn't hacked, and doesn't have any viruses. |
Weak aftercare | Some sellers offer limited support once the phone has been delivered. | If something goes wrong and you need quick support, you may be stuck talking to an AI chatbot. In some cases, the customer support team may live in a different timezone and can't help you when you need it most. Our award-winning team is here to help you by phone, WhatsApp, email and more. |
The Big Phone Store has been refurbishing phones since 1999, and every device is tested, graded and shipped from our UK operation. The reason customers come back is simple: real stock, clear grading, minimum 85% battery health and UK support from people you can actually speak to.
If you're looking for an iPhone 17 Pro Max refurbished in the UK, here’s why you should choose us:
What Matters | How We Help | Why it Matters to You |
|---|---|---|
Experience | Refurbished electronics specialist since 1999 | No one has more expertise in this industry than us. We’ve been refurbishing phones since before the iPhone existed. |
Trust | A 4.80 Trustpilot rating with over 5000 reviews | We have 86,593 reviews across all platforms. Become one of our many satisfied customers today. |
Security | Devices are data-wiped, network status and device history are checked for blacklisting, theft, loss or outstanding finance (using CheckMEND) | Our checks help protect you from blocked, stolen or finance-flagged phones. Unlike with unverified sellers, there’s no risk of being scammed or ripped off. |
Quality | 90+ point quality check (using Phonecheck) | We refuse to sell devices that don't work the same as if they were new. Your device is ready to go straight out of the box. |
Support | UK-based customer support | Get help from real people who won the Best Customer Service (Consumer) award at the MNA 2026, beating major brands such as EE. |
Stock | Website stock means actual stock | Unlike other sites, all devices on our website are in stock and ready to ship from our warehouse today. No false listings or seller delays. |
Device Quality | Every part of the process is done in-house | We have full control over the refurbishment process. Unlike others who outsource their process, we confirm the quality of the devices ourselves. |
Every Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max refurbished at The Big Phone Store includes a 12-month warranty as standard, which you can upgrade to 2 years, 5 years, or lifetime. You also get free UK delivery for any order over £30 and a 45-day returns process.
Yes. Our refurbished iPhone 17 Pro Max devices are SIM-free and unlocked for compatible UK networks.
No. A used phone is usually sold as-is by a private seller. A refurbished iPhone 17 Pro Max is professionally tested, data-wiped, graded and sold with warranty cover.
Yes. Apple lists the iPhone 17 Pro Max with a triple 48MP rear camera system, making it a strong choice for photos, video and zoom flexibility.
You get at least 85% battery health as standard. Like New phones include 100% guaranteed battery health.
That depends on the grade you choose. Like New and Pristine look cleaner. Very Good and Good may show more signs of previous use, but all grades are fully functional.
Yes. Every refurbished iPhone 17 Pro Max includes a 12-month warranty as standard, with upgrade options where available.
Delivery depends on the option selected at checkout. The Big Phone Store offers free UK delivery over £30 and free fast delivery over £150.
Yes. The large OLED display, ProMotion up to 120Hz and A19 Pro chip make it a strong choice for games, films, sport, editing and everyday entertainment.
