The leading model of the iPhone series seems to be facing challenges in maintaining customer interest.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max, which was released in September, initially sparked a lot of curiosity, but the enthusiasm among customers appears to have dwindled in recent months.
Recent trade-in data reveals that this high-end iPhone has surprisingly become the most traded-in smartphone.
According to a report by SellCell, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has rapidly climbed to the top of the trade-in rankings, which isn’t a flattering position for a relatively new phone.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max now leads the independent trade-in market, making up 11.5% of the top 20 devices. This data is derived from SellCell’s trade-in records and secondary market pricing trends from 40 independent iPhone buyers.
This situation is surprising, given that the phone is under six months old. However, the number of iPhone 17 Pro Max models being traded in is alarmingly increasing. Its share in the top 20 trade-ins has grown from about 5.1% in late November to 11.5% by early February.
A large proportion of these traded-in models are in ‘good’ condition (86%), indicating that the original owners didn’t keep them long enough to cause significant wear.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is undeniably a costly device. It features a 6.9-inch display, an aluminum unibody design, a 48MP triple-camera system with a 48MP periscope lens, and the powerful A19 Pro chip. It also offers the longest battery life for an iPhone, with 37 hours of video playback.
Following closely is the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which accounts for 7.3% of the top 20 trade-ins. Collectively, the top 20 makes up about 47% of all trade-in activity.
Typically, one would anticipate seeing a larger variety of older phones in the rankings due to the usual upgrade cycle.
Why are customers quickly parting with their iPhone 17 Pro Max? The reviews are mixed, with some buyers expressing regret. One user mentioned on Reddit, “I literally posted a couple days ago asking about the best way to sell my 17 Pro,” adding that they regretted their purchase and found little difference compared to the 13 Pro.
Despite the criticism, the phone still has supporters. “I’ve been very happy with my 17 Pro Max,” shared another customer.
Some noted that the phone’s size made it awkward to use. “15 Pro Max was the last size that really felt okay in the hand. The few extra mm they threw on to the 16 and 17 just makes it uncomfortable for extended use. I’m 6’2” with bigger hands too.”
Another user commented on the size: “For me it’s the size. I have the 17PM and I have large hands. I struggle to reach the corners and I miss being able to one hand my phone. This is the first PM I’ve had and it will probably be the last.”
Additionally, one person pointed out, “It’s so THICK. With a case it’s like carrying a brick in your pocket.”
Nonetheless, the iPhone 17 Pro Max maintains a high resale value. A model in good condition averages around $967.50. In the US, a new model with 256GB storage costs $1,199, with prices reaching $1,999 for the 2TB version.