Early Australia tests show the iPhone 17 Pro Max shrugs off multiple drops; Ceramic Shield 2 survives until a six-meter fall, while the aluminum frame scuffs.
© Apple
In Australia, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has already faced a drop test, and the early verdict points to a clear jump in durability. The aluminum housing still scuffs easily and sheds paint, but the new Ceramic Shield 2 proved remarkably resilient: the phone shrugged off several falls without cracking, and the display only fractured after a six-meter drop.
As usual, Australia gets the latest iPhones first because of the time difference with the U.S., so the first trials of the iPhone 17 Pro Max happened there. The Apple Track YouTube channel, which has spent several years running tests in Sydney, once again ran a drop test of Apple’s new flagship.
As expected, the aluminum frame picks up damage easily and the paint starts rubbing off after a few impacts. The real surprise is how well the Ceramic Shield 2 glass absorbs punishment. Apple says it is three times more resistant to scratches, and these results do line up with that claim.
In earlier testing, the iPhone 16 Pro Max gave in after a handful of drops, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max came through almost unscathed. The rear glass didn’t fracture until a drop from six meters — an impressive outcome. That level of protection usually comes from a case, not the phone itself.
Overall, the trial suggests the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s aluminum build is sturdier than many expected, despite concerns that moving from the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s titanium to aluminum would be a step backward. Yes, aluminum can deform and the finish wears fast, but the chassis still stands up to hard landings. And in everyday use, the compromise between cosmetic scuffs and avoided shattering looks easier to live with.