Overview

• iFixit’s teardown shows a new vapor chamber that routes heat from the A19 Pro into the aluminum frame, validating Apple’s thermal-first redesign.
• Thermal testing recorded the 17 Pro Max at 34.8°C with no throttling versus 37.8°C and throttling on the 16 Pro Max under comparable load.
• Most components are concentrated in the top third of the phone, creating space for a screw-mounted battery tray, the Taptic Engine and the USB‑C assembly.
• The battery sits in a metal-encased tray secured with Torx Plus screws and electrically de-bonding adhesive, potentially simplifying future swaps if Apple supplies tray replacements.
• Repair patterns shift to front-only access for many parts, with multiple screw types and 22 screws for a USB‑C replacement; iFixit still rates repairability at 7/10 and confirms scratch-prone anodizing at the camera plateau due to spalling.